by Paris (New York)
The Forty5South - We're Country So We Can
Original Release Date: April 26, 2005
Last week I took the morning train from Boston to New York. I set this record in my portable cd-player as more of a curiosity. I was wondering what a young country band would sound like produced by a 80's Rock super-star (Bret Michaels from Poison).
Well, let me tell you the mix works: "We're County So We Can" is one of the best new CD's out there! It is one of those undiscovered treasures that will please both Country and Pop/Rock fans.
This young band has a load of talent and is not afraid to show it. The title track and single from the CD is an upbeat song about growing up in the country and offers a cameo apperance by producer Bret himself.
We strongly believe, Forty5south is truly a great new country band. The newcomers took their name from the highway running through their home state of Jackson, Tennessee. The quintent's polite, radio-ready songs proved to be plenty country enough for the fans hooting and singing along at the clubs on Saturday nights. Their songs are engaging and the harmonies are superb. This album takes a look at our lives, and brings us right up to date with their current music too. The lead single for the album is the uptempo "I'm Gonna Move On", a fun uptempo that has a great chorus. Another great song is "Heaven Only Knows", which hopefully becomes a single.
"I've Been There" is a really pretty song and one of the slower songs on this cd. "Second Hand Life" continues Forty5South's winning streak with the standard over-the-top power ballads and popish rockers.
Speaking of fun songs, Forty5South delivers with "Taste Of Class", a song you are sure to hear at your local country-dance club. This song has been described as half Rock and half western-swing, but the band manages to make it sound natural on this album. Another fun song that delivers a message, and hits its mark, is "Smoke If You Got Em", which describes friendship at South! "We're Country So We Can" is that typical country song about living 'country' music with the one you love.
Last, but not least, is the ability of these five guys to lay it down like it is. On 'My Way', lead singer Ashley Bowers could convince a psychic that he can make everything with his... own way. "A Mile Away" is the hardest hitting song in the Forty5South-lonely lineup.
Overall this is just a great album. Every song is great. This is most defenitely worth the 12 bucks I spent on it last month. "Forty5South: We're Country So We Can," is a country CD with a rather good mood. The great thing about it is because there are so many good songs, you never get tired of any: all of them on this CD are sentimental and true. Forty5south's lyrics really make you feel touched and can easily lighten your mood. If you are looking for a CD that is worth your money, this is definetly one to buy. Songs like "Heaven only Knows", "Second Hand Life", and "I'm Gonna Move On" are songs written from the heart that are fun and easy to sing along to.
Also, congrats to Tilo & Echomusic (Nashville) on a successful music/artist launch.
Whether you are listening to cheer up or just to have fun, this is the album for you. We fully reccommend this album to young and old alike - this is the best of the new school of Country talent.
Rating: 8
Tracklisting:
1. I'm Gonna Move n
2. The Stuff I Grew Up On
3. Heaven Only Knows
4. I've Been Ther Too
5. Li' I Red Riding Hood
6. A Mile Away
7. My Way
8. Second Hand Life
9. Taste Of Class
10. Smoke If You Got 'Em
11. Seems Like Yesterday
12. We're Country So We Can
