Kix Brooks - New to This Town
By:George Peden, Sr.Staff Journalist
After what seemed like forever, the dynamic duo of country hard hitters Brooks and Dunn walked from the neon in 2010. The magical journey, one that saw them achieve just about every award known, was a spent force, with both members leaving to pursue other ventures. After the shockwaves settled, the universal legion of fans waited on the outcome. “We’re not quittin’, said Kix Brooks at the time, “we’re splittin’. The inference was clear: while they were moving on, fresh and independent music wouldfollow.
Prolific Facebook scribe Ronnie Dunn was the first to throw the fans a feed. In 2011 RD released his self-titled album. Now, some 23 years after his first solo release, Kix has released his effort. The album, New To This Town, is a 12 tracker that has the hatted one double dealing as songwriter on 9 tracks and album producer.
In a sense, the album title serves as a metaphor. After all the years of touring, the years of collaboration, the years of thinking for each other, the album is an exposure of Kix and his talent, out there alone.
But there is good news. There’s no solo shock here. Brooks comes armed with all the needed charm of the modern day singing cowboy. His voice suits the sweet shifts from rocking honky tonkers to heart pull balladry, all carried off in a memorable style.
The album fires its opening salvo with a Joe Wash assist on the title track. The powered cut is a wish from the tune’s hero that he could see life and love anew, all from the vantage point of the familiar. It has a ring of been-there-done-that and now I want something new.
And there’s no doubting Kix has certainly worn the familiar Nashville route of struggle and eventual (hopeful) stardom. But if the popular radio host, talented songwriter and crafted guitarist is looking to cut himself from the herd, he’s done it with this Arista release.
Fans will love it. Others, challenged by the daily arrival of new, young and brash talent, those looking for a hit with every track, may not fork out the dollars as quickly. However, if you like an album that grows as you listen, if you like a voice that’s a part of the landscape called Country, it’s for you. It’s an album of new horizons, sung by someone who truly knows the compass points.
Standout tracks include the moody “Moonshine Road”, the cut-loose energy of “Complete 360” and the naughty but nice reveal on “Tattoo”.
http://www.kixbrooks.com/
After what seemed like forever, the dynamic duo of country hard hitters Brooks and Dunn walked from the neon in 2010. The magical journey, one that saw them achieve just about every award known, was a spent force, with both members leaving to pursue other ventures. After the shockwaves settled, the universal legion of fans waited on the outcome. “We’re not quittin’, said Kix Brooks at the time, “we’re splittin’. The inference was clear: while they were moving on, fresh and independent music wouldfollow.
Prolific Facebook scribe Ronnie Dunn was the first to throw the fans a feed. In 2011 RD released his self-titled album. Now, some 23 years after his first solo release, Kix has released his effort. The album, New To This Town, is a 12 tracker that has the hatted one double dealing as songwriter on 9 tracks and album producer.
In a sense, the album title serves as a metaphor. After all the years of touring, the years of collaboration, the years of thinking for each other, the album is an exposure of Kix and his talent, out there alone.
But there is good news. There’s no solo shock here. Brooks comes armed with all the needed charm of the modern day singing cowboy. His voice suits the sweet shifts from rocking honky tonkers to heart pull balladry, all carried off in a memorable style.
The album fires its opening salvo with a Joe Wash assist on the title track. The powered cut is a wish from the tune’s hero that he could see life and love anew, all from the vantage point of the familiar. It has a ring of been-there-done-that and now I want something new.
And there’s no doubting Kix has certainly worn the familiar Nashville route of struggle and eventual (hopeful) stardom. But if the popular radio host, talented songwriter and crafted guitarist is looking to cut himself from the herd, he’s done it with this Arista release.
Fans will love it. Others, challenged by the daily arrival of new, young and brash talent, those looking for a hit with every track, may not fork out the dollars as quickly. However, if you like an album that grows as you listen, if you like a voice that’s a part of the landscape called Country, it’s for you. It’s an album of new horizons, sung by someone who truly knows the compass points.
Standout tracks include the moody “Moonshine Road”, the cut-loose energy of “Complete 360” and the naughty but nice reveal on “Tattoo”.
http://www.kixbrooks.com/
