The Background:
The Boys Are Back...back with an all-new album...back to the traditional-four part harmonies on which they were founded...back to the "rootsy" recording styles of the outlaw music days on the Row...and back to their unique ability to stay on the true to their long musical heritage. That cutting edge has partially been honed by Los Angeles-based, acclaimed pop producer Dave Cobb (Waylon Jennings, The Strays, Rock n Roll Soldiers), who teamed up with one of country music's most legendary vocal groups to create an album that is unexpected yet familiar. With a youthful energy and songs written for them by artist/songwriters Jack White, Shooter Jennings and Jamey Johnson as well as Dallas Frazier (who also wrote “Elvira”), Neil Young and John Lee Hooker, The Oak Ridge Boys went into the release with the excitement of a band approaching their first recording. As a result, The Boys Are Back features a very "raw" and personal sound for the Oaks. The goal was to create an album that was candid, approachable and organic in texture and feel, leaving the listener with a chance to sit back and enjoy a good time with The Oak Ridge Boys.
The Review:
With more than thirty million records sold worldwide, it might be hard to think that the Oak Ridge Boys could step back and give the world something new. But they have. A unique blend of gospel, originals and covers, The Boys Are Back, is something new without abandoning the sound and base that made them so popular in the 70’s and 80’s with such as hits as “American Made” and “Elvira.” It’s evident that the band went out of their way to try new recording techniques yet still to base it upon their traditional gospel and country foundation. Inspired by blues and spirituals, the theme of these songs is about strength that overcomes adversity. While their more-recent recordings have been more geared towards gospel, I found myself more drawn to the songs that were not. The first of those songs is a song recorded by the White Stripes and written by Jack White called "Seven Nation Army." With a powerful raw piano base, the Boys put a unique classic harmony spin on an otherwise rocking tune. Bass singer Richard Sterban anchors a great cover of blues guitarist John Lee Hooker’s “Boom Boom.” The best song on the album, however, and one that any current country music fan needs to add immediately to their collection is “Mama’s Table.” There was something familiar about the song, and it was only after I checked the liner notes that I realized it was co-written by Jamey Johnson. With the lyrics that reflect how a table handed down through the generations being the center of a family, it’s lyrics that make a perfect match to who and what the Oak Ridge Boys are and it represents the simplicity and rawness that Johnson’s tracks on That Lonesome Song are so critically acclaimed for. There is a rumor that Johnson laid down tracks alongside the Oak Ridge Boys on this tune- hopefully someone will have the genius to release it to the public.
Sounds Like:
Alabama
Track Highlights (suggested iPod adds):
Seven Nation Army
Mama’s Table
Boom Boom
Beautiful Bluebird
The Verdict:
Three And A Half Stars Out Of Five
The Boys Are Back...back with an all-new album...back to the traditional-four part harmonies on which they were founded...back to the "rootsy" recording styles of the outlaw music days on the Row...and back to their unique ability to stay on the true to their long musical heritage. That cutting edge has partially been honed by Los Angeles-based, acclaimed pop producer Dave Cobb (Waylon Jennings, The Strays, Rock n Roll Soldiers), who teamed up with one of country music's most legendary vocal groups to create an album that is unexpected yet familiar. With a youthful energy and songs written for them by artist/songwriters Jack White, Shooter Jennings and Jamey Johnson as well as Dallas Frazier (who also wrote “Elvira”), Neil Young and John Lee Hooker, The Oak Ridge Boys went into the release with the excitement of a band approaching their first recording. As a result, The Boys Are Back features a very "raw" and personal sound for the Oaks. The goal was to create an album that was candid, approachable and organic in texture and feel, leaving the listener with a chance to sit back and enjoy a good time with The Oak Ridge Boys.
The Review:
With more than thirty million records sold worldwide, it might be hard to think that the Oak Ridge Boys could step back and give the world something new. But they have. A unique blend of gospel, originals and covers, The Boys Are Back, is something new without abandoning the sound and base that made them so popular in the 70’s and 80’s with such as hits as “American Made” and “Elvira.” It’s evident that the band went out of their way to try new recording techniques yet still to base it upon their traditional gospel and country foundation. Inspired by blues and spirituals, the theme of these songs is about strength that overcomes adversity. While their more-recent recordings have been more geared towards gospel, I found myself more drawn to the songs that were not. The first of those songs is a song recorded by the White Stripes and written by Jack White called "Seven Nation Army." With a powerful raw piano base, the Boys put a unique classic harmony spin on an otherwise rocking tune. Bass singer Richard Sterban anchors a great cover of blues guitarist John Lee Hooker’s “Boom Boom.” The best song on the album, however, and one that any current country music fan needs to add immediately to their collection is “Mama’s Table.” There was something familiar about the song, and it was only after I checked the liner notes that I realized it was co-written by Jamey Johnson. With the lyrics that reflect how a table handed down through the generations being the center of a family, it’s lyrics that make a perfect match to who and what the Oak Ridge Boys are and it represents the simplicity and rawness that Johnson’s tracks on That Lonesome Song are so critically acclaimed for. There is a rumor that Johnson laid down tracks alongside the Oak Ridge Boys on this tune- hopefully someone will have the genius to release it to the public.
Sounds Like:
Alabama
Track Highlights (suggested iPod adds):
Seven Nation Army
Mama’s Table
Boom Boom
Beautiful Bluebird
The Verdict:
Three And A Half Stars Out Of Five
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