CD Review- Darius Rucker- Learn To Live

Hootie has hit a home run again. It seems like Darius Rucker’s first single, “Don’t Think I Don’t Think About It,” has been embraced by country fans- hitting number #1 on the charts this week. And after listening to Learn to Live, it would not surprise me if the album had the same effect.

Of the 14 songs on Learn to Live, it feels like at least 12 of them could be singles. It ranges from the honky-tonk blow-off song, “All I Want,” which is Brad Paisley guitar-infused, to “If I Had Wings,” which shows off Rucker’s softer side. It includes background vocals from Alison Krauss and Vince Gill. It has the coolest father/daughter song with “It Won’t Be This Way For Long” and “I Hope They Get to Me in Time” is an interesting perspective of a life flashing before your eyes in an accident scene. This is not just another rocker who has gone country. This is a man who clearly established he could sing when he was fronting Hootie & the Blowfish. But now he’s proven that the country roots — the ones so many claim to have had all along — are genuinely his. Every song has something that feels honest-to-goodness country.

And it’s also noteworthy to celebrate the fact that an African-American has hit the top of the charts as well. It’s interestingly timed as Barack Obama is making a historic run for the presidency. Darius’ trip to the top in country doesn’t set any precedents, but it’s the first time in over two decades an African-American has had a No. 1 hit in the format. Ray Charles joined Willie Nelson at No. 1 in 1985 with "Seven Spanish Angels," while Charley Pride was the last solo artist to do it with "Night Games" in 1983. With fellow African American country artist Rissi Palmer primed for stardom as well, this will hopefully be another great influence and chapter in country music’s history.

Much has been debated about the influx of pop stars into country music. Rucker is usually thrown into that argument. However, listen to the ten-million album selling “Cracked Rear View” by Hootie and the Blowfish. It’s not much different than the Eagles and today’s electric guitar leading acts Rascal Flatts and Keith Urban. Rucker hasn’t changed course at all, country has just finally found its way to his home in Charleston.

This album is one of the year’s best- a five out of five star.