CD Reviews- Easton Corbin- Easton Corbin

The Background:
Born and raised in rural Gilchrist County, Fla., Easton spent much of his time on his grandparents' cattle farm after his parents divorced when he was young. A member of FFA and 4-H, Easton showed cattle at the local livestock fair. While no one in his family played a musical instrument, music was a big part of his upbringing. "My grandparents liked to watch the Opry," Easton remembers. "We'd start Saturday night off with `Hee Haw' and then `Opry Backstage' and then `Opry Live'." When Easton was 15 years old he began taking guitar lessons; every day when he got home from school, Easton would practice guitar for hours, sometimes until his fingers were raw, then help his grandfather around the farm. Like his heroes Strait and Whitley, Easton is unapologetically country. His songs, while rooted in the present, call to mind simpler times when the back porch was where folks gathered to network. His first single, "A Little More Country Than That," paints a picture of rural life that speaks to Easton's small town sensibilities. "This song identifies who I am," he says. "It shows character and that's important where I'm from. You learn to say `yes, ma'am' and `no, sir,' and to open the door for the ladies."

The Review:
For those that lament the fact that there are no acts like George Strait coming up the ranks of country radio, you can find some solace in newcomer Easton Corbin. In fact, the sounds of their voices are uncannily (and almost eerily) similar. Really similar. In this era of modern pop-flavored country, a neo-traditional freshman effort like this one sticks out like a sore thumb- or at least a green one. That’s only because this album is really good for the music environment. There’s nothing overly complicated or sexy about Easton Corbin. There’s no wicked guitar riffs, no soaring vocal gymnastics and nothing that even comes close to representing pop music. What it is, however is an outstandingly consistent eleven songs that lean on traditional country themes of love, country living and love lost. “The Way Love Looks” is cute for the way his girl pleads to go fishing yet makes you bait the hook and “Someday When I’m Old” fast-forwards 40 years from now to look back on the olden days of today. “Let Alone You” takes off from a beautiful melody and builds up to a big chorus- making it radio-friendly without ever being anything but traditional. If George Strait is known as King George, lets coronate Corbin as Prince Easton- heir to the throne.

Sounds Like:
George Strait

Track Highlights (suggested iPod adds):
A Little More Country Than That
The Way Loves Looks
Someday When I’m Old
A Lot To Learn About Livin’
Let Alone You

The Verdict:
Four Stars Out Of Five