A TRUE NASHVILLE STAR
Chris Young seemed to come out of nowhere in 2006, winning that year’s edition of Nashville Star. His self-titled debut album produced two marginal hits, but no standout success. The album’s material simply wasn’t on par with this young man’s talent and potential.
With the release of The Man I Want To Be, Young now has a winning showcase for his rich baritone. Listening to his honest and sometimes emotionally weathered delivery, it’s hard to imagine that Young is just 24 years old; he possesses the stylistic and emotional maturity of a man twice his age. One feels as if he’s lived every word he sings. His is a voice born to sing country music. And that he does in spades on his sophomore album. That Makes Me kicks things off with a foot-stomping, confident declaration of his country roots. Lead single Voices expands on this theme, touting small-time family values. Young raises the roof again on the fun Twenty-One Candles, with its fast, auctioneer-like vocals. The breezy The Shoebox is a gentle reminder to stop and reflect on what’s important in life. Deservedly, Young finally has his breakout hit with Getting You Home (The Black Dress Song), peppered with risqué lyrics and his sensual delivery.
The heart of the album lies in its ballads, most notably The Dashboard. Young weaves an effective narrative, telling the story of a brother heading off to war, asking the other to look after his beloved truck. With just the right amount of sincerity and conviction, he wrings the emotion, not the novelty, out of the song. Credit should be given to writer Monty Criswell, who visits a theme that has recently been overused and crafts something fresh with the song’s unexpected twist at the end. Another common theme, unexpected pregnancy, is evident in It Takes A Man, but Young’s subtlety results in a believable and honest portrayal of a man coming to grips with fatherhood. The album’s title track is the one moment with the potential to sound tired and clichéd. Again, Young allows the warmth and nuances of his voice to sell the song, and he succeeds brilliantly.
Two unexpected surprises add to the refreshing diversity of this set. Young duets with Willie Nelson on Rose In Paradise, easily holding his own with the country veteran. The story song is also one of the most enjoyable collaborations of Willie’s career. Young tackles Tony Joe White’s classic Rainy Night In Georgia, and the song is easily his finest vocal performance to date. He also breathes new life into lyrics that have been covered by no less than Hank Williams, Ray Charles, Aaron Neville and Conway Twitty. Young can now claim the definitive country version of the song; his smoldering phrasing adds just enough sincerity to make it his own. This will easily be a staple in his shows for years to come.
With The Man I Want To Be, Chris Young has proven he’s more than just a reality-show contestant trying to gain a foothold in country music He has succeeded. He is an authentic and original country artist, through and through. At this early stage in his career, his potential is unlimited, reminding one of a young George Strait back in 1985. His career trajectory could certainly follow the same path; this Nashville star is undeniably on the rise.
With the release of The Man I Want To Be, Young now has a winning showcase for his rich baritone. Listening to his honest and sometimes emotionally weathered delivery, it’s hard to imagine that Young is just 24 years old; he possesses the stylistic and emotional maturity of a man twice his age. One feels as if he’s lived every word he sings. His is a voice born to sing country music. And that he does in spades on his sophomore album. That Makes Me kicks things off with a foot-stomping, confident declaration of his country roots. Lead single Voices expands on this theme, touting small-time family values. Young raises the roof again on the fun Twenty-One Candles, with its fast, auctioneer-like vocals. The breezy The Shoebox is a gentle reminder to stop and reflect on what’s important in life. Deservedly, Young finally has his breakout hit with Getting You Home (The Black Dress Song), peppered with risqué lyrics and his sensual delivery.
The heart of the album lies in its ballads, most notably The Dashboard. Young weaves an effective narrative, telling the story of a brother heading off to war, asking the other to look after his beloved truck. With just the right amount of sincerity and conviction, he wrings the emotion, not the novelty, out of the song. Credit should be given to writer Monty Criswell, who visits a theme that has recently been overused and crafts something fresh with the song’s unexpected twist at the end. Another common theme, unexpected pregnancy, is evident in It Takes A Man, but Young’s subtlety results in a believable and honest portrayal of a man coming to grips with fatherhood. The album’s title track is the one moment with the potential to sound tired and clichéd. Again, Young allows the warmth and nuances of his voice to sell the song, and he succeeds brilliantly.
Two unexpected surprises add to the refreshing diversity of this set. Young duets with Willie Nelson on Rose In Paradise, easily holding his own with the country veteran. The story song is also one of the most enjoyable collaborations of Willie’s career. Young tackles Tony Joe White’s classic Rainy Night In Georgia, and the song is easily his finest vocal performance to date. He also breathes new life into lyrics that have been covered by no less than Hank Williams, Ray Charles, Aaron Neville and Conway Twitty. Young can now claim the definitive country version of the song; his smoldering phrasing adds just enough sincerity to make it his own. This will easily be a staple in his shows for years to come.
With The Man I Want To Be, Chris Young has proven he’s more than just a reality-show contestant trying to gain a foothold in country music He has succeeded. He is an authentic and original country artist, through and through. At this early stage in his career, his potential is unlimited, reminding one of a young George Strait back in 1985. His career trajectory could certainly follow the same path; this Nashville star is undeniably on the rise.
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