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Tim McGraw's former novelty buys him 'A Place in the Sun'
May 3, 1999 By Mary Jo DiLonardo (CNN) -- When Tim McGraw crashed onto the country music scene in 1994, he was pretty much a novelty act. The be-hatted, goateed son of baseball star Tug McGraw made waves with the politically incorrect dance tune "Indian Outlaw." But five years and four albums later, this supposed flash in the pan is a force to be reckoned with in country music. He has 11 No. 1 singles under his belt buckle. And he's one of country's most popular stars, having sold 13 million albums. He's married to country chanteuse Faith Hill and produces albums for popular Nashville newcomer Jo Dee Messina. McGraw's fifth disc is a collection of diverse styles and moods. He offers a range of traditional country, from Southern rock to romantic ballads and foot-stomping anthems, presented with eclectic instrumentation. Interesting musical arrangement is evident from the first cut. "The Trouble with Never" has an unusual mix of accompaniment, a swaying rhythm and fun vocals. It's followed by "Seventeen," a number reminiscent of the Southern rock sounds of the Allman Brothers or Lynyrd Skynyrd. Age is the theme of another of the album's cuts, "My Next Thirty Years," in which McGraw vows to eat less, sleep more and laugh more now that he's hit the big 3-0.
The most classic country selection on this disc is "She'll Have You Back." In traditional Nashville fashion, it's a wry play on words. "She'll have you back ... back to drinking again." The disc is replete with pleasant ballads, including "My Best Friend" and "Eyes of a Woman." They'd make nice enough numbers for the radio, but there's nothing overly unusual about them. Because they're so plentiful on this 14-cut release, the love songs become a bit interchangeable. But McGraw has a number of definite hit possibilities here, including "Somethin' Like That." Filled with great keyboard accompaniment, the upbeat, fun song has a bright, catchy refrain that demands you hum along. It's a singable good-time anthem that recalls some of McGraw's past hits like "I Like It, I Love It" and "Down on the Farm." The other potential blockbuster is the album's first single, the haunting "Please Remember Me." It's been rocketing up the charts since its release in late March, making it the fastest-rising country single so far this year. The ballad features the incredibly talented and much-sought-after Patty Loveless and some mournful harmonies. Wife Hill is notably absent from this disc. Although McGraw, by his own admission, is far from a great vocalist, his voice has a plaintive, soulful quality and he always offers a delivery imbued with raw honesty. That, in itself, is enough to make a one-time novelty a full-fledged star. RELATED STORIES: Garth Brooks, Trisha Yearwood among winners at Country Music Awards RELATED SITES: Curb Records
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