Aaron Tippin Albums (10)
'In Overdrive'
Release Date 2/3/2009
Tracks 14
Label Country Crossing
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What The Critics Say
Since Aaron Tippin first cracked the country charts back in 1991 with "You've Got to Stand for Something," the title cut of his debut album, he's had a slew of successes and some dry spells. As part of that wave of "new traditionalists" who took country to a new height of popularity in America, Tippin's macho brand of swagger, honky tonk, and patriotic songs resonated very well through about 1996. He hit a semi dry spell until 1998, and was back in 2000 and 2002 (when "Where the Stars and Stripes and the Eagle Fly" crossed over into the pop Top 20). In other words, no matter what the trend in the music is -- and it's as creatively empty as it's ever been in 2009 -- Tippin's brand of country music never truly goes out of fashion. As if to reaffirm not only his place in the tradition, but to remind listeners of the wealth of great music the tradition has given them, Tippin's In Overdrive is a collection of "truckin' country" songs about 18-wheelers and the men who drive them. Tippin's muse for this record is the late Jerry Reed, who brought truckin' music into the pop charts for the first time in the 1970s, and continued to write it for the rest of his life. This set sounds like it could have been recorded 30 or 40 years ago, despite the somewhat modern production sounds. Tippin's hard Southern dialect and his feel for this collection of classic tunes make it sound like something out of time and space. The set begins with Reed's "East Bound and Down," complete with banjos, roiling electric guitars, and a one-two shuffling bassline. Tippin sounds like he's havin' a ball -- it's rockin' country, full of pumped-up testosterone party-hard energy. And it goes on from here, with a burning Southern rock version of Terry Fell's 1962 hit "Truck Drivin' Man," with prickly pedal steels, Telecasters raging, and double-time drums. Earl Green's "Six Days on the Road" is here of course -- closer in spirit to Commander Cody's version than Dave Dudley's -- as is John Anderson's "Chicken Truck," Buford Amber's "Long White Line," Hank Mills' "Girl on the Billboard," a great reading of Merle Haggard's "Movin' On," and Dave Loggins' "Roll On," just to name a few -- all of them done with hardcore hillbilly rock & roll energy and a swampy verve. There is also a pair of originals here: a sentimental -- as well as astute and sensitive -- story-ballad called "Drivin' Fool" and a cut that simply doesn't belong here at all, "Drill Here, Drill Now." It's a lunkheaded painfully obvious attempt at a hit single disguised as a clarion call to the working-class masses. The funny thing is, the masses voted in 2008 for something a little more complex than this shortsighted "solution." Thankfully, this overtly and clumsily written rocker is the last track on the album. Other than this glaring misstep, In Overdrive is a solid, beautifully executed album that's a hell of a lot of fun. ~ Thom Jurek, All Music Guide
'A December to Remember'
Release Date 9/18/2001
Tracks 12
Label Hollywood
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What The Critics Say
The first ever full-length Christmas album from Aaron Tippin isn't bad. He puts his own "working man" spin on popular holiday fare like "Jingle Bell Rock," "Blue Christmas," "Silent Night," and "Away in a Manger," sung as a charmingly winsome duet with wife Thea. And no country Christmas album would be complete without some new songs, so Tippin and Thea wrote or co-wrote seven newbies including standout originals "It's a Good Thing Santa Ain't Single" and "The Year That Santa Never Came." Even Scrooge himself would have a hard time not enjoying this sweet little album. ~ Maria Konicki Dinoia, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
Aaron Tippin's first album with Lyric Street, What This Country Needs, released in 1998, met with modest success. Almost two years later, People Like Us is sure to bring even greater success to country's "hard-working," "honest," and "strong" Tippin, the man who gave us the colossal hit, "That's As Close As I"ll Get to Loving You" from 1995's Tool Box. Keeping traditional country alive with acoustic and steel guitars and fiddles, People Like Us breathes new life into a category of music that's been in a vegetative state. The 11 songs on this album are a welcome listen, including the animated "Kiss This" and "The Best Love We Ever Made" with Tippin's wife Thea providing sweet vocals on lead and harmony. Sounding "too country" sure hasn't killed this career. ~ Maria Konicki Dinoia, All Music Guide
'What This Country Needs'
Release Date 10/6/1998
Tracks 11
Label Hollywood
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What The Critics Say
For those who always thought Aaron Tippin was wasting that fantastic voice on his many trademark, but somewhat contrived "working-man" anthems, What This Country Needs is the first confirmation of his true potential for greatness. This record, his first after leaving RCA, surpasses his previous work in nearly every respect. His voice is even more sublime than before, sometimes even achieving the extraordinary richness of '70s-era Waylon Jennings. What really make this album a whole different animal, though, are the songs. Tippin's finest moments have always been his heart-on-the-sleeve ballads, like "I Promised You the World" (from 1994's Call of the Wild). There are several excellent tunes in that vein here, particularly the lump-in-the-throat-prompting "I'm Leaving," but even the up-tempo material always smartly avoids the common new-country problem of emphasizing clever turns of phrase over emotional content. The album's production, although replete with honky tonk steel guitars and fiddles, is thoroughly modern without being cheesy. Some songs even sound a little like the best work of the Eagles, except with a truly kick-ass real country singer. Whether it was increased artistic control (Tippin co-produced the album), a new label, or perhaps the birth of his child, something apparently lit a serious fire under Aaron Tippin, as this album stands head and shoulders above anything he recorded prior. Accessible, yet substantial and moving, What This Country Needs is that rare record that should appeal to mainstream country and alt-country lovers alike. ~ Pemberton Roach, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
Aaron Tippin's Tool Box ranks among his finest work, as the singer explores slightly new territory. In addition to his trademark honky tonk, barroom ravers, there are a number of soulful ballads that demonstrate the full range of Tippin's talents. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
Lookin' Back At Myself has a good cross-section of Aaron Tippin's biggest hits and best songs, making it an excellent introduction. ~ Thom Owens, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
Though he was still capable of singing up a storm and cranking out great grooves, some of Tippin's song choices were hillbilly silly. Of course, they were also the singles, including the entertaining "Honky Tonk Superman" and "Working Man's Ph.D." ~ Brian Mansfield, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
A good follow-up by this popular hatless hilbilly contains "There Ain't Nothin' Wrong With the Radio," "I Wouldn't Have It Any Other Way, " "My Blue Angel, " and more. ~ Mark A. Humphrey, All Music Guide
'You've Got to Stand for Something'
Release Date 1/1/1991
Tracks 10
Label RCA
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What The Critics Say
This exciting hardcore country comes from a man whose previous blue-collar experience as a farm hand, welder, pilot, and truck driver made him a publicist's dream. You've Got to Stand for Something includes the singles "You've Got to Stand for Something," "I Wonder How Far It Is over You, " and "She Made a Memory out of Me." ~ Brian Mansfield, All Music Guide
