Chris Cagle Albums (4)
'My Life's Been a Country Song'
Release Date 1/1/2008
Tracks 11
Label Capitol Nashville
See Album Tracklist and Review
What The Critics Say
Chris Cagle says that his life is a country song in the title of his fourth album -- a claim that may well be true, but based on this 2008 album his life doesn't sound much like a country song. Cagle, like many country singers of his generation, walks the line between classic rock and mainstream country, which means there's more twang in his voice than there is in the music, no matter how many fiddles and trebly Telecasters are pumped up in the mix. Of course, this hardly represents a change of course for Cagle, who has tread this path since his debut, nor is it really a complaint: it's a statement of fact. Fortunately, Cagle has an earnest, plainspoken charm that keeps his music relatable -- it never seems pumped up for arenas, as some rock-influenced contemporary country does -- and he has to rely hard on that charm here, as he has his blandest set of songs yet. Tellingly, this is a collection that contains no originals from Cagle: every tune was penned by a pro. Some of these are quite strong -- the Rhett Akins-written "Little Sundress" is a bright, summery pop tune, the lead single "What Kinda Gone" is a sturdy slice of rocking country -- and some are simply pleasant pieces of product, like the Mellencamp-lite "No Love Songs." There may be just a little bit more of the latter than there should be, but Cagle helps sell them with his neighborly drawl -- enough for them to be casually enjoyable, if not quite memorable. That may not quite be what Cagle needs at this stage -- he hasn't had a big hit since 2004's "Chicks Dig It" and could use another -- but it's a solid double down the middle, enough to keep his batting average up even if he isn't knocking 'em out of the park. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
On his third album, Anywhere But Here, Chris Cagle's rock influences shine stronger than ever. Not only does he cover Bon Jovi's "Wanted Dead or Alive" and name-drop Lynyrd Skynyrd, but "Hey Ya'll" has a defiant, hard-rocking swagger and he favors anthemic mid-tempo tunes built on classic rock to honky tonk ravers. But in a time where Big & Rich and their Muzik Mafia cohorts are rewriting contemporary country music as a flashy, ironic lark, this devotion to classic and Southern rock makes Cagle a bit of a traditionalist, and he wears it well on Anywhere But Here. While some of the power ballads veer a little bit toward the generic, there are a bunch of strong songs here, ranging from the opening "You Might Want to Think About It," where Cagle takes a stand for Middle America, to the soaring "Maria," which may be his best fusion of modern country and AOR. Throughout it all, Cagle remains an appealing singer -- his voice may be a little thin, but it's friendly, and it can help sell his tales of love, loss, and living. Anywhere But Here may not be a knockout, but it's a thoroughly likeable, engaging record that proves Chris Cagle is something of a country everyman for 2005, which not only makes him endearing, but a little refreshing next to such oversize personalities as Big & Rich and Toby Keith. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide
'Chris Cagle'
Release Date 1/1/2003
Tracks 11
Label Capitol Nashville
See Album Tracklist and Review
What The Critics Say
Though there are moments when he's clearly trying a little too hard, Chris Cagle delivers a generally agreeable set on his sophomore release. There are a few problems: the extremely crisp production has almost too much presence and the artist and his musicians seem to be emoting about an inch in front of the listener's nose. And Cagle's writing leans too often on the creaky formula of hanging the song on the hook of a knee-slap punch line. This can work as long as the language feels natural, like something someone in the country demographic might actually say -- which is why "we're not growing old, we're growing love" misses the mark on "Growin' Love," for example. (Cagle's decision to rhyme "change" with "change" in the same song is even more awkward.) Elsewhere, though, his earnest, nasal singing and overall exuberance sell even the weaker material, and where he comes up with a writing gimmick that's actually fresh, such as the chronological breakdown of a happy relationship on "What a Beautiful Day," he hits a clean home run. ~ Robert L. Doerschuk, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
Like many young country music artists, Chris Cagle didn't grow up with country music so much as he did country-influenced pop and rock; his touchstones are the Eagles and Lynyrd Skynyrd, not Hank Williams and Merle Haggard. While his debut album Play It Loud unquestionably deserves to be filed under country, it's best to think of it just as much in the Southern rock category. Listening to it, music fans will be reminded most frequently of the Marshall Tucker Band and, especially, the Charlie Daniels Band. Cagle is most at home on up-tempo tracks like "Country by the Grace of God," "Rock the Boat," and the title track, also showing an affinity for swamp rock on "Love Between a Woman and a Man." Hence the leadoff track, "My Love Goes on and On," released months ahead of the album as Cagle's first single, is a good representation of his style, since it is another driving country-rocker. Necessarily, Cagle mixes in a few ballads, but they are not among the album's most impressive tracks. It may be that, with slower tempos and more emphasis on lyrics, such songs reveal Cagle's formulaic songwriting approach less flatteringly. The cliché-ridden, stereotypical declarations of romantic devotion would require a more distinctive balladeer to put it over successfully. The chief exception is the heart-rending "I Breathe In, I Breathe Out," actually Cagle's first song to be recorded (David Kersh cut it in 1997), which was added to the album for its Capitol Records reissue in June, 2001, along with another bonus track, "Are You Ever Gonna Love Me," and some multi-media content including the video for "Laredo," the album's second emphasis track and second chart hit. Cagle is an enthusiastic and engaging performer on his first album, but not yet a fully developed talent. ~ William Ruhlmann, All Music Guide
