Chris Young Albums (2)
What The Critics Say
Since Chris Young appeared on the Nashville Star television program in 2006, he's been on a roll. After signing with RCA he had a hit with "Drinkin' Me Lonely," his first single from his self-titled debut recording. Likewise, the two singles that have preceded the release of The Man I Want to Be in 2009 haven't done too badly, either, getting plenty of play on radio. Young co-wrote "Voices," and "Gettin' You Home," creating a buzz surrounding the album's release -- and rightfully so. While Young's sound is firmly in the contemporary country camp, it's also a lot more hardcore honky tonk than it is refried '70s rock clichés that plague the genre. Part of that is due to his big booming baritone voice that rings as clear as a bell in this mix. (Think George Strait-meets-Josh Turner.) The other part of his appeal is the use of a relatively small group of musicians in the recording process, giving the disc a more organic sound that a lot of what's out there. Young's writing talents aren't confined to the singles either; he co-wrote another of the best tracks here -- the stellar hillbilly anthem and album opener "That Makes Me." Young also has a lot of respect for tradition: "Rose in Paradise" is drenched in fiddles, mandolins, and acoustic guitars. It's a country-styled blues and features no less than Willie Nelson as a duet partner. The final track on the set is a moving cover of Tony Joe White's "Rainy Night in Georgia." Its beauty lies in its arrangement. Young understands the soulful nuances in the tune, but still does it his own way. His reading of this classic ballad is utterly tender and believable with sparse, stripped down arrangements; and rather than stick with his trademark baritone, his stretches his vocal range -- including a mean falsetto -- to the brink and still pulls it all off. The Man I Want to Be is definitely a cut above what's currently out there; it's sophisticated, disciplined, passionate, sincere, and clever. ~ Thom Jurek, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
Here it is: the debut album by the winner of 2005's Nashville Star competition. His prize was a contract with RCA Nashville. Given the music biz hype surrounding the show, it's no secret that his first single "Drinkin' Me Lonely," was a hit and garnered lots of interest at radio. But there's another reason for that, too: it's a great tune -- and it was self-penned. But that's really just the beginning. Chris Young has one of those classic country voices that is memorable after one hears it the first time, like Keith Whitley, George Strait, Clint Black, and Ronnie Milsap. The record opens with "Beer or Gasoline," a loud country rocker, and slips effortlessly into "You're Gonna Love Me," a straightforward up-tempo country love song. By the time "Drinkin' Me Lonely'" comes up on the player, the album is in full swing. It's a song Merle Haggard would have been proud to write. Other notable cuts here include the rollicking wildness of "Lay It on Me," and the slippery love song "Center of My World." There are plenty of bad boy rockers to accompany the ballads, which makes for an auspicious debut. The only complaint is Buddy Cannon's production. It's so huge and compressed it makes the album sound generic even if the songs aren't -- fiddles sound more like synths, the guitars all sound like they were recorded the late '70s, and the drums all have so much reverb on them, they sound more like programmed beats than an actual drumkit. The production will date this record instead of making it sound timeless like the great country albums that Young seems to adore given his classic writing style. Still, it's a first record, and Young is the real thing. It's no fluke he won the competition, and from the sound of this set, he's in it for the long haul. ~ Thom Jurek, All Music Guide
