Lonestar Albums (9)
'My Christmas List'
Release Date 1/1/2007
Tracks 11
Label Cracker Barrel
See Album Tracklist and Review
What The Critics Say
Lonestar's 2005 album Coming Home may not have been as big a hit as its 2004 predecessor, Let's Be Us Again, but it was still a hit, so there was no reason for the quartet to change their formula on their seventh album, 2006's Mountains. If anything, on this album the group takes fewer risks than ever, smoothing out any remaining rough edges and keeping things clean, to the point where they even warn their lover to be "Careful Where You Kiss Me." It may be safe and measured, but Lonestar never claimed to be roughnecks, so this isn't something unexpected; rather, they're just following their natural, logical path. And if unsympathetic ears might find that path a little dull, longtime fans will undoubtedly find it comforting, since Lonestar delivers the goods as promised every time out. Of course, there's a fine line separating reliability and predictability -- one is reassuring, the other is repetitive -- and Mountains may come a little too close to the latter. The band sounds as friendly as ever, covering all their by-now familiar themes of love and family and faith, but beneath the crisp, immaculate production, not many songs take hold. It all glides by smoothly, easing from one earnest midtempo cut to another. There isn't much to distinguish one song from the other -- the uptempo tunes never break a sweat, so they don't feel all that different from the numerous love ballads here -- but the execution is so expert and the group so sweet-natured, it's hard to complain, particularly if you're a fan just looking for another dose of Lonestar. And that's what the group serves up with a smile on Mountains -- a good-hearted, utterly professional, utterly predictable record, one that's certain to please fans without managing to bother anybody else. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
There just isn't another country band as aw-shucks normal as Lonestar, the Tennessee quartet that quietly racked up hits across nearly a decade in its recording career. At the dawn of that career, they had a tougher Texas country streak to their music, but as the years rolled on, they smoothed out their rough edges, turning toward music that's country-pop but without any crossover aspirations. Their 2004 album Let's Be Us Again gave them one of their biggest hits thanks to such domestic-minded tunes as "Class Reunion (That Used to Be Us)" and, especially, the number one country hit "Mr. Mom," and for their quickly released 2005 follow-up, Coming Home, they stick closely to that at-home aesthetic. Not only is the album named after coming home; all the songs celebrate long-term, stable relationships, working steady jobs, living in small little towns, painting an idyllic picture of the United Red States of America. The music is clean and shiny, relying on steady midtempo pop anthems, occasionally dipping into ballads and never breaking a sweat when the tempos get turned up. It's well done and professional and sometimes the sweetly earnest sentiments of the songs add up to some good old-fashioned country corn, such as on "Two Bottles of Beer," which is a nice spin on Rodney Crowell's "American Dream," and the album sparks to life with the bluegrass-inspired closer, "When I Go Home Again." It's not bad, and it's certainly listenable and the guys are likeable. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
Toward the end of the '90s, Lonestar decided to move firmly into the mainstream of contemporary country, leaving behind any hardcore country influences they may have had in favor of sweet anthemic ballads and poppy country-rockers. In essence, they picked up where Alabama left off, so it's little surprise that Alabama's Randy Owen sings on "From There to Here" on the group's fifth album, Let's Be Us Again -- he's passing the torch to this likeable bunch from Tennessee. Like Alabama, Lonestar are catchy and bright, not as concerned with keeping country as they are with hooks and tunes that keep them on the radio, and after they moved toward contemporary country with 1999's Lonely Grill, they have stayed near the top of the country charts. Given that success, perhaps it's inevitable that the group doesn't try much new on Let's Be Us Again, but they're savvy enough to pick up on some early-2000s trends, whether it's dedicating "Somebody's Someone" to "the fallen heroes" or cribbing from Kenny Chesney's island obsession on "T.G.I.F." Lonestar are at their best when they keep the tempo and the mood upbeat, and fortunately most of the album is on the faster side, which makes it more entertaining than some of their previous albums. It's also a consistent album, with only a handful of duds -- such as the well-intentioned "Let Them Be Little," which sounds disarmingly close to "Let Them Belittle," as if it's an anthem for condescension -- which also makes it one of their strongest records. If Lonestar don't quite have the engaging personality to truly make them an heir to Alabama's throne, they at least are likeable and reliable, a good workingman's band, and they're at their best on Let's Be Us Again. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
Lonestar has a way with passionate songs that either make hearts soar or eyes well up with tears; think previous number ones "Amazed," "Smile," and "Tell Her" from the triple platinum Lonely Grill. That album solidified and shaped their career -- and yet, they don't want to be known as a "ballad band." I'm Already There has five ballads, including the title track, so it doesn't seem they're working overtime to change their image. But why fix what isn't broken? This four-member band delivers full-on on those moving ballads, due in part to Richie McDonald's big vocal prowess. But they do pretty well on the other seven tracks of up- and mid-tempo tunes too, including mentionables "Unusually Unusual" and "Every Little Thing She Does." Accomplished songwriters Annie Roboff, Holly Lamar, Lari White, Chuck Cannon, Mark McGuinn, and McDonald himself lend themselves to the pool of talent that makes I'm Already There another platinum album in the making. ~ Maria Konicki Dinoia, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
Lonestar's collection of holiday tunes done in their pop-country style. Fans of their crossover hit "Amazed" will know what to expect and will probably find it enjoyable. They sound most natural playing their own material like "Reason for the Season" and the title track. ~ Zac Johnson, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
Lonestar began as a fairly straight-ahead country band, indebted to pure honky tonk. With their second record, they moved themselves toward pop and, ironically, it didn't pay off in great dividends, even if it spawned a Top 10 single. For their third album, Lonely Grill, they take a middle ground, moving back toward hardcore country while retaining elements of the pop sheen of Crazy Nights. The results aren't always successful, but overall, the album is stronger than its immediate predecessor, largely due to the increased grit. There are still some slow spots and mediocre songs scattered throughout the record, but the strong moments, such as "Amazed" and "I've Gotta Find You," keep the record entertaining and suggest that Lonestar will find a way to fuse their two inclinations into a signature sound. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
The Texan group Lonestar's self-titled debut is an accomplished and impassioned hardcore honky tonk, drawing from such influences as Lefty Frizzell, George Jones, and Merle Haggard. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide
