Neal McCoy Albums (10)
'The Luckiest Man in the World'
Release Date 11/5/2002
Tracks 10
Label Warner Brothers
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What The Critics Say
With barely a nod to "Wink" and his other riff-happy hits, McCoy fills this album with quality material and digs into it with some of his finest singing to date. Aside from one novelty number, the goofball romp "Elvis in the Airport," these are straightforward songs, most of them adorned with melodies and chord changes any singer would adore. The title cut, an affirmation of virtues taken for granted, is especially dramatic, with a soaring chorus that can't help but ignite stage lights and pull audiences up to their feet. Eloquent lyrics abound, from a meditation on the familial admixture of love and hate in "All at the Same Time" to a moving examination of love lost in "Never Got to Say" -- and "Put Your Best Dress On" qualifies as one of the finest romantic ballads in years. There are less-solemn moments too, but these -- the simplistic ditty "Sing" and a boot-scoot throwaway called "Honky-Tonk Mona Lisa" -- are the weakest links in an otherwise strong chain of songs. The last title, "I'm Your Biggest Fan," deserves special mention: Recorded live at Nashville's annual Fan Fair, it is quite simply the warmest expression on record of an artist's gratitude to his fans. Listen to it and you're guaranteed to feel better about yourself. ~ Robert L. Doerschuk, All Music Guide
'The Life of the Party'
Release Date 1/19/1999
Tracks 11
Label Atlantic
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What The Critics Say
Ironically, Life of the Party is one of the slowest albums Neal McCoy has ever recorded -- not the bustling collection of honky tonk ravers and country-rockers the title promises. Instead, it's an accomplished collection of mid-tempo country-pop and tearjerker ballads, all of which McCoy can deliver quite convincingly. After all, by this stage in the game, McCoy is undoubtedly a professional. He knows all the right notes, all the strings to pull, even though ballads aren't necessarily his forté. As a result, Life of the Party is listenable, even though it only occasionally matches the heights of his previous work. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
The first album to follow a Greatest Hits collection usually provides an artist the opportunity to break free from his formulas and pursue a new path. It can also mean nothing, the artist just continuing to turn out the kind of music that supplied hits in the first place. That's what Neal McCoy chooses to do with Be Good At It, a perfectly fine collection of smoothed-over honky tonk and slick contemporary country ballads. McCoy has considerable charm -- he's so engaging that he can effortlessly sell the weaker material here -- and that's what makes the unadventurous nature of Be Good At It forgivable. Simply put, McCoy may have the potential to achieve more than this kind of contemporary country, but he's very good at this kind of music and it's still entertaining to hear him at the top of his form. ~ Thom Owens, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
Neal McCoy's eponymous album is another set of immaculately crafted contemporary country music. From McCoy's polished but heartfelt performacne to the slik, seamless selection of songs, there isn't an obvious flaw on the album. Some may complain that McCoy's approach is getting a bit to pat and predictable, but the highlights -- including the longtime stage favorite "Hillbilly Rap," and which features segments of "Day-O," "The Ballad of Jed Clampett," and "Rapper's Delight" -- are well worth the time of any fan. ~ Thom Owens, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
This Barry Beckett-produced disc was the first to capture the rock-influenced sound of McCoy's stage show (which usually included a rap version of The Beverly Hillbillies theme). Though McCoy had never had a single chart above #21, the album gave the singer his first two number one hits: "No Doubt About It" and "Wink." ~ Brian Mansfield, All Music Guide
'Where Forever Begins'
Release Date 1/1/1992
Tracks 10
Label Atlantic
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What The Critics Say
It includes the singles "Where Forever Begins," "There Ain't Nothin' I Don't Like About You," and "Now I Pray for Rain." ~ Brian Mansfield, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
This debut's most notable song is its title track, a country version of the Billy Vera prom-night pop hit. ~ Brian Mansfield, All Music Guide
