Songs about trucks, getting the girl, losing the girl, and even sometimes picking up your momma from prison, in the rain, with your truck have been the stereotype that make up the genre of country music.
The Tennessee trio, Rascal Flatts held up to this train-of-thought when they put together their new album, “Still Feels Good.” And with names like Gary, Jay and Joe Don, there is no question these boys know their country.
“It still feels good,” and it should, because sadly there is no real distinction from their last release, “Me and My Gang.” But, on the other hand, if it’s not broke, don’t fix it, and with the number of awards they’ve received for their talents, there’s not much to be fixed.
After signing with Lyric Street in 2000, Rascal Flatts has created a fan base with country and pop audiences alike. With singles like, “Feels Like Today”(2004), “Bless the Broken Road”(2005) and “What Hurts the Most”(2006), it’s no wonder why they’ve become such a big musical sensation.
“Still Feels Good” has, no doubt, the same type of songs-to-be-singles that will keep this country trio atop the charts, “Bob That Head” could be the next released radio single.
“Bob That Head” is the black sheep of the album, as it does not deal with getting or losing a girl, nor does it deal with a deep emotional issue.
No, “Bob That Head” is about a truck.
“Take Me There” opens up the CD with a story-telling song of a young couple, no doubt sitting in the back of the young man’s truck in a cornfield. The young man asks the girl, who he’s obviously smitten with, to let him into her life, like she has let no other.
The album then takes a turn down the sad road with “Winner at a Losing Game” asking the question “Have you ever had to love somebody that just don’t feel the same?”
A few songs later the mood changes once again, back to being happy in a relationship with a beautiful woman with “She Goes All the Way.” And no, this is not about a loose girl who gives it up easily, sorry you college horn dogs. The song’s about a man professing his love for a girl that has given so much more than love to the relationship, “She goes all the way.”
After songs about being happy with a girl, and then sad about losing the girl, they end the album with the meant-to-be tearjerker “It’s Not Supposed to Go Like That.”
This track talks about a misfired gun killing a child, a train killing two inebriated teenage lovers and leaving two wooden crosses that serve as “reminders of a love that won’t grow.” Then, finally asking the question “If guardian angels cry when they see it all play out.”
As generic-country sounding as this album is, the songs are actually well written and almost intoxicating. This CD is a good one to buy and just let roll while cruising down the highway.
Because, as we all know, “Life is a Highway.”