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"Brand New Me"
You can't say John Michael Montgomery
is an American original, but he's certainly an American. Brand
New Me is as masculine, wholesome, and conventional as a pickup
commercial. His perspective comes through loud and clear on one
of this 10-song set's pivotal numbers, "Thanks for the G
Chord": "Thanks for the G chord / Teaching me about
the good Lord / Giving me that old Ford/When I turned 16."
Holding down the middle ground between honky-tonk traditionalism
and unapologetic country-pop, Montgomery matches gestures toward
country's roots (a little mandolin here, some sweeping steel
there) with the full-bodied drumming and cranked guitar that
marks many a modern Nashville production. And of course, no one
can wring a ballad dry like Montgomery can. There's nothing inspired
or original going on here; indeed, the brand new John Michael
Montgomery sounds mighty familiar. --Steve Stolder |
Customer review from Amazon
Reviewer: Rena from Los Angeles, CA USA
Montgomery's "Brand New Me"
puts together all the necessary elements to present a profoundly
moving country album. The highlight of this cd is the heart-wrenching
"The Little Girl," which brought tears to my eyes and
warmth in my heart that only John Michael could produce. I can
honestly say that no song has ever made as much of an impact
on me. Other songs that stood out include the opening song, "Brand
New Me," which is an up-beat and light-hearted take on dealing
with heartache. "Bus to Birmingham," expresses the
pain of letting go for the sake of love. "Weekend Superstar"
describes what it's like to be a blue-collar worker with an undeniable
desire to perform music. Finally, the ballad "Even Then,"
bleeds a deep and honest love story told through a rolling melody.
The bottom line is that Montgomery puts heart and soul into every
note he sings. This album is an explicit display of all that
makes country music so good. |
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