Much of
Scotty McCreery's appeal on American Idol relied on his old-fashioned charm, how he seemed like a nice, everyday guy who just happened to be a deep-voiced crooner of classic country. Of course, in the early days of the 21st century, old-fashioned country doesn't sell the way it used to.
McCreery's 2011 debut
Clear as Day performed well right out of the gate -- it debuted at the top of the
Billboard 200 and the country charts, and his post-coronation single "I Love You This Big" wound up charting higher on the Hot 100 than it did on the country charts, all on its way to a platinum certification -- but if his 2013 sequel
See You Tonight is any indication, there clearly was some worry in
Scotty's camp that he couldn't perform the same trick twice. Producer
Mark Bright -- a hitmaker who leans toward the middle of the road, as indicated by his productions for
Rascal Flatts and
Sara Evans -- has been swapped for
Frank Rogers, who racked up hits with
Brad Paisley,
Darius Rucker, and
Josh Turner.
Rogers' resume relies on a modern collection of country stars but suggests a lingering traditionalism that can't be found anywhere on
See You Tonight. This modern country is so glossy and effervescent it appears that
McCreery's voice has jumped a couple of octaves; he's shaken off the studied affectations of his debut and seems fresh-faced and boyish as he sings songs that have almost nothing to do with a dusty honky tonk.
See You Tonight is unapologetically following the
Luke Bryan/
Jake Owen blueprint so closely that some of its song titles recall older hits by those country hunks --
Scotty sings of a "Blue Jean Baby" and
Jake of a "Barefoot Blue Jean Night";
Bryan had a "Buzzkill" while
McCreery is "Buzzin'" -- and if he somehow forgot to sing a song about a truck, he's at least leaning against a rusted old beater on the album cover.
Scotty's redefinition of himself as a sports bar-hopping bro is plainly shameless but, strangely enough,
See You Tonight works, partially due to the
Rogers-shepherded collection of cheerful country-pop but also due to the malleability of
McCreery's dude-next-door persona. That his surroundings are lighter and brighter than before only accentuates how
McCreery's happy to be here, so he's happy to sing songs that will keep him here. [A Deluxe Edition was also released.] ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine
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