Justin Moore [Enhanced CD]

by Justin Moore

Overview

Like many a young country singer, Justin Moore sings an ode to Hank Williams on his eponymous 2009 debut, but the catch is, he's not saluting Senior, he's bumping fists with Bocephus. Raised on rockin' country, he has no interest in traditions, at least as far as music goes. When it comes to his "Grandpa," "Small Town USA," and the "Good Ole American Way," though, he's all about tradition, the picturesque kind that looks so good on big-budget blockbusters and political ads. Moore is more interested in the smutty jokes that fuel "Back That Thing Up" or the big-buckled, heavy-booted threat "I Could Kick Your Ass," which would sound a tiny bit more threatening if Moore had a bit more hair on his chest. He sounds polite and polished, perhaps the product of all those good small-town manners, but that gentle touch ironically also undercuts his paeans to everyday America, turning it into a bit of play-acting. Since the production is clean and crisp, and since Moore -- who co-wrote most of these tunes -- sees no shame in pandering, there's a bit of crowd-pleasing panache here, but a little more grit, a little more dirt, a little more heart would give him a needed lift and some measure of identity, something this anonymous country-rock could certainly use. [An "Enhanced" version added two music videos.] ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine

Product Details

Release Date:	08/11/2009
Label:	Valory
UPC:	0843930002108

Tracks

1. How I Got to Be This Way
2. Small Town USA
3. Backwoods
4. Like There's No Tomorrow
5. Good Ole American Way
6. I Could Kick Your Ass
7. Back That Thing Up
8. The Only Place That I Call Home
9. Grandpa
10. Hank It
11. Back That Thing Up ["Too Hot for TV" Version!] [Music Video]
12. Small Town USA [Music Video]

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Justin Moore   Primary Artist
Tommy Harden   Drums
Russell Terrell   Vocals (Background)
Steve Brewster   Drums
Larry Franklin   Fiddle
Perry Coleman   Vocals (Background)
Mike Johnson   Guitar (Steel)
Mike Rojas   Keyboards
Charlie Judge   Keyboards
Troy Lancaster   Guitar (Electric)
Steven Sheehan   Guitar (Acoustic)

Technical Credits

Jamie Paulin   Composer
Jamie Tate   Mixing
Rivers Rutherford   Composer
Brian Dean Maher   Composer
Justin Moore   Composer
Randy Houser   Composer
Dallas Davidson   Composer
Jeremy Stover   Composer,Producer
Jason Kyle Saetveit   Engineer