Park is a standout artist in the world of Texas music. He already has a half dozen albums in the can. And on his latest effort, Don't Forget Where You Came From, Mr. Park totally outclasses the Nashville crowd with his production and songwriting. The flavor here is neo-traditional with some pop and rock overtones. This is music you can sing and dance to. It's a guilty scoop of sonic fun. There are lots of acoustic guitars and credible guitar solos. The strings all mingle together nicely both plugged and unplugged.
And with stringed fiddles leading the way, "There Ain't Nobody Hotter" leads off with an instantly familiar country hook that screams hit single. "Rio" is next and is a wonderful story about a horse that runs wild and free. The melody weaves it's way like the horse galloping in the song. These are very well crafted songs. "Rednecks and Paychecks" continues the perfect streak of great tracks. The album's title track is a bit more musing and sentimental but still another great addition. Park's voice is very inviting and easy to listen to. "Smoke and Beer" channels Clay Walker and few other 90's country greats. These songs would all be radio bound 25 years ago. Today they only get played in Texas.
The rest of the album slows down the pace, but the melodic tendencies don't let up. A delightful easy to listen to Texas hoedown. For a good laugh, check out the last call closing track, "Beer Can". This kinda stuff ain't for the people who aren't inclined to listen to country. Kyle Park is part of a long list of emerging artists that are bringing the format back one album at a time. Because Texas is such a big state, and a large economy on it's own, it can sustain it's hometown heroes. Melodic, independent country music is alive and well in the lone star state. This is an artist that deserves nationwide acclaim.
Very interesting sound, if perhaps a tad too country for my overall usually quite eclectic tastes, but I did enjoy the integration of the fiddle amongst the variously-stringed guitars. Can't help but think of
ReplyDeletethe distinction between fiddle/violin in that prog groups such as Kansas and the amazing Shooting Star both utilized the violin in a
more rocking vein, which is generally my preference outside of classical music. Nevertheless, great production all-around.
Yeah this is country country....lol
ReplyDeleteWell, not sure that I heard any lyrics about dead dogs, trucks, or overtly religious lyrics, so it has that going in its favor! And at least it's not part of that horrific Auto-Tuned Bro-Country nonsense...
ReplyDeleteExactly.
ReplyDelete