95.9 the Ranch Sound of Texas 2007
Wednesday, November 21st, 2007
Since I’m in a time crunch because of Thanksgiving, I’m going to take the easy road this month. In reviewing the 95.9 the Ranch Sound of Texas 2007 album, I’ll just make a quick comment on each song and leave it at that.
Oklahoma Breakdown (Live) - Stoney LaRue - clearly the song of the year in the state of Texas, so why not lead off with it? Things Look Good Around Here (Live) - R. Creager - Strange choice to include this song, or Creager altogether. I love Roger but he hasn’t released anything in a while so why is he on a 2007 album? These Tears - Reckless Kelly - Without any new material in 2007, they could have gone back to 2006 for Break My Heart Tonight, but they went with this song from the Wicked Twist Road album. Not a bad choice though. So Close Now - Eli Young Band - Any Eli Young Band song is good. They didn’t release anything in 2007. This was their last release at the end of 2006 so probably the reason for the choice. Gotta Get Out - Larry Joe Taylor - This isn’t his best work, but it was his best of 2007. It’s a top 50 song for the year. Wear My Ring - Bart Crow Band - Interesting choice. Personally, I would have gone with Driftin’ in the Wind, as it was a top 10 song this year. Wear My Ring was released in 2006. Trains I’ve Missed - Walt Wilkins & the Mytiqueros - Best release from Wilkins in a while. Song is top 25 for 2007. My Side of Town - Ryan Turner - This is a good song, however, not as good as some of his previous releases (She’s No Amy and Back in Your Arms). But it’s a top 50 song. Home Again - Brandon Rhyder - One of the better tracks on the album. This is a top 10 song for the year. All American Country Girl - Aaron Watson - Excellent song from an excellent artist. I might have gone with San Angelo, but I don’t think you could have gone wrong with either. Red Dress - No Justice - This happens to be my favorite No Justice song, so I’m giving them a pass. But the reality is, this song was released in 2006 and Never Come Back was a top 5 song for 2007. One Step Closer - Wade Bowen - Bowen keeps putting out hit after hit. And this one is another top 5 hit for the year. Carolina Morning - Micky and the Motorcars - Another pass because this is my favorite Motorcars song, but Careless was a top 10 song for 2007. Why Do We Ever Say Goodbye - Brandon Jenkins - Although this is a top 50 song, it’s not one of my favorites. I would have preferred to have Call of the Road, which is a top 10-15 song for this year. She Don’t Want Nobody - Mike McClure Band - I could be mistaken but I think this song was released in 2006. But without anything else for 2007, this song works just fine in my book. Up & Gone - Jason Boland & the Stragglers - Great choice from Boland. Any Boland song is alright in my book, but this was clearly his best hit of 2007. Bourban Legend, released late in 2007 is better, but Up & Gone had some staying power at the top of the charts for a long time. Kelly Comes to Town - Rich O’Toole - Could have gone with this or Queen of the Misfits. Kelly Comes to Town is probably a top 15 song so this is a fine selection. Spinning Around the Moon - Cory Morrow - His previous works were so much better, so it doesn’t matter to me if it’s this song or I Don’t Want To Get Up. Neither makes the cut compared to the Morrow of 5 years ago. Should’ve Broke Your Heart - Ryan James - I think I would have gone with Home to Texas. 22 Days Too Long - Adam Hood - Outstanding song. This song was a top 25-30 song for 2007.
Again, I kept this short in the essence of time, but I would recommend this album to my friends. There are strange song selections, but whatever the criteria The Ranch used, I don’t think there is a bad song on the album. Next month, I will have my year end, top 30 (or maybe 50) songs in Texas for 2007. Happy Thanksgiving everyone!
