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Rascal
Flatts - Me & My Gang
By: Cheryl Harvey Hill, Sr. Staff Journalist
 I'm
pretty sure that when Rascal Flatts takes roll call of Me and
My Gang, among their most influential members are the
incredible songwriters who contributed to this album. One of
them is the mega talented 2004 ASCAP Songwriter of the Year,
Neil Thrasher who, along with Wendell Mobley, penned their mega
hit, "I Melt." Steve Robson, Michael Dulaney and Joe
Don -- in songwriting mode -- among others, also contributed to
the over all quality of lyrics on this project. Their input is
definitely one of the reasons why Me And My Gang has
given Rascal Flatts their fastest rising single debut ever. The
CD is also enhanced with lots of goodies; including exclusive
footage of the making of the video. This was a hands on project
for Rascal Flatts who co-produced with Dann Huff. Huff certainly
has an excellent track record when it comes to producing. Among
his most recent successes is Carrie Underwood's triple platinum
album.
The
album content pretty much guarantees it will be a commercial
success; it is classic Rascal Flatts and, therefore, very radio
friendly. Two of the tracks that stood out for me are polar
opposites. "Backwards" is a cleverly written ode to
nonsense, with great instrumental riffs, about what happens when
you play a country song "Backwards."
"Ellsworth" goes in the opposite direction and
delivers a perceptive and touching story song about Alzheimer's.
It's
like her mind just quit / Oh, but bring up Grandpa / It's like
someone flipped a switch / "We started losin' her when /
she lost him / Tomorrow she won't remember / what she did today
/ but just ask her about Ellsworth, Kansas 1948 (lyrics from
"Ellsworth")
I
liked "Yes I Do," primarily for the catchy, musical
intro and its infectious rhythm. I also liked the way it, for
lack of a better description, wound down to the ending. It was
one of those listener friendly songs that lifts your spirits and
causes you to unwittingly sway to the music. It actually left me
feeling good enough that I'm finally able to forgive Joe Don for
showing his backside in public.
The
final cut on the album is "He Ain't the Leavin' Kind."
This is a thought provoking mantra delivered with uncomplicated
lyrics and a country beat. Great message and despite the
subtlety of it, one that has more impact when the listener
realizes who He is.
Gary
LeVox, Jay DeMarcus and Joe Don Rooney merged their amazing
voices to produce dynamic harmony and an album that sold more
than 250,000 copies on the day it was released. That pretty much
says it all, doesn't it?
Click on the CD cover to order yours!
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1. Stand
2. What Hurts The Most
3. Backwards
4. I Feel Bad
5. My Wish
6. Pieces
7. Yes I Do |
8. To Make Her Love Me
9. Words I Couldn’t Say
10. Me and My Gang
11. Cool Thing
12. Ellsworth
13. He Ain’t the Leavin’ Kind |
Related
Links:
www.RascalFlatts.com
- Official Website
Did
you like this album? did you hate it? Submit
a "Real People Review"
RPR
Rules
Real
People Reviews
Hi my names Gabby and
I'm a very big Rascal Flatts fan. I consider myself a "special fan" because
I am mixed with Jamaican and American, but anyways back to the reason
I'm writing this I would love to review the cd. I think this cd was the
guys best creation yet. The cd touches on a lot of different subjects that happen in life, for example you have what
hurts the most that's about a teen age girl loosing the love of her life or you have ellsworth which is about a
grandmother who has Alzheimer's but can remember everything about her
first love. Its very friendly for everyone to listen to, my brother who is 6 knows the words to lots of the songs they
have on the cd, and my sister who just turn 4 knows most of the words to me & my gang. So basically I think that the
new cd is GREAT!!!!!!!!!!
Gary, Jay and Joe don you guys did an awesome job!! love you all !
sincerely-
the mixed one no I'm just kidding Gabby
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