Music review: Darius Rucker — ‘True Believers’
Associated Press
This CD cover image released by Capitol Nashville shows 鈥淭rue Believers,鈥� by Darius Rucker.
Rhodes
Nearly 20 years after Hootie & the Blowfish hit the big time with the release of 鈥淐racked Rear View,鈥� the band鈥檚 former frontman Darius Rucker proves his transition from mainstream pop-rock singer to country sensation is now a full-blown success.
Rucker finds his true country groove on the relaxed and reflective 鈥淭rue Believers.鈥� The South Carolina native鈥檚 third country effort is poised to be Rucker鈥檚 breakthrough release on the strength of tightly constructed arrangements that strike an emotional chord with their simple, heartfelt messages.
The title track builds off the momentum gathered from Rucker鈥檚 last album 鈥淐harleston, SC 1966,鈥� with its catchy and aptly titled hit 鈥淐omeback Song.鈥� A delicious cover of Old Crow Medicine Show鈥檚 鈥淲agon Wheel鈥� with backing vocals by Lady Antebellum is the album鈥檚 current single and biggest hit of the 47-year-old singer鈥檚 country career. The tender ballads 鈥淟ove Without You鈥� (with sweet assistance from Sheryl Crow) and 鈥淚 Will Love You Still鈥� (featuring the vocal support of Mallary Hope) are both absorbing and beautiful as Rucker details the emotional scars that accompany coming to terms and moving on from a broken relationship. Rucker gets sentimental on 鈥淭ake Me Home鈥� as he yearns for a return to his southern roots and the pleasant memories it possesses.
A simpler time recalling the carefree days of cruising down the highway listening to the radio is served up with a hint of funk, pop and country on the infectious 鈥淩adio.鈥�
Rucker has enjoyed five top 10 country hits from his first two country-flavored albums. He鈥檚 certain to add to that total with his distinctive baritone voice caressing the soaring melodies that are as warm and inviting and welcoming as a hot bath after a long winter鈥檚 day. It鈥檚 been rumored that Hootie & the Blowfish may embark on a tour marking the 20th anniversary of the band鈥檚 debut album.
Enjoying the best of both rock and country worlds, Rucker demonstrates that he can have his cake and eat it too.