Music review: Garth Brooks – 鈥楳an Against Machine鈥�
With his first studio album in 13 years,鈥� Garth Brooks triumphantly returns to the country music scene he once dominated with memorable arrangements like 鈥淭he Thunder Rolls,鈥� 鈥淔riends in Low Places鈥� and 鈥淭he Dance.鈥�
鈥淢an Against Machine鈥� signifies the Oklahoma native鈥檚 full-fledged comeback since announcing his retirement from music after the release of 2001鈥檚 鈥淪carecrow.鈥�
Brooks walked away from megastar fame to raise a family. Not many artists would be able to return to the spotlight from full-time home life and deliver the same intensity and passion displayed in their prime. Brooks is clearly different from the rest of the pack.
Considered one of the leading architects of the new wave of country music during the 1990s, Brooks is now hoping to lead the way with his own style of old-school country. Always one to wear his heart on his sleeve, the charismatic singer offers up his best set of arrangements since 1993鈥檚 鈥淚n Pieces.鈥�
With its theatrical dynamic and rock edge, the title track of the new release serves as a subtle nod to his days performing as the invented rock star Chris Gaines. For the rest of the way, 鈥淢an Against Machine鈥� is a fine example of well-crafted arrangements that strike an emotional chord through simple, heartfelt and poignant messages about life, love and lessons learned.
In other words, the new material is all vintage Brooks with sentimental tracks like 鈥淢om,鈥� 鈥淐owboys Forever鈥� and 鈥淎ll-American Kid,鈥� along with relationship numbers such as 鈥淲rong About You,鈥� 鈥淐old Like That鈥� and 鈥淵ou Wreck Me.鈥� Brooks is at his best when he teams with his wife on 鈥淪he鈥檚 Tired of Boys.鈥�
It鈥檚 warming to hear Trisha Yearwood鈥檚 beautiful voice paired with her husband on this engaging arrangement that draws similarities to the charming 鈥淭hat Summer鈥� from 1992鈥檚 鈥淭he Chase.鈥� Here鈥檚 hoping that the singers continue working together on more material.
While Brooks may not be a threat to upstage current male country stars such as Luke Bryan, Eric Church and Blake Shelton, he convincingly demonstrates why these artists can still learn a thing or two from him about constructing meaningful and entertaining country tunes.