Music review: Garth Brooks 鈥� 鈥楪unslinger鈥�
It was two years ago that Garth Brooks launched a country music comeback with his first new album in 13 years. With 鈥淢an Against Machine,鈥� Brooks was reintroduced to a new generation of country music fans. The Oklahoma native followed with a tour and all was right in the cowboy universe.
Brooks continues to build off the momentum with his latest studio album. 鈥淕unslinger鈥� is a return to the glory days of albums like 1990鈥檚 鈥淣o Fences鈥� and 1991鈥檚 鈥淩opin鈥� the Wind.鈥� The 10 new tracks flow easily and possess the charismatic charm that fueled an iconic career.
鈥淗onky-Tonk Somewhere鈥� opens the set with Brooks pleading, 鈥淗elp me 911 operator got a Friday night emergency/I need nursin鈥� cause I鈥檓 hurtin鈥� from a long week workin鈥�/And I鈥檓 thirstin鈥� for a remedy.鈥� The infectious number about finding the right place to have a good time carries the same feel and energy as 鈥淧apa Loved Mama鈥� and sets the stage for the relaxed party anthem 鈥淲eekend.鈥�
The guitar-driven sound of 鈥淧ure Adrenaline鈥� and the sugary hooks found on 鈥淏ang! Bang!鈥� show Brooks mixing his country with a heavy dose of rock with a little bit of roll.
鈥淏aby, Let鈥檚 Lay Down and Dance鈥� serves as the album鈥檚 lead single with its catchy dance groove sprinkled with pure pop flavorings.
Perhaps the strongest song of all features the lovely voice of Trisha Yearwood. The couple鈥檚 pairing for this duet simply shines on this tender power ballad. The husband and wife also recently released one of the best Christmas album鈥檚 of the year. 鈥淐hristmas Together鈥� is a delightful collection of holiday favorites as well as the original arrangements 鈥淯gly Christmas Sweater鈥� and 鈥淲hat I鈥檓 Thankful For (The Thanksgiving Song).鈥�
The artist that became a world-wide celebrity by blaming it all on his roots for the reason he showed up in boots and ruined a black-tie affair has been certified by the Recording Industry Association of America as the top-selling solo artist in U.S. history with 138 million albums sold.
鈥淕unslinger鈥� continues Brooks鈥� knack for working a room and winning friends in both low and high places.