Music review: Randy Houser – 鈥楳agnolia鈥�
For his first new album since 2016鈥檚 鈥淔ired Up,鈥� Randy Houser delivers an engaging set of entertaining storytelling that鈥檚 authentic country through and through.
The Mississippi native, cut from the same country cloth as Eric Church and Chris Stapleton, continues to stay true to his craft by refusing to succumb to the contemporary country formula followed by many of the cookie-cutter acts churned out of Nashville each year
鈥淢agnolia鈥� is the 43-year-old鈥檚 fifth studio album and contains 12 new tracks all co-written by Houser.
鈥淚鈥檓 drawn to the chaos and the wind/Can鈥檛 help but take a look around the bend/And one day I鈥檒l probably settle down/But there鈥檚 still a lotta lost to be found,鈥� declares Houser on 鈥淣o Stone Unturned.鈥� This stirring opener detailing the process of self-discovery speaks directly to those of us trying to find our place in this world.
Serving as inspiration after meeting his wife, 鈥淥ur Hearts鈥� is a charming love song about making a permanent connection and features Lucie Silvas.
Next up, Hillary Lindsey joins Houser for a tear-in-my-beer ballad as alcohol is called upon once again to comfort a tortured heart on 鈥淲hat Whiskey Does.鈥�
The album鈥檚 standout performance comes on the heartbreaking 鈥淲hat Leaving Looks Like.鈥� It鈥檚 a number that describes the moment when you realize the relationship is over for good this time. It鈥檚 a feeling Houser has felt before as he sings, 鈥淚鈥檝e seen that door from both sides/You can鈥檛 fool me/I know what leaving looks like.鈥�
鈥淣o Good Place to Cry鈥� is another moving performance with Houser offering up a soulful take on finding a good place to hide after love has walked away as he sings, 鈥淎nd I don鈥檛 want anyone to see/And I don鈥檛 want anyone to pity me.鈥�
Don鈥檛 fret. The album isn鈥檛 all about heartbreak. Tracks like 鈥淲hole Lotta Quit,鈥� 鈥淣ew Buzz鈥� and 鈥淣othin鈥� on You鈥� are enjoyable numbers that are sure to raise a smile or mischievous grin.
鈥淓vangeline鈥� brings the set to a pleasant close by declaring the need to escape the daily grind with an impromptu road trip. 鈥淚f we leave right now, they鈥檒l never even know we鈥檙e gone,鈥� sings Houser.
Indeed, 鈥淢agnolia鈥� is an enjoyable ride and one of Houser鈥檚 best efforts.
Clint Rhodes is the 缅北禁地 music reviewer. He can be reached at clinton43@me.com.