Music review: Trace Adkins – 鈥楾he Way I Wanna Go鈥�
Go big or go home appears to be the motivation behind 鈥淭he Way I Wanna Go鈥� from Trace Adkins.
While celebrating the silver anniversary of his 鈥淒reamin鈥� Out Loud鈥� debut release, Adkins seems to be having a blast recording 25 new arrangements that encompass his 25 years of delivering authentic country music.
The title track speaks to the Louisiana native鈥檚 desire to go out on his own terms as Adkins defiantly declares, 鈥淟ay me down with sunburn on my face/Talk about how I never act my age/Still writing when they try to turn the page/That鈥檚 the way I wanna go.鈥�
Songs like 鈥淲here I Am Today鈥� and 鈥淔inding My Groove鈥� focus on finally feeling at ease with how life鈥檚 journey has led to this comfortable stage with Adkins confidently proclaiming, 鈥淕ot my heart on my sleeve/Nothing to hide, nothing to prove.鈥�
The album finds its party groove when Luke Bryan and Pitbull join the celebration on 鈥淲here the Country Girls At.鈥� This rousing anthem is sure to rally the concert crowds as the boys get ready for a rowdy all-nighter by announcing, 鈥淕ot the mud off my boots/I got the smell good on/Got the truck shined up/See yourself in the chrome.鈥�
The good times continue at full volume during 鈥淪o Do the Neighbors,鈥� featuring a special guest appearance by Snoop Dogg. All the neighbors know what to expect when Adkins announces, 鈥淪peakers on the back porch/Rattling the rafters/Knocking rust off the mailbox/Blowing dust off the tractor.鈥� Indeed, listening to good country music isn鈥檛 a solitary act.
Adkins displays a softer side when pairing with Melissa Etheridge on 鈥淟ove Walks Through the Rain.鈥� The two unmistakable voices blend together to offer comfort and support singing, 鈥淩un to my arms/When the sky goes dark/And I鈥檒l dance you till the clouds break/Love walks through the rain.鈥�
Other highlights include Adkins and Blake Shelton having a little fun on 鈥淚f I Was a Woman鈥� and Keb鈥� Mo鈥� and Stevie Wonder providing the rhythm and blues for 鈥淢emory to Memphis.鈥�
鈥淭he Way I Wanna Go鈥� is all about staying true to yourself. Adkins demonstrates this best by proudly declaring, 鈥淕ot a little cash in the bank, gas in the tank/A little don鈥檛 care what they think.鈥�
Just like Frank Sinatra, Adkins has always done it his own way.