Search - Blake Shelton :: Hillbilly Bone

'Hillbilly Bone': Fewer Tracks, Greater Value

Antoine D. Reid | Durham, NC United States | 03/02/2010

(4 out of 5 stars)

"When I read that Blake Shelton was going to release a new album, I was excited. He's one of those underrated country artist that churn out songs that are fun, light and have a knack for embracing his Southern roots. Then I read that there's something special about 'Hillbilly Bone' - it's an EP rather than a full album. I was a bit disappointed considering his last album 'Startin' Fires' came out in 2008 and that this album would only have six tracks (it's amusingly being marketed as Blake Shelton's 'six pack' album). After reading more about this concept and listening to the album, I have to say that for the most part I liked it. Yes, there are only 6 tracks but the plan is for another 'six pack' album to be released later on in the year, and perhaps another in 2011. With the EP being only half the number of tracks as a regular album, the price has really been slashed to make it a value. In short, fewer tracks, but the promise of new music coming more often and at a more reasonable price.



The Good: With there only being 6 tracks, obviously more thought was put into making each track count and worth purchasing. There's a pretty even balance between the uptempo and slower songs, neither seeming to dominate the album. Shelton, as always, is at his best on the faster-pace songs. 'Hillbilly Bone' is fun, has a great beat and feels like a a real Southern/country anthem that features Trace Adkins. 'Kiss My Country A*s' is another song that's upbeat and features Shelton embracing, in a very un-apologetic manner, his Southern background. As with many of his songs like this, I found the lyrics to be amusing and the overall song to really be addictive. 'Almost Alright' rounds out the uptempo set list, having a bit of a Caribbean/summer flare to it and actually neatly wraps up this short album. Of the slower songs, 'You'll Always Be Beautiful' works and sounded the best.



The Bad: The album is really short and with it being an EP, after you're done listening to all of the songs it feels a bit incomplete and as if there should be more. I know, part of the reason of keeping the track list short is to keep the price down. Plus, there are new songs on the horizon for later in the year. Yet, I feel like the album could have used something more to round out the tracks: perhaps a live performance, maybe a remix of a song on this album or from a previous one, maybe one more track all together. The slower songs, when compared to the fast-beat, explosive, fun ones, felt a tad bit less interesting after a listen.



In all, good concept, great price, decent/good overall album. Definitely hope this 'six pack' idea will indeed mean more music from Blake Shelton throughout the year, but for now this is a nice follow-up to his last album and for whatever may follow next. Definitely worth checking out.



Listen To These: 'Hillbilly Bone', 'Kiss My Country A*s'"

Interesting Concept...

Chaz Brown | Arkansas | 03/03/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I really like Blake Shelton..but at first I was puzzled with the whole "6-pack" album. After listening to it, I have to say every song on it is great...



In today's world of illegal downloads, I can see why something like this could work...you get half the songs..for half the price...



All in all, I really like the songs...it makes me to want to hear more...so yeah when his next "6-pack" is released, I'll be getting that as well...."

Great album

Samuel Cox | 03/05/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"this is the best album that blake has done. all 6 songs could be singles on radio. i hope more artist do 6 song cds like this so we can get new music more often. great cd"