Search - Bobby Pinson :: Songs for Somebody

Songs for you

DanD | 06/17/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Bobby Pinson is one of Nashville's most talented songwriters. As a result, he will probably never get the radio airplay he deserves. He had a brief glimpse of fame with "Don't Ask Me How I Know," but radio failed to pick up on the rest of MAN LIKE ME'S material, mainly because it was too honest for contemporary broadcasting. Nevermind; Bobby Pinson has garned some top-name fans, has written number one hits (most recently "Want To," recorded by Sugarland), and has continued to make music that is true to who he is.



SONGS FOR SOMEBODY picks up where MAN LIKE ME left off. Tunes about sin and redemption, of discovering who you are in the midst of hard times, are mixed in with defiant anthems of individuality and nonconformity. He stands his ground on "Right To Be Wrong" and "Takin' Up Space" (previously recorded by Van Zant); he makes you cry on "If I Don't Make It Back" (previously recorded by Tracy Lawrence); he confesses past alcoholism on "Back In My Drinkin' Days"; and he takes comfort in the life he has in "This Close to Heaven." Production is sparse, and Pinson's voice is gravelly and honest; he cowrote and produced all the material, and it is all reflective of who he--and country music--really is. This is an honest album; it will make you laugh, it will make you cry (often at the same time), but most importantly, it will make you listen."

Completely underrated.

JF81 | Portland, OR | 08/08/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"It blows me away that Bobby Pinson isn't headlining tours and dominating radio charts. This album, along with the one that preceded it, is incredible. When I think of new country artists that are actually country, and not pop, I would rate Pinson in the top 3. Sadly, therein lies his problem. Even though "country" is very popular and marketable right now, it is mostly pop music sung by people in cowboy hats, a little steel guitar added into the mix during post-production.



This album is what I would call authentic new country. What I mean by "new country" is that it's not trying to copy or imitate classic country music, but shows the natural evolution of the genre. These days, most new country artists are leaning more toward pop music and pop culture themes; Tim McGraw singing a duet with Nelly, Toby Keith hopping all over the patriotic tough-guy image, Trace Adkins trying to make money off of popular hip-hop references, etc.



Pinson sticks to central themes and musical style of true country music and doesn't manipulate his music to be more marketable. However, it does not mean that these songs are boring whatsoever. So many of these songs I can easily see being hits on country radio stations, which should not surprise anyone because Pinson writes many of the hit songs for other country artists that you hear on country radio every day (Google it to see just how many current hit songs he has written).



I would recommend Bobby Pinson to anyone who is a fan of true modern country. If you like Alan Jackson, (older) Brad Paisley, George Strait, Garth Brooks, (older) Trace Adkins, Travis Tritt, etc. than his music is for you."

Passion, grit and guts

Ruth Greenwood | 05/26/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is songwriting at its passionate best, true and rough and powerful and masculine and poignant and funny and a party and a sermon, sung with balls and bravery.



As a songwriter myself, I find new inspiration every time I listen to it, and I listen to at least one song from it every time my MP3 player's on.



My favorites are "Don't Think I Don't Think About It" and "Taking Up Space" but it's all good."