Rhett Akins debuted in 1994, and with Reba McEntire's management firm behind him, exposure on tours with Reba, and a major-label recording contract, he had all the right fundamentals. Unfortunately, his debut reflected tha... more »t day's generic, assembly-line Nashville fluff. Despite a Top 10 single and a 1996 No. 1 with "Don't Get Me Started," he wound up lost in a shuffle of sound-alike acts. Sadly, his first new album in four years reflects little improvement. Songs like "White Lies and Blue Eyes" are stale radio ringers laden with the same kinds of tired hooks, harmonies, and colloquialisms ("You play my heart just like a groovin' guitar") heard on dozens of chart singles over the past decade. It would have been a joy to hear him transcend his past with something more individual and edgy, instead of such exercises in triteness as "Right Back Atcha" and the predictable "I Wonder What You're Doing Tonight." Following trends didn't set Akins apart in the 1990s. Neither will this generic repeat performance. --Rich Kienzle« less
Rhett Akins debuted in 1994, and with Reba McEntire's management firm behind him, exposure on tours with Reba, and a major-label recording contract, he had all the right fundamentals. Unfortunately, his debut reflected that day's generic, assembly-line Nashville fluff. Despite a Top 10 single and a 1996 No. 1 with "Don't Get Me Started," he wound up lost in a shuffle of sound-alike acts. Sadly, his first new album in four years reflects little improvement. Songs like "White Lies and Blue Eyes" are stale radio ringers laden with the same kinds of tired hooks, harmonies, and colloquialisms ("You play my heart just like a groovin' guitar") heard on dozens of chart singles over the past decade. It would have been a joy to hear him transcend his past with something more individual and edgy, instead of such exercises in triteness as "Right Back Atcha" and the predictable "I Wonder What You're Doing Tonight." Following trends didn't set Akins apart in the 1990s. Neither will this generic repeat performance. --Rich Kienzle
"So maybe the songs on Rhett Akins's CD "Friday Night In Dixie" don't stand out from the songs you currently hear on the radio; this is the type of music he loves singing, and you can tell that when you listen to this album. The emotion he packs into his songs in equalled by few artists in the genre.Akins not only has a terrific voice--one of the best in country--but he is also a terrific songwriter, penning most of the album's tracks. He has a way with words, and he knows it, writing--and singing--songs about love, life, and happiness.A few songs stick out from the others on this CD. "That Girl" is about that moment we've all experienced--seeing someone you know you could learn to like (maybe even love) and not evening speaking to them. "She Was" has a pop-ish edge to it, and "In Your Love" is a hard-core ballad reminiscent of Lonestar's "Amazed.""You Rock Me" compares love to rock 'n roll, and the title track is about teenagers having fun, and the sheriff trying to stop 'em (think Charlie Daniels, who co-wrote it with Akins). "Trouble With A Woman" is a humorous David Lee Murphey-penned tune, and "Livin' Not Lovin' You" has a haunting tone to it. "Must Be Livin' Right" expresses that extreme contentment we occasionally feel with the way our lives are going, and "Where the Blacktop Ends"--not the keith urban song--tells how the country is often better than the city. A final joy is kept at the end of the album--a "back porch acoustic version" of Akins's past hit "That Ain't My Truck." While not as good as the original, it does provide a new spin to the song, keeping it going with just bass, guitar, dobro, and other minor accessories. You can definitely see Akins and his friends on their porch belting this one out--and the neighbors gathering around to lisen.I'm not a long-time Rhett Akins fan, but I am one now. "Friday Night In Dixie" features some great songs, an I seriously recomend you buy this CD. There's really no reason, except that you deserve to hear something this good!"
Give credit where credit is due
baywatch_extra | Michigan USA | 07/11/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is one of life's many mysteries that baffles me. How can Tim McGraw toss together an album at the last minute and have every song be a hit, but artists like Rhett Akins go virtually unnoticed? This album is filled with many great songs and, unlike McGraw's albums, some of them were actually written by the person singing them! Rhett Akins is a gifted songer sing writer (Bushism), and "Friday Night in Dixie" is one of his best examples."
Who's Complaining?
baywatch_extra | 06/03/2003
(4 out of 5 stars)
"If you're a country music fan, there's no reason that you shouldn't like this CD. It has a great mix of soft and upbeat music that is arranged enjoyably. Songs like "Friday Night in Dixie" (cowritten by Charlie Daniels) make this CD worth buying. Granted, some of the lyrics lack depth, but most lyrics do...people just fail to pay attention. The rhythm of every song is great. "Right Back Atcha" has a tendancy to run through my head often. "Must Be Livin' Right" and "Where the Blacktop Ends" are both songs that I like to listen to with my boyfriend. The back porch acoustic version of "That Ain't My Truck" was a perfect end to a great CD. I gave the CD only 4 stars because "You Rock Me" just didn't rock me and "Livin' Not Lovin' You" didn't catch me either."
Great cd
Kathy | Geoegia, U.S.A | 05/17/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"If you are going to buy a cd this is the one to buy. It has a great blend of soft county and love songs and then on top of that it had a killer rocking song called "Friday Night In Dixie". If you remember Rhett's early song called "That ain't My Truck" you will be blown away at the acoustic version that on this cd. I think everyone will be pleased when they listen to this cd."
We need to get this man more attention!! He is great.
Trot | St. Croix Falls, WI | 03/29/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Let me just say record companies who passed him up are making a mistake. This is quality real life good music. As is all of Rhett's music. "That Girl" is a song all of us guys seem to relate to and it makes us smile. Rhett is so right in "Trouble With a Woman". This is a perfect CD to listen to with your dad while out fishing or driving around the countryside with your high school buddies. And there are the songs that you will want your girl by your side as well. "Livin' Right" is my favorite song of all time! It is my story. It's beautiful. Everyone get this because you'll enjoy it and we owe it to the great Rhett."