Search - Rodney Atkins :: It's America

~simple and pure~

Joey Sciarra | Connecticut | 03/31/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"How do you follow-up an album which had 4 blockbuster #1 hits on it? Not an easy task, but Rodney Atkins recorded another group of songs that should pick him up a few more #1 hits. This CD is different, and it is only to be expected that some people will be disappointed. However, this is a album featuring pure and simple country music - something that is tough to come by these days. Rodney recorded the CD in his home studio, and it shows - the music is honest, laid-back, and refreshingly not over-produced at all. It is also mostly upbeat, featuring lyrics which are easy to relate to.



"Chasin' Girls" is a very catchy tune, which has 'summer hit' written all over it. Similar to the last album, many songs like this have been inspired by his family. "Got It Good" shines as another hit single. Rodney invites you to take a look into his life, and how he realizes just how thankful he is about everything he has. As Rodney said, "It's easy to focus on the bad things in life. This song is about realizing how good you got it - even when you don't think you got it that great. There is always something to be thankful for in every situation. It's all about counting your blessings not your problems." What a great message, especially in these times that we are living in. If only everyone would sit back and realize just how good we truly have it.



"Simple Things" is a nice song that was inspired once again by the Atkins family. Rodney spent one day with his son just fishing and spending time together - and he realized that what really is important in life are often the simplest and most overlooked things. In this high stress world, Rodney is a very down-to-earth guy with refreshingly simple upbeat country music. "15 Minutes" is an attempt at Brad Paisley type humor, but in my opinion doesn't really fit in on the CD. However, it is the type of song that some people will love, and can really relate to. "The River Just Knows" is the only ballad on the album, and is a very nice ending to the album.



This CD once again tells stories of Rodney's life, and allows his fans to take a look inside at his family, what really matters in the world, and how it has made him who he is. ~9/10~"

Very disappointed

Kristin Todd | colorado | 06/13/2009

(2 out of 5 stars)

"I am a big country music fan and I loved Rodney Atkin's last CD (even saw him in concert). So I bought the new one right away and boy was I disappointed. The thing that I loved best about Atkins was that he seemed real. His music appealed to people because it connected to them on a personal level. Unfortunately, it seems like he sold out and has become just one of the many studio-packaged artists that are all too common right now. He wrote most of the songs on "If you're going through Hell" and I believe only wrote 2 of the songs on this CD. The new CD is very cookie-cutter and even cheesey and cliched in places. Too bad he lost what made him special."