Search - Travis Tritt :: Storm

Tritt "Storms" On the Right Foot with New CD

T. Yap | Sydney, NSW, Australia | 08/28/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Prime Cuts: (I Wanna) Feel Too Much, I Don't How I Got By, What If Love Hangs On



"The Storm" has wiped away the debris of any radio-kissing gloss that has blemished Tritt's last few CDs. As a result, this Category 5 Records debut is Tritt at his most bona fide best. Perhaps without the pressures from a major label, Tritt has never sounded more relaxed, more assured, and more himself. By "being himself" means that this is not a traditional country record. In fact, right from the get-go Tritt has never been a traditional country artist. Rather, his calling cards have always been power ballads ("Anymore" and "Sometimes She Forgets") and southern rocky blues ("Bible Belt" and "T-R-O-U-B-L-E"). Further, with American idol judge Randy Jackson at the helm and with Diane Warren, Matchbox Twenty's Rob Thomas and Richard Marx name-listed as the album's scribes, these confirm the album's rock predilection. Having accepted that this is essential a rock album with southern leanings, it is quite a good one to boot.



There are reasons why superstars Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey and Celine Dion hankered for Diane Warren's songs. Hands down Warren's two entries here are the cynosure. Starting on a stately pace before crescendoing into a high charged choir-aided declaration of living life to the full, "(I Wanna) Feel Too Much" is one of those performances that deserve repeated ovations. Tritt's slightly gruff experienced-filled vocals is the perfect vehicle to carry Warren's other composition "I Don't Know How I Got By," a romantic ballad about a man who is still filled with gratitude for his paramour. Less bombastic but no less heartfelt is "What If Love Hangs On" is a Tritt and Rob Thomas co-write, a gentle ballad with the reveries of a love gone right as its theme. "Something Stronger Than Me," which has a striking reminiscent to Tritt's former hit "Strong Enough," is the platform for what is arguably Tritt's most passionate performance on record.



When the tempo picks up, the entertaining level peters a little. However, there are a few that still feet sweeping: Tritt's cover of Hank Jr's "The Pressure is On" is a killer. With the simmering moan of the organ and the fiery blast of electric guitars, Tritt captures the angst of a man toying between the options of two women. While the sensuous "Rub Off On Me" finds Tritt climbing up the pantheon of Motown blues bolstered with some Stevie Wonder-esque harmonica. Pop artist Richard Marx who has recently been quite active on the country music scene with his production of Emerson Drive's latest effort has two compositions. First of which is lead single "You Take Me Dancing" which first appeared on Marx's "Flesh and Blood" CD. "Dancing" is unfortunately quite a nondescript bluesy-rocker about a hard to pleased wife. A little better is "Doesn't the Good Outweigh the Bad" which reels off with Tritt recalling their romantic moments together.



Not all the rockers work: at times the blasting guitars and the heart-pounding drums do get on the indulgent side especially on the title track and a few others. It would be interesting how country music radio would respond to this CD. But at this point in Tritt's career, such concerns may be secondary. Nevertheless, the ballads ought to find a home on AC channels. Regardless of genres, the ballads here are first class. If you want an artist who sings as if his life hangs on each note, look no further. The storms of change will not erode what a balladeer he is."

What a Comeback, what a Winner!

Tom | Vienna, Austria | 09/12/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I have followed Travis pretty much since the beginning and always liked his rowdy southern-blues-rock tinged, yet traditional country approach and his rather distinct voice. Yet, I had almost given up on him delivering something fresh and new, or exptecting him to even getting a chance from a label to try to do so - especially after the patchy "Honky Tonk History", it seems like Mr. Tritt would be history himself.

"The Storm" proves otherwise indeed! This is a soulful R&B-styled album, that stays on the easy path of love songs, without macho-clicheed Redneck anthems. Most of the time, after being halfway through a song, soulful female background-singers join in and lift the songs. One can only imagine what the album would have sounded if they had gone all the way and included a sassy horn section, such as Waylon did so excellently with his Waymore Blues Band (http://www.amazon.com/Never-Say-Die-Complete-Concert/dp/B000S6LSXE/ref=pd_bbs_2/104-9708400-4972757?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1189624438&sr=8-2).

The album is a good mix of mid-tempo and up-tempo songs, all excellently grooving, with quite a few surprises in store, starting with the souly mudcat-moan intro of the funky "You Never Take Me Dancing", written by Richard Marx and highlighting in "Rub Off On Me", a song that towards the end turns into an addictive gospel choir rendition that eventually fades off way too quick! His take on Hank Jr.s "Pressure" is a challenge and when you are familiar with the original, the first thing missing when the song starts, are the bass drums, which lets the song come off flat initially. However in the end Travis's version is not bad, as it features some interesting guitar work.

A real Travis Tritt album would be incomplete without some blues and while the title track weaves some nice blues threads into the rhythm of the song, the real blues title (not quite unexpected) sits at the end of the album. To me this is probably the only weaker point on the album, but can be more attributed to my personal taste of blues. I think Travis has delivered his blues masterpiece already, when he covered Buddy Guy on his Trouble-album and duetted with Patti Labelle on "When Something's Wrong With My Baby" for the "Rhythm, Country and Blues"-album.

All in all, this is an excellent comeback album by Travis Tritt, who shows, that he can feel very comfortable when he leaves redneck territory behind and faces Rhythm and Blues with a healthy dose of soul! Thumbs Up!"

Worth The Wait

Linda J. Loney | Coon Rapids Mn USA | 08/21/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Travis Tritt's new CD "The Storm" was worth the wait. He mixes blues, ballads, and funk. His voice it so versatile and his gift at picking the right songs to suit his style shows in this CD. With the variety everyone needs at least one copy."