Posted by: Cobra
Today's Throwback Thursday review is on Trent Willmon's self-titled debut album. Trent Willmon lies somewhere between that realm of underground alternative country and mainstream. He had attempts at a mainstream career, but very little materialized, despite the release of four albums.
Nevertheless, Willmon's albums have been mostly strong. Such is the case with his self-titled debut album. Despite a few missteps, the album is surprisingly solid.
First, let's cover the missteps. The first two tracks are the weakest on the album: "Beer Man" and "Dixie Rose Deluxe's Honky Tonk, Feed Store, Gun Shop, Bait, BBQ, Barber Shop, Laundromat" (yes, that whole thing is a title). The second track here is clearly a cliche list song - one about an all-purpose store (not a Wal-Mart) where everything is available under one roof. While I'm sure these types of stores exist in very rural areas, there is no need for songs about them. All the song really does is pander to the different things considered "country" in the mainstream - hell, the title itself is just one big list.
"Beer Man" is a song about how the singer prefers drinking beer over other drinks. Now, not all drinking songs are bad (in fact, a later track on the album, "Every Now and Then" is a fine example of a more substantive drinking song). And sometimes, we even need a song just about drinking and having a good time. Were it not for the fact that they've been so overdone, especially by two or three certain artists in the mainstream all by themselves), this song wouldn't even be so bad. I can't even complain too harshly about it. It just seems out of place on an album that otherwise does so much right.
After these first two tracks is where Willmon begins to shine. "Home Sweet Holiday Inn" is a song about parenthood and a father doing his best to be there for his son. Listeners may be reminded of Zac Brown Band's "Highway 20 Ride," though this song was actually recorded first. "She Don't Love Me" (which was also recorded by Blake Shelton on his Pure B.S. album is a fun track that ups the tempo without resorting to becoming a rock song.
"Population 81" at its title may sound like a typical song about a small town, but it really reaches for much more. It ended up being one of my favorite tracks on the album. I also previously mentioned "Every Now and Then" which is a drinking song, but adds some substance.
Overall, the album was very strong. Once the first two tracks were finished, the remainder of the album can be listened to and enjoyed pretty much uninterrupted. Give this album a chance and try not to be too discouraged by the first two tracks.
First, let's cover the missteps. The first two tracks are the weakest on the album: "Beer Man" and "Dixie Rose Deluxe's Honky Tonk, Feed Store, Gun Shop, Bait, BBQ, Barber Shop, Laundromat" (yes, that whole thing is a title). The second track here is clearly a cliche list song - one about an all-purpose store (not a Wal-Mart) where everything is available under one roof. While I'm sure these types of stores exist in very rural areas, there is no need for songs about them. All the song really does is pander to the different things considered "country" in the mainstream - hell, the title itself is just one big list.
"Beer Man" is a song about how the singer prefers drinking beer over other drinks. Now, not all drinking songs are bad (in fact, a later track on the album, "Every Now and Then" is a fine example of a more substantive drinking song). And sometimes, we even need a song just about drinking and having a good time. Were it not for the fact that they've been so overdone, especially by two or three certain artists in the mainstream all by themselves), this song wouldn't even be so bad. I can't even complain too harshly about it. It just seems out of place on an album that otherwise does so much right.
After these first two tracks is where Willmon begins to shine. "Home Sweet Holiday Inn" is a song about parenthood and a father doing his best to be there for his son. Listeners may be reminded of Zac Brown Band's "Highway 20 Ride," though this song was actually recorded first. "She Don't Love Me" (which was also recorded by Blake Shelton on his Pure B.S. album is a fun track that ups the tempo without resorting to becoming a rock song.
"Population 81" at its title may sound like a typical song about a small town, but it really reaches for much more. It ended up being one of my favorite tracks on the album. I also previously mentioned "Every Now and Then" which is a drinking song, but adds some substance.
Overall, the album was very strong. Once the first two tracks were finished, the remainder of the album can be listened to and enjoyed pretty much uninterrupted. Give this album a chance and try not to be too discouraged by the first two tracks.
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