Chris Cagle

Chris Cagle's latest is yet another misty-eyed rural rock album marketed under the country banner—note the hint in the title. The entire trend makes you wonder whether there really is any country music any more. By the time the title song comes along to name-drop Merle Haggard and George Jones, there's been a good deal more wah-guitar and distortion than pedal-steel, and plenty of generic outlaw sentiment that's "country" only because the scenery is different from your standard tale of rock 'n roll rebellion. This might not be such a bad thing ultimately, because Cagle rocks out better than he wallows, offering some measure of playfulness and spirit, if nothing else. Only two of the more heartfelt songs stand-out—mostly because he keeps them within range of humor. The lead-off track, "What Kinda Gone," with its genuinely clever word-play, and "No Love Songs," for its laid-back anecdotal charm, both hold up under the weight of their emotion. However, self-awareness only works in a somewhat novel—or at least intelligent—context, with that too often lacking in the other songs. Mainly, Cagle finds himself in the position of the slick, veteran salesman with nothing to sell. Don't blame him, though, since the country-lifer doesn't have a single writing credit on the album. That he still manages to serve it with feeling, can be chalked up to healthy amounts of beer and self-regard, and in order for you to enjoy the album, you may have to match him on both counts.

—Nathan Cunningham
03.18.08

Chris Cagle says that his life is a country song in the title of his fourth album -- a claim that may well be true, but based on this 2008 album his life doesn't sound much like a country song. Cagle, like many country singers of his generation, walks the line between classic rock and mainstream country, which means there's more twang in his voice than there is in the music, no matter how many fiddles and trebly Telecasters are pumped up in the mix. Of course, this hardly represents a change of course for Cagle, who has tread this path since his debut, nor is it really a complaint: it's a statement of fact. Fortunately, Cagle has an earnest, plainspoken charm that keeps his music relatable -- it never seems pumped up for arenas, as some rock-influenced contemporary country does -- and he has to rely hard on that charm here, as he has his blandest set of songs yet. Tellingly, this is a collection that contains no originals from Cagle: every tune was penned by a pro. Some of these are quite strong -- the Rhett Akins-written "Little Sundress" is a bright, summery pop tune, the lead single "What Kinda Gone" is a sturdy slice of rocking country -- and some are simply pleasant pieces of product, like the Mellencamp-lite "No Love Songs." There may be just a little bit more of the latter than there should be, but Cagle helps sell them with his neighborly drawl -- enough for them to be casually enjoyable, if not quite memorable. That may not quite be what Cagle needs at this stage -- he hasn't had a big hit since 2004's "Chicks Dig It" and could use another -- but it's a solid double down the middle, enough to keep his batting average up even if he isn't knocking 'em out of the park. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide