Swinging for the country big league
Lyndon Bolton
Posted On March 1, 2017
Recently released, this is the third album from Curtis Grimes that most certainly lives up to its title. Everything about the man and his music is Undeniably Country. A former baseball player, Grimes has everything to hit a home run in the cut-throat game of mainstream country; chiselled good looks, perfectly modulated country drawl and songs that cover all the country bases. First time round I have to confess the songs all sounded a bit similar and while perfectly produced, the result felt formulaic. However, a few more listens made me realise that this is a high quality record. Grimes knows what hits the button; he does it relentlessly and well. In a way every song is a single that could hold its own on any country station.
First up is the splendidly titled and my #1pick, ‘Everything Hank Did’. Grimes sets off at a loping pace, with a beautifully pitched and clear voice, backed up by some perfect pedal steel. What a line, ‘I’ve Done Everything Hank Did But Die’. At a slightly slower pace comes, ‘If You Ask Me’, about embarking on love the old fashioned way. Pedal steel returns on ‘From Where I’m Standing’, more (unrequited?) love.
Where I think Grimes really does score is in the almost understated nature of many of these songs. There is no doubt some could have been over-produced and pumped into big hat commercial country anthems e.g. ‘Born to Die’ but Grimes knows he doesn’t have to do that and this is where the quality of his material shines, it doesn’t need anything more than his clear resounding voice and band.
‘An old Haggard song, taking me back to my roots.’ are the opening lines to ‘Put My Money On That’, confirming, like the Hank song, Grimes knows his roots. More of his excellent band and a bit more vocal range show the way from country radio to what is no doubt a fine live show. I think I’m liking this some more. That’s confirmed by ‘Ten Year Town’ ending the record back at an easier pace, with Grimes confirming he’s true country not ‘rapping on stage wearing skinny jeans’. And by now, I think he’s won me over.
