Gary Allan goes gold
Wednesday, January 2, 2008 – Gary Allan's "Greatest Hits" was certified gold by the RIAA for shipments of 500,000 copies. Released in March, the 15-song collection includes "Smoke Rings in the Dark," "Man to Man," "Tough Little Boys," "Nothing on but the Radio" and "Best I Ever Had." Allan released a new album, "Living Hard," in October.
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CD reviews for Gary Allan
Living Hard
Gary Allan's latest album shows the musician branching out slightly from his roots rock-meets-country feel of previous albums with the pretty, Americana-laced opener "Watching Airplanes" kicking things off. And while the song brings Tim McGraw to mind, Allan puts his own spin on it that comes complete with subtle strings. But the singer is intent on driving the same flavor home with the slow-building "We Touched The Sun" and later on with "Learning How To Bend" »»»
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Greatest Hits
Gary Allan always has exuded a coolness and attitude in his demeanor and music. He is cut from a different cloth - a surfer dude from California who decided on country. And while yet to achieve true star status after 6 albums, Allan has enjoyed sufficient success to merit a greatest hits CD with 15 songs including 2 new ones.
There's a lot of timbre and feeling in Allan's voice ("Smoke Rings in the Dark" where he goes soft and tough within a few bars, and "Her »»»
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Tough All Over
To fully grasp this latest release from Gary Allan, the songs must be viewed through the prism of his wife's tragic suicide earlier this year. Both the title track and the ballad "Best I Ever Had" detail the aching catharsis of a man trying to sort out the details of this loss. Commendably, Allan is able to do this without sacrificing memorable hooks and outstanding country songcraft.
Although he is not a retro-artist, Allan clearly has a good handle on American music history. »»»
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Editorial: American Idol's Carrie Underwood can sing –
If anyone saw the Super Bowl – what a great great game that was – they would have heard American Idol winner and country superstar Carrie Underwood sing the National Anthem. Underwood did with her voice what Kelly Clarkson did last week with her written words – give it to Scott Borchetta, the head of Big Machine Records,, who tried defending Taylor Swift by knocking American Idol performers. »»»
Concert Review: McBride, Adkins shine sometimes –
As Martina McBride pointed out, the pairing of the country singer with Trace Adkins on their current jaunt was surprising. After all, she's of diva-quality voice, petite, non-controversial unless you call singing songs that empower women controversial. Adkins, on the other hand, has not been afraid to speak his mind with a kick butt attitude.... »»»
Concert Review: Eilen Jewell wears her musical hats well –
Eilen Jewell wears a lot of musical hats. The Idaho native, who now lives in Boston, fronts the Eilen (ee-lin) Jewell Band, a pretty much traditional country band. She's a member the Sacred Shakers, an octet doing gospel country with a country beat. And she has yet another project, Butcher Holler, covering Loretta Lynn songs.... »»»
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