I'm Already There (BNA, 2001)

The title of Lonestar's latest sums up where the quartet are at: they've already certainly tasted the fruits of great commercial success. The result is a safe album that does not do anything to push the musical envelope. Chances are they will follow up "Lonely Grille's" hits with more here like the title track. But don't confuse that with any sense of artistic growth.

Lead singer Richie McDonald voice remains as pleasant sounding as ever though a number of songs don't exactly possess powerhouse lyrics or melodies ("the soft ballads "Not a Day Goes By" and "I Want to Be the One"). The playing is fine from group members and studio folks (strong fiddle on Mark McGuinn's "Unusually Unusual"), though why are three drummers needed when Lonestar already has Keech Rainwater? They aren't exactly doing anything new here either with lots of big power sounds abounding ("Without You").

When the 12th and final song ends, the listener is left with the feeling that Lonestar makes satisfactory music that is squarely in the country light category, but never really goes beyond that. Now if they would only back up an album title with "Been There, Done That" with music to match.