Garth Brooks - Gunslinger

Buy Gunslinger here (Amazon UK)
Read my review of Garth's album with Trisha Yearwood, Christmas Together, here (MyFestivePop)

I've already waxed lyrical about how I discovered Garth Brooks during the review of his (and Trisha's) rather splendid festive set, Christmas Together (review link above). The genre-defying megastar has not one but two albums out this holiday season - the aforementioned Yuletide collection and Gunslinger, an all year round album of brand new songs. It is not the first time Garth has got his game on like this - back in 1992, he released The Chase and Beyond The Season within a two week period (and did so again in 2001 with Songs from Call Me Claus and Scarecrow). It is a tradition I am happy for him to continue - and is absolutely fitting for this album, for Gunslinger seems to embrace his musical history as well as set the stage for the next chapter in his illustrious career. Even the cover seems to be a tip of the (cowboy) hat to his debut album cover shot - only this time he fills the space in a way that seems more intense. It is certainly representative of how much fiery passion and intoxicating excitement he infuses into each song - and this is what makes this album stand shoulder to shoulder with his undeniable classics from years gone by.

What's not to love about a Garth album that opens with an exhilarating party track - and Honky Tonk Somewhere is just that. Fueled by plucked guitar riffs that dance alongside the percolating, hand clap percussion, Garth is full of enthusiasm for his get down and boogie quest - and (partly thanks to a splendid middle 8 that lets the flirtatious piano have a brief twirl in the spotlight) it is thoroughly contagious. The man knows how to craft a hook that just won't quit and you are left singing the refrain long after the song has finished. This makes it a great track in its own right - but also a great introduction to the album as you are hungry for more. The pace slows a little to give you time to breathe on next track, Weekend. It is still a mid-tempo delight that urges you to seek out the good places in your life - a feel good anthem for the ages. There is a brilliantly textured wall of sound that propels the song forward, the perfect backdrop for a nicely expressive vocal from Mr Brooks. It does particularly well at introducing other musical influences from the song - the riveting keyboards make this feel like the best song the Beach Boys never recorded. Ask Me How I Know is a different type of mid-tempo rocker, a more introspective exploration of relationships and emotions. The music crescendos as the song progresses and this ground swell of compelling instruments works in symbiotic harmony with the raw honesty heard in Garth's singing. The complex lyrical wordplay in the chorus makes for a massive sing a long moment that feels like it should be sung at the top of your lungs - not because singing it makes it feel better but because it is too darned hard to keep the feelings inside any longer. Now that is passionate music.

First single, Baby, Let's Lay Down and Dance, is still perhaps not the most obvious choice for introducing the album to the public but I'm totally smitten with it. It is an absolute grower, the type of song that unveils hidden facets with each listen and thus becomes indelible with each play. Seductive lyrics and a playful instrumental weave their way around Garth's raconteur style vocals. Definitely makes you want to grab the one you love and shimmy (hard)... He Really Loves You is song that gives an outsiders perspective of a love affair. It is a nice twist to note that often we can't see the wood for the trees when entrenched in our own relationships - and, of course, Garth has always been an excellent storyteller. Here he conjures up vivid images through the nuanced way he sings the words and it makes for a mesmerising few minutes. The elegiac strings that feature in the extended instrumental moments are just as much a part of the narrative as the lyrics, filling in the quiet moments with the listener's own experiences and memories. It is beautifully done. Trisha Yearwood joins her husband on Whiskey To Wine, perfectly placed after He Really Loves You (as if it is now the internal perspective of the relationship). The yearning nature of the story suits their individual voices wonderfully, but when they sing together - it is like the world stops, just for that moment, and nothing else exists. Glorious instruments (with the piano once again proving to be the MVP of this album) seem to wrap their voices in a comforting hug. I like the fact that you could actually place this within the Christmas Together album and it would still work equally well. Give yourself a second to let the song resonate because then it is full acceleration to Bang! Bang! - an uptempo rock-out jam that will play well live (and also sounds great next to hits like American Honky Tonk Bar Association, Fever and Ain't Going Down). The backing vocals (particularly the raspy gospel-influenced ad-libs) enliven this track, adding to it's modern day wild west vibe.

Pure Adrenaline would fail if the song didn't feel exactly like what the title promises. Luckily for all it grabs you from the first notes and doesn't let up until the last beat has faded. Every element of the song feels heightened and energised - in fact, it would make for a great Act Two opening number in a stage musical. It is a thrilling rush, particularly so because when you think the song has finished there is an extended instrumental outro that seemingly strips you of your inhibitions and has you dancing around the room like a person possessed. If you are looking for a song to shake off the stresses of life, then Pure Adrenaline is your go to cure. 8teen will have die hard fans perusing the lyrics and looking for all the historical references to Garth's discography, but don't let that distract you from the inherent charm of the song. It is perhaps the most "traditional" Garth song on the album (if there is such a thing), a throwback to his early career that evidences just how well his songs have stood the test of time. He eschews fading fads and temporary trends to concentrate on meaningful lyrics and lingering melodies. This approach to song crafting actually serves him well across all of Gunslinger. Sugarcane makes the thinly veiled metaphors of Baby, Let's Lay Down and Dance seem positively innocent. It gives a frisson of allure of the unknown as the instruments vie for prominence and Garth lays down his most salacious lyrics of the album. It is crazy and wild, which is exactly why it works so well. Again, Garth's rapid fire lyrics are a major draw here (makes you feel all the more smug when you can sing along word perfect)! This is one that is going to blow the roof off when performed live. Finally, Cowboys and Friends brings the album full circle. If the opening number was all about finding a place to have a jolly good knees up, then this closing track is a celebration of how satisfying it is when that actually happens. It is also connects the sound to his first few albums most fully, with it's full on country vibe. A lovely, languorous finish to an album that reminds you just why you fell for Mr Brooks in the first place. EPIC.

Top 25 songs of the week:

25 ~ Pet Shop Boys, Burn
24 ~ Fitz & The Tantrums, Hand Clap
23 ~ Debbie Gibson, Wonderland
22 ~ Tom Chaplin, Quicksand
21 ~ Christie & The Dreambeats, Learning To Dance Again
20 ~ Mans Zelmerlow, Hanging Onto Your Love
19 ~ Sophie Ellis Bextor, Crystallise
18 ~ Roxette, Why Don't You Bring Me Flowers?
17 ~ Sean Smith, Turn Me On
16 ~ Olly Murs, Grow Up
15 ~ The Heydaze, Hurt Like Hell
14 ~ Michael Buble, I Believe In You
13 ~ Louisa Johnson, So Good
12 ~ Bright Light x2, Little Bit
11 ~ Jakil, Truth Is
10 ~ Maroon 5, Don't Wanna Know
09 ~ Paul Varney, Kiss and Make Up
08 ~ X&Y, Secrets
07 ~ Robbie Williams, Love My Life
06 ~ DNCE, Body Moves
05 ~ Fitz & The Tantrums, Roll Up
04 ~ Kylie Minogue, Everybody's Free (To Feel Good)
03 ~ Little Mix, Shout Out To My Ex
02 ~ Robbie Williams, Party Like A Russian
01 ~ Vaults, One Day I'll Fly Away (2 weeks)