The internet has allowed for the playing field to be more level than it had been in the past and it has allowed for quality recordings to make the way to the masses and radio in a method that previously was only possible with a record label behind you. Former minor league baseball player Derek Sholl is one of the lucky artists to be working in this new time and his new self-titled release should help him and his warm baritone voice find a receptive home on the charts and in the hearts of fans everywhere.
Derek Sholl features a bevy of songs that will appeal to various fans of country music, from the uptempo mainstream album opener “Just Because You Can” and the Texas swing “Now and Her Driveway” to the balladry of first single “Here” and “Need More Proof.” In between these songs are very impressive tracks like the current single Derek wrote with Tim Johnson, “When They Come Back.” Written for and about soldiers who return home forever changed from their experiences as soldiers, the song is beautifully poignant without ever feeling like it’s pandering to an audience or preachy. Like all good songs it just tells the story of a segment of society that may not always be understood.
The fiddle-laced “Even if It Kills Me,” which was written by Tim Owens, Kenny Beard and Chet Biggers, is a radio hit waiting to happen as Derek Sholl sings with earnest about all the ways he wants to change the way he lives his life to get healthier so that he can live longer to ‘increase my life expectancy, even if it kills me.’ It’s the kind of song that used to be a staple of albums from artists like Garth Brooks and it really should find a home on country radio as it’s a common thought of people all over the country, even if they don’t do what they proclaim they need to do. Another fun, party-ready song that’s perfect for this time in the world is “Poor Man’s Miracle,” a song about a man who proclaims via a toast how he’s gonna enjoy his evening, even if he doesn’t have all that much money to have a good time. Fans of the Trailer Choir’s party-ready good time songs should really enjoy this song, which could be a radio hit too if given the chance.
Tim Johnson produced two tracks on the album in the previously mentioned “Just Because You Can” and a previous single in “But it Was.” Like many of the popular songwriter’s songs, “But it Was” is a tender ballad about the love and bonds that families have. “One More Round” is a beautifully produced song that Derek Sholl wrote with the same co-writer that he wrote “Poor Man’s Miracle” with, Sarah Thiele. “One More Round” features Sholl singing a song about persevering through the worst things that can happen in life and instead of sitting down and taking it or giving up, it encourages people with this lyric:
“Don’t mind who’s done you wrong if you really wanna make it you gotta push on, push on, don’t really matter what they say, ‘cause you know better than them anyway, you think that you’ve had enough and you can’t go on, are you gonna stop? Say no, hell no, push on, get up.”
The record ends with a pair of reflective ballads in “Grain of Salt” and “The Dash.” written by David Kent and Kristi Manna (the writers behind Blake Shelton’s “Austin”), “The Dash” feels like something you might hear on a George Strait record as the song talks about how we live our lives. Much like “Austin,” this song uses a unique way to tell a story while Ray Herdon, Jimbeau Hinson and Jon Michaels’ “Grain of Salt” is stormy, acoustic and is just a wonderful piece of mournful ear candy that wouldn’t feel out of place on a Jamey Johnson album.
When it’s all said and done, Derek Sholl is not only a well-made album but one of the better independently made albums to have been released in 2009. It rivals everything that has been produced in Nashville by the big labels and may actually be better than quite a few of those albums. Derek Sholl has the voice (which recalls Canadian star George Canyon), the songs and the work ethic to be a country star and if he keeps recording albums like this one, he is well on his way to becoming one.
Listen to the complete album below, courtesy of lala.com
Click Here to watch the touching video for "When They Come Back."
You can support Derek Sholl by purchasing this album at iTunes | Amazon | eMusic.
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