Rich O’Toole first came to my attention via his 2008 album In A Minute or Two, released through Smith Music. From that point forward, I’ve been aware of this up-and-coming Texas-based artists as he garnered a loyal following in the southwest. Recently signed to the mighty Average Joe’s Entertainment label (which is home to JB and the Moonshine Band, Kevin Fowler, Colt Ford, Montgomery Gentry, and Corey Smith among others), Rich has just released Kiss of a Liar and is set to break nationally with the record.
The album showcases his winning mixture of traditional-leaning tunes like “Never Gonna Quit” and alt rock-leaning tunes like “She Takes Me Apart” and blends them into a unique sound that makes for an easy-to-digest album that is charming as all get out. Lead single “The Cricket Song” is already a certified smash hit in Texas with a sweet story about how crickets help a man sing ‘the same damn song’ about ‘how a love should be.’ It’s a dobro-laced goodie that recalls great Garth Brooks songs while “Casino Queen,” a new single featuring Texas Music icon Pat Green, is a rollicking good time and a solid remake of a fantastic Wilco song.
“I Wanna Be With You,” with shimmering mandolins and strong vocals finds Rich O’Toole singing about a guy who wants to help his girl get over their troubles together and he doesn’t wanna give up. The title track is a song that works in juxtaposition of “…Be With You” but that doesn’t make it any less of a song. In fact, it might be the best track on the album.
It’s not outside the realm of thinking that Rich O’Toole could end up scoring a few mainstream country hits as he has both the talent and the songs to do so. And with radio warming up to more rock-leaning artists (perhaps a new subgenre needs to be formed to let more on country radio?), now seems to be just the right time for somebody like Rich O’Toole and his Kiss of a Liar album to come along.
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