Released via Lucky 53s/GMV Nashville, Craig's self-titled world-wide debut was produced by ARIA award-winning and Grammy-nominated producer and guitarist Mark Moffatt (Keith Urban, Gloriana, Adam Gregory, Jason Aldean [remixes], O'Shea). The album features eleven tracks from writers as diverse as Angelo, Josh Kear, Luke Laird, Matt Evans, Odie Blackmon, Danny Simpson, Robert Ellis Orrall, Patrick Davis, Ben Hayslip and Craig himself (on three of the tracks).
The album's opening pair of tracks "Just Another Sundown" (already a hit in Australia) and "Heart Broke Down" showcase an energetic sort of singer who is clearly in the modern arena of country music. The melodies are strong and the vocals are a strong mix of Rodney Crowell and Jon Bon Jovi (to give a sense of how Craig Morrison sounds). The lead US single from the album, "Fences" tells a wonderful story (Written by Danny Simpson and John Edwards). It's a song that's about overcoming the obstacles in your life (or as the song says "learn to climb fences"). It's a strong metaphor that hasn't been used much and makes the song unique. Morrison's passionate vocal only adds to the song.
"Where I'm At" finds Craig Morrison taking on a mid tempo ballad about being happy about where you are in life and not having regrets, "I wouldn't take that ride if I could, I'm good where I'm at" he says. It's a nice reminder that even if you could go back, you might not be able to change what you hope to change, and life really 'works out as it should." "Wasted On Me" is a nice little summer song while "Somebody's Girl" is a strong showcase for Craig's vocal as he sings a passionate and non-cliche'd look at the moment two people meet.
"Reminisce" is one of the three tunes from Craig's pen and it finds him comfortably in a southern rock style that showcases the singer talking about getting out and making memories with his wife while "Doin' Country" [LISTEN HERE] has a similar theme but here, the song is about living life and enjoying freedom. Melodically it's also about as close to traditional country music as the album gets (there's a heavy dose of banjo providing the musical muscle. The third of Craig's self-written songs is his only self-penned tune (he co-wrote the other two with Nichole Morrison, his wife. "Hot Kinda Love" is a bluesy rocker that serves as a perfect closer to a seriously strong record that is as good as any contemporary country or adult rock album you're likely to hear released in 2012.
Craig Morrison is void of the usual country 'cliches' and even when it does cover those familiar topics, there is a new spin put to the lyrics. If you're looking for something new to add to your record collection, go ahead and get yourself a copy of the record, you will not be disappointed.
BUY: AMAZON mp3 | AMAZON CD | iTunes (USA) | iTunes (Australia) | Australia CD
BONUS: Photos from Craig's performance at the 2012 CMA Music Festival!
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