The very first track of Big & Rich's album is entitled "Born Again" and it's an apt song to start their fourth full-length album with it reminds people that more than anything, Big & Rich is about entertaining. Joined by Rock's Bon Jovi on the track (Richie Sambora and Jon Bon Jovi co-wrote it with Big Kenny and John Rich), the song finds Big & Rich and Bon Jovi talking about the return, especially after being 'counted out' by people and constantly having younger artists nipping at their heels. The two groups swap verses and vocals and Big Kenny gives a convincing spoken word (rap) section of the song too.
"Party Like Cowboyz" features the Big & Rich trademark bravado and energy, the Je ne sais quoi factor, that is undoubtedly fun. The band certainly is here to shake some stuff up and they do do it with loads of swagger on the track. The production from Dann Huff is less muddy than the previous records and it's one of the clear changes that the duo has worked with here. The album's lead single "That's Why I Pray" broke into the Top 15 is is one of the best radio hits of Big & Rich's career. In fact, despite them having sold millions of albums, Big & Rich has never had the biggest hits of their career.
Another strong song on the record that could become a hit is "Lay It All On Me," It's smokey, moody, atmospheric and just a dang good mid-tempo ballad. It findsBig & Rich showcasing their interesting two part harmonies with J.R. and Kenny going places vocally that they rarely went in previous records. Rich takes a turn as the lead singer with "Last Words," a song that recalls some of the interesting ballads of The Beatles with the simple melody of McCartney.
As much as the ballads add the 'something more' to Big & Rich's fun and good times aesthetic and a sense of 'seriousness,' they remain at their best on the tempo songs and explicitly showcase this on songs like "Rock The Boat," "Get Your Game On," "Cheat On You, and "Can't Be Satisfied." Each of these three songs could very well be the follow-up single to "That's Why I Pray."
It's been over five years since Big & Rich have released an album together (in that time John Rich has released one full length album and two EPs while Big Kenny released his own solo record, with both scoring Top 40 hits off in the process). Still despite the moderate success of their solo work, the dynamics that Big Kenny and John Rich have together is undeniable and it's certainly good to see them back together doing what they do best, releasing entertaining modern country music. That being said, if you've never been a fan of their music, chances are you will not become one now as the Hillbilly Jedi are leading a freak parade that never was meant to be 100% wholly mainstream (the mainstream of country has somewhat come their way, though).
Listen to the whole record below:
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