By Aaron Schuab
Staff Writer
Darius Rucker’s latest release, “Southern Style,” is another great collection of smooth and soothing country songs that includes a combination of upbeat and slow tracks that leaves the listener wanting more.
As the lead singer of the rock band Hootie & the Blowfish, Rucker scored three chart-topping solo country albums, spawning six Number 1 hits, including the Grammy-winning “Wagon Wheel,” one of the most popular country hits in recent years, Rucker may have gained his fame through the rock band Hootie and the Blowfish, but his solo country music career is what has consistently kept him at the top of the charts.
His career began in a basement at USC and gradually, over the years, it evolved into a multi-million dollar franchise. Jumping between multiple genres during the beginning of his career, Rucker finally signed himself off as a country musician to Capitol Records in 2008 and has released 5 award winning albums since.
Following his other albums, “Southern Style” continues to reiterate the upbeat, pop-influenced country, heavy on catchy choruses as seen in his previous pieces such as in the album “True Believers.”. Interestingly enough, the former rocker comes off as more country than some of his male country peers. Despite his pop influence, the slide guitar-based song “Low Country” and the mandolin-driven “High On Life” are more relaxed than anything by Eric Church, known for his lighthearted country tunes.“Southern Style” includes a wide range of topics and stories all with one common thread; they describe the life of the artist; and his interests and dreams. The final track on the album, “So I Sang,” is the most emotional as it describes a young man facing the obstacles of life with his voice. He uses raw emotions and lyrical ingenuity to add onto the album’s overall theme sensibility.
The carefree feel fits Rucker’s form of the Southern lifestyle. Country artist Alan Jackson’s producer, Keith Stegall, collaborates on five songs, bringing out Rucker’s personable Southern drawl on “Baby I’m Right,” a striking duet with the under-appreciated Country vocalist Mallary Hope that leaves the listeners wanting for more.
Along with feel good songs and Southern culture references, Rucker’s album focuses on a third aspect: love. Rucker focuses on how he wouldn’t be as happy, or as good of a person without his love. He also praises the women he sings about, saying they’re perfect the way they are and should never change. “Need You More” is an example of such love. Rucker sings how he needs the woman in his life more than she needs him, signifying his devotion to whatever he sets his eyes on.
Rucker’s longtime producer, Frank Rogers, crafts together a combination of the past and the present in “Homegrown Honey” and the album’s song, both of which celebrate Southern women. “Lighter Up” nicely captures the contemporary country artist’s technique, mixing a banjo with an insistent rock beat to create a upbeat style with a catchy tune.
Overall, “Southern Style” is a sweeping success. With the help of many of his peers, Darius Rucker has done it again; with his soul- gripping lyrics, head- turning voice, and the combination of contemporary country, Rucker releases another unforgettable album that definitely sets the bar of expectations in the country genre.
“Southern Style” is currently available in stores and online for $9.99.
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