Album of The Month

Album: Red River Blue

Rating: 3 Stars

"So tell me what I got to do to win you over? ...”

The country star belts on his hit Over. The answer is nothing Blake, absolutely nothing. I'm not sure of that's because he's already lost me in his blue eyes or if it's because he's really, really, talented. Shelton’s Latest album is a winner from start to almost finish.

Title: Red River Blue.  

Mission: Musical genius that satisfies old Blake Shelton fans while recruiting new ones. 

This is Shelton’s 6^th studio album and has 4 solid singles of which are my favorite. But before I delve into overwhelming praise of this album, let’s just take a look at the beauty that graces its cover....

Okay, now that that’s finished, I’ll get down to real business.

Simply put, Red River Blue will make fans of anyone who is skeptical to the country genre hands down. This is perfect for all you ladies out there who have ever wanted to be serenaded by a 6'5 teddy bear. Guys take notes, Blake's  got game. Who else can sweet talk a woman in a bar with class like he does on Drink On It?

Perhaps it’s his marriage  recent to country star Miranda Lambert that's got Blake so in touch with the his feeling but he's definitely won me over. Red River Blue is obviously a gold-mine of ballads.

My favorite tracks on this would be 

Honey Bee, Drink on It, Over, and God Gave Me You. (In no particular order of course). 

Honey Bee in particular  like it's title gives away is sweet and super catchy. Shelton plays on the opposites attract theme here "You'll be my soft and sweet, I'll be your strong and steady. You'll be my glass of wine I'll be your shot of whiskey". 

Red River Blue is a classic not only because it's a duet between Blake and his wife but you can actually here the story they tell in in it. 

In comparison to his older hits like Austin or Don't Make Me Shelton slightly disappoints. He still maintains his classic twang and dedication to love. The songs are meaningful and could be sang by a *gasp* non-Country artist and still be enjoyable and relate-able. 

However some tracks start to muddle together. I was a little disappointed with  I'm Sorry and Sunny in Seattle. Sorry kind of put a damper on my love fest and Sunny in Seattle can out of left field and just didn't vibe with the theme of the CD. 
Some of the songs on this album did not really fit the country genre and felt forced like the track Good Old Boys. Sometimes his attempts to state his country identity get a little obnoxious.  

Ever since his appearance on NBC's The Voice Blake Shelton has become a more marketable and recognizable face. Red River Blue accentuates that fact because as mentioned before is less country than most of his other albums. 

Blake Shelton perhaps got inspiration from other leading Country stars like Jason Aldean and Luke Bryan. These guys have figured out that country music ain't that bad and want to share it, thank goodness. But they do it in a more mainstream way.
Shelton attempts to do this and for 65% of the album is successful. However Aldean has found rock-country twang and Luke Bryan has found his Usher-like vibe. In order for Blake to remain relevant he needs to find his own identity. 

But back to the good. Red River Blue tells a story like any good country song does. It starts out with a man trying to seduce a woman, then tells a love a love story that is epic, dramatic and beautiful and ends of sweetly. 

I would recommend this album to people who are fans of Shelton on the Voice but unwilling to embrace the country genre. The album is sappy, syrupy and at times cheesy. It's a safe album and easy to embrace but if you're looking for real good mainstream country look to Luke Bryan. 

I love Shelton and his strong singles are excellent. I think I like looking at him more..it's hypnotizing 

Maybe a little too hypnotizing and could distract from weak lyrics. 
All in all, Red River Blue isn't bad but it's not great. It doesn't leave anything to be desired but it doesn't completely satisfy.

It's a nice snack after you've been hungry for like 3 hours not 6. I mean it'll feed you but you'll still be a tad hungry before dinner time. 
Below are my favorite tracks Listen! and keep watch for my review of Jason Aldean's My Kinda Party