BROOKS & DUNN
Tight Rope (Arista)
Reviewed by DJ Johnson

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They sing real purty, but about halfway through this CD I find myself craving country music in much the same way one craves ice cream while eating yogurt. The presence of pedal steel guitar almost feels like an afterthought, as if somebody suddenly panicked because Tight Rope didn't sound very country at all. There are a few nice rides, such as the honky-tonk tune "Beer Thirty" and the opening track, "Goin' Under Gettin' Over You," but as with all Brooks and Dunn albums, there's an overabundance of syrupy ballads that bog down any attempt to accelerate. In the final analysis, it sounds just as calculated as it is. These guys have always had all the talent they need. Maybe having Brad Paisley for a label-mate will expose them to the spirit of country and give them a few ideas. Or maybe it's just about the cash register, and face it, there are millions of clueless city folk in boots gobblin' up syrup.

© 1999 - DJ Johnson