Sam Hunt’s ‘Montevallo’ romantic, relaxed

Sam Hunt
“Montevallo”
MCA Nashville

A former college football quarterback, Sam Hunt might be expected to huddle up with all the macho, in-your-face male country singers currently filling the radio airwaves. But the Georgia native takes a more relaxed, romantic stance on “Montevallo,’’ his R&B-influenced country music debut.

While most contemporary country stars lean on hyper hip-hop beats and fast-moving raps to accent their dirt-road sound, Hunt turns to R&B romanticism, with the singer coming off as a blend of Usher and Kenny Chesney.

As on his first hit, “Leave The Night On,’’ Hunt often sings as if whispering in a lover’s ear. That works most effectively on pulsing, soft-spoken ballads like “Take Your Time’’ and “Make You Miss Me.’’ The album also includes his compelling take on “Cop Car,’’ a hit for Keith Urban that Hunt cowrote.

Hunt occasionally presents a lyrical idea he should have left behind: “Ex To See’’ is a corny play on words about a woman using the singer to make an old boyfriend jealous. Similarly, “Single For The Summer’’ obnoxiously embraces short-lived summer romances -- citing small-town runaways and rich debutantes with debit cards as favorite targets.

For the most part, though, “Montevallo’’ establishes Hunt as a more sensitive and distinctive newcomer than most of his bro-country peers. (AP)


‘Southbound’: Some tracks work, others don’t

The Doobie Brothers
“Southbound“
Doobro Entertainment

Collaborations between contemporary country artists and classic rock stars have become commonplace over the years. But the Doobie Brothers, with their accent on catchy choruses, close harmonies and traditional influences, match up particularly well with Nashville stars.

The Doobies’ new album, “Southbound,’’ features country stars such as the Zac Brown Band, Sara Evans, Hunter Hayes, Toby Keith and Blake Shelton joining the band on new versions of its best-known songs. However, the tracks were recorded by Nashville studio pros, with the Doobies -- Tom Johnston, Michael McDonald, John McFee, Patrick Simmons -- and their guests providing lead vocals and harmonies.

The result sounds like what it is: talented folks recording on the fly and reading their parts. The songs come across as pieced together because they were.

A few tracks do gel: Tyler Farr brings a hard-rock edge that works well with the gospel harmonies on “Take Me in Your Arms (Rock Me),” Brad Paisley adds fiery licks to a juiced-up “Rockin’ Down the Highway” and Amanda Sudano Ramirez of the indie duo Johnnyswim wails like an old-school soul queen on “You Belong to Me,” which features Vince Gill on guitar.

The rest suffers from an emphasis on accommodating budgets and schedules rather than on the inspired spark of artistic collaboration. (AP)


A fine family album from the Thompsons

Thompson
“Family”
(Fantasy/Concord)

The dynamics of this supremely talented musical family range far beyond pianissimo and forte.

Teddy Thompson, who spearheaded the “Family” project, exaggerates only a tad when he describes his parents in the opening lyrics: “My father is one of the greats to ever step on the stage / My mother has the most beautiful voice in the world.”

Thing is, Richard and Linda Thompson split in 1982, when Teddy was 6. Both parents long ago remarried, but Teddy decided a family album would help with healing, even 32 years later.

And so we have a song contest that is confessional, collaborative and competitive. Teddy, his sister Kami, Richard and Linda contribute two compositions each, while Teddy’s brother Jack and nephew Zak Hobbs provide one apiece. Family members take turns pitching in with instrumental support and backing vocals via long-distance overdubs.

The result: lots of good listening and fodder for therapists. Richard and Teddy each perform a kiss-off song. Linda offers tender counsel to her male progeny. Teddy rates one sister as prettier than his other. Kami longs for solitude.

Toward the end, Richard serves up a non sequitur, “That’s Enough,” a protest song that rails against the 1-percenters. Eight relatives sing backing vocals, and, at least musically, family harmony is finally achieved. (AP)