Photo courtesy of Lyric Street Records
Rascal Flatts
Me and My Gang
Lyric Street
$18.98
1) Stand
2) What Hurts the Most
3) Backwards
4) I Feel Bad
5) My Wish
6) Pieces
7) Yes I Do
8) To Make Her Love Me
9) Words I Couldn’t Say
10) Me and My Gang
11) Cool Thing
12) Ellsworth
13) He Ain't the Leavin’ Kind
Rascal Flatts returns with their fourth album, Me and My Gang, which is definitely another hit record under the country band’s belt.
Impressive as always with harmonies and lyrics to melt the heart of this college student, Rascal Flatts does not disappoint. Ever since their first album came out six years ago, I’ve been a proud Rascal groupie. I was one of those who purchased the album the day it came out (courtesy of a preorder on iTunes, I also snagged an unreleased live version of last year’s oh-so-popular Bless the Broken Road, not too shabby) and all I’ve done since purchasing the April release is replay, replay, replay.
Skeptics accuse the men of Rascal Flatts as having too much of a pop sound, or on the other side of the spectrum by sounding too country to be any good, but Me and My Gang renders any complaints illogical. The album opens with an encouraging song appropriately titled “Stand,” which I’ve put my money on to be one of their next hits. With lyrics like “On your knees you look up / decide you’ve had enough/ you get mad, you get strong/ wipe your hands shake it off/ then you stand,” it is about as inspiring as Rascal Flatts gets.
When you listen to track number two, coincidentally the first chart topper off their new album, “What Hurts The Most,” it’s easy to see why the Rascals have achieved the fame they have. Always connecting and appealing to a broad audience, this golden song about failure to say “I love you” has tugged at the heartstrings of many—including me.
Typically country – perhaps a little more twangy and country than normal for them – “Backwards” is just now starting to grow on me. It stands out as one of the few upbeat songs on the disc, and also jumps out as a satire of typical country.
The fifth track, “My Wish” is fairly reminiscent of LeAnn Womack’s popular “I Hope You Dance” but the Rascals pull it off well. Look for it to be sung at graduations all over the country in the not-so-distant future.
I also want to throw out that one of my favorite songs on the album, lucky number seven, “Yes I Do,” just jumped out at me and I don’t even know why. Well, okay, maybe it’s because it’s Rascal Flatts, has a great sound and good lyrics. I love it. And you will too.
There are two thinly veiled religious songs on the album, which made me smile. “To Make Her Love Me” is almost a prayer to obviously make her love me. “You’ve made the heavens and the stars / come on how hard could it be to make her love me?” questions lead singer Gary LeVox. “He Ain’t The Leavin’ Kind” is the other religious song on the disc. Looking at the title, you wouldn’t automatically assume the song has religious overtures, but upon further inspection, it reveals itself as a nicely written song – if a touch political.
In addition, one of the more surprising tracks on the disc just might be “Ellsworth,” a sad song about a grandmother stricken with Alzheimer’s. While I originally wrote it off as cheesy, I changed my mind after hearing it a few times. It’s sweet, sorrowful, and might hit home with those who know loved ones suffering from memory loss.
Their newest album is quite possibly the best yet, as the band continues to perfect and expand on their signature sounds. If you enjoy country, or are looking to dabble in country, this album comes highly, highly recommended. And I also recommend researching where to buy the album – if you purchase the Target exclusive, you get three bonus live tracks.
Me and My Gang - a little twangy at times, plenty heartwarming, a touch spiritual and still heavy on the awesome factor. I wouldn’t have my Rascals any other way.