Pat Does it Again

If you are familiar with Pat Green's renegade style of Texas Country Music (not to be confused at all with its Nashville counterpart), you will find "Lucky Ones" in the same vein as his other currently available efforts "Three Days" and, most recently, "Wave on Wave". His catchy sing-along tunes on this album, much like the others, have less of that country twang that causes many rock and rollers out in radioland to turn their dials as quick as they can. The flow of his songs, as well as his vocals can be described as closer to John Cougar Melloncamp than to Conrad Twitty. "Baby Doll" kicks off the album with a happy note, and a blend of radio-style country fiddle and poppy rock rhythm guitar. "Lucky Ones", "Somewhere Between Texas and Mexico", "Over and Over", and the rambunctious "College" are some of the more prominent bright spots on the album that fans will enjoy. "My Little Heaven" is a newer sound for Pat that combines rythm-and-blues piano with the somber backdrop of fiddle and steel guitar. I was introduced to Pat's music when I first got to college, and it was a new kind of style (a little bit country and a little bit rock and roll) which quickly became the soundtrack for my own reinvented self -- one that didn't worry about the superficial ins-and-outs of life, but revelled in the simple things like an ice cold beer and the quality time spent with my new found friends and fraternity brothers. So of course it was a pleasure to meet the man himself after a concert on my campus (though my friend got intoxicated and told him where he could go...) Nontheless, I recommend "Lucky Ones" as highly as I do his previous albums for those who like a little fiddle, a little rock-n-roll guitar, and even a little piano mixed into anthems that intensify personal experiences of happiness, relaxation, and bittersweet reflection. I suggest listening to this album and his others on Sunday scenic drives when you need to take a break from the daily grind. It works wonders.