Give your own or post links to reviews you see from other sites. I just picked up the ONLY copy the Best Buy in Brandon had at lunch because I'm impatient and can't wait for the mail.

Looking at the cover, not sure how many others are that observant but it looks like there are a few "easter eggs." I didn't notice before when I saw pics online of the cover art, but having the actual cover inf front of me, I can see it better now.

-On the design above the band name, on the grill of the vehicle are the letters C.S.W. A spiffy little tribute to CSW

-One of the Headlights is a clock which I assume is tribute to "Just a matter of time"

-In the design, the curvy lines at the top form a Rollercoaster and it has Rollercoaster cars on them

-On the bottom design, the JAMOT rose is at the top of the upside down design.

I've bascially skimmed the album. I havne't listened to it all the way through but I've listened to a good portion of all the songs as I drove back to work from the BB today on my lunch break. Obviously this album and all of these will grow on me. I think it is a good album but I'll really have to give it a good listen. First impressions are it's different. Not bad, just different. I love the orchestra, dobro and steel in some of the tracks. I finally got to hear the new single which is cool.

What do you guys think?

It's Randy Rogers Band, therefore.... it kicks ass.

i dig it.

I'm with Vinny. It kicks ass. Though I was with you Blams earlier on it. Thought it was a little strange, too produced maybe.. but it really grows on you and the lyrics are as always amazing. Another fine job, but then that was expected.

The album cover is really cool. I like how they have throwbacks to all their albums. I was thinking, they have a rollercoaster, jamot, and csw reference, but know like it use to be. Then it occured to me, the whole thing, as one, is a tribute to like it used to be. Great idea on the artwork!

Also, under the G in Rogers and right above the jamot rose, is their little stick figure dude. He's upside down.

Man this album is so great!! How can the RRB continually OUTDUE themselves.

MY New alltime Favorite is
Whole Lot Better Than I Out To Be
I'M A whole lot better than I ought to be, don't know why things keep going right for me, all I have ever done is run wild and Free....
Man that is some great stuff!!!!!!!!!!!
Second Choice is Buy Myself a Chance
followed by
Never be that High
When the Circuis leaves Town
Let it GO!!
Can't wait to hear these LIVE!!

But all are great!! Go get your Cd!!!

There more I look at the cover the more I see.
There is also an apple on top of the truck/grill guard.
There is the RRB logo right above the apple.
The words Peaches? I can tell the last letters "aches" but can't really tell what the first two are and the word Hope are next to the rose and the little stick figure.

I agree. Great album! I like it better than the last one. Although I thought it was great too. My favorites are When the Circuis Leaves Town, followed by Wicked Ways, then Better Than I Ought To Be, then In May Arms Instead.

I just popped it in to listen for the first time so I'll get back to ya on this...but like Vinny said "It's the RRB" I know it will be greatness!

It's great... I agree that it is actually better than the last one

so has anyone found anything on the cover that represents the live at billy bobs album?

not a huge fan at this point...not going going to say its too nashville, but is very different from other randy rogers stuff....im sure it will grow on me though it is randy rogers....

canaan wrote:

not a huge fan at this point...not going going to say its too nashville, but is very different from other randy rogers stuff....im sure it will grow on me though it is randy rogers....

i was gonna say. keep listening. you will start to love it. i thought the same thing at first.

jamesttu wrote:

so has anyone found anything on the cover that represents the live at billy bobs album?

There's a star on the grill of the truck. That's the only thing I can see.

Does anyone else see the things I saw?
There more I look at the cover the more I see.
There is also an apple on top of the truck/grill guard.
There is the RRB logo right above the apple.
The words Peaches? I can tell the last letters "aches" but can't really tell what the first two are and the word Hope are next to the rose and the little stick figure.

I wonder what the apple means and what peaches and hope represent.

jshinertx wrote:

Also, under the G in Rogers and right above the jamot rose, is their little stick figure dude. He's upside down.

Didn't even notice that

ccr_2108 wrote:

There more I look at the cover the more I see. There is also an apple on top of the truck/grill guard. There is the RRB logo right above the apple. The words Peaches? I can tell the last letters "aches" but can't really tell what the first two are and the word Hope are next to the rose and the little stick figure.

I noticed the apple and the RRB logo but didn't know what the significance of the apple was supposed to signify. Maybe I'm just drawing a blank. GREAT catch on "Peaches." The letters start very small so it's hard to make out. Awesome tribute though. I guess you get attached to a van after a while. *tear* I was thinking the vehicle grill was a symbol for the Truck that adorns the cover of Like it Used to Be.

And after listening to it again (and again and again) last night, it grew on me obviously. I found out that I loved number 5 and don't see how I missed that one in my once over before I wrote this initial post. Regardless, i heard it and it rocks. I think that is destined to be the big "hit" single of the album if they choose to release it.

Totally off topic, but anyone know if RRB's bus has a name?

So peaches was their old vans name? I guess I didn't know that. Then what about Hope? What about the apple? Anyone know. Your right about the truck being for Like It Used to Be.

Summary:

Trying to be objective when reviewing an album by the Randy Rogers Band is difficult. The fourth studio album has met some early mixed reviews. In true Randy fashion, this album has some great sad songs. However he takes a bit of a risk in branching out a little trying to introduce a few happier tunes into his repetoire. Admittedly it’s not his forte and I think it’s easy to see that. Not that he shouldn’t be commended for trying, it might just take a little bit of time before he truly masters that creative side of himself like he has the other. Overall a solid, fine effort that some might have thought would be part of his major label “sophomore slump”. He side steps it nicely and comes out far above “breaking even”.


Breakdown:

1. Wicked Ways – The first of three song not-penned by Randy himself, it sets the album off on a good foot. Similar sound to what Randy usually delivers accompanied by some fine lyrics that almost all of us can relate to at some point in our life.

2. Better Than I Ought to Be – The story of how Randy came up with this is kind of cool; random kid, big fan, clever answer to a rather mundane question. The first of a few “feel good” songs from Randy on the album, I think this one shows a little bit that this is a side we aren’t used to hearing and that he isn’t all that used to writing.

3. Lonely Too Long – Co-written with George Ducas (who wrote Sara Evan’s smash hit “A Real Fine Place to Start” along with “Kiss Me in the Dark” from Randy’s last album), this is probably the song that has grown on me the most since it’s first spin. It has a general quality about it though I don’t think I’ve experienced it myself, it feels like I can relate to it.

4. One Woman – Alright this song has me completely up in arms. Based on sentiment alone, this song should be great, a smash if ever released. But I honestly feel that his lack of former writing in this area leaves this song a little wanting. It doesn’t quite tug at my strings like usual “wedding” type songs would. It also makes me weary that Randy might try and go the way of Cory Morrow after his engagement, which could prove disasterous. I want Randy to be happy and write what he feels is best for him, but I don’t know if I can jump on the ‘happy’ Randy bandwagon just yet.

5. Never Be That High – Another happier feeling kind of song, but this one is done better in my opinion. It’s basing it on nostalgia which everyone has. Heck I’m not that old and I still think back to times before and how now I realize they were moments to cherish and savor.

6. Didn’t Know You Could – Well when you see the writing credits on a song and it features the names of Randy Rogers and Micky Braun, you expect a LOT. Especially after “Long Enough to Leave” was released on the Motorcars album (which I was hoping would also make this album too). It has an interesting lyrical appeal to it. Two people who run scared, one finally admits they don’t want to and the other admits they thought they had to. While I think it falls slightly short of ‘LETL’, it’s a solid effort.

7. In My Arms Instead – This was the first song I heard off the new album back when a YouTube video popped up from a concert. I loved it then, I love it now! These are the kind of songs that I love to hear most from Randy. All the feelings of heartache without it having to neccesarily be about heartbreak.

8. When the Circus Leaves Town – Listening to the chorus, ringmaster, big top, and the circus? Don’t really know wha to expect from that. But it turns out nicely I feel. Cause it’s so true that no matter how big, or rich, or powerful you are, everybody can get lonely.

9. Buy Myself a Chance – Man this song is fun! Clever lyrics, catchy rhythmn, and all of the sudden you’re trying to sing along before you even know the words! One of my two favorite cuts.

10. Break Even – The second song not written by Randy, Geoffrey freaking nails it! Awesome, aweomse, aweome job! The chorus is my favorite part, but the song in it’s entirety is just great. I have felt this way so many times that I’m glad somebody finally put it into words.

11. Let It Go – Randy and Radney? Trying saying that 5 times fast. Two superstars, one great song. I can’t say enough enough about this track. You simply have to hear it to understand, it all makes perfect sense.

12. This is Goodbye – The last of the three songs with no Randy influence. And the thing is, this one takes the cake! When a member of the Sad Song Royal Court like Randy (I’d probably call him the Prince) says this is the saddest song he has ever heard, honestly who am I to argue? I’m a sucker for a sad, sad song and this one does not disappoint. A fantastic close to this album.

Favorite Song – “This is Goodbye”

Favorite Lyric – “Let it go, set it free // There some things you aren’t supposed to keep”

Download This : “Buy Myself a Chance”

Had a chance to listen to the whole cd twice today and yeah it takes a couple of times for it to really hit home...here's my take on it:

1)Randy definitely acheived his goal of making sure it was a good mix of songs...not all the same theme, sound, etc... which makes it stand out more than JAMOT in my opinion...

2)Brady and his fiddle are brilliant on this cd! Love it!

3)I think it is a true representation of the band as a whole...Randy's raw voice sounds better than ever and the instrumentation (???) on several of the tracks showcases all the talent in this group.

4)There is alot of substance to the lyrics of mostly all the tracks...I like that.

I don't have a favorite yet...
Can't wait to hear all these songs next month LIVE!!!!!!!!!!!!

Good review Bryan. I'm pretty much in complete aggreance wity you except on One Woman. You said iit was good but lacking from a "marriage song" standpoint. I disagree, I think its perfect, maybe a little one sided, but perfect just the way it is. And to know he wrote it for his wife makes me happy to know he's that happy. Good for Randy.

One Woman and Buy Myself A Chance are my two favorites at this point. I like BMSAC because its so catchy and has that countryness to it. Like you said you try yo sing with it before you even know the words. It was the song playing when I got outta the car coming to work tonight, can't wait to get back in so I can start it over!

As for the cover, yeah I think the truck is a throwback to LIUTB album. I had forgotten the truck was on there and that's why I said it didn't have a throwback to that album.

All in all, great album. They never cease to amaze me. Is it too early to look forward to the next album? lol