Brooks & Dunn Album: “Borderline”

The first single / track here and one of the most perfectly (actually, even better than the original!) covered songs ever is the muscular 'My Maria' , a song we are all so glad they remade into another classic.

The western-cool cover/photo of the two is also appealing as well: back to the tunes!

'Why Would I Say Goodbye' brnigs Kix Brooks over to the main mike and makes a smooth tune, like a mid-tempo love ballad. Smooth one and really well performed/produced.

Here comes the gravel and dirt in 'Mama Gets Dressed Up For Nothing', a fun rockin' time that almost makes a full plegged rock tune with a buzzsaw attitude!

Great ballads are the towering 'I Am That Man', and a more sad 'A Man This Lonely'. Just listen to Ronnie's soaring vocals on both tracks.

Another highlight is with Kix Brooks neat little fun one 'More Than A Margerita', a song that makes into a non over the top spot, but very cool.

The hard thing about a lot of the public and critics' complaints to artists is that certain songs that are neither oh-so sad or rockin/movin' seem to be excused as fillers. Some may be, but most of them - on any album - are not. They should be considered as rest stops, or ones that carry a calm smile. Why not after all of the sad heartaches or rompin and stompin'- even though both of these attitudes still make great songs.

If you enjoy the country/country pop sounds of B&D, you must own this album. There isn't a weak link in the song list.

I really like this album along with their latest, Tightrope. "My Maria", "Why Would I Say Goodbye" and "Tequila Town" are my favorites. "My Maria" was one of the best country videos ever. Tequila Town is a beautiful spanish song that should have been a single as I think it is great. Great Ballads are also present here including "A Man This Lonely" and "I Am That Man". There are a few filler songs, "Redneck, Rhythum & Blues" and "More Than A Margarita". But hey, with the rest of it being top notch-we can forgive them!

I can't say enough about Brooks & Dunn. They are more than entertainers, they capture the heart and soul of our very being. From their mournful ballads to rocking the house down. I have never been as touched to the core as I am when listening to their music.

Boy, they sure picked an appropriate name for this one--it's "borderline" in quality. Too bad! Sounds like they cranked it out in a big hurry. The great songwriting of their past just ain't here. Trite arrangements (same old Nashville studio players everybody else uses). ZZZZZZZ.