Collin Raye Album: “The Walls Came Down”

The Walls Came Down reaffirms Collin Raye's status as one of country music's top interpreters. His muscular tenor bites mightily into the hypnotically frenetic "I Can Still Feel You" and the mid-paced rhythms of "Anyone Else" with obvious zeal, while he sails angelically through moving ballads like "I Wish I Could" and "All My Roads."

What startles is Raye's emergence as a first-rate songwriter, with contributions to two of the strongest cuts on the album. The gentle bluegrass ballad "Start Over Georgia" offers a descriptive look at small town values, while the uptempo title track effectively captures the exhilaration and relief of removing a facade and revealing one's true self. This pair of gems - the latter written by Raye alone - bode well for his future as a complete artist.

Raye's affinity for message songs continues with the child abuse saga "The Eleventh Commandment" and its prelude "Dark Secrets." Unlike previous hits "Little Rock" and "I Think About You," which managed to entertain while making an important statement, "The Eleventh Commandment" comes on way too strong. Chalk it up as an ambitious failure that concludes an otherwise first-rate album.

As usual Collin Raye publishes a great CD. Good combination of songs with the hits and songs we haven't heard but should. Of all the great hit songs on the CD, my favorite is All My Roads. If you like Collin Raye you'll love this.

This CD has got to be one of Collin's best. It's a must buy. The Eleventh Commandment is a strong & powerful song. All the songs on this album are heartfelt and wonderful.

This is Collin's best yet.There's something in here for everyone.From upbeat songs like "Anyone Else" to the type of soulful ballads Collin is so good at,like "I Wish I Could"."Survivors" is a personal favorite of mine,a song of holding on through the tough times. It's just a great album from one of the best artists out there.

My American ex-girlfriend introduced me to this album last year, and I still play it regulary. I've since got his other CDs and they are just as good. The ballads that stand out are 'Someone You Used To Know', and 'All My Roads'. Also some excellent up-beat songs like 'Anyone Else' and 'The Walls Came Down'. This CD converted me to country music, something which here in England is unheard of. If you want to be introduced to country music, buy this CD. You won't regret it.