Gary Allan Album: “Living Hard”

Gary Allan's last all-new studio effort, TOUGH ALL OVER, was a mournful record, written and recorded shortly after his wife's suicide. A GREATEST HITS followed, providing a good transitional buffer (most of Allan's hits have been mournful songs, after all). LIVING HARD is a return to the Gary Allan that we were introduced to, with a more rockin' edge that suits his voice and style perfectly.

LIVING HARD gives Allan a chance to cut loose. Sure, there are some more thoughtful numbers, such as the first single "Watching Airplanes," or the inflectional "Half of My Mistakes." But the true heart of the album lies in forgetting the sorrows, or at least whistling by them; Allan rocks it out on the title track, "Like It's a Bad Thing," and "Wrecking Ball," the latter one of the hardest-hitting rhythms in Allan's catalog. "She's So California" gets so caught up in describing a woman, it ignores the fact that "She's so cool, breakin' all the rules/Risin' star, she'll break your heart". "We Touched the Sun" details the relationship of a couple meant to be together, "Even if it's not forever...even if it's only for a little while."

Over all, the album is an anticipated departure from Allan's melancholy. Don't get me wrong--TOUGH ALL OVER is easily Allan's best record. But it's nice to have him rockin' out again, no cares or worries. He also co-wrote six tracks; thank God he's started writing more. Gary Allan is one of the best country musicians in the business--a singer, a songwriter, a guitarist (go to one of his shows...oh, man!). LIVING HARD isn't as good as its predecessor, but them I'm not sure any record could be. In a musical realm where radio embraces mediocrity, Allan stands out among his peers. As he himself sings: "I don't know about you, but I was put here to live and love/So what if i don't it like everybody else does."

Purchased this and his Greatest Hits looking forward to Get Off On The Pain. Recently saw him live in Atlantic City. His music is soul-filled and raw with a rockers edge. It is poetic and speaks to me. Seldom do I like more than 1 or 2 songs on a record but I just love the entire CD, and all his music. He doesn't come across as ruined by the industry but rather aware and in the moment. So much great art is born of pain, sounds like he had his share. I am anxious to receive the new CD since he was more involved in the writing. His voice is an instrument, and there is much poetry to his music.

Gary Allan once again produces that classic California country sound

that only he can deliver! His new songs are some of his Best.

She's So California, Yesterday's Rain and Like It's a Bad Thing are songs

so "Gary Allan". There is no other country singer that has his vocal cords! His voice is "deep throat sexy" and a true gift for all country music fans to enjoy. I was able to go to a concert last year at the Missouri State Fair, 3rd row. FANTASTIC SHOW! He's the best.

I heard Gary in an interview saying that this new album was "outside the envelope with heavy guitar chords" - I did not know what to expect - this CD is the best - I listen to it every morning and night on my drive to and from work - I have been listening to Gary for years and with every CD the raw energy and emotion in the songs hits my heart every time....If you are a Gary Allan fan you can not go wrong with this CD....

This is once again an exceptional piece of work from Gary Allan. The only trouble with it is, there is not enough of it. He's traditionally country mixed with a little of his own spin of style and originality. He's just Gary Allan...there's no one else like him. You'll feel the pain in his songs as well as the happiness. He delivers his emotions in a one-of-a-kind fashion.