Gary Allan Album: “Smoke Rings in the Dark”

Gary Allan got off to an inauspicious start in the record business with only one top ten country hit on each of his first two albums ("Her Man" on 1996's USED HEART FOR SALE and the title track of 1998's IT WOULD BE YOU). SMOKE RINGS IN THE DARK from 1999 was Gary Allan's critical and commercial breakthrough, containing a more polished production as well as a distinct sound that was lacking on the first two releases. It also produced three hit singles.

A retro feel permeates throughout SMOKE RINGS IN THE DARK. The highly atmospheric title track and its sparse companion piece "Lovin' You Against My Will" musically remind one of Allan's fellow Californian Chris Isaak (Allan's vocals recall Tim McGraw, albeit more raspy and tuneful). The zoot suitin' boogie of "Cowboy Blues" and "Sorry" seemingly pay homage to alt-twangers kd.lang and Lyle Lovett as much as 80s rockers the Stray Cats. Allan's use of weepy guitars throughout this album is particularly effective on his cover of Del Shannon's "Runaway," an update that improves on the original while remaining faithful to its arrangement.

The declarative "Right Where I Need To Be" reached the country top 5 and was Allan's biggest hit on the cd. Its meld of traditional country with beefed up production values is more typical of what is found on Allan's 1991 follow-up, ALRIGHT GUY, which was even more commercially successful than SMOKE RINGS IN THE DARK (if not quite as musically diverse and sensual/moody).

This isn't really a review, since I've only heard a bit of the album, but...

I'm not the biggest country fan, but I really enjoy those "listen to it while you drive in the desert at dusk" songs while wearing my cowboy hat. I heard Smoke Rings in the Dark on a late night TV show (the one with James Brolin as a Marine). Dropped what I was doing when I heard that song come on. Prayed that the credits wouldn't pass by too fast so I could figure out was this a studio musician or a whole new talent. Was overjoyed with the little ad at the end that told me what album this was and who he was.

Gave me this chills like Roy Orbison and Chris Isaak. I just ordered the album, and will give my full review when I receive it. I listened to the samples on here, and cannot WAIT to receive the album. Everyone keeps saying "haunting", and I'm sorry, but that is the word. The lyrics touched me, the sound touched me, his voice too.

Definitely one of the best country CDs to come along in quite a while -- so, so heartful and emotionally meaningful. Most songs will take you through a deeply reflective life journey. Country fans will forever cherish the life, love (and broken heart) songs in this exceptional CD collection. Smoke Rings In The Dark can and will once again open up broken heart scars from a fallen relationship -- the music and words are so strong and soulful! Find a quiet place of solitude, sit back, relax and enjoy this exceptional compilation of life and love songs. Enjoy the journey :-)

Gary Allen has a voice designed specifically for country music. It can be haunting or hilarious, depending on how he decides to sing. No matter what, though, he's always good. The title track certainly isn't one of my favorites, but that shouldn't matter to you, the reader and listener. It is a good song, and I'm sure you'll enjoy it. My personal favorite is the second track, "Right Where I Need to Be." This is an excellent song, combining Allen's ringing voice with stunning guitarsmanship (nice word, huh?). "Don't Tell Mama" might not be original, but I like it better than Ty Herndon's version. "Sorry" is a haunting song, with ironic twists and turns in the story. "Cryin' For Nothin'" is another good one. Then we come to an exceptional version on "Runaway". It might be an oldie, but it's certainly a goodie when Gary Allen gets into it. "Cowboy Blues" is a catchy song. The CD ends with "Greenfields", a beautiful balad that I honestly wouldn't expect Gary Allen to sing. But then, I wouldn't expect him to redo "Runaway", either. This is a great CD, and I suggest you purchase it, before it turns to "Smoke Rings in the Dark."

This was the album where people finally started to take notice of Gary Allan. On his third album, he seems to find his footing and some great songs. Not that his first two albums were bad, quite the contrary they are great, but this album has songs that really captured the attention of the public at large. On this album he does an excellent cover of "Runaway", one of the best I've heard. The title track is smoldering piece of country music that was a good hit from the album. "Right Where I Need To Be" was another top 10 hit for Allan, and the haunting ballad "Lovin You Against My Will" cracked the top 40. "Sorry" is a fun uptempo tongue-in-cheek kind of song. There's some great ballads like "Cryin For Nothin", "Don't Tell Mama", and a few others. Overall a really strong effort from Allan that remains as one of his best.