Disco de Tracy Byrd: “Different Things”

Prime Cuts: Just One Woman, A Cowboy and a Dancer, Biggest Thing in Texas

For every album cover Tracy Byrd has donned a Stetson, but stylistically he has wore many hats. Riding on the crest of the odious line dance craze with "Watermelon Crawl," giving Hallmark a run for their money with the ultra-romantic "Keeper of the Stars," and arousing more fun than the barroom allows with "Ten Rounds with Jose Cuervo," Tracy Byrd has never been claustrophobic in his choice of material. Nevertheless, lethargy had the upper hand towards the tail end of his RCA tenure when he saturated his repertoire with down right silly novelty ditties such as "Revenge of the Middle Aged Woman" and mediocre rock such as the awfully misconstrued "Johnny Cash." Thankfully, a label change (now on his self-financed Blind Mule Records) turned things around for the better. Teaming with songwriter Mike Geiger, Byrd has helmed one of his finest CDs since "No Ordinary Man" and his eponymous debut. Just like his variegated-style oeuvre, there is a bit of everything on this record: from raved up spitfire rock to stone-cold country balladry to those gorgeous love ballads to unforgettable story songs with an unforgettable twist, everything that we have come to love about this Texan is neatly contained within this disc. Not given to a moment of doze, "Different Things" is Bryd's return to fine form.

Of the last category, "Cheapest Motel" is a frisky tale of marital infidelity told with a twist. Painting a raunchy rendezvous of two adulterous couple in a seedy motel, "Cheapest Motel" later tells of how when the man was discovered, it cost him his wife, kids and possessions, thus fostering the single's greatest hook, "the cheapest motel in town cost him everything." For those who cannot get enough of Byrd's penchant for consummate narrative songs a listen to "A Cowboy and a Dancer" will impress. A story song of two mismatched lovers hitting off after been ruffled by life's storms over a fiddle-drenched waltz, "A Cowboy and a Dancer" attests to the all-surpassing power of love. Romance is again the tableau of "Just One Woman," a touching love ballad very much in the "Keeper of the Stars" tenor. Though charting no new terrain, the western swing "Biggest Thing in Texas" is a standard fare valentine to the Lone Star state. However, this track bristles with so much energy that it will get your toe tapping and lips lynching over its infectious melody.

As novelty ditties does littered Byrd's portfolio, this new disc is by no means an exception. Though the idea of the amalgam of western and beach cultures may sound aberrant, yet somehow "Saltwater Cowboy" works. Perhaps with the beach loving cowboy Kenny Chesney in mind, "Saltwater Cowboy" details a Stetson-wearing fisherman toasting to Chris Ledoux while singing Jimmy Buffett hits. An inspirational ode limning the message of "what I want and what I need have always been different things," the title track's booming beat has a way of ministering to those who need a little chicken soup for the soul. However, tracks such as "The More I Feel Like Rocking" and "Hot Night in Country" suffer from mauling over tried themes with average melodies that just do not match up to Bryd's standard.

Overall, a change of label and the presence of co-producer Mike Geiger have worked out for the better. Gone are those insipid novelty numbers and those ear-destroying rockers. Back are lots of steel, fiddles and Bryd's animated vocals grit with a believable honesty that are always winsome. Also with the plethora of styles and lyrical content, this CD will not present opportunities for snoozes.

Tracy Byrd is back with his new album, "Different Things."

This is Tracy's first album released from his own label. After a long two year stint between albums, this new album has a few "Different Things" for his "ByrdWatchers."

The tune "The More I Feel Like Rockin'" gets you tappin' your feet and the swing of "Biggest Thing in Texas" reminds me of some of Tracy's older songs on albums from a few years back. The song "Saltwater Cowboy" has some funny lines in the tune, I especially like the opening line of "I look like a lobster wearing flip flops and a Stetson" as this reminds me of Kenny Chesney when he took his photo on the beach.

His answer to "Ten Rounds With Jose Cuervo" is the song "Better Places Than This." In which the person in the song is getting thrown out of the bar...after he's probably had more than "Ten Rounds." He talks about being shown the door, hearing it all and "Hearing it all from his sweet angel's lips."

Although this album is different from his last few, this album is Tracy Byrd through and through. In fact he actually picked these songs to go on the album. This is not the typical album being released today from Nashville. Which is one of the reasons why this album should be part of your collection.

If you're a true Tracy Byrd lover, you need to buy this album.

Bill Roberts

TBFC

No, no no, ladies and gentlemen, this Byrd has not flown his coupe! He is the same T-Byrd that we all know and love, and has just gone back to his roots a bit to show us what he loves to do the best...sing his heart out. Tracy Byrd's latest release, Different Things is making a splash in the music world and is noteably the best album he has put out to date! With hits like the sweet love story imagery of "Cowboy and a Dancer" and the fun western swing "The Biggest Thing in Texas", Tracy shows his love for traditional country music with a splash of something new.

A crowd favorite at concerts is Byrd's talking song "Just one woman" where Tracy melts into the song after spoken words about a man who can love only one woman. Just as noteworthy is the packed full of fun "Saltwater Cowboy" that speaks worlds about Tracy's desire to stick to his Texan roots while exploring the open sea.

Tracy's first single from this Album, "Cheapest Motel" has made it's way onto Billboard's Top 60 more times then we can count! This song is a heart wrenching ballad about a man who lost his way and fell into the arms of another woman only to lose everything close to him. Tracy concludes this amazing album with the sultry song "Hot night in the Country" that melts you like the ice cube he describes in this very song! With songs such as these, Byrd has proven once again that he is a true musician with a voice that holds its own and a love of his down home country upbringing. The radio waves are ready for his next single, so be sure to keep your ears open for some honky tonk fun in your neigborhood! Get out there a buy this album folks!!!

C Box

"TBFC"

I had some trouble finding this CD in the stores, but it was well worth the wait. This has to be Tracy's best CD's ever. If you buy this CD and just listen to the ballad "Before I Die" you will be completley satisfied with this song alone. This is one of the most beatiful songs I have ever heard. The music and especially the words are incredible. There is no doubt this should have been the first single off the CD. Radio would have grabbed this one and it would have been a great crossover song. The rest of the songs are just as good. You won't be disappointed with this CD.....I promise

I love every song on this CD. Saltwater Cowboy was the first song I heard off the CD and I knew I had to purchase the CD for that one song. When I listened to the entire CD I was blown away. I have always enjoyed Tracy's music but this one particular CD is awesome. I am not sure what is different about this CD but I hope Tracy keeps up the great work.