Album Review: EASTON CORBIN -by Easton Corbin

This is my first album review here on the Front Porch.  I've chosen the self-titled debut album by Country Music newcomer, Easton Corbin.  It's been a very long time since I've reviewed a new country artist.  That's mainly because there hasn't been much country in Country Music.  Easton Corbin is an exceptional exception to this trend.

This album is a collection of twelve flawlessly-recorded country tunes, performed by a singer who knows his craft.  Every tune is impressive and entertaining.  The opener "Roll With It" is an upbeat song about falling in love that will have your feet tapping in no time.  It's followed by Corbin's smash debut single "A Little More Country Than That". In my opinion this is by far the best country song of the past three years, and clearly one of the top five songs of the past ten years.  And the words of the second verse sum up what true Country Music is all about:

"Think of a Hank song from days gone with a steel ride that's so strong it sends chills up your back.  I'm a little more country than that."

"This Far From Memphis" is one of your classic songs about heartache, while "The Way Love Looks" is about love and being in love.  The tempo slows down on "Someday When I'm Old", which is one of the best songs on the album, where Corbin sings about growing looking ahead at life and back again.  "Don't Ask Me About A Woman" is one of those great songs about a young man looking up to his grandfather, and the enduring love between a couple.  

With tunes like "A Lot To Learn About Livin'" and  "I Can't Love You Back", the second half of the album continues with more great gems about life, love, good times, heartache and moving on.  A perfect blend of what country is all about. "Let Alone You" is a great love song about time, distance and healing. It's also one of three songs on the album that were co-written by Corbin.  

Is this album really that good?  Or am I reacting to all of the bad Country Music that has filled the airwaves for so long?  I have to say that this album really is THAT GOOD.  I am giving it 5 out of 5 stars.  Easton Corbin is a breath of fresh air in a sea of wanna-bee teenie-bop, bubble gum country music.  He stands out because he is good.  DAMN GOOD!  

People have already started comparing him to a young George Strait.  That that's about the best compliment that a new country artist can receive.  I agree with the comparisons.  I can hear a lot of George in Easton's voice.  But there's also a little bit of Alan Jackson and some Joe Nichols in there too.  But I won't go so far as to say Easton is copying anybody.  Easton Corbin is clearly the real deal, and he just might turn out to be this generation's singer who saves Country Music from itself.  

I downloaded this album from iTunes for only $7.99.  It was well worth it, and I have a feeling I will be listening to this one continuously for quite some time.  I hope Easton Corbin has a long and successful career. I also hope that future new country artists will follow his lead and go back to the roots of Country Music.  Because true country fans are fans for life.