As the follow up to 2011’s immensely successful Tailgates and Tanlines, which went double platinum, Luke Bryan’s new album, Crash My Party, released on Aug. 13had a lot to live up to.
Unfortunately, it didn’t quite live up to it’s predecessor. Most of the songs sound similar, not only to each other, but to many of Bryan’s others.
He has built his success primarily on a multitude of country love songs, as well as up-tempo party songs, and in this album he doesn’t stray from that recipe for success. Because of the lack of risks taken, the album can feel a bit monotonous and familiar.
That’s not to say that there aren’t a few standouts on this 13 track album. “Dirt Road Diary,” a slower, slightly nostalgic song that reminisces on growing up in the country, is a welcome change of pace, and feels like a personal peek in to Bryan’s childhood.
The title track, “Crash My Party,” which went platinum, is another one worth listening to. It is a love song showcasing Bryan’s sensitive side, without being too slow or boring.
But for other songs, boring is the only way to describe them. Like “Goodbye Girl,” a slower, melancholy song about lost love, which is nothing new and certainly nothing to get excited about.
However, the way Bryan incorporated a pop-rock sound into several of the songs keeps the album from feeling too repetitive. Some people might roll their eyes at this, but Bryan doesn’t abandon his country roots, he simply mixes a faster, up tempo sound with a traditional country sound.
This was a success on the songs “Out Like That,” and “I See You.” The faster, more rock n roll sound put a new, interesting spin on classic Luke Bryan subject matter, but these songs don’t feel tedious at all.
Unfortunately, the incorporation of a mainstream sound did fail him on the opening song, “That’s My Kind of Night.” The song moves too fast, trying to include too many sounds at once, with pop influences and lots of guitar and fiddle. Because of this, it feels overwhelming, and sadly, like a bunch of noise.
The fact that Bryan was crowned ‘Entertainer of the Year’ at the 2013 Academy of Country Music awards left fans expecting a lot, but for the most part this album didn’t deliver. That being said, certain songs on the album are still worth a listen, just don’t go rushing out to buy the whole thing.
