Aaron Lines
January 7, 2003
RCA
The opening track Love Changes Everything, is a catchy up-tempo contemporary country song, in the tradition of Brad Paisley, Kenny Chesney & The Lost Trailers. After listening to it twice you find yourself singing along.
Aaron continues with the sweet I Will Be There, which features a subtle piano that accentuates Aaron’s clear and inspiring vocals.
Next up is the ballad Close, which is one of the most beautifully composed country ballads of our time. This song could’ve well been one of the biggest country hits, as well as one of the biggest pop songs of 2003 if it were released as a single.
Then the album continues with Living Out Loud, which was released as a single. Very similar to Brad Paisley, and just as addicting. It’s catchy and it has a strong composition. The combination of electric guitar and gentle piano melodies is a great formula which is used more often on this record.
Turn It Up is next on the album. This song is very clever, and does right to the title. Since it turns up the pace step by step. It’s not the best song on the album, but it does get you moving. I find it hard to stop tapping with my foot on this song.
Next up is the smash hit You Can’t Hide Beautiful. Aaron Lines’ breakthrough single, which got him signed on RCA, is the perfect country/pop song. It reminds me of Brad Paisley’s ‘Little Moments’ both lyrically and musically. In a lot of aspects Aaron is a younger version of Brad Paisley, even though he has that little something that sets him apart.
Knock On Wood is the next song we hear. It is a typical country song, quite up-tempo. It reminds me of Phil Vassar in some ways. Compared to other songs on this album, it doesn’t stand out as much though it surely is a good country song.
Track #8 on the album is Old Days New, which is somewhere in the middle of Brad Paisley, Kenny Chesney, & Keith Urban, who accidentally are three of the hottest acts in contemporary country. Even though the song is pretty good, it seems a little bit too composed, not as spontaneous as the other songs.
Next up is She Called Me Kansas, telling us the story about a teenage romance. Vocally this track is a little different from the rest of the album but it sets a mood that fits the lyrics and it’s a typical album track. It could be a fans favourite, but it doesn’t have the potential other songs on the album do.
You Get The Picture is a little different, a little more raw, yet more bombastic with the background choir & added instrumentals. It doesn’t sound like Aaron Lines. It’s a good song, don’t get me wrong, but it’s not Aaron’s style.
But Aaron gets back to what he does best on the album closer Can’t Live Without Your Love. This catchy, uptempo country/rock song would be huge on country radio.
All in all, a lot of the lyrics might be typical country/pop lyrics, in tradition of the greats, such as Brad Paisley, Keith Urban, and Kenny Chesney who are currently dominating the charts. But this is the formula to go by. And Aaron Lines shows that he’s no less than these giants. He stands strong, and at times he even surpasses these artists, especially on songs as Close & I Will Be There. A great debut.