Toby Keith soared to fame in the 90’s with hits like “Should Have Been A Cowboy” and “How Do You Like Me Now?”. Since then he has put out a steady stream of hits, with the more recent ones being “Red Solo Cup” and “Drinks After Work”. Keith has recently released his 18th studio album, 35 MPH Town. I was leery going into this album, considering that Keith hasn’t exactly been producing great material as of late. In the past 5 years, Keith has had only one #1 hit. He has spent these last 5 years chasing the “Bro” trend in a desperate ploy to stay “relevant”, and failing at it. Keith has always been a contemporary country singer. I don’t think there’s ever been a point in time when you could classify Keith as traditional. That being said, there’s nothing wrong with being contemporary country… But there is a whole lot wrong with being Bro Country. I wish country veterans like Keith would just stick to the sound they’re known for, the one fans love.Anyway, here we are with another album offering from Keith…. So, is it any good? Actually, I have to say that this record was pleasantly surprising. 35 MPH Town does have some duds on it, but it also had quite a few solid offerings. The record opens with the anthemic “Drunk Americans”. Just in case you can’t tell from the title, this is one of the duds I was talking about. I’m all for a good anthem song, but they need to be executed properly, and this one isn’t. It comes off hokey, ridiculous, and a bit white trash. Granted, the track does contain a few funny lines, but it’s too ridiculous to be a strong track. The fact that it’s not a strong song makes it all the more surprising that it was the lead single for the album. What’s not surprising is the fact that the single peaked low on the charts, only hitting #33. The second track on the record fares a bit better than the first. “Good Gets Here” is a fast tempo, swinging track about enjoying life’s circumstances and a temporary partner until something better comes along. It’s an alright track, featuring driving drums and horns.
But have no fear, the third, and title track, ushers in some good material! “35 MPH Town” is Keith at the top of his game. The song tells a tale of a small town (and ultimately, society as a whole) on the road to hell and ruin. The song opens with a mother locking her door for the first time in all of her years, resulting in her son saying, “Mommy you gotta be kidding me” and the mother explaining why. The mother went on to say, “Things ain’t like they use to be round here. You just wouldn’t believe it, kids growing up without Jesus. Good thing your daddy isn’t here to see this now. They stay higher than the water tower in this 35mph town.” She goes on to say that “it ain’t the drugs, it ain’t the booze. I’ve had a back road buzz or two myself. Seems like Heaven is slipping further away, the devil ain’t got far to go when they raise hell” and “there’s a lower higher power in this 35mph town”. The chorus brings the message home with, “Oh we can’t blame our babies, for growing up lazy and crazy/ It ain’t them that let them down/ If they ain’t stealing, they’re suing/ Why work when we’ll give it to them/ It’s right there in the bible we don’t pull out/ Spare the rod and you’ll sour a 35mph town.” This is what we expect from Keith. “35 mph Town” is an excellent song with a message that rings true. It’s a definitely a standout on the record.
The two other standouts on the album are “What She Left Behind” and “Haggard, Hank, and Her”. Both slower tempo tunes, and both pure Toby Keith tracks. “What She Left Behind” is a list of things and memories a lady left behind (and took with her) when she left the relationship. The track finds the narrator, aka guy she left, listing all the things she took including her sunglasses, sandals, necklace, and her sundress, and then declaring “it ain’t what she took that messes with my mind, it’s what she left behind”. It’s a solid track. “Haggard, Hank, and Her” is another sad country song, which we never actually tire of. The hook in this song is the last line in the chorus, “Nobody kills me like Haggard, Hank, and her.” It’s an easy rolling song that would be right at home in a honky tonk on a sad Friday night.
“10 Foot Pole” is that silly, clever, raunchy song that you expect to be on a Toby Keith record, I mean isn’t it mandatory? The song features a clever twist of the age old phrase “wouldn’t touch you with a 10 foot pole”, turning it into “now I couldn’t touch her with a 10 foot pole”. The song describes a hot and heavy relationship gone cold all of a sudden, and the guy lamenting that now the female won’t let him near her. “Sailboat For Sale” features Jimmy Buffet, because you can’t do a water/boat song without Jimmy Buffet. Don’t get me wrong though, it’s actually a solid track. The harmonies between the two men are spot on. It’s actually a sad song about sailing on a boat, which turns out to not be on a river or ocean, but floating idly on a creek. The chorus explains, “I could sail to the ocean if the wind would come and get me/ But I ain’t going nowhere quickly/ I’m just a drunken sailor waiting on a gale/ With a drink in my hand and a sailboat for sale.” This is actually my favorite song I’ve heard featuring Jimmy Buffet, so kudos Toby Keith.
The album closes with “Beautiful Stranger”, one of the strongest tracks on the record. It’s soft and sweet, and so achingly beautiful. The song is definitely in the same league as “Should Kiss Me Like This”, only it might actually succeed it. The song moves through a couple’s date night, making it clear to the listener that this couple has been together for quite some time, but still feel like they’re on their first date. Ultimately the song is about reconnecting with your partner and still having strong feelings for them after years of time.
Overall, 35 MPH Town is a solid album. There may have been a couple of duds, but it certainly didn’t ruin the album, and I’m sure there will be people who actually enjoy the duds. This record finds Keith back in his niche, and I for one am glad to hear it!
Originally posted here.
