Let me just say, THANK GOD FOR MR. GEORGE STRAIT! He’s one of those men who just gets better with age (and more good looking). He is truly the reigning King of Country. On September 22nd, it was announced that Strait was not only doing a residency in Las Vegas, but that he would also be releasing a brand new album and single! The album, Cold Beer Conversation, dropped 3 days after the announcement. Being the beloved legend that he is, Strait is one of the few artists who can pull off releasing an album without any kind of promotion, and still have it hit #1 on sales chart, all the while being semi retired. Strait is his wonderful, traditional, consistently awesome self on Cold Beer Conversation, his 29th studio album.Strait kicks off the record with “It Was Love”, a track looking back at the beginning of a relationship, reminiscing about falling madly in love. It’s a standard love song, featuring the same fuller production you’ll find on Strait’s recent albums, but make no mistake, it’s still very much country, just more modern-traditional rather than classic traditional. The title track, “Cold Beer Conversation”, is exactly what the title suggests, a conversation between buddies while having a cold beverage. The friends talk about everyday life, relationships, the past and the future. If a newer artist had recorded this song, it would probably come off pretty generic and cliché. Luckily, George Strait recorded it, and somehow pulls it off beautifully, making it totally believable and relatable.
“Let It Go” was the lead single from this record. It’s an easy rolling summery tune, that’s fairly radio friendly. It features a reggae flavor to it, and evokes a beach-y, tropical feel. Lyrically it’s pretty simple, but it’s still an enjoyable tune. The twangy “Going Going Gone” finds the narrator seeking refuge down at the corner bar, having a cold alcoholic beverage. It’s a fun song, featuring a steel guitar and everything. My only complaint with this track is the backing vocals on the chorus, they’re just a touch too loud, I’d rather just have Strait in all his glory”
Strait turns the lights down low and strips back the production for “Something Going Down”, a soft, slow, romantic ballad. Strait always shines on the romantic songs, and this track is no exception. Another sweeter, slower song on the record is “Everything I See”, which finds King George looking back through memories of his loved one, proclaiming “Everywhere I look there’s one more memory/ There’s a little bit of you in everything I see”. It’s refreshing to listen to a song that actually tells a story, a song that has substance, something country radio is currently in dire need of.
The steel guitar is back on “Wish You Well”, a slow rolling tune about bridging the gap between “wish you were here” and “wish you well” with alcohol. You would think that all these songs with alcoholic themes would be boring and cliché by now, considering radio is loaded down with songs about alcohol, but it doesn’t with Strait. Strait brings originality and believability to these tracks, that’s the difference.
One of my favorite tracks on this record is “Take Me To Texas”, an ode to Texas and its history. The song uses imagery from Texas’ past and geography, like the Alamo, cowboys, Indians, the open range, the yellow rose, and the Rio Grande. I love the fiddle parts in the song. I’ve always been a sucker for a good fiddle part! It’s a song you’d expect from a native Texan, and Strait does his home state proud. The western swing “It Takes All Kinds” follows right after, and it’s pure country goodness! I adore the fiddles on this track! I happen to love western swing, and so does Mr. Strait, as he always includes at least one western swing song on each album.
“Stop and Drink” uses a twist on the old phrase “makes you stop and think”, substituting “drink” for “think”. It’s a clever little tune that creatively keeps the alcohol theme going. The most jacked up, production heavily track on this record is “Rock Paper Scissors”, about a love that went wrong. It’s southern rock flavored country, something we haven’t really heard from Strait before. Nonetheless, he pulls it off beautifully! When the track first starts to play, you find yourself a bit apprehensive about what’s coming, but it’s actually a really good song… Of course, is that really surprising? After all, it is a George Strait song. Kudos to Mr. Strait for pulling that one off.
“Cheaper Than a Shrink” continues the alcohol theme, this time declaring that alcohol is “Cheaper than a shrink”, and that “You don’t have to think/ You just pour and drink”. It’s another enjoyable track that’s clever and creative. Strait closes Cold Beer Conversation with “Even When I Can’t Feel It”. He slows things down, and get’s serious for the conclusion of the record. The track finds Strait declaring that he believes in God, even when he can’t feel him here, and that he believes in hope and love. The song talks about how sometimes life isn’t fair, but God is there and love prevails. It’s definitely another standout on the record, and an excellent way to close out a refreshing album.
George Strait delivers yet another consistently great, country album. This is exactly why Strait can release an album without promotion and still hit the top of the charts, because Strait is one of the few artists that you can consistently count on to deliver a great record. What would country music be without George Strait? I for one, am glad we never have to find out the answer to that question. Thank God for King George and his traditional country goodness. I don’t have to tell you to go out and get this record, or at least I shouldn’t have to. But just in case you live under a rock, GET THIS ALBUM and expose yourself to what real country music is.
Originally posted here.
