Album Description: As the front man of Hootie & The Blowfish, Darius Rucker has already experienced success - earning 2 Grammy awards and selling over 25 million albums worldwide. Now, embracing his country roots and a music he has always wanted to make, Darius is attracting the attention of country fans who are discovering his voice for the first time, and rewarding Hootie fans with new music featuring one of the most unique voices across any genre of music. Featuring his debut country single, "Don't Think I Don't Think About It", Learn to Live features 12 undeniable country hits and a voice that is unarguably Darius Rucker. "I have always written country songs...for me, this is really just part of the natural evolution of my career. I plan to be doing this for a long time. This isn't a one album deal - it's a career thing," explains Rucker.
Amazon.com: As the lead singer and co-writer for Hootie & the Blowfish, Darius Rucker always eschewed overt R & B, and fixed the band’s music in roots rock. Now on this solo album, Learn to Live, he immerses himself in the typical Nashville themes of home, hearth, and spirituality, with varying results. His sturdy baritone knows how to carry these messages, and he displays an ease with country phrasing. Furthermore, he's assembled a fine passel of pickers, from mainstream guests Vince Gill, Alison Krauss and Brad Paisley, to 'grassers Aubrey Haynie and Bryan Sutton. All this works fine on the radio—the album and the single "Don't Think I Don't Think About It," which logged the number one slot on the country charts. But while Rucker pays fine homage to Buck Owens with the intro to the humorous divorce declaration "All I Want," and nurtures his inner redneck on the barroom anthem "Drinkin' and Dialin'," too many clichés weave their way into his lyrics, and the overall sound is that of amiable, cookie-cutter, country pop. Next time out, let’s hope Rucker reaches farther back into his South Carolina roots for a more authentic backwoods connection. -– Alanna Nash
Customer Reviews
Average Rating:
Rating: - Love it
I've always loved Darius Rucker with Hootie and the Blowfish, but his solo country cd is INCREDIBLE. Awesome songwriter.
Rating: - Hootie lives, kinda
The CD is about 50/50 in my opinion. About Half of them are out of the park home runs. The other half I would just assume not have. I expect the success of this CD should open up some better song writting. I expect the next CD will be a great success and have a greater percentage of great songs.
Rating: - A++
Can't lose with this one. Smooth voice, excellent lyrics. Expect Darius to be in the winner's circle soon.
Rating: - Rocker Rucker Goes Country
Darius Rucker, lead singer of Hootie and the Blowfish, crosses over to Country and it's fabulous. Every song has a great sound. Country isn't what it used to be. Whether you're new to country or a longtime fan, this CD hits the spot.
Rating: - Great CD!
If you love the voice of Hootie, you will love this cd. The country songs are just right. Good mix of Top 40 and Country. I defintiely recommend it!
- Love it
- Hootie lives, kinda
- Rocker Rucker Goes Country
