Chesney Channels Garth and Buffett
When The Sun Goes Down by Kenny Chesney
Mixing equal parts of Garth Brooks and Jimmy Buffett, When The Sun Goes Down was yet another country crossover smash for Kenny Chesney. The good looking Southern frat boy, who sometimes channels the islands but loves using his twang to tell big ole' sappy country songs, appeals to pop and country audiences.
Don't ever think that you'll trade your Fall Out Boy CD for anything that Beach Bum Kenny releases, but the man knows how to write a hook, and is able to use his fairly limited vocal range to put a song over as well as that other diminished voice, Rod Stewart. If Carolina Beach music was once the doo-wop/shag hybrid of groups like The Tams and The Catalinas, it is now this pop country blend built for singalongs or to listen to while strolling a boardwalk.
Chesney may be at his best when he doesn't go for the knockout song, but writes a simple tune like Old Blue Chair. The song's elegant, plain lyrics rest comfortably against the simple rhythm, much like the chair about which Chesney sings. Even anthemic "Praise Jesus" songs like Some People Change seem to tap a raw songwriting nerve. Meanwhile, deejays at resorts the world over will be playing the title track duet with Uncle Kracker for decades, but that's Plastic Kenny even if he tries to go for Beach Bum Kenny.
Finally, Being Drunk's a Lot Like Loving You is the other type of song on this album - Faux Country Kenny. One would think that a Tennessee boy who grew up in the same small town as Chet Atkins wouldn't need Faux Country Kenny, but songs like this show that Kenny wants to be a rhinestone cowboy sometimes rather than sit in his old blue chair, despite the twangy single note guitar leads and Roger Miller phrasing.
Chesney, the performer, is more than adequate for a cruising tape or as the soundtrack for a casual party. Chesney, the artist, is harder to figure out. His lyrics name check more people and places than a Dennis Miller monologue. People no doubt will also wonder about what was supposedly a long-time infatuation with Renee Zellwegger that resulted in a marriage that unfortunately didn't see a one year anniversary. And they'll wonder how many of the songs Chesney wrote were directed at one of America's favorite actresses, much like listeners a generation ago tried to tease out Christie Brinkley references in Billy Joel songs.
I do like some of the syrupy numbers. Some People Change is simultaneously strong and nurturing while The Woman With You, which Chesney didn't write but delivers perfectly, is a nice change of pace. Written from a woman's point of view, Chesney again shows off an endearing sensitive side.
And that may be the secret - Chesney may just be an old softie. His blue chair, the awesome liner notes describing each song and the release's dedication to a member of his road crew are all clues pointing in that direction. Ultimately that introspection and sentimentality may be the real Kenny while the party guy singing about drinking every other song is Commercial Jukebox Kenny.
It would certainly be nice to think so.
The Bottom Line, Skips and All
Simple, pleasing country pop in a comfortable setting with at least two or three jump right in and singalong songs, this is the perfect album for strip-mall America. Listeners won't have to work hard to enjoy this respite nor will they be compelled to study every nuance. When The Sun Goes Down is simply pleasant.
Five Things To Remember From This Review
1. A mix of styles, most falling into that country pop crossover that has been invading both genres for a generation.
2. He may have the twang and the look, but Chesney is most comfortable as a light rock kind of act.
3. When The Sun Goes Down, the title track's duet with Uncle Kracker, is destined for that space inhabited by Margaritaville.
4. Well produced, slick album with lots of topical names tossed into the lyrics.
5. Old Blue Chair could become a standard. Chesney's later releases show that he is not letting go of the song or the concept.
