When Jeff Bates soared onto the charts a few years ago, country fans across the globe fell in love with his deep voice, and his classic sound. Well, he is now releasing a new self titled album that will have all of his fans running to the store, trying to get the first one. Now, if you've never heard anything by this amazing artist, he has been described as a modern day Conway Twitty.
Finding out that Jeff Bates was coming out with a new album was like finding out your best friend was coming to town. His voice is familiar yet different. His albums always contain a wide variety of tunes. They range from love ballads to rockin' country songs. He is one of the few artists that has continued to make the music that his fans originally fell in love with.
His fan base consists mainly of women who have fallen in love with his flirting, and his love for each and every one of them. It's funny to see him perform live. He makes every single woman in his audience feel like they are his one and only. It doesn't matter if they are twenty or eighty, they're the only woman in his life.
The album cover is unique as well. It has Jeff leaning sideways and staring towards the camera. What caught my eye was his shirt. It is simply two words, but they mean everything. It says "Rebel Spirit." This truly states the kind of person Jeff is.
Jeff is also quite an accomplished songwriter. On this album alone, he co-wrote ten of the thirteen songs. There are also a couple other awesome songwriters who helped out like Kenny Beard, Paul Overstreet and Deborah Allen. If you're the kind of person who enjoys reading the lyrics while listening to the album, well you're in luck, every song has the lyrics included. When an artist like Jeff Bates releases an album, everyone needs to hear about it, or the world will miss out on some great country music.
The first song off this album is "I Can't Have Nothing Nice." This is quite a catchy little tune. This is a song that you would expect to hear someone like Trace Adkins release, but Jeff held on to this song for himself. It's funny to hear someone actually sing about something we have all said. There is nothing more discouraging than to work hard for something and then someone else ruin it. Whether it's a nice car, a nice house, or trying to pick up a girl at the bar, all it takes is one person to ruin it all. He hit the mark when he recorded this tune.
A personal favorite is "Riverbank." This is a touching song where he reminisces about old times with either his father, or grandfather, or someone of that nature. Jeff sings about all of the things this person taught him and how their favorite thing to do was go fishing. What you learn throughout the song is that he is at the cemetery, not the "Riverbank." You will listen to this song and remember some of your most favorite times with someone special who has gone on to a better place.
"Chevy Don't Let Me Down" is a great song. It's about a man who has realized that life will throw you curves. Although people in your life "come and go," your Chevy will always be there.
"Dead Or Alive" is an awesome song simply about love. We all have had a point in a relationship where we have questioned ourselves on whether it is worth it to continue. This album is worth listening to from start to finish. You can tell that Jeff is comfortable where he's at in his career, and it shows on this awesome record.
