Big & Rich: Between Raising Hell and Amazing Grace review
Submitted By
Jun 9, 2007
Big & Rich BETWEEN RAISING HELL AND AMAZING GRACE [Warner Music] June, 2007
Produced by Big Kenny & John Rich
Review by Cheryl Breo
Big and Rich have released their much anticipated third album “Between Raising Hell And Amazing Grace”; but don’t expect to hear the same Big Kenny and John Rich, elite members of the Muzik Mafia; that you are accustomed to.
Like the 45 rpm records of my long past teen years, this CD has that A and B side feel to it.
The A side being soft, mournful ballads; the B side, filled with rockin’, honky tonk, up-beat tunes.
“Between Raising Hell And Amazing Grace” is a wonderful, lyrically honest look into the lives of John Rich and Big Kenny…’who get a little crazy trying to have some fun…but end up back where I started from…down on my knees…somewhere between hell and amazing grace’.
“Eternity” and “When The Devil Gets The Best Of Me”, with their intensely moving lyrics; show us a deeper, very spiritual side of this hit duo who has been known for their crazy, mardi gras “Save A Horse, Ride A Cowboy” atmosphere; an atmosphere that changed the face of country music forever…with non-prejudice, color blind, genre blind music.
“Please Man” and “Radio” have lyrics that perfectly express Big and Rich’s feelings about acceptance of all types of music; from country to rap and everything in between…and “Loud”, a hard rockin’, heavy guitar stomping song, tells us just how they like their country music…with only it’s title.
“Faster Than Angels Fly” is my standout, favorite track on this CD.
It is a raw, poignant, all too true story about life in any of
America’s tough city neighborhoods; and the tragedy of the senseless deaths of the innocent caught in it’s cross fire of violence.
This time, it’s “low rent, high rise lovers” who lived and loved “as strong as the beads of a rosary”, burning the candle at both ends; aware of the danger; aware that “heaven can’t help you if you fly faster than angels fly”, but, like Romeo and Juliet, their love was their strength…and when the bullets blew their dreams away, they died in each other’s arms; having experienced and felt more true love in their short, young lives; then most people ever feel in a life of 90 years.
A remarkable song, remarkable lyrics; with remarkable vocals.
I will admit to not being a huge Big and Rich fan when they first burst into the country scene…but they had me listening with “Save A Horse, Ride A Cowboy” and totally won me over with the 8th of November.
Usually, when I review a new CD, it’s easy to find “the” song that is the standout track; but on “Between Raising Hell And Amazing Grace”, I found EVERY song to be a standout….that’s how terrific this album is.
This reviewer is going to wear out the CD; I just can’t stop playing it!!
