CD Review – ‘Bullets In the Gun’ – Toby Keith

14 years ago Liv Carter 1

‘Bullets in the Gun’ – Toby Keith (Show dog-Universal Music, 2010)

From the guitar’s very first opening notes, one can tell this is going to be an “outlaw” song. The title track from Toby Keith’s latest cd (and 15th studio album), ‘Bullets in the Gun’, does not disappoint on any level. A song with a slightly haunting and ominous sound, it tells a story of what happens when one has literally “had it” with the way they’ve been mistreated. It also speaks to what we all know lies within us …. the ability to go “there” – that place none of us really like to admit we have – the place where we are capable of just about anything criminal, when backed into a corner. “Never see it comin’, it just hit you by surprise, it’s that cold place in your soul and that fire in her eye that makes you come together like wild horses when they run. Now the cards are on the table and the bullets in the gun …” The song is so well written that it only took one listen to visualize, in detail, the mini movie in my head. That’s the sign of great storytelling in a song! This definitely lends itself to a superb video, as well.

The next track on the cd, ‘Somewhere Else,‘ is very catchy with an upbeat sound – which is a different sounding Toby, compared to the title track. This little “ditty” would do reasonably well if released as a single and while the weather cooperates, it’ a great, “drive through the country with the window down” kind of song. No earth-shattering revelations or deep-ponderings … just a simple, feel-good song.

I actually “saw” glimpses of the next track before ever listening to the new cd for review. GAC has been playing the video for ‘Trailorhood’ for a few weeks now and while the visual of the well-fed trailorhood resident lapping around inside the kiddie pool was reluctantly stuck in my head, having actually listened to the song …. I dare say … I like it! Toby (who is the solo songwriter for this song) is lyrically gifted in telling it like it is, and in such a way that you could visualize this song long before it showed up on video channels. He has this innate way of wording things so simple — and yet very artfully and full of fun. Musically, every instrument has a purpose and it is not overdone – just the right balance all the way around. (Coincidentally, the neighborhood that is about 1.5 miles from where I live – now has a new name!!)

Never one to just stick with tongue-in-cheek material, Keith gets more serious with ‘In a Couple of Days.’ His subtle delivery of his emotive vocals translate the pain from being left brokenhearted. Many can relate to the time(s) in their lives when they’ve been on the receiving end of “goodbye.” The universal question is, “Why does he/she ask me how I’m doing – just a day after dumping me?” Toby has a gentle, romantic, soft side and I enjoy how he is able to clearly articulate the fact that he is not ready to articulate! “Why don’t you come around when the swellin’ goes down? Right now I’m doing OK. Hit me back, I should know something in a couple of days.”

Smoothly transitioning into the next track, after being rejected and then hitting the proverbial rebound jackpot, ‘Think About You All of the Time’ is an honest expression of moving on, but really living in the past. A bit more upbeat, Toby laments, “Hey, I don’t miss you too much, but still I think about you all of the time.” The harmonica seems to have a voice of its own in this song and, again, it just all flows together well.

‘Kissing in the Rain’ is the song I hope becomes the next single. It is not only video-ready, but more importantly, Toby has a great way of slowly building up the momentum of the song – just like the longings of a forbidden high school love, you know that no matter what, it will happen. Forbidden kisses in the rain, with feelings raging like a hurricane, Toby describes a sweet memory of a bygone moment in time … “Every time the clouds get low and the sirens start to blow, I get a sweet little deja vu, my Thunderbird and me and you.”

Changing gears, literally, is ‘Drive It On Home’ – a tribute to all those hard-working cross country truck drivers that bring just about everything we eat, wear and use into our local stores. With a bit of a hard-edge head bangin’ beat, this will be a popular song in local honky tonks – “pop another white cross, dodge another speed cop, hit another truck stop…drive it on home.”

A man who tells a woman that he already knows he is a “bad boy” seems to be a magnet for some women. “I told you when I met you, don’t try to love me – But I love you for tryin’ to anyway. You’re cryin’ and it don’t surprise me …” The guy in this song is not at all surprised that once again, he finds himself alone after his girlfriend has had enough. ‘Ain’t Breakin’ Nothin’ is your basic, bad boy gets good girl who wants to save him, but finds out she can’t and finally leaves. Not too many surprises in the lyrics as the guy is pretty nonchalant at this point, “this ain’t the first time to be my own worst enemy, baby don’t you worry about me…. this ain’t the first time that I’ve dug out of this hole.”

Very similar to the previous track, the lyrics of ‘Is That All You Got’ speaks of a man who has had his heart broken by the best, but still managed to survive. “I’ve got some stones, so girl bring it on…. Is that all you got, is that all there is?” Not too much substance here, but I can certainly visualize this sing along-style song being belted out in country bars across the country. Again,
Toby’s voice is one of his greatest assets and the song works well for him.

The last original song on the deluxe cd is a straight up “put out or get out” song. There is no hiding the horn-dog mentality after a night of whiskey drinking, “What would it hurt, to pull off that shirt – we’ve already come this far – get outta your clothes or get out of my car.” ‘Get Out of My Car’ is a cheeky, albeit catchy-sounding tune, about a guy who has invested a quick evening into this girl and now he is ready for some payback. Toby is nothing but honest and while one can certainly appreciate his pure honesty in writing fun, tongue-in-cheek songs, that poke humor at the main character, the intent and content of the song is in stark contrast to the first special thank you in his liner notes “My Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (found on the page following the lyrics.) It’s just an observation, nothing more, nothing less. However, I predict many people will be singing along to this song – at the top of their lungs, I might add!

Toby Keith definitely has a way with words, of not mincing them, and yet crafting them cleverly enough to have a fair amount of his boyish charm shine through. The last 4 live tracks on the cd (recorded earlier this year at the Fillmore Plaza in New York) are, if nothing else, the reason to go out and buy this deluxe version. Simply put … they are FANTASTIC! The bluesy sound of ’11 Months and 29 Days,’ showcases Toby’s vocal ability in a way this writer has not heard before. ‘I’ve been a Long Time Leaving,’ ‘Chug-A-Lug,’ and my personal favorite, ‘Sundown’ are done so superbly live, (with his stellar band) that I am bound and determined to attend a Toby Keith concert in my future. Collectively, the album is woven together very well and it has a bit of something on it for everyone. 

Disclosure of material connection for this review.  

Liv Carter

Liv Carter

Liv is a career coach for creatives, and the people who work with them.
She holds several certificates from Berklee College of Music, and a certificate in Positive Psychology from UC Berkeley.
Her main influences are coffee, cats, and Alexander Hamilton.
Liv Carter

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