CD Review – ‘Enjoy Yourself’ – Billy Currington
14 years ago Liv Carter 1
‘Enjoy Yourself’ – Billy Currington (Mercury Nashville, 2010)
Master of laid-back country songs, Billy Currington, returns with fourth studio album, Enjoy Yourself. The disc delivers a satisfying collection of easy-going songs wrapped up in a whole lot of charm.
Lead single ‘Pretty Good at Drinking Beer’ already reached the top of the charts and with all the material here of similar or better quality, more chart toppers are inevitable. Evidence of Billy’s likeability is that few singers can get listeners to root for what are essentially lazy characters like the slackers telling their stories on the first single and the track ‘Bad Day of Fishing.’
‘Until You’ and new single ‘Let Me Down Easy’ feature signature Currington sexy, sultry and soulful vocals with both songs focusing on allowing love back into your life after some bad experiences. Toe-tappers come in the form of opener ‘All Day Long’ and ‘Lil’ Ol’ Lonesome Dixie Town.’
As with previous Currington releases, there is plenty of humor. On the funny ‘Like My Dog,’ the protagonist suggests his girl should blindly adore him just as his pet does. It’s a suggestion which on paper might cause some to raise an eyebrow but Billy’s tongue-in-cheek performance makes it clear this is not to be taken seriously at all.
The influence of producer and steel guitar player Carson Chamberlain is noticeable throughout the album, especially on ‘Perfect Day’ and the title track, which closes the album, with both songs invoking blue skies and sea breezes. The only song that breaks the mold is the horn-heavy ‘Love Done Gone,’ which people are likely to either love or hate.
Some critics might be put off by the lack of songs with an emotional punch in the vein of debut single ‘Walk a Little Straighter.’ While I would like to hear him challenge himself a little bit more as nothing here is ground-breaking stuff, Billy seems to have found his groove on this album. It makes ‘Enjoy Yourself’ a very accessible and even contemporary country album.
‘Enjoy Yourself’ will be in stores on Tuesday, September 21.
Disclosure of material connection for this review.
Liv Carter
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.
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