CD REVIEW: "HOW COUNTRY FEELS" - RANDY HOUSER - RELEASE DATE 1/22/13

CD: “How Country Feels”
Artist: Randy Houser
Label: Stoney Creek Records
Release Date: Jan 22, 2013

FINALLY! Fans of real country music have been waiting a long time for this release from one of country’s finest songwriters and most genuine artists, Randy Houser. Well guys, this one was WELL worth the wait and I cannot wait for you to hear it. I’ve always been a huge fan of Randy for years and this cd confirms that I am now an even bigger fan than I thought possible.

Randy’s music is exactly what the title track and cd title say it is, “How Country Feels”. There are few artists out there in the current mainstream lineup that make you think boots, buckles and rockin’ with your twang out. Randy Houser does just that and does it in a way that just makes you wanna stand up and yell out “HELL YEAH! NOW THIS IS HOW COUNTRY FEELS!”

Produced by highly respected Nashville songwriter, music veteran, president of Wide Open Music Group and former member of Williams Riley, Derek George, this 15 track listing definitely gives you your money’s worth and gives tried and true Randy Houser fans their “Randy’s” worth and all 15 tracks are outstanding, some even earning the use of the word “phenomenal”. This is Randy at his absolute finest, the top of his game and proving once and for all that his talent is not one to be overlooked or underestimated but shared with the world, played on every country station out there and put in the spotlight that for some reason has seemed to shine on everyone but him. He is a vocal powerhouse and a songwriting force to be reckoned with and this is his time for that reckoning. 

Tracks to really pay close attention to on this project are “The Singer”, “The Power of a Song” (this one hits you right where a good song should and earns the description of "vocal and emotional perfection", judging by the stream of tears running down my face as I write this), “Wherever Love Goes” his first duet performed with Kristy Lee Cook, American Idol finalist who is signed to his sister label, Broken Bow Records, “Like a Cowboy”, "Along for the Ride" and "Route 3 Box 250D" - all powerful, all emotional and all 100% of the deep country soul fans have come to expect from Randy. His debut single from the cd, “How Country Feels” currently sits at #2 on Billboard’s “Heatseekers” chart, #12 on Billboard’s “Country Songs” chart, #11 on Music Row’s “Country Breakout” chart, and #6 on Mediabase.

“How Country Feels” is scheduled for official release on January 22, 2013 and I can say with all certainty and zero hesitation, BUY IT. 

It gets 5 HELL YEAH’S out of 5 HELL YEAH’S!

TRACK LISTING

1. "Runnin’ Outta Moonlight" (3:14)
2. "Growin’ Younger" (4:53) (co-written by Houser)
3. "Top Of The World" (3:17)
4. "The Singer" (4:20)
5. "Power Of A Song" (3:41) (co-written by Houser)
6. "Absolutely Nothing" (3:02)
7. "Wherever Love Goes" (with Kristy lee Cook) (4:16)
8. "Like A Cowboy" (4:21) (co-written by Houser)
9. "How Country Feels" (3:05)
10. "Along For The Ride" (3:34) (co-written by Houser)
11. "Sunshine On the Line" (3:20) (co-written by Houser)
12. "Goodnight Kiss" (3:27) (co-written by Houser)
13. "Let's Not Let It" (3:09)
14. "Shine" (4:56)
15. "Route 3 Box 250 D" (3:52) (co-written by Houser)