zjames
Platinum Member
Joined: June 2013
Posts: 1,926 
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Post by zjames on Apr 7, 2015 10:57:23 GMT -5
![]()  Now streaming on SpotifyTrack Listing: 01 "Growing Up Around Here" 02 "They Don't Make 'Em Like They Used To" 03 "Better Than You" 04 "Little Bitty Dreams" 05 "Guitar Or A Gun" 06 "Middle Of America" 07 "All I Want Is Us Tonight" 08 "Just Up The Road" 09 "Desperate Times" 10 "The Last Thing I Need" 11 "Til I Do It Again" |
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Deleted
Joined: January 1970
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Apr 7, 2015 17:24:08 GMT -5
Was hoping I could find a physical copy of this but I guess I'll have to go digital. Really looking forward to listening to this!
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zjames
Platinum Member
Joined: June 2013
Posts: 1,926
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Post by zjames on Apr 7, 2015 22:22:09 GMT -5
Love
01 "Growing Up Around Here"
02 "They Don't Make 'Em Like They Used To"
04 "Little Bitty Dreams"
06 "Middle Of America"
09 "Desperate Times"
11 "Til I Do It Again"
Like
03 "Better Than You"
07 "All I Want Is Us Tonight"
08 "Just Up The Road"
10 "The Last Thing I Need"
Meh
05 "Guitar Or A Gun"
Will Hoge delivers a very strong album with Small Town Dreams. Will mainly sticks to the theme of small town America with great success. Despite it being a very common theme, Will makes it fresh with relatable lyrics and big sing-along productions in "Growing Up Around Here", "Little Bitty Dreams", and "Middle Of America", among others. These songs never fall into the clichés of small town life; he conveys the way that small town life impacts an individual and the values it imparts in "They Don't Make 'Em Like They Used To".
Will also shows off his wild side in "Desperate Times" and "Til I Do It Again", and his wild side serves as a nice change of pace from the rural American songs while simultaneously contributing to the theme of those songs.
The main weakness in the album is the somewhat weaker lyrics in a few songs. When Will slows it down in "Better Than You", "Just Up The Road", and "The Last Thing I Need", the songwriting doesn't feel as authentic or true to him, and some lyrics come off as awkward: Will sings Just up the road, there's a road, that leads to another road. "Guitar Or A Gun" tries to make a comparison that ends up feeling clumsy and doesn't really work.
Despite a few minor hiccups, Will Hoge thrives on his small town America appreciation album.
4.0/5.0
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Deleted
Joined: January 1970
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Apr 8, 2015 21:00:34 GMT -5
I don't understand how this album can be available for pre-order on Google Play and then not be available now that its actually out :( I'd really like to buy this album but I have no way of doing it.
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Kentucky25
Platinum Member
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Joined: January 2014
Posts: 1,290
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Post by Kentucky25 on Apr 8, 2015 21:18:44 GMT -5
"They Don't Make 'Em Like They Used To" is stellar. Loved his previous album and this one continues that.
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bjer127
Charting
Joined: April 2012
Posts: 414
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Post by bjer127 on Apr 9, 2015 11:48:15 GMT -5
This too is a really enjoyable album. Will's voice fits into the Wade Bowen category...gritty, but honest and smooth at the same time. "Littly Bitty Dreams" fits me to a T almost (right down to the baseball, and having a son now, just the 3 of us). "Just Up The Road", "Growing Up Around Here" and "Til I Do It Again" are my favorites. Seems Will has found his niche, after almost 10 albums. This Heartland/Americana/Country fits him well, even if a handful of songs have the same theme. I'd take this anyday over bro-country and tailgate songs.
8 stars out of 10 for me
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rsmatto
6x Platinum Member
Joined: December 2008
Posts: 6,544
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Post by rsmatto on Apr 9, 2015 12:50:36 GMT -5
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carriekins
5x Platinum Member
With my mouth wide open in a whiskey rain, I could stand here 24 hours a day...
Joined: November 2011
Posts: 5,478
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Post by carriekins on Apr 9, 2015 15:40:28 GMT -5
I believe physical copies are available through Will's website as well. |
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