January,
1999
Diamond
Rio -- Unbelievable
Appearing
at Country
Thunder 99 in Queen Creek, Arizona, April 30th-May
2nd, 1999
Unbelievable can be used to describe the cover art, Diamond Rio going on for their 8th year, as well as the reaction some people would have when they learn this is Diamond Rio. While their vocal styles have changed a lot from their original album Diamond Rio back in 1991, you can if you listen carefully pick out the mandolin.
In the beginning, there is the Two Pump Texaco a story of sorts of a "third generation filler-up, full service man". Now, that's something you don't see much of anymore. Full service station may still be out in the rural parts of the country, but they are a dying breed. Anyway, the story tells about everyone he meets on the island of his two pump Texaco. There is one really good line of imagery, "He thanks the Lord for that 'star' in the sky..."
The first release off of the Unbelievable album was You're Gone (track #3, a local radio station's magazine described this as a "chilling ballad". You don't even have to hear the lyrics to get this impression. The 10 second instrumental intro set in minor scale gives this song a very "chilling" effect. Then, the lyrics...this is one you are just going to have to listen to the song to really understand the full emotion and effect of this song.
On to a more upbeat and positive song...Unbelievable (track #5). The theme of this song is similar to Your Gone, meeting someone who is...well...unbelievable! At least this one is more upbeat and defiantly not chilling.
Some other good tracks include Long Way Back (track #6). I do want to make a minor comment on this song. Looking at the lyrics I noticed the first line "Sitting in a café at the corner..." I wonder if they had to refrain from using Café On The Corner, which is both an album and song by Sawyer Brown. And finally, I Know How The River Feels (track #9). This song main instrument is the strings and if you listen carefully enough you can hear Diamond Rio's trademark mandolin.
I spend a lot of time doing these reviews. From the time I purchase the album to the time I write up the review can be up to a month if not longer. This was one of those albums that I did take a longer amount of time to listen to and really get a feel for the album before I wrote my review. One comment in general, as I mentioned in the beginning, Diamond Rio is coming up to their 8th year, they must be doing something right.
Next month is February, for my review, the vocal trio, The Dixie Chicks, Wide Open Spaces.
Be
sure and visit Diamond Rio's Web Site, just click on the cover art
above! Questions or comments about this review, use the
e-mail link below.
