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It took Gary Allan a long time to deliver the sequel to his 2013 hit Set You Free. Eight years, to be precise, a period that included a spell of non-LP singles that failed to set the Country charts on fire during the mid-2000s. None of these tunes wound up on Ruthless. Only the flinty, pulsing "Waste of a Whiskey Drink," a single teaser from 2020, is here and it sets the tone for the rest of Ruthless. The record is steeped in the rocking country of the 1990s, a style flexible enough to accommodate slightly fresh stylistic flourishes along with the weathering of Allan's voice. He sounds older here but not tired: he's a survivor carrying on, building upon what he's done in the past but wise enough to know that he needs to adapt otherwise he'd be left behind. Allan knows enough to not indulge in tacky trends, but he will layer in some electronic flair and nods to retro-soul, things that make Ruthless feel like an update on his style, not a record chasing fashion. He does stumble here, singing about sex with the grace of a cornball, but he rights himself when he sings Jesse Winchester's "Little Glass of Wine" with understated grace. There's more of the latter than the former here, which is why Ruthless winds up being worth the long wait: it took him some time, but Allan figured out a way forward.
© Stephen Thomas Erlewine /TiVo
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Kristin Wilkinson, Viola, Strings, Strings Director, AssociatedPerformer - Michael Rhodes, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - David Huff, Programming, AssociatedPerformer - Dan Dugmore, Steel Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - STEVE MARCANTONIO, Recording Engineer, Mix Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Steve Nathan, Keyboards, AssociatedPerformer - Chad Cromwell, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Tom Bukovac, Electric Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - DAVID DAVIDSON, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - David Angell, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Tony Brown, Producer - Carole Rabinowitz, Cello, AssociatedPerformer - CONNI ELLISOR, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Rob McNelley, Electric Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Sarah Buxton, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Perry Coleman, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Seth Morton, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Jon Nite, ComposerLyricist - Gary Allan, Vocals, Vocalist, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - John Lancaster, Piano, Synthesizer, AssociatedPerformer - Nicolle Galyon, ComposerLyricist - Chase McGill, ComposerLyricist - Alicia Enstrom, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Carie Higdon, Production Coordinator, StudioPersonnel - Mark Wright (Nashville), Producer
℗ 2021 UMG Recordings, Inc.
Josh Kear, ComposerLyricist - Michael Rhodes, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Dan Dugmore, Acoustic Guitar, Steel Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - STEVE MARCANTONIO, Recording Engineer, Mix Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Steve Nathan, Piano, AssociatedPerformer - Chad Cromwell, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Tom Bukovac, Acoustic Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Tony Brown, Producer - Rob McNelley, Acoustic Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Sarah Buxton, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Perry Coleman, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Seth Morton, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Mark Holman, ComposerLyricist - Gary Allan, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - John Lancaster, Synthesizer, AssociatedPerformer - Michael Hardy, ComposerLyricist - Carie Higdon, Production Coordinator, StudioPersonnel - Mark Wright (Nashville), Producer
℗ 2020 UMG Recordings, Inc.
Kyle Jacobs, ComposerLyricist - Michael Rhodes, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Joe Leathers, ComposerLyricist - David Steele, Electric Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Chad Cromwell, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Tom Bukovac, Electric Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Eric Darken, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - Jaime Hanna, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Greg Droman, Producer, Mixer, Engineer, Electric Bass, AssociatedPerformer, StudioPersonnel, 12-String Acoustic Guitar - Marilyn Martin, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Gary Allan, Producer, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - John Lancaster, Piano, Hammond B3, AssociatedPerformer - Matt Warren, ComposerLyricist - Tim Galloway, Acoustic Guitar, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 2021 UMG Recordings, Inc.
Michael Rhodes, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Dan Dugmore, Steel Guitar, Dobro, AssociatedPerformer - STEVE MARCANTONIO, Percussion, Recording Engineer, Mix Engineer, AssociatedPerformer, StudioPersonnel - Steve Nathan, Hammond B3, AssociatedPerformer - Chad Cromwell, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Tom Bukovac, Electric Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Tony Brown, Producer - Rob McNelley, Electric Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Sarah Buxton, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Perry Coleman, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Seth Morton, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Gary Allan, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - John Lancaster, Wurlitzer Organ, AssociatedPerformer - Alex Kline, ComposerLyricist - Carie Higdon, Production Coordinator, StudioPersonnel - Michael Whitworth, ComposerLyricist - Ross Ellis, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Mark Wright (Nashville), Producer
℗ 2021 UMG Recordings, Inc.
Rodney Clawson, ComposerLyricist - Michael Rhodes, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Dan Dugmore, Steel Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - David Steele, Electric Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Chad Cromwell, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Tom Bukovac, Electric Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Sarah Buxton, ComposerLyricist - Jaime Hanna, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Greg Droman, Producer, Mixer, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Gary Allan, Producer, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - John Lancaster, Piano, Hammond B3, AssociatedPerformer - Matt Warren, ComposerLyricist - Tim Galloway, Acoustic Guitar, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 2021 UMG Recordings, Inc.
Michael Rhodes, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Dan Dugmore, Lap Steel Guitar, Pedal Steel, AssociatedPerformer - David Steele, Electric Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - James Slater, ComposerLyricist - Chad Cromwell, Drums, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - Tom Bukovac, Electric Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Jaime Hanna, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Greg Droman, Producer, Mixer, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Skip Black, ComposerLyricist - Gary Allan, Producer, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - John Lancaster, Hammond B3, Wurlitzer Organ, AssociatedPerformer - Matt Warren, ComposerLyricist - Levi Dennis, Fiddle, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 2021 UMG Recordings, Inc.
Jim Beavers, ComposerLyricist - Brian Warner, Slide Guitar, Electric Cello, AssociatedPerformer - Tom Bukovac, Acoustic Guitar, Electric Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Jaime Hanna, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Larry Babb, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Greg Droman, Producer, Mixer, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Gary Allan, Producer, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Lindsay Rimes, ComposerLyricist - John Lancaster, Synthesizer, Hammond B3, AssociatedPerformer - Matt Rogers, ComposerLyricist - Levi Dennis, Acoustic Guitar, Viola, AssociatedPerformer - Brian Arsenault, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 2021 UMG Recordings, Inc.
Michael Rhodes, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Dan Dugmore, Acoustic Guitar, Steel Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - STEVE MARCANTONIO, Recording Engineer, Mix Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Steve Nathan, Synthesizer, AssociatedPerformer - Chad Cromwell, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Tom Bukovac, Electric Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Tony Brown, Producer - Rob McNelley, Electric Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Sarah Buxton, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Perry Coleman, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Seth Morton, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Shane McAnally, ComposerLyricist - Matt Jenkins, ComposerLyricist - Gary Allan, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Nicolle Galyon, ComposerLyricist - Carie Higdon, Production Coordinator, StudioPersonnel - Mark Wright (Nashville), Producer
℗ 2021 UMG Recordings, Inc.
Steve Bogard, ComposerLyricist - Michael Rhodes, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - John Edwards, ComposerLyricist - Dan Dugmore, Steel Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - STEVE MARCANTONIO, Recording Engineer, Mix Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Steve Nathan, Wurlitzer Organ, AssociatedPerformer - Chad Cromwell, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Tom Bukovac, Electric Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Tony Brown, Producer - Rob McNelley, Acoustic Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Sarah Buxton, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Perry Coleman, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Seth Morton, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Gary Allan, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - John Lancaster, Synthesizer, AssociatedPerformer - Jason Sever, ComposerLyricist - Carie Higdon, Production Coordinator, StudioPersonnel - Mark Wright (Nashville), Producer
℗ 2021 UMG Recordings, Inc.
Hillary Lindsey, ComposerLyricist - Jim Hoke, Horn, Horn & Director, AssociatedPerformer - Michael Rhodes, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Busbee, ComposerLyricist - Dan Dugmore, Steel Guitar, Dobro, AssociatedPerformer - STEVE MARCANTONIO, Tambourine, Recording Engineer, Mix Engineer, AssociatedPerformer, StudioPersonnel - Steve Nathan, Hammond B3, AssociatedPerformer - Chad Cromwell, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Tom Bukovac, Electric Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Tony Brown, Producer - Rob McNelley, Electric Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Sarah Buxton, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Perry Coleman, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Seth Morton, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Gary Allan, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - John Lancaster, Wurlitzer Organ, AssociatedPerformer - Ryan Hurd, ComposerLyricist - Steve Herman, Horn, AssociatedPerformer - Carie Higdon, Production Coordinator, StudioPersonnel - Mark Wright (Nashville), Producer
℗ 2021 UMG Recordings, Inc.
Jay Joyce, Producer, Mixer, Drums, Electric Guitar, Keyboards, Tambourine, Recording Engineer, Programming, AssociatedPerformer, StudioPersonnel - Brad Warren, ComposerLyricist - Brett Warren, ComposerLyricist - Blair Daily, ComposerLyricist - Larry Babb, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Jason Hall, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Gary Allan, Acoustic Guitar, Vocals, Vocalist, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Brian Arsenault, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Jimmy Mansfield, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Jaxon Hargrove, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Anthony Rankin, Acoustic Guitar, Electric Guitar, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Court Blankenship, Production Coordinator, StudioPersonnel - Ryan Warner, Electric Guitar, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 2021 UMG Recordings, Inc.
Dan Dugmore, Steel Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - David Steele, Electric Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Jesse Winchester, ComposerLyricist - Larry Babb, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Greg Droman, Producer, Mixer, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Marilyn Martin, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Gary Allan, Producer, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - John Lancaster, Wurlitzer Organ, AssociatedPerformer - Tim Galloway, Acoustic Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Levi Dennis, Fiddle, AssociatedPerformer - Brian Arsenault, Bass, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 2021 UMG Recordings, Inc.
Michael Rhodes, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - David Steele, Electric Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Chad Cromwell, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Tom Bukovac, Electric Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Eric Darken, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - Jaime Hanna, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Greg Droman, Producer, Mixer, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Gary Allan, Producer, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Carey Ott, ComposerLyricist - John Lancaster, Organ, Synthesizer, AssociatedPerformer - Matt Warren, ComposerLyricist - Tim Galloway, Acoustic Guitar, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 2021 UMG Recordings, Inc.
Album review
It took Gary Allan a long time to deliver the sequel to his 2013 hit Set You Free. Eight years, to be precise, a period that included a spell of non-LP singles that failed to set the Country charts on fire during the mid-2000s. None of these tunes wound up on Ruthless. Only the flinty, pulsing "Waste of a Whiskey Drink," a single teaser from 2020, is here and it sets the tone for the rest of Ruthless. The record is steeped in the rocking country of the 1990s, a style flexible enough to accommodate slightly fresh stylistic flourishes along with the weathering of Allan's voice. He sounds older here but not tired: he's a survivor carrying on, building upon what he's done in the past but wise enough to know that he needs to adapt otherwise he'd be left behind. Allan knows enough to not indulge in tacky trends, but he will layer in some electronic flair and nods to retro-soul, things that make Ruthless feel like an update on his style, not a record chasing fashion. He does stumble here, singing about sex with the grace of a cornball, but he rights himself when he sings Jesse Winchester's "Little Glass of Wine" with understated grace. There's more of the latter than the former here, which is why Ruthless winds up being worth the long wait: it took him some time, but Allan figured out a way forward.
© Stephen Thomas Erlewine /TiVo
About the album
- 1 disc(s) - 13 track(s)
- Total length: 00:46:18
- Main artists: Gary Allan
- Composer: Various Composers
- Label: EMI Nashville
- Genre: Country
© 2021 UMG Recordings, Inc. ℗ 2021 UMG Recordings, Inc.
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