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Joe Nichols finally had a big hit with his 2005 album III, released nearly a decade after his first independent records. III found Nichols loosening up a bit, delivering the very funny "Tequila Makes Her Clothes Fall Off" which was also a strong song outside its quips, strong enough to become a genuine pop Top 40 hit after it topped the country charts. Such success can be hard to follow, and for his 2007 follow-up Real Things, Nichols does beat a bit of retreat, deciding not to expand upon that slyly rowdy hit but instead returning to the ballads that served him well for his first two records. He still kicks up the tempo on occasion -- most notably on "Let's Get Drunk and Fight," a sequel to "Tequila" that's nearly as laugh-out-loud funny, but also on the speedy "Comin' Back in a Cadillac," a tune that's more traditionally country-rockin' yet also on the anthemic "It Ain't No Crime" -- but by and large Real Things is a gentler affair, reminiscent of his second album, Revelation. However, there is a difference here: that record often seemed to cruise by on Music City gloss where Real Things digs deep, sounding deeply felt no matter how smooth it gets. Or no matter how sappy it gets, either, since there are several songs that flirt with being just a bit too emotional, whether it's the nostalgia of the title track or the autobiography of "Ain't Nobody Gonna Take That from Me." What saves these songs is the warmth of the production and, above all, the richness of Nichols' singing. He can find the truth in a cliché and is compelling even in the quietest moments, of which there are many here. Real Things is an album designed for contemplation or relaxation, and it works as both, sliding into the background or rewarding close listening. Some may wish that Nichols partied a little harder in the wake of "Tequila Makes Her Clothes Fall Off," but even those naysayers will likely find this to be his most consistent album to date -- and those who prefer his smooth, comforting voice to his taste in traditional country may indeed find this to be his best album as well.
© Stephen Thomas Erlewine /TiVo
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Wes Hightower, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Mark Wright, Producer, Executive Producer - David Hungate, Bass Guitar, Upright Bass, AssociatedPerformer - Hank Williams, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Leslie Richter, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Paul Franklin, Dobro, AssociatedPerformer - Aubrey Haynie, Mandolin, Fiddle, AssociatedPerformer - JT Corenflos, Electric Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Shannon Forrest, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Eric Darken, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - Gordon Mote, Piano, AssociatedPerformer - Brent Rowan, Producer, Piano, Executive Producer, Recording Engineer, AssociatedPerformer, StudioPersonnel - Craig White, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - MAC MCANALLY, Acoustic Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Greg Droman, Recording Engineer, Mix Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Joe Nichols, MainArtist - BILLY DEAN, ComposerLyricist - Andrew John Brown, ComposerLyricist
℗ 2007 Universal South Records, LLC
Wes Hightower, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Carson Chamberlain, ComposerLyricist - Mark Wright, Producer, Executive Producer - David Hungate, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Hank Williams, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Leslie Richter, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Paul Franklin, Steel Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Aubrey Haynie, Mandolin, Fiddle, AssociatedPerformer - JT Corenflos, Electric Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Shannon Forrest, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Eric Darken, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - Gordon Mote, Piano, AssociatedPerformer - Brent Rowan, Producer, Acoustic Guitar, Electric Guitar, Executive Producer, Recording Engineer, Unknown, Other, AssociatedPerformer, StudioPersonnel - Craig White, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - MAC MCANALLY, Acoustic Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Greg Droman, Recording Engineer, Mix Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Jamey Johnson, ComposerLyricist - Joe Nichols, MainArtist
℗ 2007 Universal South Records, LLC
Wes Hightower, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Mark Wright, Producer, Executive Producer - David Hungate, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - John Wayne Wiggins, ComposerLyricist - Hank Williams, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Leslie Richter, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Paul Franklin, Steel Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - JT Corenflos, Electric Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Bryan Sutton, Acoustic Guitar, Mandolin, Mandocello, AssociatedPerformer - Shannon Forrest, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Gordon Mote, Piano, AssociatedPerformer - Brent Rowan, Producer, Electric Guitar, Executive Producer, Recording Engineer, AssociatedPerformer, StudioPersonnel - Craig White, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Earl Bud Lee, ComposerLyricist - Greg Droman, Recording Engineer, Mix Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Joe Nichols, MainArtist
℗ 2007 Universal South Records, LLC
Mark Wright, Producer, Executive Producer - David Hungate, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Jim Hoke, Horn, AssociatedPerformer - Clint Daniels, ComposerLyricist - Hank Williams, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Leslie Richter, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Paul Franklin, Steel Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - JT Corenflos, Electric Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Shannon Forrest, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Eric Darken, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - Gordon Mote, Piano, AssociatedPerformer - Brent Rowan, Producer, Electric Guitar, Executive Producer, Recording Engineer, Unknown, Other, AssociatedPerformer, StudioPersonnel - Craig White, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - MAC MCANALLY, Acoustic Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Perry Coleman, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Greg Droman, Recording Engineer, Mix Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Lynn Hutton, ComposerLyricist - Joe Nichols, MainArtist - Rob McNeiley, ComposerLyricist - Ben Daniels, ComposerLyricist
℗ 2007 Universal South Records, LLC
Jeffrey Steele, ComposerLyricist - Wes Hightower, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Mark Wright, Producer, Executive Producer - David Hungate, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Morgane Hayes, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Hank Williams, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Leslie Richter, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Paul Franklin, Steel Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - JT Corenflos, Electric Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Shannon Forrest, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Gordon Mote, Piano, AssociatedPerformer - Brent Rowan, Producer, Electric Guitar, Executive Producer, Recording Engineer, Mellotron, AssociatedPerformer, StudioPersonnel - Craig White, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - MAC MCANALLY, Acoustic Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Greg Droman, Recording Engineer, Mix Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Tom Hambridge, ComposerLyricist - Joe Nichols, MainArtist
℗ 2007 Universal South Records, LLC
Tom Shapiro, ComposerLyricist - Mark Nesler, ComposerLyricist - Mark Wright, Producer, Executive Producer - David Hungate, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Morgane Hayes, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Hank Williams, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Leslie Richter, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Paul Franklin, Steel Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - JT Corenflos, Electric Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Shannon Forrest, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Eric Darken, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - Tony Martin, ComposerLyricist - Gordon Mote, Piano, AssociatedPerformer - Brent Rowan, Producer, Acoustic Guitar, Bass Guitar, Electric Guitar, Executive Producer, Recording Engineer, Sitar, AssociatedPerformer, StudioPersonnel - Craig White, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - MAC MCANALLY, Acoustic Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Perry Coleman, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Greg Droman, Recording Engineer, Mix Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Joe Nichols, MainArtist
℗ 2007 Universal South Records, LLC
Wes Hightower, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Mark Wright, Producer, Executive Producer - David Hungate, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Scotty Emerick, ComposerLyricist - Hank Williams, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Leslie Richter, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Paul Franklin, Steel Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Bryan Sutton, Acoustic Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Shannon Forrest, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Gordon Mote, Piano, AssociatedPerformer - Brent Rowan, Producer, Electric Guitar, Executive Producer, Recording Engineer, AssociatedPerformer, StudioPersonnel - Craig White, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - DEAN DILLON, ComposerLyricist - Greg Droman, Recording Engineer, Mix Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Joe Nichols, MainArtist
℗ 2007 Universal South Records, LLC
Aimee Mayo, ComposerLyricist - Chris Lindsey, ComposerLyricist - Troy Verges, ComposerLyricist - Mark Wright, Producer, Executive Producer - David Hungate, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Aaron Lines, ComposerLyricist - Morgane Hayes, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Hank Williams, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Leslie Richter, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Paul Franklin, Steel Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - JT Corenflos, Electric Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Shannon Forrest, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Gordon Mote, Piano, AssociatedPerformer - Brent Rowan, Producer, Electric Guitar, Piano, Executive Producer, Recording Engineer, AssociatedPerformer, StudioPersonnel - Craig White, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - MAC MCANALLY, Acoustic Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Greg Droman, Recording Engineer, Mix Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Joe Nichols, MainArtist - Universal Records South Famil, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 2007 Universal South Records, LLC
Annie Tate, ComposerLyricist - Sam Tate, ComposerLyricist - Wes Hightower, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Craig Young, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - David Bryant, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - BEN FOWLER, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Hank Williams, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Bryan Sutton, Acoustic Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Shannon Forrest, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Eric Darken, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - Gordon Mote, Piano, AssociatedPerformer - Brent Rowan, Producer, Acoustic Guitar, Electric Guitar, Piano, Executive Producer, Recording Engineer, AssociatedPerformer, StudioPersonnel - Craig White, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Rivers Rutherford, ComposerLyricist - Greg Droman, Mix Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Joe Nichols, MainArtist
℗ 2007 Universal South Records, LLC
Wes Hightower, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Mark Wright, Producer, Executive Producer - David Hungate, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Hank Williams, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Leslie Richter, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Paul Franklin, Steel Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Aubrey Haynie, Fiddle, AssociatedPerformer - JT Corenflos, Electric Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Shannon Forrest, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Eric Darken, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - Gordon Mote, Piano, AssociatedPerformer - Brent Rowan, Producer, Acoustic Guitar, Electric Guitar, Executive Producer, Recording Engineer, AssociatedPerformer, StudioPersonnel - Craig White, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Dallas Davidson, ComposerLyricist - Greg Droman, Recording Engineer, Mix Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Jamey Johnson, ComposerLyricist - Joe Nichols, MainArtist
℗ 2007 Universal South Records, LLC
Walt Aldridge, ComposerLyricist - Wes Hightower, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Mark Wright, Producer, Executive Producer - David Hungate, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - John Paul White, ComposerLyricist - Morgane Hayes, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Hank Williams, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Leslie Richter, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Paul Franklin, Steel Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - JT Corenflos, Electric Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Shannon Forrest, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Gordon Mote, Piano, AssociatedPerformer - Brent Rowan, Producer, Electric Guitar, Piano, Executive Producer, Recording Engineer, AssociatedPerformer, StudioPersonnel - Craig White, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - MAC MCANALLY, Acoustic Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Greg Droman, Recording Engineer, Mix Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Joe Nichols, MainArtist, ComposerLyricist
℗ 2007 Universal South Records, LLC
John Scott Sherrill, ComposerLyricist - Wes Hightower, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Mark Wright, Producer, Executive Producer - David Hungate, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Scotty Emerick, ComposerLyricist - Hank Williams, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Leslie Richter, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Paul Franklin, Steel Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - JT Corenflos, Electric Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Bryan Sutton, Acoustic Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Shannon Forrest, Drums, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - Gordon Mote, Organ, Piano, AssociatedPerformer - Brent Rowan, Producer, Electric Guitar, Executive Producer, Recording Engineer, AssociatedPerformer, StudioPersonnel - Craig White, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Greg Droman, Recording Engineer, Mix Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Joe Nichols, MainArtist
℗ 2007 Universal South Records, LLC
Wes Hightower, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Craig Young, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Morgane Hayes, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - David Bryant, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - BEN FOWLER, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Hank Williams, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Bryan Sutton, Acoustic Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Shannon Forrest, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Gordon Mote, Organ, Piano, AssociatedPerformer - Brent Rowan, Producer, Acoustic Guitar, Electric Guitar, Executive Producer, Recording Engineer, Harmonium, AssociatedPerformer, StudioPersonnel - Craig White, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - John Hughey, Steel Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Greg Droman, Mix Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Joe Nichols, MainArtist - Blaze Foley, ComposerLyricist
℗ 2007 Universal South Records, LLC
Album review
Joe Nichols finally had a big hit with his 2005 album III, released nearly a decade after his first independent records. III found Nichols loosening up a bit, delivering the very funny "Tequila Makes Her Clothes Fall Off" which was also a strong song outside its quips, strong enough to become a genuine pop Top 40 hit after it topped the country charts. Such success can be hard to follow, and for his 2007 follow-up Real Things, Nichols does beat a bit of retreat, deciding not to expand upon that slyly rowdy hit but instead returning to the ballads that served him well for his first two records. He still kicks up the tempo on occasion -- most notably on "Let's Get Drunk and Fight," a sequel to "Tequila" that's nearly as laugh-out-loud funny, but also on the speedy "Comin' Back in a Cadillac," a tune that's more traditionally country-rockin' yet also on the anthemic "It Ain't No Crime" -- but by and large Real Things is a gentler affair, reminiscent of his second album, Revelation. However, there is a difference here: that record often seemed to cruise by on Music City gloss where Real Things digs deep, sounding deeply felt no matter how smooth it gets. Or no matter how sappy it gets, either, since there are several songs that flirt with being just a bit too emotional, whether it's the nostalgia of the title track or the autobiography of "Ain't Nobody Gonna Take That from Me." What saves these songs is the warmth of the production and, above all, the richness of Nichols' singing. He can find the truth in a cliché and is compelling even in the quietest moments, of which there are many here. Real Things is an album designed for contemplation or relaxation, and it works as both, sliding into the background or rewarding close listening. Some may wish that Nichols partied a little harder in the wake of "Tequila Makes Her Clothes Fall Off," but even those naysayers will likely find this to be his most consistent album to date -- and those who prefer his smooth, comforting voice to his taste in traditional country may indeed find this to be his best album as well.
© Stephen Thomas Erlewine /TiVo
About the album
- 1 disc(s) - 13 track(s)
- Total length: 00:46:55
- Main artists: Joe Nichols
- Composer: Various Composers
- Label: Show Dog Universal Music
- Genre: Blues/Country/Folk Country
© 2007 Universal South Records, LLC ℗ 2007 Universal South Records, LLC
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