Music review: Darius Rucker ëƵ ëƵWhen Was the Last TimeëƵ
As part of Hootie & the Blowfish, Darius Rucker will always bring to mind the wonderful memories of the day I married my wife. After the ceremony and reception, a friend had loaned us his Cadillac to use during our honeymoon.
Having a CD player in your vehicle back then was a big deal, so we scurried around in search of music to accompany us on our celebratory drive. ëƵCracked Rear ViewëƵ had just been released a few months earlier and we quickly agreed on having it serve as our unofficial soundtrack to help usher in our new life together.
While my marriage is stronger than ever, Hootie & the Blowfish would later disband with Rucker lending his smooth baritone voice to the world of country music.
For his fifth country release, the former Hootie & the Blowfish frontman firmly secures his transition from mainstream pop-rock singer to country superstar.
ëƵWhen Was the Last TimeëƵ is the South Carolina nativeëƵs finest effort fueled by heartfelt arrangements that detail passionate stories about life, love and simply enjoying those heaven-on-earth moments.
ëƵLifeëƵs Too ShortëƵ is an infectious track that best sums up the easygoing mood of the album with Rucker comfortably announcing, ëƵI donëƵt like this living, I love it/Sweet magnolia blue skies up above it/I donëƵt call Carolina just a place I visit/I call Carolina home/I donëƵt like drinking beer, I love it/On the back porch swinging with my honey/LifeëƵs too short just to like it so you better get to loving/This living before itëƵs gone/LifeëƵs too short.ëƵ
Well said for sure.
The title track supports the same carefree sentiment through the encouragement of soaking in the excitement of trying something for the first time.
The good times continue with ëƵStraight to Hell,ëƵ ëƵCount the BeersëƵ and ëƵStory to Tell.ëƵ On the former number, Rucker invites fellow country brothers Jason Aldean, Luke Bryan and Charles Kelley to help deliver a rowdy cover of the DrivinëƵ NëƵ CryinëƵ song from 1989.
ëƵIf I Told YouëƵ is the albumëƵs moving first single that features Rucker singing about a man seeking unconditional love by openly confessing his failures and faults to the woman who holds his full attention.
Other highlights include the clever ëƵTwenty Something,ëƵ the steamy ëƵHands On MeëƵ and the charming ëƵBring It On.ëƵ
Whether it is with Hootie or solo, Rucker has always had a knack for making people feel at ease with the songs he sings.
When was the last time you did something for the first time? Rucker is just daring you to follow that feeling.
Clint Rhodes is the ëƵ-Standard music reviewer. He can be reached at clinton43@me.com.