Music review: Justin Moore – ëƵLate Nights and LongnecksëƵ
The title of Justin MooreëƵs fifth studio album tells you everything you need to know about the stirring country set.
Co-written by Moore, the albumëƵs 10 tracks tell stories of faith, family, heartbreak and plenty of drinking.
ëƵWhy We DrinkëƵ serves as the rousing opener that kicks off the festivities by going through an extensive list of reasons why to
have a cold one while declaring itëƵs alcohol abuse if you pour one down the sink.
Opposites attract and surprisingly make for good parents on ëƵJesus and Jack Daniels.ëƵ Moore sings about how mama shared the faith and daddy taught the tough life lessons that needed to be heard to survive and how finding the right balance between the two made for a great upbringing.
Family is the focus on the touching ëƵThatëƵs My Boy.ëƵ ItëƵs all about the feeling of satisfaction that comes when you realize your son is a chip off the old block as Moore proclaims, ëƵThatëƵs my heart/ThatëƵs my soul/ThatëƵs my last name/ThatëƵs a love like IëƵve never known.ëƵ
Things get emotional on ëƵThe Ones That DidnëƵt Make It Back Home.ëƵ The albumëƵs lead single is a heavy hitter that quickly puts things in perspective by honoring the memory of all the soldiers that sacrificed everything for God and country as the Arkansas native sings, ëƵHereëƵs to the ones that didnëƵt make it back home/The ones we ainëƵt seen in so long/The hold up a beer ones/The wish they were here ones/The not forgotten but gone.ëƵ
Unrealistic promises are offered up on ëƵNever Gonna Drink AgainëƵ and ëƵSomeday I Gotta Quit.ëƵ When youëƵve lost your job, girl and dog, a little solace can be found at the neighborhood honky-tonk. After continuous late nights spent with close friends Jim Beam and Jack Daniels, the cycle of masking the pain with alcohol and a pack of smokes remains unbroken.
ëƵGood Times DonëƵtëƵ brings the set to a happier close. ItëƵs a great summer track with a nostalgic theme about enjoying the simple pleasures in life with Moore announcing, ëƵThe world spins around, the kids get grown/But they still turn it up when Hank comes on/Yeah, times change but good times donëƵt.ëƵ
Perhaps Moore best captures the raise-a-glass sentiment of the new release when he sings, ëƵTo good friends, good times, you and me/To the red, white and blue boys and girls overseas.ëƵ
Clint Rhodes is the ëƵ-Standard music reviewer. He can be reached at clinton43@me.com.

