Search - Jason Michael Carroll :: Growing Up Is Getting Old

"Growing Up" Isn't that Bad for Carroll

T. Yap | Sydney, NSW, Australia | 04/29/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Prime Cuts: That's All I Know, Hurry Home, Tears



Despite his youthfulness, Carroll has the acumen to excel in the music business. Perennially, many singer-songwriters have made the mistake of emptying the best of their vaults into their debut CD, only to find that they have to scrap the bottom of their scribal barrel for their follow-up CD within the matter of months. Hence, many of these artists suffer the sophomore jinx where their follow-up CD just tanked due to the lacklustre material. Carroll is wizened enough to avoid such a gaffe by only co-penning three songs for his sophomore effort. The rest of the material are abetted from a team of hit-proven writers such as Paul Overstreet, Casey Beathard, Tom Shapiro, Vicky McGehee and fellow artists Zane Williams and Keith Anderson. And it's no accident why these writers have been churning hits for years and years--there's a seasoned maturity in these songs. These songs not only have a universal appeal but they are able to get into the marrow of our lives that they speak to us like old friends. The realism of these songs is further enhanced by producer Don Gehman's (Hooter and the Blowfish & Nanci Griffith) rugged and organ country-rock edges.



Most affecting is a couple of ballads that have to do with paternal love: "Tears" and "Hurry Home." Penned by Zane Williams, the latter "Hurry Home" is a retelling of the parable of the prodigal son sung with so much affection that it will resonate in the hearts of listeners for a long time. In fact, the song's universal theme of reconciliation not only speaks to our earthly relationships but it has repercussions on a spiritual plane. "Tears," continues on the same paternal axis, this time with Carroll confessing how the call of his children often drives him to smithereens. Thankfully, the rowdy guitars and anthem-like drums are enough to muscle up this paean from being too mawkish. Lead single, "Where I'm From" is an exposition of the adage "never judge someone by their appearance" via a story about a chance between Carroll and a complete stranger on a plane. What appeared to be two unrelated strangers unroll into a sharing about their common upbringing and values. This is the type of songs that matter, songs that remind us that the degree of separation between humanity is actually not that significant.



Despite the heaviness of some of the aforementioned themes, Carroll does know how to party. He kicks off his boots for a good time with "Happened on a Saturday Night," a 70s rock piece imbued with a southern small town charm. Nashville's two powerhouse scribes Paul Overstreet and Casey Beathard join Carroll in penning the breezy "That's All I Know," as Carroll waxes philosophical about life and capitalizing on the things that matter. While the title cut, "Growing Up is Getting Old" finds Carroll in Brad Paisley vicinity as Carroll takes a cheeky look at the responsibilities middle age brings. However, a couple such as vamped up rocker "Barn Burner" and the extremely busy "Let Me Go" border on the ordinary.



Save for a few missteps, this 10-song disc does not suffer from the sophomore jinx. In fact, vanguard single "Where I'm From" is already a radio favorite. And rightly so; this CD is imbued with great songs--songs that resonate with life and living. With a CD filled with so many songs that are mature and seasoned, growing up for Carroll isn't such a bad thing!

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