Search - Mark Wills :: Loving Every Minute

A little bit country and a little bit ......latin.

Dr Gan T. Pau | Malaysia | 09/10/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"At a point when country music seems to be heading south (no pun intended) as far as creativity and originality is concerned, few country-based performers dare to ignore the ever-growing trend of going pop just to sell that extra copy of their CD. While this means that country music has become more accessible to the average Joe, purists are lamenting the dilution of what is being passed off as country music these days with Faith Hill, Shania Twain and Garth Brooks being cited as the guilty offenders. So it is quite refreshing when someone who was previously at the fringe of pop-country tries to redeem himself by returning to a more vintage country brand of music, both in sound and lyric. Of course we're not talking about an 180 degree turn here(as with Vince Gill's "The Key")but a progression towards a purer country sound nonetheless. Perhaps trying to prove himself a real country boy at heart, Wills injects his latest effort with some light country ditties like 'The Ballon Song', 'Love Can't' and 'One Of These Days'. There's even the essential duet with Jamie O'Neal, complete with an inane long title as a album closer, as if to tell you that if in case you got a bit lost in the middle there, Hey! I'm still country! However it's when he throws caution to the wind that he sounds most convincing as in the fun 'I Hate Chicago' and the whimsical 'In My Heaven'. Both are equally nonsensical and yet both equally relevant in their own way. Of course there'll always be the pop-sounding ballad or two only countryfied with a fiddle or two here and there, like the title track, and 'Universe'. And on 'Lost in A Kiss', he even tries to sound a bit Latin. OK, so there's a Latin guitar intro and bridge in it. We don't want to go alienating the pop-loving masses now, do we?

All in all, it's a refreshing country package from a maturing artist that tries hard not to sound too pop and (gulp) not too country. And for what it's worth, he succeeds."

Wills certainly has the "Will-power" to make great music!

DanD | 09/01/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Mark Wills has been around for a few years, and he's recorded some great songs, but never has his telent been so obvious as here. Even with albums like "PERMANENTLY" and "WISH YOU WERE HERE" under his belt, "LOVING EVERY MINUTE" has got to be the higlight of his career.
The title track starts the album out, combing pop and country into a great mix. "One Of These Days" follows, telling another version of the "leaving-small-town-to-make-it-big" craze. Think a countryfied version of Mark McGuinn's "That's A Plan." "In My Heaven"--a Wills song, not McGuinn--is a song each and every one of us should listen to; it tells how, if Wills had his way, the world would be filled with kindness, and people could "play guitar like B. B. King." That song is followed by "Back On Earth", the story of a traveling singer. "I Hate Chicago" is a love song disguised in a catchy title. "Universe" would probably just be another gooey love ballad, but for Wills's legions of fans, it's a treat! "Somebody" tells how the love of your life could be just around the corner, or "in the coffee shop you walk right by every day." Listen to "I'll Be Around", and I dare you to not want to sing along and dance. "Lost In A Kiss" adds a Spanish flavor to the album, which stands out, but is not bad. "The Balloon Song" is one of those that makes you feel good; how could you not get choked up inside when a seven year old releases a balloon into the air and asks, "You think it's in heaven yet?" "Love Can't" is quite catchy, and will inspire you to tap your foot. "I'm Not Gonna Do Anything Without You" is a duet with Jamie O'Neal, and is wonderful. The two work very well together, and I advise you to check out a slightly different version of the song on O'Neal's "Shiver" album.
For Mark Wills fans, the wait is over. "LOVING EVERY MINUTE" is that once-in-a-great-while CD that moves you, both physically and emotionally. I know it's gonna sound corny, but, hey, I couldn't resist: Buy this CD, and you'll be "LOVING EVERY MINUTE.""

Loving Every Minute of this CD!

Dr Gan T. Pau | 09/19/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"From the more pop sounding title track to the last song - a duet with Jamie O'Neal - here's another great album from Mark Wills. His voice seems to get better with every album and - thankfully - is distinctive in the crowd of other artists out there.
My favourite tracks are 'Lovin' Every Minute' - a powerful, 'hooky' love song, 'The Balloon Song' - a masterpiece of storytelling songwriting - 'I Hate Chicago' (read the lyrics before you write to complain !!), 'Back On Earth and 'Somebody'.
Standout feature - great songwriting - can this guy pick songs, or what !!? If you never heard Mark Wills before, try this album and the wonderful 'Wish You Were Here' - you won't be disappointed."