Toby Keith - Honkytonk University (12 tracks) +Album Reviews +Used CD available for Swap

A Strong, Strong Return To Form

James E. Bagley | Sanatoga, PA USA | 05/20/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"While Toby Keith's recent cds have been his most successful sales-wise, in truth, many of the singles from his last couple of albums were starting to sound the same. Thankfully, Honkytonk University offers a return to the well constructed, melodic material that Keith was known for during his Mercury days and his first two DreamWorks albums (How Do You Like Me Now, Pull My Chain).

The leadoff single "Honkytonk U" is an autobiographical look at Keith's life in music placed in a southern rock setting, then Keith's attitude shines through on "As Good As I Once Was." Later, Keith's sarcastic wit makes a welcome appearance on the swing flavored "You Ain't Leavin' (Thank God Are Ya)." There's also more ballads found here than we have seen in awhile on a Keith release, with the sparse "You Caught Me At A Bad Time" and "Your Smile" both making a strong, poignant impression. Best of all is the harmonic heaven that Keith and Haggard create on "She Ain't Hooked On Me No More," an even more effective pairing than Keith's prior chart-topper with Willie Nelson.

Whether you've been a Toby Keith fan from the early "Shoulda Been A Cowboy" days, jumped on board on when his career moved into the stratosphere with "How Do You Like Me Now," and/or recently felt a bit disappointed by the lack of spark in his recent hits, you will find this album quite pleasing. It will probably garner some new converts as well.

"

Honkytonk University is AWESOME!

Julie H. Dent | Bowling Green, KY USA | 05/20/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I am a die-hard Toby Keith fan! I love this album because it is reminiscent of some of his earlier music. Although I love all of Toby's music, I really enjoy his ballads. Most people don't realize how great his vocal range is. This album is AWESOME--every song is great!"

Real County Fans Only

C. Lasota | USA | 07/17/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I had not decided to purchase this CD and was reading some reviews. All the usual music industry suspects - Rolling Stone, etc - hated it. They are all especially lathered up by Toby Keith referring to "his boys in Afghanistan and Baghdad City..." (If you, too, understand why they are upset, stop reading this review and try a different style of music.)

I came out to these forums, kids hated it. People who listen to country casually hated it.

I knew I had to get it.

I have not been disappointed. This is a return to more traditional country while not slipping into the twangy sound of the 70s none of us want to go back to.

This is a very good CD. You may not like it a lot on the first listen. Stick with it. It really grows on you."

I am going back to school.

Gertrude | 07/12/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I am going back to school. , July 11, 2005

Reviewer: Audra & Misti "Crazy Ladies Bookshop" (Norman, Oklahoma!) - See all my reviews

If this is what they are teaching these days and Toby is the Dean... sign me up! I'm in and under and around and all over!

I love this album!

Toby takes these sayings/Euphemisms...

"Do blondes really have more fun or are they just easier to spot in the dark?" probably things his Daddy told him when he was growing up and turns them into great songs. And he just writes what he knows. That's what your supposed to do.

We have a lot of sayings in Oklahoma... a lot of euphoniums.... and its great to see Toby embracing that and using it.

Toby always pokes the bear. Always. But I get the feeling from this album that he wanted to romance us a bit. Meow!

Big Blue Note, She Left me and Just the guy to do it are wink, wink songs in traditional Toby humor following the greats like How do you like me now.

I Got It Bad, Your Smile, Where You Gonna Go You caught Me At A Bad Time tug at you... the notes he hits! Especially I Got it Bad.... that baritone just goes to climbing up and down and up and down....

Knock Yourself Out is probably the song I waited for on this album. It is the song for me. Like Whiskey girl... I just feel like he wrote it with me in mind.

Although... we all know that cannot be true.

Especially since I would not be here writing a review about the album if it were. I'd be deep into the OU hot tub.

But alas the only thing that Toby teamed up with on this album was Merle. And it was worth it. She Ain't hooked on me no more is great, its hard to tell which is Toby and which is Merle.

For me, Toby is still the best in the business.

I count the days anticipating the next album.

HTU was well, well worth the wait.

"

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	Toby Keith Honkytonk University Genres: Country, Pop Track Listings (12) - Disc #1 Honkytonk U As Good As I Once Was She Ain't Hooked On Me No More Big Blue Note Just The Guy To Do It She Left Me Knock Yourself Out You Ain't Leavin' (Thank God Are Ya) I Got It Bad Your Smile Where You Gonna Go You Caught Me At A Bad Time flexfield5
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