Search - Tracy Lawrence :: Sticks & Stones

An Excellent Debut

K. Fontenot | The Bayou State | 08/29/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"While Tracy Lawrence went on to do better things with albums such as "Alibis" and "Lessons Learned," you can't deny that his debut album, "Sticks and Stones," is one of the best albums from the early 90's. From high energy twangers to slow drinkin' songs, Lawrence covers a wide array of stylings with this album. The title track shines best, but songs like "Runnin' Behind" and "Paris, Tennessee" remind the listener that some of the best country tunes are the ones that aren't too terribly serious. "Today's Lonely Fool" and "Somebody Paints The Wall" head up the more serious songs on this album, but Lawrence has a tone in his voice letting you know that no matter how bad things are going, there's always a honky-tonk with an open barstool nearby.



For good 90's country before it was commercialized to death and turned into pop with a fiddle in it, check out Tracy Lawrence's "Sticks and Stones." His other albums are just as good or better also."

Great combination of modern and traditional country

Dino | Scotland | 01/09/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Sticks And Stones, Tracy Lawrence's debut CD from 1991, introduced a young, vibrant new vocalist to country music, one of many who followed in the wake of Garth Brooks' amazing success story. Country in the early 90s retained enough of a traditional element to satisfy older fans (unlike today), while still establishing the music as of its time and not dated. Tracy Lawrence was one of the long line of country males often categorised as "hat acts" and to the general public, all too similar to really have clear identities of their own. In Lawrence's case, this would not be a fair accusation, as his soulful vocals made him an all too rare example of an instantly recognisable vocalist in a sea of clones. His debut album was surprisingly (and to his credit) dominated by ballads and mournful country heartbreakers. There are only three uptempo songs on the album, which he performs well. It's the ballads that he excels at, including his two co-writes, Dancin' To Sweet 17 and Froze Over. The best song on the album, and later covered by George Jones (a compliment in itself) is Somebody Paints The Wall, the story of one of life's losers who seems to encounter disappointment at every turn in his life. Tracy Lawrence has long since established a long hit-making career in country music which continues to this day. This album remains one of his best."

Today's Lonely Fool.

daryl28 | 06/14/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Tracy Brings Out The Goods Of Country Music. Sure He Can Sing Like George Strait. He Says That He Is Alone On The Midtemple Ballad "Today's Lonely Fool". The Upbeat "Runnin' Behind" Can Make You Get Up And Dance. The Title Track Was Also A Dance Ballad Too And It Became His First Number 1 Hit."