A Prediction of Chart Success?

I'm Already There (BNA)

Lonestar

By Rob Greenwell

I'm Already There could well be Lonestar's prediction for the commercial success this album will have, even though the traditionalists will sneer that it has too many rock riffs and not enough fiddle. However, Lonestar is one of the best bands in the business, creating music that has been both catchy and romantic, rather like the rock band Journey: great up-tempo tunes, but likely to be remembered for those heartfelt ballads.

"I'm Already There" is BNA recording artist Lonestar's fourth album, following their mega-platinum success Lonely Grill. That album, produced by Dan Huff, included "Amazed" and "Smile," so this new album had large shoes to fill - and it does. This is a great follow-up to what is likely to be Lonestar's career album. The first single, "I'm Already There," is a touching ballad about how hard it is to be on the road away from your family. The song, penned by leader singer Richie McDonald, stayed at the tap of the charts for several weeks. "With Me," the album's second release, is an up-tempo dance tune, talking how it feels to have a new love in your life.

The album has some rock influences, from the guitar riffs in "Out Go The Lights" to the lyrics of "Must Be Love," but that is completely offset by the fact that one of the best attributes of this band is the fact they can do ballads really well, as evidenced on this album. There is really not a single bad slow song on this CD. Starting from the new famous "I'm Already There," to "Not a Day Goes By," which talks about your girl leaving you to pursue her dreams. The other slow songs on this album include `I Want Te Be The One" and "Softly," an Annie Roboff/Holly Lamar-penned tune, about how your lover makes you feel. The one song that might well be a sleeper for Lonestar is the Mark McGuinn tune, "Unusually Unusual," this song is a very memorable song that could go to the top

Overall, you really can't say many bad things about I'm Already There, this is a good album that will be very successful commercially, but the traditionalists in country music will not be happy. The traditionalist will say that there are too many rock guitar riffs, and not enough steel guitar and fiddle in their song. Out of 10, I give this one 7 ½ longnecks.