Rascal Flatts

“Me and My Gang”

Sounds like: Lonestar, Diamond Rio, Emerson Drive

REVIEW: 4 / 5

In short: Typical Rascal Flatts, a little predictable, but not a disappointment.

With what seems like an extremely short time between albums, Rascal Flatts doesn’t disappoint with its fourth album, “Me and My Gang.”

This album has already gained the notoriety of catapulting the trio to the top of country music.

Although labeled as country, the group definitely has a pop crossover sound that is reminiscent of Lonestar’s “Amazed” from 1999.

Country music is now becoming more of a crossover genre in general and barely has any of the harsh twang that most people think of with country music. Rascal Flatts is riding the trend for all it’s worth.

The group, however, tries to dabble in more traditional country sounds with tracks such as “Backwards” and “Me and My Gang.” This sound is something I haven’t seen much of from the group, but it works well with its harmonies.

“Backwards” is able to play off the stereotypes that come with country music. “Ya get your house back, ya get your dog back/Ya get your best friend Jack back/Ya get your truck back, ya get your hair back/Ya get your first and second wives back/ . but that’s what you get when you play a country song backwards.”

The rest of the album seems very predictable of a Rascal Flatts sound with smooth, ornamented melodies that are sure get stuck in your head, lyrics included, within three listens.

– Diane Petitti