Daily Staff Writer

“A Place In The Sun”

Tim McGraw

THREE STARS

The “Indian Outlaw,” Tim McGraw, is back at it again, this time with 14 new songs that are said to be some of Nashville’s finest.

Known for his keen song sense, McGraw dug deep to pull some of these finely polished gems out of the vast mix, and gave them the voice that was necessary to propel them forward.

“A Place In The Sun” is McGraw’s fifth album, a follow-up to 1997’s smash “Everywhere,” which earned Country Music Award Album of The Year two years in a row.

Opening the album is “The Trouble With Never,” an average country tune with a catchy hook, but the pace really picks up with “Seventeen.” The song, which tells the story of teen-age love, is a Siamese twin to Deana Carter’s hit “Strawberry Wine.”

“Somebody Must Be Prayin’ For Me” is a soothing song, as is “Senorita Margarita,” with its message of loneliness and a longing for love. But by the time “Some Things Never Change” rolls around, the album starts to sound like a sappy Vince Gill record.

Fortunately, McGraw redeems with the power ballad “Please Remember Me,” one of the best songs on the album.

However, beware of cheesy lyrics on this album. “She’ll gladly have you back — back to drinkin’ in no time,” from “She’ll Have You Back” sours the mix, but the story of mama dyin’ and daddy drinkin’ from the heartfelt “Carry On” somehow works.

The title track is a great album finale. It rips at the seams with all the might of a stadium concert encore, and as witnessed at the George Strait Festival, the stadium is where McGraw does it best.

-Kevin Hosbond

“Sing America”

Various Artists

TWO STARS

“Sing America” is the kind of album your parents buy. It’s a collection of songs loosely about America by a wide variety of artists.

All proceeds from the album go to “Save America’s Treasures,” a group dedicated to preserving the nation’s cultural treasures.

The songs on the album range from very good to the kind of thing that should have been banned by the Geneva Convention.

Among the highlights are “Graceland” by Paul Simon, “City of New Orleans” by Arlo Guthrie and “Blowin’ in the Wind” by Bob Dylan. I also enjoyed “America” by Neil Diamond, but that’s more for the comedic value.

Anyone could find something he or she would like on “Sing America,” which might actually be the biggest flaw of the album.

Whoever compiled this collection has thrown together such a wide variety of artists and songs, it would be difficult to ever be in “the mood” to listen to it.

Anyone might enjoy listening to Stevie Wonder, Frank Sinatra, Leann Rimes or Bob Dylan, but on the same album?

And honestly, anyone who would put “Blowin’ in the Wind” on the same album as Cher singing “The Star Spangled Banner” should be dragged into the street and shot.

On one hand, the producers of this album probably have succeeded in creating something that will have a fairly broad mass-market appeal. On the other hand, I feel they missed an opportunity to put together something that could have better represented the American cultural tradition.

I can’t help but wonder if a collection of American folk songs written by lesser known artists wouldn’t have been a better service to “America’s threatened cultural treasures.”

But if you’re looking for something to play to impress the neighbors this Fourth of July and you want to help preserve Mount Rushmore, this may just be the album for you.

-Ben Godar

“Reverie”

Track One A. B.

FOUR STARS

One element in writing a good song that so many bands have forgotten these days is honesty. As innumerable cavalries of cloned bands continue to march forth claiming to be the “new thing,” one band sticks out among the rest by following a long-forgotten tradition of staying true to the music.

That band is Track One A. B., and the album is “Reverie,” the group’s forthcoming sophomore release on Royalty Records.

Led by singer/guitarist Christopher Celauro, and solidified by percussionist/vocalist Christian Carpenter, bassist/vocalist Dean Midulla and drummer Joe Fallacara, Track One A. B. combine forces to create some of the most vivid and entrancing music released this year.

The gem of the album is the title track “Reverie.” An infectious hook and catchy rhythm tug at the inner soul, giving the tune a nascent quality. This song couldn’t displease even if it were sung by a Goth-rocker with his ass hanging out.

Other ear-worthy tunes include the pleasantly naughty “Hungry” and “Church St. Love Song,” which tickles the brain as the opening riffs sway and glide from the left speaker to the right.

Track One A. B. also performs a cover of the timeless David Bowie hit “Golden Years,” but give it a unique flavor with a rootsy harmonica melody.

The band even has had a song make its way onto the soundtrack for “Just Write,” an indie movie featured at the Sundance Film Festival, and it also has made its way onto MTV’s hit shows “The Real World” and “Undressed.”

As documented by “Reverie,” it seems obvious that Track One A.B. has found its niche serving up three-minute dishes of pure and honest pop rock. Now all the band needs is a friendlier name.

-Kevin Hosbond