Horse Of A Different Color - Big & Rich

Author's product rating:   

Originality	Groundbreaking
Lyrics	Sublime
Quality and consistency of tracks	Flawless
How does it rate alongside the competition	Outstanding
Value for Money	Excellent

Advantages:	Even if you're not a country music fan you'll love this album
Disadvantages:	Not long enough

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

I discovered Big 'n' Rich purely by accident, I was in the process of downloading some music on a well known legal music downloading site and had put Country Music in to the search bar and this band came up.

This album was released on the 5th April 2004 in America but much later here, anywhere between the 17th May 2004 right through to the 6th September 2004 and I doubt many people have heard of them.

THE BAND
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Big 'n' Rich are John Rich and Big Kenny and originate from the good ole USA. They class their music as 'Country music without prejudice', they got together back in 1998 John Rich had previously been in a band but decided to go solo and try and win a record contract where as Big Kenny managed to secure a record deal but saw his album go nowhere.

To add to this delightful pair they have like all good groups their band, which consist of:

Cowboy Troy, who claims he's the world's only 6' 5", black cowboy rapper with three different languages under his belt. He does a good rap on a track called 'Rollin', which is just unbelievable.

Limo Larry, who apparently was a homeless drug addict who now uses a limo to chauffer off-duty strippers and drunk musicians around Nashville.

Lastly there's Tim the Electrician, who is a tough guy with a huge moustache and a maccaw called Santana on his shoulder who likes the odd drop off beer.

THE MUSIC
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The music isn't how you would expect Country Music to sound, regardless of whether it is the New Country sound that's around or the old stuff. This is kind of Country Music get's a Rock Fuelled Injection with a dash of humor.

At the end of a few of the tracks they've added on little ditties, which adds to the overall sense of fun that they must have had when compiling this album.

THE TRACKS
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Now comes the fun part, this is where I can tell you about the tracks and what I like about them, so if you're sitting comfortable I'll start.

Rollin' (The Ballad of Big 'n' Rich)
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This has got to be one of the two best tracks on this entire album. The song is essentially about their love of Country Music, it's very catchy with lyrics that just roll off the tongueand partway through the track is a twist, there's a rap in it, yep you heard me correctly. Now I know what you're thinking that this must ruin the song but to be honest it fits in perfectly.

I often find myself singing along to this track and is what I would class as a fun song.

Wild West Show
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This track is about breakibng up with the one you love and despite everything that you've both been through, you're the one that doesn't want to let it end but neither of you will say sorry.

I like this track and find that even though the words are fairly sad the song it's self isn't and I find that I'm often humming away to this tune.

Big Time
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This track is about a guy who's job it is to entertain the people that come into the local bar. Someone who comes in is obviously fairly well off and the musician makes it known that he only plays for tips.

To me this track is great as it is like Big 'n' Rich are saying it doesn't matter what you do for a living as long as you're enjoying it.

Kick My Ass
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This track is about someone who's just trying to get on in life and have fun and party but not everyone feels the same as him and he gets a hard time because of his view.

This song is just so much fun. It's very catchy especially at the end because when you think the song is over; Big 'n' Rich do a ditty and rope everyone in to singing a nonsense song about bedroom music and being Superman...very funny.

Six Foot Town
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This track is about someone who's feeling stiffled by the town he's living in and that he knows better than everyone else around him and that when he hits 21 everyone had better watch out.

This is a great coming of age song. You've probably been there, I know I have, people just seem to be getting in the way or butting in on your life and all you want to do is fight and push them back....very catchy tune.

Holy Water
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This track is quite a sad one about a woman who's been mistreated and all she wants is for someone to take her away from everything and treat her well and make her smile.

Even though this song is fairly sad, I find that it's quite thought provoking and well worth listening to.

Saved
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This track is about how someone's been awful to the people around him, he's admitted that he nearly killed somebody and it took that to make him realise he must change his ways.

This is a good track and works well on the album; this is another one that I find I'm often humming to.

Real World
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This track is about someone who is broke and his life's gone down the pan (so to speak) but he's got his dreams about the finer things in life and that he's going to make it big someday and appear on the television.

I like this track, it's got a good beat to it. At the end of this track they've got another one of their little ditties, this one is about being a Rock Star and a Cowboy, again very funny.

Save A Horse, Ride A Cowboy
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"DUM-DE-DE-DUM, DE-DE-DUM-DE-DE-DUM, DE-DAA-DAAAAA
DUM-DE-DE-DUM, DE-DE-DUM-DE-DE-DUM, DE-DAA-DAA-DAA-DAA-DAAAA!"

This track is a fun song about parties, dancing and romancing. They make a point that the town will never be the same again when they've gone.

I love this song. It has got to be 'the' best track on the whole album. It's fun, easy to sing (or warble in my case) and even when you've had a bad day, this track can make you smile.

Even hubby said he feels like he should wear a Stetson hat when this song's on.

Drinkin' Bout You
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This track is about someone who's broken up with him and he's drowning his sorrows and thinking about her in the bar.

This track although it is good in itself does really fit into this album on a whole, it's slower in beat than the rest and the album wouldn't have been bad if they'd chosen to leave it out.

Love Train
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This track is basically about forget all the bad things that are happening in the world, everyone should be making the effort to get on with each other and have fun.

I like this song and the melody that goes with it and is aptly placed towards the end of the album. I felt that if it had been placed higher up it would have spoilt the whole effect.

Deadwood Mountain
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This track is about someone who's done nothing but gamble everything away his whole life and he's now at the stage where he's got nothing left to gamble and he see's his life like a wild west show.

This again is a song that I quite like but feel that it should have been placed higher up on the album listings.

Live This Life
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This track is about how people fail to see what's happening around them and how people should do more to be aware of the world.

This to me is an excellent track and is well placed at the end of the album listings. It is very thought provoking but not over the top and has a good melody.

Just when you think the album is over, John Rich and Big Kenny thank you for spending your hard earned reddies to buy this album and they they promise to visit your town or city real soon. This is very funny as they have injected a little humour in to their speach and is a nice personal touch.

MY VIEW
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Big 'n' Rich are in my opinion going to be the worlds hottest new acts that Country Music have ever seen. They have fun songs with catchy lyrics that I doubt many acts will be able to follow; although this is their first album I seriously doubt that it will be their last.

This album is available from most music stores retailing at £15.99.

If anyone is interested in any further information about Big and Rich they do have their own website www.bigandrich.com where you can also sample some of their music, purchase memorabilia, join their fan club and spread the word about BNR as they put it.