Album Review: Granger Smith’s ‘Remington’
The success of Granger Smith and his “Backroad Song” single definitely qualifies as a “Feel Good Story.” After making records on his own for well over fifteen years, the native Texan has deservedly hit the big time with his new recording contract with Wheelhouse and the Broken Bow family. With ‘Backroad’ entrenched as a number one single, Smith now turns his attention to his debut album for the label, hopeful for another round of success like he has recently enjoyed.
A quick listen to Remington proves that Smith should be successful in that goal. Songs like “If The Boot Fits” and “Blue Collar Dollars” definitely resonate with a sheen that is like much of what is finding favor on the airwaves. Of the more contemporary material on the album, the best bet for success comes with the dramatic flair of “Tonight,” a track where both the churning guitars and Smith’s vocal are both in fine form throughout.
Still, you can’t take the Texas out of the boy……and there are plenty of straight-ahead traditional moments throughout the album. “Tailgate Town” and “Tractor” are two songs where Smith shines the brightest on. They are both about ways of life that he is all too familiar with, growing up in the heart of Aggies Country. He also scores on the well-written title song, comparing himself in stability to a gun that has been in his family for years, as well as the tender and romantic “Crazy As Me,” which features harmonies from the equally dynamic Brooke Eden. A possible sleeper hit could be “Echo,” which is the best fusion of the sounds of both the past and the present on this album. The arrangements are contemporary enough, yet his vocal approach remains perfectly traditional.
Throw in a few cuts that tip the hat to Smith’s comedic alter-ego, “Earl Dibbles, Jr.,” and you’ve got an album that definitely stands as one of the most refreshing to come along in some time. As a fan of Smith’s traditional style, I hope he gets a chance to stay that course, as he’s very good at it. But, either way….success seems to sound pretty good on Granger Smith, as you’ll see on this album!
