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NCC Review on Chris Young's NEON Album

Reviewed by: Matt Herrick

Chris Young "Neon" RCA Records Nashville
Chris Young returns to the country music main stage with his third studio album from the Nashville baritone. His new album, which is out today, is an identical image to the carefree and comfortable musical style. Like his previous album, James Stroud produces "Neon" with Chris' sound in mind. Showcasing that incredibly warm baritone voice from Chris, this album is free from that common 'country clutter' sound. Much of the songs on this album are love songs reflecting on tough times in life and what is truly important to Young.

1. I Can Take It From Here
Ripping off the plastic to this new album and excitedly slamming the cd into my laptop to hear the new album I was thrilled with the first song! Similiar to jump starting a car after the battery is dead, I was the dead car in this analogy getting jump started to life listening to the first song. The tune sports rugged Chris Young vocals and an incredibly catchy chorus that is appropriately introduced in this song within the first 35 seconds of the song starting, perfect for quickly climbing the radio charts! This one is an upbeat track with a fun and playful feel that is surely going to appeal to both his male and female fans alike. Sorry guys but this is my favorite song .. And yes it's the first one I heard!

2. Lost
A really fun track that relates the lyrics of not having the assistance of technology and to just 'Go get a little lost'. This track resonates very well with me as I can relate to the message of this tune that it's ok to 'Get lost down some old back road / Lost in a song on the radio / Lost in your deep blue eyes / Don't care if we spend all night'. Its a fantastic message that is quite romantic and is perfect for country music fans everywhere to relate to as well.

3. Tomorrow
Chris slows down the pace from his first two songs with a sentimental tune that has a very emotional message. This song has been tagged as Chris' confidence changer. After this song was released earlier this year, the country music audience of critics and fans both raised eyebrows after hearing this tune as they heard a more confident and mature Chris Young. The lyrics in this tune are pretty gut wrenching as the chorus sings, 'We’re like fire and gasoline, I’m no good for you, you’re no good for me / We only bring each other tears and sorrow / but tonight I’m gonna love you like there’s no tomorrow'. He does a pretty fine job of expressing the feeling of knowing a relationship is near the end.

4. Save Water, Drink Beer
Here is the song you will most likely hear being covered at Legends Bar or Second Fiddle in downtown Nashville on Broadway on a warm Friday or Saturday night. A perfect bar song with Young's band playing as if it were the last time they ever get to play their instruments again! You will hear the keyboards glissando up and down all 88 keys and a snare-happy drum kit that kick starts this tune to lead into an almost shouted chorus from Chris! The whole package works just right for the attitude of this song.

5. Neon
My second favorite song comes now with the album title track 'Neon'. This song has such a contagious melody and chorus that I had to listen to it several times over before continuing my review. The song sings beautifully painting a mural of decriptive colors and illustrating a breathtaking rustic western image so well. The feel of this song with the added emphasis of the keyboards during the second verse to me give off a classic country sound from the early 90's. Chris Young's rich voice is irreplacable and I can see this tune being rather difficult to cover.

6. Old Love Feels New
A simple guitar plays through this song and gives off an innocent vibe that is a fresh sound so far to this album. The lyrics are very well expressed in this tune. I picture a grandfather writing this song in a note and sharing it with his longtime wife. 'That's how you know / When it grabs a hold of you and wont let go / And you feel like she's always been in your soul / And as time goes by she's still surprising you / That's how you know it's true / When a new love feels old and an old love feels new'. This song has such a positive and romantic message that couples who may be approaching a milestone anniversary will surely tear up after listening to the lyrics of this fantastic ballad.

7. You
This song has a very simple message and that's simply 'I love you'. Anyone in a relationship right now will understand the lyrics to this song very well. It has a playful feel and Chris sings it that way. I can picture him getting really into this tune with fans onstage while playing live shows. This song doesn't mess around with its meaning. Its 'I love you girl' and 'I can't think about anyone else but you'.

8. Flashlight
For the gentleman out there who have fond memories of the time you spent with your father growing up, this song is absolutely for you. Chris sings about holding the flashlight while helping his father out in the garage working on a car every Saturday. It is a tribute and thank you to his father for teaching him things in life other than 'What a Carburetor was'. Chris pays his respect to his father with the ending chorus line 'I sure did learn a lot just holding the flashlight ... Thanks Old Man'.

9. When She's On
Chris paints a picture of a woman that you 'Ought to see her when she's on'. Young's voice in this song is determined sounding almost as if he used to know a woman similar to the one described throughout the lyrics. Lust is the word I place on this song. Chris does a wonderful job of creating that sought-after woman that every guy has in the back of their head. Young's lyrics describe the woman's image perfectly, 'She turns every head coming down the sidewalk / In that red sun dress that she just bought / And causing a traffic jam on a green light / A string of perals showing off her sun tan / And all those pearls dancing around her RayBans'.

10. She's Got This Thing About Her
A weak ending song to an overall stellar album. Stripped down with Young's vocals, a keyboard, and sweeping orchestral strings this song describes every guy who is crushing hard on a cute girl. This love song can get away from you slightly if you aren't careful. To me, the use of strings in country music simply just seems too over-the-top sappy. The arrangement is a strange one since there wasn't strings used really much at all throughout the entire album. And the strings in this closing tune are BIG! Besides I can't love every song, that would be a boring review!