CD Review
Artist: Brooks & Dunn
CD: Red Dirt Road

The title song, Red Dirt Road, is a killer song, as good as anything Brooks & Dunn have ever produced. Like many other songs that talk about roads, the red dirt road is a metaphor for the adventures you go through in life. It was there that he drank his first beer, and where he first saw Mary. It’s the excitement of looking forward to what life has to offer, and the comfort of an old friend. It reminds all of us of those defining moments in our life, whether or not the girl was named Mary or not. It evokes warm and comfortable emotions, as well as any other song this duo has produced.

There’s a lot of other good stuff on this CD too. “Memory Town� recalls those feelings (fantasies, even) we have all had about a lover who is no longer ours. “When We Were Kings� is another fine song, taking us back to those times when we were kings, when the whole world was our oyster. Stylistically, this particular song has Kix and Ronnie's voices, but the lyrics and musical arrangement sound straight out of Bruce Springsteen (can you “Glory Days�?). “She Was Born To Run� is a traditional Brooks & Dunn story (despite the fact that the title also reminds you of Springsteen), about girls and cars, and all Brooks and Dunn fans will be right at home with this song. And then there's “Good Cowboy� — you have to raise your eyebrows the first time you hear the lyric “you look romantic laying in the hay� — and this is clearly Brooks & Dunn's first song that is about sex and nothing else.

But there’s also something disturbing about this CD. There are quite a few different musical styles represented, and while that might be a good thing, its not if you’re looking for more of what made Brooks & Dunn one of your favorite groups. Some of those other styles just don't work for me. “I Used To Know This Song By Heart�, with lots of piano in the background, reminds you more of Elton John or Billy Joel than it does Brooks & Dunn. And to be honest, I think this CD will grow on me, and I’ll be glad I have it, but it just doesn’t grab you by the throat and not let go like their last CD Steers and Stripes did.

Maybe that’s the point, however, Brooks & Dunn are looking for new musical adventures on their trip through life. They can try something new, without giving up what made them tremendously successful. Which would make sense, because as you know, there’s life at both ends of that red dirt road.

Rating: 7 tumbleweeds out of 10