Album Review – Garth Brooks – “Fun”

Let’s be honest. Garth Brooks is not going to be remembered for his late career studio output, no matter what it happens to be. His early records are just too mammoth, and his most recent ones are just too spotty for them ever to compete. There’s no “Kokomo” moment in store for Garth, while the massive crowds he can still put in stadiums (pandemic notwithstanding) will use the opportunity of Garth dredging out his new material to take a piss as a de facto intermission. That’s just the way it is.
Garth’s latest album is entitled Fun, but it very well could be called Weird, or Old. For starters, you pipe it up this brand new record, and a few of the songs already feel like ancient history. “All Day Long” was a song he released back in the summer of 2018, way before pandemics and Presidential elections were top of mind. “Stronger Than Me” was the big single (that flopped) that he debuted at the 2018 CMA Awards singing it to wife Trisha Yearwood. “Shallow” was the big song from the movie remake A Star Is Born released in 2018 as well. Half a dozen other tracks have been floating out there for a while too, like the “Dive Bar” single with Blake Shelton.
Really, Fun is a 2018 record that was time capsuled, and in many respects, it feels that way. Dated, and a bit stale. 2 1/2 years have passed since the album was first promised until it arrived. And no, Garth can’t blame the pandemic. He was telling folks it would see the light of day in the spring … of 2019.
This is on top of the fact that there is just something off about the entire way Fun was rendered sonically, songs aside. For the first time ever, Garth Brooks acts as his own producer. The combination of producer Allen Reynolds and engineer Mark Miller were behind all of those monster Garth Brooks records from the 90’s and 00’s. When Garth came out of retirement, producer Allen Reynolds had gone into retirement, so Mark Miller stepped into the producer spot. Now, it’s just Garth Brooks alone behind the control board, and throughout Fun, there’s just this strange, poorly-mixed and mastered feeling about all the recordings. Garth’s voice is too high in the mix, and the instrumental tracks don’t feel like they’ve been mastered properly in a way that brings body and resonance to the signals you’re used to hearing from records, especially from the mainstream.

But it’s not as if Fun is without any favorable moments. In fact there’s quite a few. “That’s What Cowboys Do” is a great little song reminding you of classic Garth Brooks and a time when popular country music didn’t completely suck. “All Day Long” and “Dive Bar” that were both co-written by Brooks are fine specimens of modern traditional country, even if the energy feels a little forced, and the aforementioned mixing issues saddle them a bit. Deeper into the track list, “(Hard Way To Make An) Easy’ Livin'” hearkens back to Garth’s bar gig days in a good way. And what might be one of the most unexpected and welcomed tracks is “I Can Be Me With You,” which finds Garth rather favorably adopting a sort of alt-country snarl that gives you visions of early Steve Earle. This is a side of Garth we’ve never heard before, and it strangely works.
But it’s the unforced errors, and the ample number of immediate punchout tracks that ultimately doom Fun, making it only “good” when it’s measured against its peers in the mainstream. You can forgive Garth for some of the more overly sentimental tracks that have become his signature, like the previously-mentioned “Stronger Than Me” or his take on “Shallow.” But “The Courage of Love” is just so over-the-top and bereft of self-awareness, it will have you running for the hills. “Party Gras (The Mardi Gras Song)” is harmless Garth fluff. Yet “Message in a Bottle” is so mawkishly delivered in its dumb island vibe, it makes you never want to hear another Garth Brooks song ever again.
The guy is just like a walking dad joke with no percipient sense of self, and who still holds a child-like belief he can change the world with a song. And if any artist ever needed a producer to reign them in and say, “Garth, I know you and that a sentimental Cheerios commercial can bring you to tears, but dude, just no,” it would be Garth. Even his duet with Charley Pride, the overwrought “Where The Cross Don’t Burn” misses the mark, especially when Charley comes in to sing a verse, and it starts with Garth singing over him. What happened here? There is no way it could be on purpose, right? It truly sounds like a mistake that made it onto the masters.
Fun is just all over the place, trying to do too much, and not accomplishing much of anything. It’s too long, directionless, and poorly-rendered. Even the cover is kind of a creep show. The record is a classic case of needing a producer to help bring vision and focus to hopefully result in a cohesive effort. Even the way the tracks are notated is weird. On Amazon Music (where the album is available exclusively), the song “Dive Bar” is titled “Dive Bar (the duet with Blake Shelton).” “Shallow” with Trisha Yearwood is done the same way. Who notates stuff like this? Also, Fun is a 14-song album, but for some reason, there’s a empty, 2-second track at #13.
Is Garth superstitious? Is he trying to put some distance between a sentimental song in “Where The Cross Don’t Burn” and a fun track in “Party Gras”? Either way, that’s not how it’s done. You let the earlier track run longer at the end. It’s these kind of straight up errors, the endless delays, and all the other Garthness that makes being an apologist for him and the “Class of ’89” era so difficult, and makes Fun a mid pack effort even for the mainstream.
Again, it’s not that Fun isn’t without it’s moments. “That’s What Cowboys” do is what you want from Garth Brooks. “Dive Bar” was one of the more country-sounding singles we’ve heard on radio in a while. But Garth Brooks is too much of a cheeseball, and too surrounded by yes men to be given the reins to produce his own stuff. Or what you get is a record like Fun.
5/10
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‘Fun’ is exclusive to Amazon. Sorry, no previews available.
November 23, 2020 @ 10:06 am
I remember there being a blank track #13 on the original double live cds. Maybe he is superstitious.
November 23, 2020 @ 10:14 am
It wouldn’t surprise me. He’s always seemed to believe a little too much in seven being a lucky number.
November 23, 2020 @ 11:07 am
I’m sure there’s a perfect explanation floating out there somewhere of why there’s an empty track on this record (though I searched for one, and couldn’t find it), and some will act like I’m a complete idiot for not knowing it. But when you don’t properly notate your tracks and metadata, there are obvious inconsistencies in the mixing, one track doesn’t sound the same as the next one because you either forgo the mastering process or you do it poorly, you have a portion of a song where Garth is straight up singing over his duet partner (Charley Pride), then you come to a 2-second track that’s completely empty with no explanation, it makes you want to throw your hands up as a listener from the sense you’re being insulted by the lack of care and effort that went into the project.
You want to make some sort of statement or artistic expression by leaving an empty track? Then your stuff better be quality otherwise.
November 23, 2020 @ 12:50 pm
It’s because he’s superstitious. He did a fan Q&A on I believe Oprah back in the 90’s and someone asked him about it on the Double Live album.
November 23, 2020 @ 3:35 pm
you have a portion of a song where Garth is straight up singing over his duet partner (Charley Pride),
It comes across as a style choice.
Garth: He’d tell me, ‘money doesn’t matter’
Charley:money doesn’t mater…
Kind of like instead of quoting him let him tell the story.
November 23, 2020 @ 4:57 pm
Huh? Style choice? What the hell.
November 24, 2020 @ 9:19 pm
Are we gonna get a Koe Wetzel review?
November 24, 2020 @ 9:25 pm
The Koe Wetzel album is on the radar. I never commit to reviewing something until the review is written and posted.
November 25, 2020 @ 11:17 am
Yep it sucks. Theres my review
November 25, 2020 @ 5:42 pm
Thanks Rusty, very cool!
November 23, 2020 @ 10:18 am
It’s probably one of the better tracks on this album.
May 6, 2021 @ 6:03 pm
All this content and still no Koe Wetzel review.
November 23, 2020 @ 10:34 am
Yup. Isn’t the first time a Garth album has included a blank track.
November 23, 2020 @ 10:52 am
It isn’t entirely out of the ordinary for artists to do this actually. Alan Jackson did the same thing on his 1994 album Who I Am.
November 23, 2020 @ 10:16 am
I pre-ordered this record on the Amazon pre-order about 2.5 years ago. I actually had to get on Amazon Customer Service to unlock the download because at some point the pre-order was lost in their Amazon Music system even though I still had the order information in my account. It’s a very meh feeling album to me with not enough high points to revisit it and certainly not enough to warrant a 2.5 year wait. Gunslinger was a much better record for me with several strong tracks that kept me going back to it.
November 23, 2020 @ 1:15 pm
I preordered the album just like you 2.5 years ago, first the album wasn’t available for download around 5:30 am before I went to work on Friday and when I tried downloading it latter that evening it told me that was the LAST option I had to download it. When I downloaded it cause I wanted to transfer it to iTunes (that’s my primary/defunct music player) what downloaded was the 6 prereleased tracks. I haven’t had the strength to contact customer service.
November 23, 2020 @ 1:18 pm
It’s not a difficult fix. Just contact them with the order number tied to the pre-order and tell them what is happening and they will fix it. You can even use their chat feature.
November 23, 2020 @ 10:32 am
This review pretty much sums up my thoughts as well. That said, “That’s What Cowboys Do” is one of Garth’s best songs in a long, long time and is worth putting on repeat.
November 23, 2020 @ 11:13 am
Garth Brooks is such a tool. I stopped taking anything this guy says or does seriously twenty-five years ago. He’s contrived, packaged, and just nothing about him that hasn’t been done before. And look, I get it. He’s a marketer by trade. He knows what works. And he has a legion of fans who would walk in to Hades naked for him regardless of what he does. But that doesn’t mean I have to buy in to the bullshit. Regardless of how successful it is, I am going to call bullshit when I see it.
November 23, 2020 @ 11:25 am
[waits for one word titled albums from other 90s acts]:
alan jackson — tough
john berry — sad
clint black — hat
lorrie morgan — fvck
November 23, 2020 @ 12:02 pm
You’re just now getting that Garth is hokey? He’s always been over-the-top, full of mawkish sentiments, one moment, and, “so dumb even Kiss wouldn’t touch it” party songs, the next. And, describing his duets with the definitive article is right on target. If Garth could blow himself, he would. He called his fan club “The Believer,” you know, like Jesus would – if he were a country star. No wonder much of modern Country Music (at least in the last 30 years, or so) is so shitty…he’s been the stupid templet.
November 23, 2020 @ 12:14 pm
“If Garth could blow himself, he would.”
I think that statement holds true for most guys.
Not a garth fan, btw.
November 23, 2020 @ 12:28 pm
And gals
November 23, 2020 @ 12:31 pm
Well, not exactly the same thing
November 23, 2020 @ 3:57 pm
Nah sorry still makes you bi at the most if you would actually do that.
And yeah Garth is such egotistical dude the fact anyone falls for nice dude act are morons.
November 23, 2020 @ 8:27 pm
Wow.
That’s a great assumption.
I like men.
Real men.
Strong men.
And, a man who can totally put up with my crap.
Because i am a wild cat.
Takes a very strong man to power me down.
And at 5′ 1″, men take a look & think they are going to be in the driver’s seat.
November 24, 2020 @ 2:26 pm
FYI,
Have always been straight.
Not sure why you assumed otherwise.
Maybe you are uncomfortable with straight up hellcats?
Don’t get upset over this.
Life is too much fun to be upset.
Hang with the friends & family you love.
November 26, 2020 @ 7:19 am
I wouldn’t go that far, David. But Garth Vader does strike me as the kind of guy who screams out his own name when he has sex.
November 23, 2020 @ 12:42 pm
Garths music sents coming out of retirement for the most part has sucked ass he has sold out to Nashville to sell records and sell out shows it’s to bad once he was bigger the Micheal Jackson now he is a has that needs to go away sorry to say I won’t buy any new music from him
November 23, 2020 @ 12:47 pm
You had a warning about Garth singing over Charley and it still startled me… just odd
November 23, 2020 @ 12:52 pm
Trigger,
Garth has always denoted his duets that way. On his greatest hits, the format is the same. I like it myself. It is unique.
I am interested in the Pride song (love Charley) but singing over him?? That is heresy.
November 23, 2020 @ 1:41 pm
Look, Garth can notate his duets however he wants I guess. If Garth wants to leave the 13th track blank because he’s superstitious and he thinks it’s cool, then fine. You do a duet with the great Charley Pride, and sing on top of his verse for the first bar for some absolutely indefensible reason, and don’t go through the effort to master the album where all the tracks sound the same, let alone the mixing issues on the individual tracks, and then wait 2 1/2 years after pre-orders to deliver it, it’s fair to say your record is a sloppy, half-assed mess that is borderline insulting to listeners in the way you’ve presented it.
With any other record, if I had seen a missing track, especially on the 13th spot, I would say, “Oh, they’re being cute.” Here, it just feels like another flub and oversight among many. I’ll take the word of the folks saying he’s done it before (I scoured the internet trying to find if this was the case while writing, and couldn’t, though I’ll stand corrected). But I wouldn’t put it past just being a boner.
And as far as the duets, there are multiple different standard ways these are commonly notated in 2020. How Garth did it back in 1994 or 2007 doesn’t make it the right way to do it now. You say “feat.” or “with” as part of the PERFORMERS on the track, NOT as part of the track name itself. In fact I believe it is impossible to submit tracks in this manner to most streaming services, or at the least, it would be incorrect. Otherwise, the guest performer’s name becomes part of the track name itself, and does not get credited as a performer on the song for either royalties or for search options.
That’s why you have a producer. That’s why you have a team who is up on this kind of stuff. That way when you present your album to the public, it doesn’t come across like a train wreck like “Fun” does.
November 23, 2020 @ 12:56 pm
solid review , trigger , and being familiar with garth , as all of us above ground should be now , it seems a fair one in all respects , although I have yet to hear the entire record . your comments on his productions are especially of interest as its well-known ( isn’t it ? ) that his have been some of the worst over the years .
i don’t think its too much of a stretch to suggest that ” G ” dictates EVERYTHING that happens in his camp from song choice to productions to the colour of the spotlights to , of course , creating his image and even hanging the ” G ” logo overhead …..perhaps as a more-than-subliminal reference to ….oh I don’t know …the other guy whose name starts with a giant capital G…???? .
imo garth is a very average singer who , granted, has found some solid songs and , granted, knows how to sell them . cuz SELLING is REALLY his business and I’m certain he’d have been successful no matter the product . but I’ve always felt that he could have used more ”voices ” in the trenches when it came to finding material (” Let’s lay down and dance ??”) and doing a much better job of recording it . for me its always sounded rushed and riddled with short cuts. (I know I know ….tell that to his longtime loyal fans ,) . in fairness , I’d still listen to a less-than-stellar production of a GOOD garth tune over much mainstream but I just don’t understand why they ARE less – than- stellar .
and btw…perhaps a small point , I know but ….anyone else find it odd that as a guy who seems so patriotic would play a Japanese guitar on stage ? wouldn’t you think a guy so fond of the letter “G” would play , say , a Gibson ?
November 25, 2020 @ 6:42 pm
A Japanese guitar?? That worries you. This is something that Colonel Flagg from MASH would say.
November 25, 2020 @ 11:31 pm
I love M.A.S.H . what I should have said was that I’m surprised G didn’t build his own guitar at home so he could carve a huge G into the headstock .
November 26, 2020 @ 11:03 pm
The Japanese Takamine guitars Garth plays are hand-crafted and not mass-produced like the American stuff (save for boutique guitars).
I own three Taks as well as a Collings and a Santa Cruz. The Taks are special, and it has fuck all to do with being patriotic.
You won’t find any Chinese made shit in my collection, for obvious reasons.
If you notice the sound hole on Garth’s Takamine (his own signature model btw), it is shaped in a G. So there’s your ‘stamp’.
November 23, 2020 @ 1:29 pm
That’s What Cowboys Do is the only song worth a damn on the entire thing. I’m a longtime Garth apologist and have bought more copies of his music and been to more concerts than I can count, but this album makes Man Against Machine look great and that’s a sad damn statement.
If Garth gave us a full albums of songs like “That’s What Cowboys Do” that are reminiscent of the songs we all love way back when, it would be great. You can tell he produced it. The mixes suck. He’s got his hashtag dude and yes people from studio G probably egging him on.
December 1, 2020 @ 8:59 am
My thoughts exactly.
November 23, 2020 @ 1:36 pm
I thought “Dive Bar” was a nice, actually country presence on mainstream radio last year. That song’s actually “fun”. I took a full listen to this album on Amazon Music the other day and that was not great. “Message in a Bottle” sounded like it was something off “The Little Mermaid” soundtrack. Garth still has the vocal talent though. Unfortunately can’t even listen to “That’s What Cowboys Do” without an “Amazon Music Unlimited” paid subscription and I’m not going for that. Glad to know it’s a good track though.
November 23, 2020 @ 1:48 pm
Never have cared for Garth. Certainly understand why people like him and you can’t deny his popularity/success nor that he is country. I think Trigger hit exactly why I don’t care for him. “Cheese ball” I hate cheese ball personalities. But I’m sure he could care less as Cheese ball has made him a very rich man.
November 23, 2020 @ 1:54 pm
I can’t remember the last time I listened to “G”- either one of them- both seem to be self infatuated- although I thought some of Garth’s songs were pretty damn good- if I were to take the time, which I won’t, cause it ain’t important, to me, or anyone else, I would name the ones I like- I do recall telling my youngest son who loved Garth (at ages 10 -13) that Clint Black would be around longer because of his songs than Garth would- I didn’t think about Garth as a marketing major- if I’m not mistaken, that job is usually filled by a pin headed Empty Suit- oh, wait-
November 23, 2020 @ 1:55 pm
“You do a duet with the great Charley Pride, and sing on top of his verse for the first bar for some absolutely indefensible reason, and don’t go through the effort to master the album where all the tracks sound the same, let alone the mixing issues on the individual tracks, and then wait 2 1/2 years after pre-orders to deliver it, it’s fair to say your record is a sloppy, half-assed mess that is borderline insulting to listeners in the way you’ve presented it.”
Yep.
Especially with a wonderfully talented & humble spirit, like Mr. Pride. One of the truly greats.
garth should be horse whipped for that “blunder.”
November 23, 2020 @ 2:01 pm
Obviously most don’t know Garth that well. His music is to somehow touch another in one way or another. Yes this album was supposed to be released earlier with “Dive Bar” “The Road I’m On” (Watch will be a hit) Trisha is awesome on Shallow and that song was added to album because us fans requested in twice for them to sing it live on Inside Studio G and we were in awe???????????? was Beautiful and so it was recorded.
But because of Covid at the beginning album was delayed. He didn’t want to put out an album called FUN while going through a pandemic but because pressure from us fans we wanted it and needed it. He added more songs to it for us and released it so we would have something to enjoy while going through this Covid.
“Message In A Bottle” is awesome. Duet with Charlie Pride has meaning especially with the way this country is. “That’s What Cowboys Do” brings back memories of classics George Strait. “Live Again” is the Best! This album takes you on that rollercoaster ride and one of the BEST. Trust me from a 30 year fan and have seen Garth 65 times in concert. He is E.O.T.Y. Every year! More importantly is Garth’s LOVE for us fans and that why he can come out of retirement and sell out every arena since and now Stadiums.
November 23, 2020 @ 2:53 pm
OOOOK…
November 23, 2020 @ 4:08 pm
Obviously, Bubba, you forgot the part where Trigger said he could have released it…in 2019.
But I get it. You are a fanboy who will vicariously apologize for anything Garth Vader says or does because it gives you sense of self-importance. The rest of us have the ability to know bullshit marketing ploys when we smell them.
November 26, 2020 @ 7:06 pm
Mike, I don’t think you know Bubba. And you have an opinion just like everyone. But there is no apology necessary for Garth. I am sorry there are so many of you folks that don’t like the record. But I guarantee you this record was not a marketing ploy and was made with a lot of love and care. I played on every track and was there. Every time we record, whether it’s a serious ballad or a fun little uptempo tune, the whole focus is to make the music as good as it can possibly be. And if it would have been released in 2019 it would not have contained some of the songs that were added this year. I get it that not everybody is a Garth fan. But all the character assassination seems very unfair to me. If you don’t like it, don’t buy it. But seeing so many people slinging all these insults is not cool. Especially since none of you really know the guy. I have known Garth since we did his first session in ‘88 and while yes he is into marketing his music, (what artist isn’t) his main concern is for the music and his fans. And as far as repackaging his music, like Triple Live, in the absence of live concerts this year has fans have been very happy about that release. I guess folks if you don’t like it, don’t buy it…..
December 10, 2020 @ 9:46 am
Chris:
I understand that you work for and alongside Garth Brooks. So trust me, I do not fault you for defending him. For he provides for you and your family, and I completely understand your position.
That being said, I don’t buy the argument that this record with “love and care.” Garth Brooks makes music and releases CDs knowing there is a sucker born every minute. I am not even mad. I am actually impressed how good he is at that skill set. That has always been his MO. You also talk about making the fans happy for a live CD because there are no concerts this year. Trouble with that statement is, he has consistently done this over the past thirty years.
Hey, like I said before. Garth obviously provides your family, so I will not fault you for defending him. But conversely, I am not a sucker and I don’t really appreciate being talked to like I am one. Unlike many, I am able to see the forest for the trees. Oh, and one other thing. Please stop the overused cliches like, “If you don’t like it, don’t buy it.” It shows a real lack of originality and screams out “I can’t debate for shit.” I believe you are smarter than that.
December 10, 2020 @ 10:02 am
Not about him providing for me, he’s a friend and I would defend any friend of mine. As far as “love and care” all I can say is you should have been there when we recorded, them and you weren’t. As far as “sucker born every minute” (speaking of overused cliches 🙂 that’s totally your opinion and you don’t know his intent. As far as live CDs he’s had fans for over 30 years that love them. And as far as overused cliches it’s true “don’t like it don’t buy it”. As far as opinions everyone’s allowed to have one, and if you don’t like the records that’s your choice. I am just saying no need for all the character assignation of him and his fans. They have valid opinions too. In my opinion it’s rude and unbecoming of a true country music fan. And as far as debating, I’m done…….
December 10, 2020 @ 10:57 am
I just came up with a new drinking game.
Take a shot every time Chris says “As far as.”
November 23, 2020 @ 2:41 pm
Listened to the whole thing at Falcon Carwash today and three things came to mind: cool stuff, slick stuff, and neat stuff. Try it out, man. Get social with it. G would really like that.
November 23, 2020 @ 3:09 pm
This album is awesome, starting with The Road I’m On and then going to songs like All Day Long, Dive Bar, Party Gras & Amen! There’s also a few duets on the album as well, Garth & Trisha’s version of Shallow and there’s also a duet with Garth & country music legend Charley Pride, Where The Cross Don’t Burn! There’s also a few ballads on the album like Stronger Than Me and Sometimes You’ve Got To Die To Live Again! This is one of Garth’s best albums, so much fun from start to finish!
November 23, 2020 @ 3:14 pm
Garth hasn’t released a good album since Reynolds retired.
I will echo others, track 13 is the highlight!
November 23, 2020 @ 3:28 pm
Bleh.
But I always liked Dwight Yoakam better, back in the day.
November 27, 2020 @ 8:15 am
Dwight can sing. Garth, not so much. Live, he never sounds as good as on the early recordings, recordings that contained some finely crafted and well produced songs. I found his concerts to be insufferable and loud. Extremely loud. His Studio G vocals reveal his shortcomings as a vocalist. Dwight sounds the same live as recorded.
November 23, 2020 @ 3:29 pm
Not on Spotify?
Not gonna listen.
Right or wrong, that’s how it goes with me. Spotify is the radio to me.
To some extent, I get it. But throw a single up there at the very least.
November 23, 2020 @ 3:45 pm
I liked “Man Against Machine” but his last two albums are awful.
November 23, 2020 @ 4:22 pm
Super shallow of me, I admit, but I just can’t read this review or even bother listening to what i already strongly suspect will be mediocre drivel, if it means I have to look at that album cover again. Insightful comment, I know.
November 23, 2020 @ 5:15 pm
What’s interesting to me is Garth claims to skip a track 13 due to superstition, however, this is only the second or third time he’s done this I believe. The first was the Double Live album. However, Sevens from 1997 had 14 tracks, no skip over 13. His “comeback” album, Man Against Machine, had 14 tracks, again, no skip over 13. So what makes Fun different? This one and Double Live are the only place he does it. The only other album he doesn’t do 13 is his Chris Gaines album, which, while having 13 tracks, only had Garth singing the first 12. His longtime songwriting buddy Gordon Kennedy sang track 13 on that album.
November 23, 2020 @ 8:49 pm
When I saw that Track 13 was blank, the first thing I reached for was my copy of “Man Against Machine” I bought back in 2014 to see if it was missing there. It wasn’t. Then I did a Google search, found nothing. I tend to believe Garth did it on purpose, and for superstitious reasons. But with all the other flubs on the album, I wouldn’t be surprised if it was just a straight up mistake.
November 23, 2020 @ 7:13 pm
He lost me after his second record – the first two were great…his head got too big after that – he took over Capitol Records in Nashville and screwed every artist that didn’t suck up to him – Keith Urban’s band The Ranch would have been huge except Garth got his buddy in to run the record label so he could sell more units….Garth is not about music anymore…all this guy wants to do is sell records – he has sucked so much money off of greatest hits and live records from his fans and he knows he can put out a crappy record and they will still buy it.
November 23, 2020 @ 8:39 pm
Partially correct and partially wrong. His albums didn’t cost the label money other than marketing. Garth paid for them and kept music rights so got a 16% royalty from sales. He was responsible though for 90% of the label sales.
November 23, 2020 @ 10:07 pm
I still love that Ranch album. Still the best all-around album Keith has done with some of his best songs like “My Last Name” and “Desiree”.
November 23, 2020 @ 10:49 pm
I used to go see Keith in Nashville when he was still signed to Warner Brothers (I think) before he got bought out by Scott Hendricks and Capitol Records at a funky little place called Jack’s Guitar Bar on Nolensville Road – back then he called his band Keith Urban’s 4 Wheel Drive – this is probably 1995ish – they are still the best live band I have ever seen in Nashville – crazy good music in an absolute dive bar…loved that place…
November 23, 2020 @ 7:34 pm
Better off watching Verlon Thompsons show Barnegie Hall on Amazon and hearing Tony Arata talk about how he wrote The Dance. For anyone interested in country songwriting Barnegie is a must-watch!
November 24, 2020 @ 5:05 am
I second the Barnegie Hall show! Go Verlon Thompson ! Love it. Hes under the radar, but what a talent.
November 24, 2020 @ 2:10 am
“Given the reins to produce his own stuff” – not “reigns”
November 24, 2020 @ 6:21 am
I hate “Dive Bar.” If that’s a highlight, I’ll pass. Actually, I’ll pass, regardless. I have not cared about Garth’s music for a long, long time.
November 24, 2020 @ 7:28 am
Not gonna listen to the album but reading your review sure was…FUN.
November 24, 2020 @ 7:30 am
He’ll never have a “Kokomo” moment, that’s a good one Trig. But why not? I just don’t think there’s anything guys like him could do at this point in a career that critics would like as long they’re going about it the same way everyone else is. Those little quirks you mention, I don’t see what the big deal is. Things worded differently, obvious mistakes. Of course if you heard them they did, but had they’re reasons. They made you wonder, maybe that was the point? I haven’t heard it yet, I’m sure all of your points are valid as usual. Garth shouldn’t get a pass. But it seems people are just harder on him because he puts himself out there so much. Let’s not forget Johnny Cash’s long segment of career where he was ignored because he kept trying to stay in the game that he had a hand in starting. Y’all remember the chicken suit video? It was just time to quit is what critics thought, just go away. But sometimes what artists need to do is just stop trying so hard. “Even though you built it, it’s a young man’s town”. To heck with Nashville. I hope G finds another road to go down with someone like Rick Rubin (to your needing the right producer point, trig) and we see a picture of him flipping the bird to the industry that he built.
November 24, 2020 @ 3:34 pm
He looks psychotic on the album cover. I always did think there was a weirdly violent glint in his eyes. He must have somehow already seen your review, Trig.
November 24, 2020 @ 9:09 pm
I didn’t realize Garth had so many haters. I love Garth. You may not like him, the man, but you can’t deny his talent. The man can sing. Thanks Garth for giving me some truly priceless memories in my life, memories I will cherish, always. I can’t wait to hear this album.
November 26, 2020 @ 7:16 am
I bet you have every single “Greatest Hits” CD, even though every one has roughly the same songs on every single one of them.
You are right about one thing, though. I can’t deny his talent. The thing is, his biggest talent is realizing that there is a sucker born every minute. Garth Vader can do the thing he does because he knows that there are millions of people who will bow to his altar and buy his CDs, even though if you’ve heard one Garth CD, you’ve heard them all.
Seriously, get real.
November 26, 2020 @ 9:00 pm
So I guess if someone hates the record, slams Garth, and makes negative comments it’s all cool? But if someone happens to like Garth, likes the record and makes a positive comment their opinion is not valid?
December 9, 2020 @ 3:41 pm
No, it pretty much means that if you use the cringe-inducing term “hATeRs,” then your opinion is irrelevant. Basically, that word is code for “I can’t debate for shit.”
November 24, 2020 @ 9:34 pm
Alan Jackson left the 13 track blank on one of his CD’s if I remember quickly. Still waiting on the physical copy to arrive from Amazon. I’m from New Zealand and Amazon only allows USA/Canada/UK customers to download the mp’3.
So looking forward to this album.
November 25, 2020 @ 8:58 am
Garth started losing me with Ropin’ the Wind. He started making more AC-sounding music and removing much of what made his music country. Then there is how he takes himself so damn seriously. And how he HAD to re-release a 6 or 7-CD box set again after the RIAA audited Elvis’s record sales and discovered that Elvis had actually outsold Garth. I haven’t been a Garth fan for a long time.
November 25, 2020 @ 1:32 pm
Here’s my review. Every track up until “Amen” was good, not great. He started losing me after that. Lyrics to “Courage of Love” were good, but didn’t care for his vocal. Same with “Live Again”. Why did he need to double a part over the great Charley Pride in their song?! Bad taste. Thought his vocal was up too hot in the mix all around. “Pardi Gras” was funny but stupid. Best songs to me are “That’s What Cowboys Do”, “Stronger than Me”, and the “Shallow” cover.
November 26, 2020 @ 7:29 pm
I read the review, and I have been reading all the comments, and I am sorry there are so many of you folks that don’t like the record. But I guarantee this record was made with a lot of love and care. I played on every track and was there. Every time we record, whether it’s a serious ballad or a fun little uptempo tune the whole focus is to make the music as good as it can possibly be. We spend countless hours on it. And if it would have been released in 2019 it would not have contained some of the songs that were added this year. I get it that not everybody is a Garth fan. But all the character assassination and crude comments seems very unfair to me. If you don’t like it, don’t buy it. But seeing so many people slinging all these insults is not cool. Especially since none of you really know the guy. I have known Garth since we did his first session in ‘88 and while yes he is into marketing his music, (what artist isn’t) his main concern is for the music and his fans. And IMHO I think many current records are a bit boring with all the songs sonically the same. I personally think a bit of sonic variation can be a plus. The records I grew up on and loved had a wide range of sonic variation. Garth happens to like the rockers to sound raw and live, and the big ballads to sound lush. And all the fuss over how songs are titled and a blank 13th track. Really?? No rules on how songs are titled. Empty 13th track, so what? And I get it that some of the songs on the record are not everyone’s cup of tea. But Garth knows his audience and if you read comments from them on FB each cut reaches different people for different reasons. And as far as repackaging his music, like Triple Live, in the absence of live concerts this year has fans have been very happy about that release. Everyone has an opinion but I believe if you knew him personally, and all the good he’s done for so many people, you wouldn’t be slamming him so hard. I guess folks if you don’t like it, don’t buy it…..
November 26, 2020 @ 10:04 pm
Chris,
Since you have insider information, a lot of us in the SCMCA, REALLY want to know what happened with the duet involving the Great & Legendary Charley Pride, and Garth.
November 26, 2020 @ 10:28 pm
As far as the line that Garth sang with Charlie that has been mentioned I am afraid I can’t help with that. Charlie Pride’s vocal was done after we cut the track. I do know, and you can also read Garth’s statements in other places, that he was really excited about Charlie doing it. He’s always had the upmost respect for the classic country artists.
November 26, 2020 @ 10:35 pm
And since I couldn’t edit I should’ve said “thrilled and honored” ……
November 29, 2020 @ 2:22 pm
Your reply is a non answer.
Garth had the opportunity & great honor to work with a true legend, Mr. Charley Pride.
He did not care enough to see that Mr. Pride was represented well.
Garth wanted to sing a duet, on a nauseating song, that was a disgusting ploy to show everyone how woke he, garth is.
Absolutely unbelievable.
Garth needs to grow a pair, grow up, & finally man up
November 29, 2020 @ 5:15 pm
You are certainly entitled to your opinion of the song but you should realize in your comment you not only denigrated Garth but also Charlie Pride, the person you are trying to defend. You are calling his judgment into question also. Do you really think Mr. Pride would have agreed to sing on a song he did not feel was a good song with a worthwhile message??
November 29, 2020 @ 5:39 pm
You are still evading the issue.
Why didn’t Garth see to it, that this duet was handled with great care, with high quality professionalism?
Your diversion tactic is a fail.
In no way, shape, or form, did i disrespect the great Mr. Charley Pride.
If you were part of the team, & effort, why didn’t you speak up?
November 29, 2020 @ 10:35 pm
Nauseating song I believe is what you called it right?? So you think Mr. Pride is going to sing on a nauseating song?? I call that denigrating and insulting his taste. And IMHO you are trying to avoid that. I played guitar on the record and I already spoke up in my previous comments. You have your opinions and I have mine and I’m done discussing it.
December 1, 2020 @ 12:27 pm
You are still evading the issue.
That is not surprising.
November 26, 2020 @ 11:16 pm
Garth has done a lot of good things for people, for charity. Doesn’t change the fact that he’s been running on fumes since he came out of retirement. Make an album on par with No Fences, Scarecrow or Sevens and I’ll be the first to buy it. These last three albums blow.
As far as the packaging and repacking of material, it’s all about ego and boosting sales numbers, and it’s lame. Most people don’t know that one box set with ten CDs sold counts as 10 CDs sold. It’s cheap.
Bottom line Garth needs fresh songwriters to work with and a new producer.
November 27, 2020 @ 8:37 am
Here are a couple of things to consider regarding the repackaging…..
If you go to one of Garth’s sold-out stadium shows you will see people of all ages. Not just his older fans from the 90s but many young folks who were either babies or not even born when the original records came out. New fans singing along with every single song. The opportunity for them to be able to buy his whole catalog in a package like the Ultimate Collection 10 CD Box Set you mentioned is a great deal. $22.58 which is less than $3 a CD.
And with vinyl coming back in a big way why not release his catalog on vinyl? Same as the artists of the 60s releasing their catalog on CD. They went to great lengths to make it a quality package. Not only 7 records but 7 CDs and the CDs were remixed and remastered. And when checking the final version on one cut he heard one edit on a harmonica lick that was different than it should have been. So they held up the pressing and made sure that was corrected. Very meticulous in every way,
And as far as the live stuff being re-released with different performances from different shows many of Garth’s fans love being able to have these. It’s important to them to have a certain song recorded from a certain show, especially if they were in the audience that night. And at $12 that’s $4 a CD. Not a bad price. And once again many of the new fans weren’t around when Double LIve came out so they welcome Triple Live.
All this to say these projects are not just: throw the old stuff on a CD or record, throw it out there, pump up the numbers and fleece the fans.
November 27, 2020 @ 8:33 am
By all accounts, Garth takes care of his people. He seems a good man if I go by accounts of those I know who have met him. Show biz is rife with jealously, petty beefs and greed. I don’t sense any of that from Garth’s camp, but beyond the edge of that camp, standing outside the fire….
November 27, 2020 @ 7:29 pm
Hi Chris, I am reading the comments people are making towards Garth Brooks, and for those who are posting bad comments it makes me so angry. so I wounder why are you on here? If you feel you have to post bad comments towards Garth, please don’t, show respect and be kind. for those who post positive comments towards Garth, I congratulate you all.
November 27, 2020 @ 7:43 pm
I don’t think you’ve read or understood my comments Jim. I have not said anything negative about Garth. I am also disturbed by the tone of the review and some of the comments. It’s OK not to like the record and I understand everyone is not going to like it but I don’t think the insults are helpful. So I decided to provide some background info on the recording process and I am actually sticking up for him.
November 29, 2020 @ 6:37 pm
Hi Chris, just to let you know I never said that you said negative comments about Garth, I’m taking about the other people posting negative comments on Garth, I love his music so much, and as I am posting this message I’m listening to his new CD FUN, I think it’s absolutely amazing, I also have all of his CDs and box sets except the Chris gains cd. I have seen Garth Brooks in concert 6 times, traveled 8 hrs just for his concert.cant wait to see him again. I just purchased his triple live cd also, as a matter of fact I purchased 2 copies each of the cd covers all but 3.i will support Garth in his music, he is to me just outstanding, have a wonderful day. take care. Jim
November 29, 2020 @ 10:42 pm
I really apologize Jim! I miss read and misunderstood your comment. I feel the same way. While everyone might not be a fan of Garth’s it disappoints me to see many of the comments here. Thank you so much for loving the music. I can tell you it’s made with honesty and integrity and I’m very happy you enjoy it. All the best to you!
December 1, 2020 @ 8:58 am
As a fellow Garth apologist, the last 7 years have been grating on the nerves even for me. The whole schtick is getting exhausting. When it comes to new music, he’d be better if he just learned to accept where he is and understand that he’ll likely never see the kind of chart success he did in the 90’s…and that’s completely ok. His post-retirement touring success has been astounding but his new music since 2013 has been spotty at best and at worst, just weak. I agree with Trigger’s take on the sound quality as well and that’s something I’ve noticed going all the way back to “Man Against Machine”. I knew something was different from the start so I turned the album over and noticed that Allen Reynolds’ name was nowhere to be found. I really think that’s key. Those early Garth albums had a distinct sound quality and balance and looking back (no pun intended), it’s clear Allen Reynolds was the key ingredient. He’d do well to release a single here or there and only release an album when you have 10 or 11 songs actually worth packaging together. He’s the biggest thing to ever happen to country music and that’s not likely to change any time soon—why feel the need to throw an album out every few years just for the sake of chart relevance?
That being said, “That’s What Cowboys Do” is a fantastic song. Other than that, it’s another head scratcher from GB. Come on, brother—how about a hint of self-awareness?
I actually like “Fun” better than “Gunslinger”. Yet, it’s still far from what I believe he’s capable of if he stopped trying to stay “relevant” and got back to his singer-songwriter origins. Despite his astronomical commercial and touring success over the last 30 years, I’ve always thought he was at his best when we see that side of him, however rare it may be these days. Trig summed up the entire experience with the line about a solid producer reigning him in. If Garth could swallow his pride and ease up on the ego, he’d probably see more chart success these days.