Let the Urbanite Give You What You Need, Baby

l fc. » t » fr- Tuesday I July 23, 2002 15 I SIGNAL Emerson Drive makes a valiant attempt at being the N'Sync of Country an impact on, and retaining, their and the group's equally compel ferent sounds into their music that James Stroud and Richard Marx audience will not be an easy one.. ling harmonies, is evident is quickly gaining an audience. in their camp, and songwriters Emerson Drive Country music's recent influx of throughout the CD. It doesn't hurt For instance, one minute like Lange, Marcus Hummon, and Emerson Drive several new bands makes the com that they tell the stories in such a they'll be doing their rendition of Chris Lindsey (a co-writer on Dreamworks Records petition even fiercer for the young way that you can't help singing "Only God (Could Stop Me Lov Lonestar's "Amazed"), these guys band from Alberta, Canada. along while you're driving on the ing You)," a 1990's power ballad have a real shot at "making it." Jason Smith However, one of the aspects highway. written by Mutt Lange, who gar Perhaps the key to maintain Staff Writer of Emerson Drive's first effort that One myth that Emerson Drive nered fame by producing albums ing Emerson Drive's momentum jsmith@gsusignal. com should work in their favor is the seems to try to debunk is the one that for AC/DC and Def Leppard (and will be in the group's next move. reliability of their music. says that country music is all about currently enjoys fame as "Mr. While "I Should Be Sleeping" has Emerson Drive's self-titled Rather than make larger-than- drinking, losing out on love, and the Shania Twain"). done fairly well on country radio, debut CD, courtesy of life statements with their songs, untimely death of your dog. The next minute, they're do it didn't rocket to the top of the DreamWorks Records, takes on they reach out to the audience To the contrary, even the titles ing the very country-sounding charts. the elements of several acts, past with stories like the one in their of the songs, such as "I See "Looking Over My Shoulder," That could turn into a blessing and present, to stake its' claim on first single, "I Should Be Sleep Heaven," "It's All About You," before kicking it up a notch on in disguise, as the guys could avoid the country music scene. ing." and "How Lucky I Am," suggest "Hollywood Kiss." the pitfall of so many artists, topping They have the musical abil This song doesn't engage in any a very upbeat, positive outlook on Many times in the music busi out with their first single and never ity of Diamond Rio, an energy and pretenses or attempt to sweet-talk the matters of the heart. ness, though, an act can be ex being able to match that success. sound reminiscent of LittleTexas, listener. It simply tells the story of a Something else that stands tremely talented and still falter, While this CD may not neces and the appearance and youth of guy who can't get a girl out of his out on this CD is their versatility. because they don't have the right sarily be a candidate for Album of N'Sync. head, and doesn't want to. While there aren't any honky-tonk people working alongside them. the Year, it's definitely a step in However, the success they have This kind of simple songs here at all (something pre But, in the case of Emerson right direction. experienced thus far is due to no one storytelling, powered by the viously thought to be a pre-requi- Drive, that may not be an issue. but theselves. The task of making strong lead vocals of Brad Mates site for a country band), the group With such successful producers as Don't get too comfortable reading the A&E Section this summer because in the fall it will be gone. Wondering how you will you get your A&E fix in the fall? Let The Urbanite give you what you need, baby. Questions? Comments? Submissions? Contact [email protected] or call 404-463-93 26. .

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