When Somebody Loves You (review)

Alan Jackson When Somebody Loves You Arista, 2000 cd 6933, $18.97

Fans of Alan Jackson will find nothing to disappoint them in his latest release. Hound dogs, fishin', Wrangler jeans, gals named Thelma Lou, pickup trucks, and beer all are present in abundance, as are the trademark fiddles and steel guitars. Jackson is honky-tonk country at its modern best, and whether in songs like "It's Alright to be a Redneck" or "Where I Come From," he celebrates with humor and pride the lives of his hardcore country fans. In the album's final cut, "Three Minute Positive Not Too Country Up-tempo Love Song," Jackson takes a delightful poke at a country-music industry he believes has sold out in the interest of crossover profits. But the album's not all laughs. Like any honky-tonker worth his salt, Jackson squeezes pathos out of otherwise standard lyrics about love gone wrong. In a world where Faith Hill is considered country, it's nice to have Alan Jackson around to remind us of just why we began listening to country in the first place.

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