When the Sun Goes Down

by

Kenny Chesney

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I've never been a huge Kenny Chesney fan. His early music was immature and radio-friendly to the core. His latter-day music, however, has an edge to it--for example: few artists would have the nerve to record a song as brutally honest as "Anything but Mine;" still fewer would put it out as a single (and the controversy this song may or may not cause isn't even intended to sell the record, as evidenced by the fact that it's already won awards and been named Country Album of the Year, and established Chesney as a serious artist). I respect Chesney for that, and so I decided to buy the album.

This is great music right here. Unlike a lot of contemporaries, Chesney is a great writer--he doesn't write much, but the four songs he wrote or cowrote on here ("I Got Back", "Keg in the Closet," "Bein Drunk's a Lot Like Lovin You," and "Old Blue Chair") are four of the best. And his choice of covers is nearly impeccable..."There Goes My Life" still brings a tear to my eye, while "The Woman With You" strikes to the bone with any working man or woman.

There are few duds on here. "Outta Here" it a bit cliched, and the title track follows a oft-repeated Buffet vibe...but it's catchy as hell. Even "When I Think About Leaving," which begins like any other song you've ever heard, quickly turns poignant and sentimental. Chesney's voice has matured, his writing and song selecting capabilities have matured...WHEN THE SUN GOES DOWN just may be the album of his career (though, thankfully, not the last). It's great country music, plain and simple, from a guy who knows what he wants and what his fans want, and delivers on both levels.