Read Between The Lines

Aaron Tippin

RCA Records, 1992

http://www.aarontippin.com

REVIEW BY: Eric E5S16

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED: 11/11/1999

Is it me, or does today's country pretty much sound the same? That's how I felt after listening to Aaron Tippin's Read Between The Lines. The big hit song from this album is a song that I truly enjoy, "There Ain't Nothin' Wrong With The Radio." But the rest of the album just didn't have the same feeling as I had for the one big hit.

First off, "The Sound Of Your Goodbye (Sticks And Stones)" has good potential in starting off the album. However, "My Blue Angel" makes Tippin try and sound like he's doing his best Garth Brooks yodel imitation. "My Blue Angel" and "If I Had It To Do Over" are slow-paced songs, but Tippin's vocal style just doesn't match top quality in this kind of singing as other country vocalists.my_heart_sings_the_harmony_web_ad_alt_250

But then there's some hope: "There Ain't Nothin' Wrong With The Radio" is a great song, and surprisingly, Tippin's voice does the trick in this hillbilly/honky-tonk number. The lyrics in this song say it all, whether it be the main chorus,or one such verse as this one: "I got stopped by a cop late last night / Out-of-date tags and no tail lights / He said I oughta run you in but I'm lettin' you go / Because there ain't nothin' wrong with your radio."

The title track is a bouncy tune, and Tippin's vocals are fair on this one. "This Heart" is a medium-paced tune, but Tippin's vocals starts to get under your skin. His voice is whining, and, quite frankly, it gets to be a bit irritating after awhile.

"These Sweet Dreams" is another slow song, yet this time Tippin's vocals seem to pass the test, much better than the previous slow ballads, "My Blue Angel" and "If I Had It To Do Over." But then that whining voice returns with "I Was Born With A Broken Heart." This bouncy number is country, yet somehow the vocals could be improved.

The next bouncy country number, "I Wouldn't Have It Any Other Way," is very catchy, especially with the drums. The beat gets you with your hands going, imitating yourself as a drummer. And, the vocals on this song is presentable. The last song, "I Miss Misbehavin'," is a good hillbilly / honky-tonk song best suited for Tippin's voice.

For best results, Tippin is best for true hillbilly and honky-tonk country tunes, like "I Miss Misbehavin'" and "There Ain't Nothin' Wrong With The Radio." But when it comes to the standard country pop or ballads, as in a Randy Travis, George Strait, etc., it seems that Tippin should stay in the area where his vocal style should remain. Most singers know what kinds of songs they can and cannot sing. In Tippin's case, his voice gets whiny and frankly, you want him singing more honky-tonk tunes rather than the ballad or standard country song.

I'm sure that there are some Aaron Tippin fans out there who think that there ain't nothin' wrong with his voice. But in my opinion, I think he should record more songs in the "There Ain't Nothin' Wrong With The Radio" style than anything else.

Rating: C

User Rating: Not Yet Rated


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© 1999 Eric E5S16 and The Daily Vault. All rights reserved. Review or any portion may not be reproduced without written permission. Cover art is the intellectual property of RCA Records, and is used for informational purposes only.