New to This Town

The title to Kix Brooks’ long overdue second solo album (his preceding one came out in 1989) is a bit misleading until you hear lyrics to the opening title-track wherein he wishes that he was New To This Town. Those fans lamenting the 2010 retirement of country powerhouse duo Brooks & Dunn will be glad to know that New To This Town doesn’t play like the man is trying to reinvent what he and Ronnie Dunn had created for two decades. It immediately resonates with a warm familiarity before boasting a searing solo by guest guitarist Joe Walsh. And the crystalline quality of those air-tight vocal harmonies can be partially credited to the co-production of Jay DeMarcus, one third of the harmonious Rascal Flatts. The following “Moonshine Road” finds Brooks revisiting his talent for rocking bluesy, down-home, boot-stompers while “Bring It On Home” reveals that he shines best when crooning those post honky-tonk make-out ballads. Conversely, “Next To That Woman” finds Brooks expanding on his propensity for turning up the tube amps and rocking out while retaining his twangy roots.