Rascal Flatts
Back to Us


5.0
classic

Review

by Shamus248 CONTRIBUTOR (124 Reviews)
May 19th, 2017 | 21 replies


Release Date: 2017 | Tracklist

Review Summary: The award winning country trio returns to their roots, while savoring every chance to experiment, resulting in one of their best projects to date.

Rascal Flatts, a country trio hailing from Columbus, Ohio, never found success before facing stringent adversity. From making 27 cents a night at a bar in Printer's Alley to being labeled a twangy poor man's Backstreet Boys, the group never found true commercial appraisal until 2006, when their smash hit "What Hurts the Most" nearly scaled the summit of the Billboard Hot 100. The track is notable for having shifted the group's sound. Every release in the subsequent decade carried poppier overtones that eerily enriched the group's music. Despite being a strong release, 2014's Rewind was a blatant effort to keep up with the times. On the group's 10th effort however, Back to Us, they shirk the temptations of the format in order to do everything the project's name suggests.

Lead off single "Yours If You Want It" harkens back to the eclectic blueprint that made the group's earliest discography a laundry list of radio hits. Gary LeVox's sterling vocal register hasn't sounded this refreshed since the group moved to Big Machine Records in 2010. Bassist Jay DeMarcus and guitarist Joe Don Rooney contribute excellent backing vocals, resulting in an ebullient harmony among the three. The track's high production value and pleasant composition add onto that to create a guaranteed radio hit; as of this writing, it is about to crack the top 10 at Billboard Country Airplay. The album's title track and "Hopin' You Were Lookin'" also carry a lot of radio hit potential, the former a power ballad unlike any the group has recorded before, the latter a sunny country pop tune that sings of finding new love.

While using the album's 35 minute runtime to recapture the youthful freshness of their eponymous 2000 debut, Rascal Flatts also uses Back to Us as a springboard to expand their sonic identity. Chris Stapleton penned the passages of the gritty "Vandalized" and the haunting ballad "I Know You Won't" was previously recorded by Carrie Underwood. "Dance" and deluxe edition track "Roller Rink" are rock tributes featuring some slick riffage from Rooney and audible bass from DeMarcus. "Are You Happy Now" features guest vocals from former American Idol runner up Lauren Alaina and it is without question one of the best tracks Rascal Flatts has ever recorded.

"Are You Happy Now" is a duet that sings of a former flame who has taken advantage of you and is now feeling the pinch of their mistake. "What goes around comes back around, it's been that way forever" sing LeVox and Alaina as two of the best voices in modern country come together for a ballad with enough adult contemporary pulsation and crossover appeal that it has all the makings of both a chart topping single and future live show staple. "Love What You've Done With the Place" gives LeVox another chance to shine behind the microphone, thanks to the crisp production value. Sans one deluxe track produced by busbee, the group produced the album entirely by themselves. The album closes with "Our Night to Shine." Written for the Tim Tebow Foundation's yearly event of the same name, it's an inspiring anthem singing of two young lovers having their moment in the sun at senior prom.

Back to Us is a love letter from Rascal Flatts, both to their fans and to themselves. While they never miss a moment to expand their sound and create new opportunities, they achieve something even more important. They've found themselves again with this record and it's one they themselves wished to make. No longer feeling pressured to prove themselves, silence critics or hijack current trends, Rascal Flatts returns to their roots by returning to their career hallmarks of sterling vocal harmonies, high production value and genre-transcending composition. Back to Us is a victory by every measure and will surely stand up as some of the group's best work for years to come.



Recent reviews by this author
Daughtry Shock To The System (Part One)Matthew Ottignon Volant
Yellowcard Lift a SailBarbara Mandrell Just for the Record
TATIA We Were HeroesSara Evans Unbroke
user ratings (27)
3.5
great


Comments:Add a Comment 
CompostCompote
May 19th 2017


1022 Comments


I bet Rascal Flatts becomes Rascal Heells on Saturday nights

Shamus248
Contributing Reviewer
May 19th 2017


1137 Comments

Album Rating: 5.0

I will give you props for that. That was very good haha

GayBatmanReturns
May 19th 2017


10 Comments

Album Rating: 1.0

these guys sucked me off once

Shamus248
Contributing Reviewer
May 19th 2017


1137 Comments

Album Rating: 5.0

sounds like a fun time

GayBatmanReturns
May 19th 2017


10 Comments

Album Rating: 1.0

https://youtu.be/vL8Dz4mGv1g?t=25

Shamus248
Contributing Reviewer
May 19th 2017


1137 Comments

Album Rating: 5.0

I'm glad that exists

sonictheplumber
May 19th 2017


17569 Comments


5?

Shamus248
Contributing Reviewer
May 19th 2017


1137 Comments

Album Rating: 5.0

yuuuuup

Shamus248
Contributing Reviewer
May 19th 2017


1137 Comments

Album Rating: 5.0

I successfully sparked a string of 5's for this...my day is complete

Orb
May 20th 2017


9493 Comments


People actually listen to country?

Gnodab
May 20th 2017


106 Comments


can't wait to 1 this

Orb
May 20th 2017


9493 Comments


True dat. Well written review tho 'pos

LiftASail
May 21st 2017


14 Comments

Album Rating: 5.0

shit is fire

Shamus248
Contributing Reviewer
May 21st 2017


1137 Comments

Album Rating: 5.0

Thank you, I appreciate the feedback

mvdu
May 21st 2017


992 Comments


Wow I can't imagine this being a 5, but your review has my attention. Will give it a try.

Gnodab
May 21st 2017


106 Comments


He has every rascall flat album at 5, so I wouldn't value his opinion on this if i were you. The dude probably has some personal interest going on here and i wouldn't be surprised if lots of those other 5's are from his alts.

Shamus248
Contributing Reviewer
May 21st 2017


1137 Comments

Album Rating: 5.0

I have some at 5 and i'm 99.9% sure all of the other 5's are jokes, which I really don't care if they are or not. it's what I like so to each their own, right

Shamus248
Contributing Reviewer
May 21st 2017


1137 Comments

Album Rating: 5.0

and thanks mvdu

Cygnatti
July 13th 2017


36129 Comments


i guess we'll just pretend that the first 10 ratings minus the users', aren't troll 5's ...?

Shamus248
Contributing Reviewer
July 14th 2017


1137 Comments

Album Rating: 5.0

most likely are but that's not my problem



You have to be logged in to post a comment. Login | Create a Profile





STAFF & CONTRIBUTORS // CONTACT US

Bands: A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z


Site Copyright 2005-2023 Sputnikmusic.com
All Album Reviews Displayed With Permission of Authors | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy