Review Summary: "I'd relive all the years."
We made some plans, had some crazy dreams
And now that we've reached a few, you would think
That it would get old to you and me
But it still feels good, still feels good
Rascal Flatts was on top of the f*cking world in 2007. Their album from the previous year,
Me and My Gang, was the best-selling album of 2006, not counting the
High School Musical soundtrack. No one sold more CDs overall in 2006 than they did. Theirs was also the top-selling concert tour of that same year. They won Artist of the Year at the American Music Awards, beating out the Pussycat Dolls, Mary J. Blige, Daniel "Bad Day" Powter and even f*cking
Beyoncé. And, of course, they garnered two of that year's biggest crossover hits, "What Hurts the Most" and "Life is a Highway", the latter of which became famous for its inclusion in the Disney/Pixar film
Cars. Just years prior, these guys were being ruthlessly derided as a country boy band, the genre's response to *NSYNC and the Backstreet Boys. They pushed through all of it and became, for a fleeting moment, arguably the biggest music act in the world. So it's no surprise their next chart-topping album was called
Still Feels Good. They were riding the wave of all the success they'd been dreaming of, and were eager to encapsulate those sensations in the only way they knew how.
On this, the band's fifth studio album, they continued their hot streak of stadium-capacity pop country. With those ever-sterling vocal harmonies, thrilling arena rock guitar solos and crisp production, it made sense that they'd keep doing what got them to where they were. That's not at all to say, though, that they lost any of their magnetic personality. The album's opener "Take Me There", co-written by megastar Kenny Chesney, might be the band's single greatest moment on record. Frontman Gary LeVox weaves a tale of courting a new flame by asking her to show him around. But as the track progresses, the vocals from all three members shoot to the stratosphere. The last chorus and outro are the stuff of f*cking legends. LeVox's booming tenor quickly gives way to his godly falsetto, while Joe Don Rooney and Jay DeMarcus strum their way through the closing seconds of this country pop masterpiece.
"Here" is a lyrical retread of the group's 2004 smash "Bless the Broken Road", all the way down to Gary's proclamation that he would not undo the hurt he endured to reach the love of his life. Dock points for beating a dead horse? You can, but not many. Not with that innocuous and lowkey sultry composition. The Flatts still sing and play with conviction and intimacy, never phoning anything in. "Bob That Head", meanwhile, is probably the group's most brainless offering of all time. Their first single to miss the top 10 at country radio, only the brightness in LeVox's voice prevents it from being a bigger offender. I don't dislike it by any means, but I'm under no illusions that it's not indicative of their best work.
The album's title track, appearing almost midway through, is an all-out event. Gliding in on DeMarcus and Rooney's tight backing harmonies, the song gets going with a flurry of emphatic drums and Rooney's enthralling guitar playing (see the bridge and outro for more). Here, Gary expresses thankfulness for the life he lives and how the luster and mystique still hasn't worn off. Rooney's face-melting solo on the outro conjures classic arena rock, and will have many purists catching their heads on fire because it's not what "country" is traditionally defined by, but I don't give a sh*t. It's one of those few songs in the Flatts canon where they show the f*ck out and treat the listener to a visceral experience. It's an absolute ride, file this one a keeper.
"Winner at a Losing Game" is another special one, but special particularly to the band. Why? It's the first radio single that the three of them wrote by themselves. The band recalled their musical influences on their tour bus, and were reminded of their mutual love for the Eagles. And thus, this soft rock-adult contemporary gem was born. "Have you ever had to love someone that just don't feel the same?", LeVox pleas with his unrequited muse. Yearning for someone who doesn't reciprocate your feelings might be another mundane trope to tackle, but Rascal Flatts again elevates it with palpable and genuine performances. LeVox may sound wimpy to some, but he far and away than that sounds
human to me.
Elsewhere, the band dips their toes into steamy R&B with the shimmering "She Goes All the Way", which features guest vocals from none other than Jamie Foxx. Here's something you didn't have on your bingo card; Gary and Jamie Foxx were roommates in the late 90s. When Gary asked him to hop on a track, he was there in a heartbeat. The end result is a stunning vocal showcase, where both men's harmonies are on f*cking point. DeMarcus and Rooney's backing vocals, as well as Rooney's glassy riffs, are also a delight. Album closer "It's Not Supposed To Go Like That" is another showstopper. On this, bar none the album's most somber moment, LeVox reminiscences on friends lost to tragic circumstances and how gut-wrenching it must be that there can't be an intercession to save them, because it's all part of the plan. "I wonder if guardian angels cry, when they see it all play out. And as they stand with their hands tied, oh, do they cry out loud?" Even as someone who is not religious and does quarrel a bit with the suggestion that God lets people suffer because it's "all part of the plan," I appreciate Gary's sentiments here. They're still tender, compassionate, and devoid of malicious intent. With that,
Still Feels Good draws to a close.
Even when sticking to the tried and true formula that made them one of the definitive acts of their era, Rascal Flatts still managed to take some chances on this album. Some play out better than others (yes, "Bob That Head" is mid at best), but they never cheat the listener out of the total package. Every note is vibrant and brimming with life and attention to detail. You could never accuse these guys of just collecting a paycheck. They loved the music they made. I only wish they hadn't lost the spark to keep going. As of writing, Rascal Flatts has been officially and completely disbanded for the better part of three years. At least I can go back and dust off old favorites like this one.
