High Mileage

Alan Jackson delivers what his fans expect here--well-written songs and outstanding vocals--plus a bit more. The main topic is love, but Jackson's treatment of the theme is far ranging. In the jaunty album opener, "She's Right On the Money", a smitten man has nothing but the highest praise for his girl: "She's a three point jump shot that's nothin' but net". "Gone Crazy", one of five Jackson-penned songs on the CD, paints a picture of a man losing his mind after a breakup.
The lovely "What A Day Yesterday Was" celebrates a longtime relationship, while "Dancin' All Around It" captures the nervous excitement of a new romance. The most startling track, though, is "I'll Go On Loving You", which resurrects that old country tradition: the recitation. Love or hate it, it'll make you sit up and take notice. For comic relief there's "Another Good Reason", the tale of a boozer terrified he's going to "end up like old Hank". "Little Man" is a true standout--another Jackson composition about the fate of the small businessman in today's America. It's a neat piece of social commentary, proving that when it comes to song ideas, Jackson still hasn't run out of gas.|