Out of Sane

For his second album for Black Top/Thirty Tigers, Clint Black sticks to the tried-and-true, adhering to the twang and ballads that made him one of the biggest stars in country music in 1990. Times have changed, though, and this once-fresh blend now sounds fairly old-fashioned. Black doesnt seem concerned in the slightest about being out of step with the rest of Nashville or Texas. Hes barreling ahead with a blend of amiable country-rockers and soft-focus ballads, many co-written with his longtime partner Hayden Nichols. Fellow country vet Steve Wariner collaborated with Black for America (Still in Love with You), an ode to the red, white, and blue thats shamelessly corny. The same sentiment applies to much of the rest of Out of Sane. Whether its the breezy My Best Thinkin or low-key rocker Cant Quit Thinkin or a ham-fisted cover of Fred Neils Everybodys Talkin, the music sounds cheerfully square, a vibe that may not bring new listeners into Blacks fold but will certainly please the faithful. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine