Carolyns Boy

During the six years that separate Carolyns Boy from its predecessor When Was the Last Time, Darius Rucker reunited with his old mates in Hootie & the Blowfish, a decision that seemed to have absolutely no effect on the form or content of this 2023 album. Rucker picks up precisely where he left off with When Was the Last Time, never acknowledging COVID-era turmoil or any musical trend: hes simply resumed making resolutely relaxed music. "Beers and Sunshine," a number one Billboard Country Airplay hit from back in 2020, serves as the records touchstone. Sunny, cheerful, and just clever enough not to be dull, "Beers and Sunshine" has many companions on Carolyns Boy, including "Same Beer Different Problem," which has just enough recognizable drinking song tropes to be comforting, and just enough twists to sound fresh. The same could be said about a nostalgic ode to lovers lost ("Sara," which was co-written by Ed Sheeran), family, and home, all familiar topics for Rucker and delivered in a familiar fashion, but the singer/songwriter and his collaborators -- primarily longtime associate Ross Copperman, but there is a bevy of co-writers here, along with the vocal group Chapel Hart on "Ol Church Hymn" -- are sharp craftsmen, managing to make Carolyns Boy into a satisfying piece of polished professional country-pop. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine

フーティ&ザ・ブロウフィッシュの復活作を間に挿んで、6年ぶりのソロ作が到着。ジャケや表題からも想像できるように亡き母に捧げた作品で、制作期間中に自身の内面や私生活を掘り下げる過程で辿り着いたテーマだという。カントリー・チャート首位の陽気な"Beers And Sunshine"をはじめ、エド・シーランが共作した"Sara"、リアーナのカヴァー"Lift Me Up"なども注目。
bounce (C)出嶌孝次