Album title: The 25th Anniversary Album
Artist: Lee Kernaghan
Genre: Country
Nationality: Australian
Release date: March 24
Position in Discography: Eighteenth
Fear Factor: Moderate
Familiar with this artist? No
Familiar with the genre or subgenre? A little
Average RYM Score: N/A
I always find it a bit weird to come across a country artist who isn't American. After all, it seems like America invented country music, and they probably did, so to hear a Canadian or Australian singer shakes that somewhat. Of course, there's Irish country, but nobody wants to talk about that, and with good reason. Australia is, or was, one of the great unknown frontiers though, so I guess the Aussies have as much right to be singing country as the Americans, and it's certainly believable. I like how this kicks off, and there's some Americana in the second track, sense of The Gaslight Anthem or something about “Back in '92”. Looking down the track list I see contributions from two other Australian acts, one of which I wasn't impressed with (The McClymonts) and one of which I definitely was (Kasey Chambers) and so far this certainly seems to be “proper” country, ie not country pop, which is good at least.
This being his, well, twenty-fifth anniversary, there are a few references to his debut album, with the already-mentioned “Back in '92” (he released his first album in that year) and “Outback Club Reunion” (
The Outback Club being the title of that debut album), so a lot of memories and a sense of accomplishment, given that he's had over thirty number one hits on the Australian country music charts and sold over two million albums there. A lot to be proud of, for sure. I've no problem with any of this music. Not sure if I'd be a fan,
per se, but certainly like it a lot.
Check out more from this artist? Possibly
Check out more from this genre or subgenre? Yes
Expectation Index: 6