“Country”
Mo Pitney
Written by Bill Anderson, Mo Pitney, and Bobby Timberlin
At first, Mo Pitney’s “Country” sounds like one of those songs they used to write to open an awards show back in the eighties. But as the song progresses, the scope of what he’s describing as country expands, until it moves into the surprisingly touching final verse that details a funeral for a fallen soldier.
Where Pitney succeeds is in universalizing what he’s calling country. It’s an inclusive view of country that doesn’t it urban vs. rural, coasts vs. middle America, or left vs. right. It helps that he’s accompanied by a truly country sound and has a truly country voice with real depth and character.
I look forward to hearing that voice doing something a little less meta, though it works as a first single because it establishes his point of view right out of the gate. It’s definitely one of the better singles from a new artist in recent memory.
Grade: B+
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I4QnF1ZLcKc
Yeah a B+ sounds right. What this guy has is a great voice like one of the best and the production helps compliment the song really well. My problem is the lyrics feel a little cliche and boring but I guess it could be worse. Overall good but not great.
I feel like this is a throwback to the early to mid-2000s when patriotic/soldier songs were a sure hit, even if the reference is a bit out of place, but I’ll take that over what we have now! He has a solid voice and I’m pleased with the steel.
Maybe it’s because I lived in NYC and its nearby suburbs for just over 60 years that I have some reservations about this song. Although I’ve been gone for over 8 years now, I still consider myself a city guy. But I really like Pitney’s voice and the last verse of the song I agree is touching.
Maybe it’s because I’ve been listening to a bunch of Isbell lately, but the triumphalism of the final verse makes me a bit uncomfortable.
I’d give it a B or a B-. It sounds good, but there’s not all that much there.
I’m not sure what to make of this one. On the one hand, the lyrics make me cringe a little. On the other, his voice and the instrumentation and production all combine to make me think of how Randy Travis or Keith Whitley would be with a modern sound, and who knows how long it’s been since I’ve thought that about a new artist. I guess this song is kind of a guilty pleasure for me. It’s not my favorite, but I can’t wait to hear some more music from him.
Cool voice, but the song makes me roll my eyes a little bit.
Lyrically, it’s like an inferior version of Tom T. Hall’s “Country Is.,” with bonus military references added.
Anyway, I’m still rooting for this guy, and I look forward to hearing him sing some other (hopefully less cliche) material.
Good luck, Mo.
100% with you, Applejack.