Review: Trace Adkins "Proud To Be Here"

"Proud To Be Here" - Trace Adkins

The title of Trace Adkins' latest album could easily refer to his music career or the life he's led. The big man -- who may have been the inspiration for Bruce Willis' character in "Unbreakable" -- has survived a truck accident, getting run over by a tractor and being shot in the heart by his ex-wife. As he croons in the title track, Adkins has clearly "been living on borrowed time for years." After a rough life and a career of ups and downs, it's easy to see why Adkins is "Proud To Be Here."

1) "Proud To Be Here" -- I love country songs that I can really relate to, that's what I think the genre is all about -- "Songs About Me," if you will. "Proud To Be Here" tells a story we have all been through. Solid song about focusing on all we have been given, despite our best attempts to screw it up.

2) "Million Dollar View" -- While some prefer exquisite ocean scenes and others enjoy stunning mountaintop vistas, Adkins lets listeners know he's got the best view of them all in his living room in the upbeat "Million Dollar View." While Trace has succeeded on some gushy love songs before, I could live without this one.

3) "Days Like This" -- Speaking of gushy, "Days Like This" fits in this category. However, he slows the tempo down in this one and knocks the song out of the park. Adkins nails the sentimental tune about leaving the troubles of the world behind on a beautiful day. One of the top tracks on "Proud To Be Here."

4) "That's What You Get" -- Adkins lays down the law to his "pretty thing" in "That's What You Get," letting his woman know exactly what to expect from him. Of course, he's going to give her two strong arms, a big heart, you know, everything he's got. I like the lyrics, but Trace is very aggressive singing them, almost like he's mad. I think the song would have benefited from a slower pace.

5) "Just Fishin'" -- The lead single off the album, "Just Fishin'" really brought Adkins back into the limelight after recent singles "This Ain't No Love Song" and "Brown Chicken, Brown Cow" struggled for airtime. "Just Fishin'" hasn't had that problem, and it's easy to see why. I loved this song about a father and daughter bonding without her even realizing it from the first time I heard it. Great song.

6) "It's A Woman Thing" -- Men and women are different is the premise of "It's A Woman Thing." Kind of a typical song on an overdone topic.

7) "Love Buzz" -- Adkins shows off his bluesy side on "Love Buzz," singing about the overwhelming effects his romance has on him. Adkins even sounds a little intoxicated while singing ("Yessir, ociffer"), making the song that much more believable. I like the slow, smooth sound this song has.

8) "It's Who You Know" -- Superstar quarterbacks and CEOs who look like they've "been carved from granite" seem to have the edge in life, but Adkins turns the tables on them in "It's Who You Know." The message he delivers is it doesn't matter what you do in your life, a relationship with God will be the most important thing "at the end of the road." This is my favorite song on the album, but I could have done without the crazy preacher screaming at the end.

9) "Poor Folks" -- Again, Adkins is out to flip the script on who's rich and who's poor on "Poor Folks." The song has a very traditional feel, and echoes "Million Dollar View" in that no matter his financial situation, Trace feels like he has it all.

10) "Always Gonna Be That Way" -- Another ballad that reflects an earlier song, "Always Gonna Be That Way" is reminiscent of "That's What You Get." Adkins again informs his significant other how he's going to feel about her, but is much softer and sweeter in this one, making it a much better song.

11) "Damn You Bubba" -- Some people aren't going to like "Damn You Bubba." Some people are going to outright hate "Damn You Bubba." I really, really like "Damn You Bubba." Maybe it's because the morning I heard it I was seething about my own brother taking some work I should have had, much like the song's protagonist ("Bubba done filled that spot. Damn you Bubba"). I'd recommend giving it a listen, but it's definitely not for everyone.

12) "More Like Us" -- Speaking of "not for everyone," "More Like Us" definitely fits the bill. Adkins informs our leaders in Washington that he's willing to fight for his God, and there's more like him coming. Patriotic, religious and in-your-face, it's a stereotypical country song. Like "Damn You Bubba" some will like it and others will hate it.

13) "If I Was A Woman" -- "If I Was A Woman" sounds like something you would here in a saloon (musically, of course). Adkins teams up with Blake Shelton, reuniting the "Hillbilly Bone" duo. On that hit, Trace commented on how he "always wanted to sing a bone song." Well this time the big boys sing about an entirely different topic, what they would do if they were women (fall in love with themselves, of course). It's a funny song, and Adkins and Shelton have a good give-and-take throughout the tune. I recently said that Shelton should headline his own tour next summer, and I think Adkins should open for him. The two clearly have great chemistry, making this track shine.

14) "Semper Fi" -- If you call a country song "Semper Fi" you better bring it, and again Adkins doesn't disappoint. While other military-themed country songs are sung from the view of a soldier, "Semper Fi" is honoring those who sacrifice so we can be free. While "More Of Us" highlights the division in America today, "Semper Fi" unites us and is a great end to a very good album.

While Adkins may just be "Proud To Be Here," I'd say he's put together an album to be proud of. From the ballads to the rockers, Adkins hits the right notes for most of the album and shows he's still got it... much like Bubba's old Tonka Truck.

(Tracks 11-14 are found on the deluxe edition of "Proud To Be Here")