Ronnie Dunn has been known for the past years as half of the successful duo "Brooks & Dunn", and now he's released his first ever Solo Album - the self-titled album, "Ronnie Dunn". The 12 track album hits right on the mark, with very few "below average" tracks.
The album begins with the up-tempo country rock song "Singer In A Cowboy Band", and there's not much to say - good song, great beat.
It moves on with the slow ballad "I Don't Dance", which is one of the best pieces on this record. The words are very well written, with a tune that matches well. This track would do well if released as a single.
"Your Kind of Love" is another slow ballad about the strength of his partner's love. The lyrics show some weakness in the chorus, but never falls too far; and the tune and chords make the song a great track to listen too.
"Once" is the next highlight on the album - a great track in every way. The lyrics are written with incredible skill, and the music rises and falls (dynamically) in all the right places, and the song as a whole matches Dunn's voice perfectly. "Once" is another song that would do very well on the radio if released as a single (which I believe it will be).
"Cost of Living" leaves me with mixed feelings. The lyrics tell of a man interviewing for a job in a troubled economy with a high cost of living. The lyrics and tune are uneventful, and never seem to go anywhere.
Then there's Dunn's debut single "Bleed Red". A great track that is doing fairly well on the charts. For the full review on this track, click here.
"Last Love I'm Tryin'" is another slow ballad about a man who's had his heart broken many times before, that he's decided that this is the "Last Love [he's] Trying". A beautiful piece, and performed well by Dunn.
"I Can't Help Myself" has a great chorus, and the lyrics are mostly very well done. The verse has some shaky points in the songwriting, but Dunn makes up for any shortcomings in the chorus - making this a song I thing most fans will enjoy.
The album ends off with "Love Owes Me One", a slow sad track accompanied only by Piano and some light Organ, highlighting only Dunn's singing. A great ending to a great album.
"Ronnie Dunn" is a great entry record for Dunn's debut in his solo career. Filled with almost all great tracks that range on all sides of the country music spectrum, this album is a must-have for any country music fan, and is sure to do well commercially.
