Team Hellions

The most litigated album in recent memory was released this week after almost two years in stasis. This album counts as the final Tim McGraw release on Curb records, and comes to us after a recent court decision late last year. Does this self proclaimed “Best Album Ever” live up to all the hype?

The album’s opener, “Halo” sets the listener up for what they’ve been hoping for from McGraw, a downer record. However, what ensues is more of that old happy-go-lucky McGraw. And while Traffic is tantamount to his previous releases, it doesn’t mean that it’s not a good record. “Halo” itself shows McGraw going in a new direction musically, with a sound to make Coldplay look twice.

A cover of Dee Irvin’s R&B classic “One Part, Two Part” shows up here with backing vocals from wife Faith Hill, and is one of the albums strongest tracks. Many will recognize “Felt Good on My Lips,” the single released over a year and a half ago, and McGraw’s last No. 1. The album closes with the metaphorical wonder “Die by My Own Hand,” a Halfway to Hazard cover, creating a bookshelf effect with the album’s opening track.

Is this McGraw’s best album? No, but It’s his best in quite some time, at least since Live Like You Were Dying. McGraw has affirmed that another album will be released this year under a new record label, but until then, enjoy the “lost” album of Tim McGraw.

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