Lie to Me

I'm not thrilled by this album. I like Lang's bluesy renditions but I would have liked a few more cuts that have the energy of the title song.

When you consider that Jonny Lang was still a kid when he recorded this album, it's incredibly impressive.

But putting the child prodigy angle aside, for a moment, it's really a mixed bag. There are, undoubtedly, moments of sheer greatness. The opener, title track "Lie to Me," is catchy, high quality blues, and the follow up "Darker Side" is a potent song, as well. The album offers up a nice mix of harder rockin' blues numbers with slower blues both of the heavy and soft varieties. At times Lang's playing even echoes that of Stevie Ray Vaughan.

So why is it a mixed bag?

Well, to some extent, the album tries a little too hard to be modern, and loses some of the raw emotion of the blues. Part of this modernity is seen in the album's clear pop leanings, evident on a number of tracks, which water it down somewhat. And then there's that final track, "Missing Your Love." It might be the weakest track on the album, and it just leaves a bad taste in the mouth. If it had to be included, it would have been a better fit somewhere in the middle...well away from the influential beginning or ending of an album.

But, given all that, it's still a good album, and one worth hearing. Perhaps some who like pop infused blues more than I will appreciate it more fully.

For a second effort, it is just as good as the first. Jonny just keeps getting better and with a more mature and bluesy vocal.

With his worldly, whiskey voice Jonny Lang stuns us once again. So young to feel so much!!! And he relays it spectacularly. From the soulful lyrics to the spectacular guitar, this is a moody, wonderful CD.

Jonny Lang's major label debut was more successful than anyone would have dreamed. The title track became a big hit and vaulted Lang into overnight stardom at the tender age of 16. I actually don't think this album is quite as good as his previous independent effort "Smokin", but it is still a very good album. Being on a major with a big name producer the material here is much more polished than Lang's previous stuff. The guitar solos are shorter and the album contains more covers than originals. Still when you consider the fact that this kid was just 16 when this was recorded it is pretty amazing. Highlights include "Lie To Me", "Darker Side", "Rack Em Up", and the soulful "Missing Your Love" which would be a shade of things to come on Lang's later albums. I have had the chance to see Lang live several times over the years and each time he gets better. This is a very nice blues album from a talented guy. I don't think it is his best, but certainly worth owning.