Just Who I Am: Poets & Pirates

Back in the late 90s, Kenny Chesney was just another popular "hat act"; as respected as the next singer, but generic all the same. Ever since 2002's No Shirt, No Shoes, No Problems, however, he has found his niche, taking over from that beach-loving, elder statesman of Country, Jimmy Buffett, to pen and perform songs about tequila, sunshine and surf. A love affair with the Caribbean islands has served as inspiration to many of his recent hits, and coloured his 2003 masterpiece When the Sun Goes Down and its follow-up The Road and the Radio. Although his new album, Just Who I Am: Poets and Pirates, doesn't break any new ground thematically - indeed, many of the songs could have featured on any Kenny album this decade - the now-forty year-old has at least delivered a mature, reflective album, surprisingly complementing the fun-loving, beach-party songs. In the past, Kenny has added an underlining vulnerability to the most seemingly nonchalant narrative. His 2005 Number 1, "Beer In Mexico", wherein he struggles with the prospect of leaving the care-free youthful existence of old and accepting the responsibility which comes with age, and eventually deciding to "sit right here and have another beer in Mexico" is a valid example. He frequently masters such themes which can be easily over-looked even at the second or third listen. With his latest album, he adds to that parallel premise, adding weight to what he terms to be his most personal album yet. Surprisingly, he doesn't have a single writing credit on this disc, but the songs seem to be so in-tune with his personality, they must have been tailor-made for him.

Attempting to sustain youthful nonchalance, a theme hitherto featured in "Beer In Meixco", "Don't Happen Twice" and "Young", make a re-appearance here in the exuberant "Just Not Today", while in the disc's first Number 1, "Never Wanted Nothing More" he remembers wanting a car more than anything, and then a girl and finally God. In the soul-searching Number 1, "Better Than a Memory" Kenny tries to explain why he is better than a memory than as her man. It's a song packed with metaphors and similes, which include the wistfully sung, "I move on like a sinner's prayer."

The crowning moment on this set is undoubtedly the chart-topping, make-every-moment-last, "Don't Blink", a sentiment echoed from his 2002 Number 1 "The Good Stuff" and detailed even more in another chart-topper, 2003's "There Goes My Life".

The album does sit back and kick it's shoes off however, particularly on the reggae-styled "Got a Little Crazy Last Night", where he sounds like Men At Work in their eighties hey day. Joe Walsh of The Eagles guests on the joyously upbeat, "Wild Ride" and on "Wife and Kids", Kenny yearns for a family. The track is filled with earnestly, notably as Kenny has just hit 40 without said wife and kids. Vulnerability is highlighted once more in "Scare Me" and the ballad "Demons". It is "Dancin' for the Groceries", however, which has caught most critics' attention, with it's depiction of a single mother doing a strip to pay the bills. The song is tastefully narrated and elicits sympathy for her plight.

Although this isn't exactly Kenny's best album - that accolade should surely go to When the Sun Goes Down - it is nevertheless a good album. Fans will like it and it should win over a few converts too.

I've been a fan of Kenny's music since the beginning, but the last few releases have just pushed him over the top. This one is no different. This release is a full-throttle as Kenny has been since he started headlining his own tours. I would compair this to "The Road and the Radio," and "When the Sun Goes Down." It's in the same vein musically, lyrically, and with his overall performance as well. It's pretty simple, if you've been a Kenny fan for even just the last few years, you know what to expect by now. He just does not dissapoint. This album features the typical 3 or 4 songs that as suitable for singles, then it has another couple songs that slow way down and let Kenny tell you sad stories. Then we have the uptempo Kenny... This is my favorite side of Kenny Chesney. He surrounds himself with some real good guitar players, and knows how to turn the volume up. It's just like his self-given proclamation to his style, he is a hillbilly rock-star. Oh yeah, and dont forget the family-tinged tear jerkers. Yeah, they're on here too. It's pretty easy to figure out what you're going to get before you buy this. If you liked the last 2 studio albums, you'll like this one. If not, well, that's your loss.

Kenny Chesney sings songs straight from the heart about personal experiences and everyday life. I really enjoy "That's Why I'm Here" and so have all my friends. Keep up the good work Kenny.

This CD brings us a bit deeper into Kenny's heart and soul. He may not have written these songs himself, but you feel his passion behind the words. There are "feel-good" songs on here, (Never Wanted Nothing More, Just Not Today, and Got A Little Crazy) that make you just want to turn it up loud and sing along. There are also songs that make you think about life (Don't Blink, Wife and Kids, and Better As A Memory).
Overall, the CD encompasses a little bit of everything and is simply a great CD. As a major Kenny fan, I could not wait for this CD to be released and I was not disappointed and you won't be either.
Just put it in and enjoy the ride!

As a huge Kenny fan, I have to admit that this album - while not his best - was very satisfying. It offers the type of country music that we have become used to from Kenny and his contemporaies: a little country, a little rock, a little roll. This cd is alot more mature lyrically with the songs about "good times" being balanced with songs about marriage, love, and life once your 20s are over. I just saw Kenny in concert in MI (May 22) and it was a great expierence I recommend for any true fan of his; I really enjoyed "Don't Blink" and "Shiftwork" performed live (both on this cd).