Listening to this self-titled debut release from Showdog Records’ JT Hodges, I am struck by the versatility and ease of his voice. He has a gritty sound that I believe sets him apart from many of his male counterparts in country music today. The songs lean towards a mix of contemporary country and a little bit of classic rock with some blues mixed in for good measure. I enjoyed the diverse subject matter, the depth of the songs, and found it very easy to listen to. It’s a good, solid effort and he penned 8 out of the 10 songs on this album. I found his writing to be interesting and skilled. His words easily paint a picture in your mind and tell a story, which I enjoy.
One of my favorites off the album is: “Sleepy Little Town” – a mid-tempo song about dark secrets of a small town that you don’t expect. Another, “Hunt You Down” was his first single from this album and is a playful, mid-tempo song with a nice groove about a fun night out on the town in Memphis with a woman he just met. “Right About Now” another mid-tempo song that I enjoyed about an ex-lover unable to let go of a past love as he thinks of what she’s probably doing right about now. “When I Stop Crying” was a touching ballad about losing love that showed so much depth and gave me chills at times. Showed a completely different side to his music and I loved the steel guitar in this song.
I found it hard to pick a song that is what I consider a least favorite of mine. I guess “Green Eyes Red Sunglasses” was my least favorite of the album, but even with it, I enjoyed some of the elements like the more bluesy feel of the song overall. Just wasn’t as strong or enjoyable to me as the others.
Overall, this is a solid effort filled with diverse, well-written songs.
For more information about JT Hodges, check out his website: www.jthodges.com
Rated 4 out of 5 stars.
Also, check out this interview we had with him this past spring right here:
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Nashville TN July 18, 2012 — Show Dog-Universal Music will release JT Hodges’ self titled, debut CD on August 21, 2012. Hodges penned eight of the CD’s 10 tracks (see full track listing below). Earlier this month, Hodges asked fans to help him select the next single, and at the halfway point, the contenders have been narrowed down to two: “Sleepy Little Town” (far and away the frontrunner) and “Rather Be Wrong Than Lonely.” Fans may continue to vote here: http://on.fb.me/SGRxx9.
About JT
He burst onto the country music scene in 2011 with the release of his debut single, “Hunt You Down,” and a slot on Toby Keith’s Locked & Loaded Tour. Earlier this year, JT was a semi-finalist in the Academy of Country Music’s New Artist of the Year category. “Goodbyes Made You Mine” was the second single from the artist’s soon to be released CD. In his Music Row review of the single, respected music critic Robert K. Oermann said, “this has a certain ‘presence.’ JT’s not only a solid writer, but his vocal performance is up-close and personal, packed with personality and exuding confidence. The deep-twang guitar and driving production are also pluses. A star is born.”
Tracks on JT Hodges
1. Rather Be Wrong Than Lonely
2. Sleepy Little Town
3. Hunt You Down
4. Give It One More Night
5. When I Stop Crying
6. Goodbyes Made You Mine
7. Leaving Me Later
8. Right About Now
9. Rhythm Of The Radio
10. Green Eyes Red Sunglasses
For more information on the artist, please check out these links: http://jthodges.com/,
https://twitter.com/#!/HelloJTHodges and https://www.facebook.com/jthodgesmusic.
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