Search - Rockie Lynne :: Rockie Lynne

CountryInterviewsOnline.net

CountryInterviewsOnline.net | Nashville, TN United States | 05/29/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Rockie Lynne could be described as an artist who both came out of nowhere, and everywhere at the same time. Originally from North Carolina, with stops in the Army and L.A. but latest of Minnesota, Lynne is a triple threat, excelling as a guitarist, songwriter, and vocalist. No wonder the expectations are high for a man named most likely to succeed by Billboard Magazine.



Perhaps because of his own gypsy background, Lynne's music has a very strong sense of place. The mountains and the oceans become the backdrop for essays on human emotions. The first single "Lipstick" is the story of a couple taking a cross-country road trip to rekindle a relationship that's "like an old worn out shag carpet fraying at the seams." "Holding Back the Ocean" is about living life on your own terms. In this case the narrator leaves the rat race of life to live by the sea: "keep your gold watches and your brass ring, I'm tired of going through the motions, I'm just holding back the ocean." Continuing on the geographic theme, "Every Man's Got a Mountain" has an upbeat bluesy feel and an unusual structure, and tells it just the way it is: "life is a bitter sweet journey and everybody that starts in the cradle, still ends up in the grave..."



Continuing on "Lipstick's" theme of a stagnant relationship, second single "Do We Still" is Lynne's own story of whether the wedding vows made at age 20 are still relevant at 30. Unlike some couples who stay together just because, he wants to figure it out one way or the other: "life's too short to love this way, too tired to try, too scared to quit..."



If there's one song that showcases all three of Lynne's skills, it would be "That's Where Songs Come From." Lyrically, it's the ultimate tribute to the saying "if life hands you lemons, make lemonade." The narrator has had some hard times in his life, including abuse and a broken heart, but feels he is a better man because of it: "that's where songs come from, that's where steel is forged, for it's in the fire that the blade is formed..." Vocally, Lynne really gets into the emotion of the song, and the guitar solo would make BB King proud.



Though many of his songs have serious under tones, Lynne can also kick back and have fun. "Big Time In A Small Town" is the perfect boot scootin' song to sing at a county fair, because that's exactly what it's about. "Super Country Cowboy" is a fast-paced description of the musical hybrid that he is: a "super country evangelic rockabilly psychedelic cowboy."



Although Lynne recorded several independent CD's in Minnesota, he was virtually discovered by accident by a record company executive who just happened to be in the area. To find an artist of such depth and talent is a happy accident indeed. On a personal note, I met Lynne the week "Lipstick" was released last October, and he was beside himself with joy when people came up to him and said how much they enjoyed his music. You get the feeling that regardless of whatever the charts may say, Lynne and his major-label debut CD are winners already.



By: Patty Grove

www.CountryInterviewsOnline.net"

Contemporary country with grit

DanD | 05/02/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Contemporary country music these days often lacks something...I'll call it grit, for want of a bigger vocabulary. Rockie Lynne's album possesses this oft-missing grit, this simple honesty that's found in mildly poetic, open lyrics. Check out the ballad "More," a genuinely romantic ode to endless love ("I'd give you my seat on the train to Heaven/If only one of us could go/Give every ounce of blood in my body/If no pain you'd ever know"). Or how about the stirring first single "Lipstick:" ("Make love out in the desert, I can watch the sunset in your eyes"). The touching "That's Where Songs Come From" declares that, even through the hardest times, there's always something to be gleamed...even if it's a three-minute country tune. "Red, White, and Blue" is a delightful tribute to unity through diversity; "Super Country Cowboy" declares a new breed of black sheep.



Throughout this album, you will find shades of traditional country, rock, bluegrass, and blues...all of it adding up to one of the best contemporary country albums released this year. Rockie Lynne is a talented singer/songwriter/guitarist, and certainly a performer to watch. If he can keep churning out more honest tunes like these, his star is gonna rise higher than the...well, the Rockies. And if you don't appreciate my horrible puns on his name, then don't worry about it; just buy the album and give it a listen, and make sure to check out this talented new artist."

"...And the 2007 CMA Horizon Award Goes To...MR. ROCKIE LYNN

Gino D. Ruberto | Minneapolis, MN USA | 05/10/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Rockie Lynne's debut CD has more hooks than a Bait & Tackle shop, serving up nothing but solid, radio-friendly country originals from top to bottom. UNIVERSAL SOUTH was playing it pretty safe with Rockie's freshman effort here, so you won't hear anything too controversial on this collection of songs. Rockie's music and lyrics were clearly crafted with wide-sweeping commercial appeal in mind. The lyrics may stem from common themes, but Rockie conveys those sentiments with a sense of warmth, passion, and sincerity rarely felt in the commercially driven efforts of other country artists.



"More" is a wonderful and touching love song. This one could be HUGE.

"Super Country Cowboy" - A massively catchy, zany country romp. Great hooks!

"Big Time in a Small Town" - Another straight down the pike radio hit.

"The Only Reason" - My hands-down favorite. Outstanding lyrics. Great imagery.

"Do We Still" - Killer hooks & big harmonies, ala vintage ALABAMA.

"Lipstick" - The #1 selling single in the country. 'Nuff said.



There really isn't a weak song on the entire 12-song CD. No "SKIP-IT" tracks. I rated it a star shy of five because I've heard so many "SMASH-POTENTIAL" Rockie originals that WEREN'T on this CD that I'm saving the 5-STAR rating for his sophomore effort, which will earn 5-STAR accolades across the board. If you like what you hear from Rockie on this CD, wait until you see him live. Amazing electric guitar acrobatics. An all-around A-LIST performer. This is a genuinely good man and an exemplary role model who truly deserves all the great things coming his way.



--Gino Ruberto

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