Search - Shane Yellowbird :: Life Is Calling My Name

Yellowbird's "Life" Soars with Potency

T. Yap | Sydney, NSW, Australia | 08/07/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Prime Cuts: Pickup Truck, What a Beautiful Concept, Get Away with You



Yellowbird has soared to potent heights with his debut CD. Not only did his single "Pickup Truck" crest at the pinnacle of the Canadian country chart, Yellowbird was recently honored with five nominations at 2007's CCMA Awards. Spotting a Kenny Chesney look-a-like on the CD cover, "Life is Calling My Name" could easily be a not so distant cousin of Chesney's albums. Like Chesney, Yellowbird is purveyor of modern country conjuring up rockish country tunes with a few compelling ballads thrown in to balance things out. However, one of the reasons why Yellowbird is such a radio magnet is that he has a very engaging vocal personality: with shades of the blue-eyed soul of Keith Urban and the driving enthusiasm of Rodney Atiken. Further, Yellowbird has a way of captivating us to every phrase he sings. Contributive to the CD's success is also that each of the songs has minted melody and irresistible hook; many of which come from the galore of Nashville's scribal elite including Cadillac Sky's Bryan Simpson, Musik Mafia's Rodney Clawson, Jeremy Stover, Bryon Hill amongst many others.



Romantic aficionados are sure to be swept away by "Get Away with You." With its portrait-painting lyrics and Yellowbird's restraint but heartfelt vocals, "Get Away with You" is an elegantly crafted ballad. Here Yellowbird sings about a romantic getaway with his paramour in a snow-covered cabin with Yellowbird himself doing everything including the cooking. This Hobboma native sure knows how to get on the amicable side of his female fans. On the other hand, "Pickup Truck," Yellowbird's number 1 single, is a bouncy irresistible rouser with a wry Brad-Paisley-humor telling the story a dud constantly rejected by the ladies for his abysmal pickup lines. Some delightful banjo licks greet the nostalgic thumper "I Hear the Music," which is supposed to be Yellowbird's follow-up single.



With the avalanche of songs from female artists bickering about the type of men they want, "What a Beautiful Concept" is a slightly tongue-in-cheek male counterpart of Yellowbird dreaming of the perfect girl who does not mind his snoring, loves his pickup truck, and one who loves him for who he is. While the opener "They're All About You," despite its heartbreaking message, finds Yellowbird in a mean streak of countrified mood complete with some greasy slides of steel guitars and enough percussive kick to make this the next great country line dance. Letting loose for some Caribbean breeze is the ballad-like "A Summer Day," a picturesque Chesney-like samba-tingled sort in tribute of the sunny side of the seasons.



If there are any quibbles with this otherwise excellent debut, there is a loud is better attitude adopted by producer Bart McKay. The album hardly slows down for some more reflective ballads, save for "Get Away with You." Even on the supposedly relaxing "A Summer Day," the backing electric guitars are too indulgent. Nevertheless, "Life is Calling Your Name" is an enjoyable effort--one that has a bountiful spread of romance, humor, heartbreak and inspirational odes. Can't wait to see Yellowbird soar to even greater heights in the near future to come."