Lonely Grill (CD - 1999)

Lonestar: Michael Britt (vocals, acoustic & electric guitars); Dean Sams (vocals, acoustic guitar, harmonica, piano, keyboards); Richie McDonald (vocals, acoustic guitar, keyboards); Keech Rainwater (drums, percussion).

Additional personnel includes: Gary Burnette (acoustic guitar, mandolin); Biff Watson (acoustic guitar); Dan Huff (electric guitar); Bruce Bouton (steel & lap steel guitars); Paul Franklin (steel guitar); Aubrey Haynie (mandolin, fiddle); Jonathan Yudkin (mandolin); Tim Lauer (accordion); Matt Rollings (piano, Hammond B-3 organ); Steve Nathan (piano, synthesizer); Robbie Cheuvront (bass, background vocals); Mike Brignardello (bass); Paul Leim (drums); Eric Darken (percussion); Russell Terrell (background vocals).

Principally recorded at The Tracking Room and Iliad Studios, Nashville, Tennessee.

"Amazed" was nominated for the 2000 Grammy Award for Best Country Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocal and for Best Country Song.

Personnel: Mike Brignardello (electric bass).

Recording information: Iliad Studios, Nashville, TN; Masterfonics Inc., Nashville, TN; Tracking Room, Nashville, TN.

Lonestar began as a fairly straight-ahead country band, indebted to pure honky tonk. With their second record, they moved themselves toward pop and, ironically, it didn't pay off in great dividends, even if it spawned a Top 10 single. For their third album, Lonely Grill, they take a middle ground, moving back toward hardcore country while retaining elements of the pop sheen of Crazy Nights. The results aren't always successful, but overall, the album is stronger than its immediate predecessor, largely due to the increased grit. There are still some slow spots and mediocre songs scattered throughout the record, but the strong moments, such as "Amazed" and "I've Gotta Find You," keep the record entertaining and suggest that Lonestar will find a way to fuse their two inclinations into a signature sound. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine

In 1996, Lonestar had a hit ("No News") that mentioned Pearl Jam. In 1998, "You Walked In" namechecked Madonna and Princess Diana. On their third album, LONELY GRILL, they've thrown in a song ("Don't Let's Talk About Lisa") that mentions Marilyn Manson, Hanson and Ally McBeal. Thankfully, however, Lonestar make much more than cute novelty ditties. LONELY GRILL, Lonestar's first without additional lead vocalist John Rich, shows the band reaching new artistic heights. The menu features melodic, hook-laden tunes that run the gamut from party anthems ("Saturday Night") to heartfelt ballads ("Amazed") to Eagle-esque rockers ("Lonely Grill," "What About Now").

Standouts include the harmony-filled "I've Gotta Find You," in which the narrator ponders the many places he imagines his dream girl might be, and "Smile," in which a guy who's been dumped is determined to put on a brave face, even if it kills him. Sticking to one lead singer, Richie McDonald, also helps the band create a distinctive vocal identity. As a gift to their fans, Lonestar has included a special acoustic version of their #1 hit "Everything's Changed" as the final track, but LONELY GRILL's 11 new cuts more than stand up to that proven hit. minimize