Chris Cagle (CD - 2003)

Personnel: Chris Cagle (vocals, acoustic guitar); Mike Noble, John Willis (acoustic guitar); Ilya Toshinsky (electric, resonator & classical guitars, banjo); John Carroll (electric guitar); Jonathan Yudkin (mandolin, mandocello, fiddle, cello, octophone); Gary Smith (keyboards); Robert Wright (bass, background vocals); Chris McHugh (drums, percussion, programming); Shannon Forrest (drums, percussion).

This is an Enhanced CD, which contains both regular audio tracks and multimedia computer files.

Personnel: John Willis, Michael Noble (acoustic guitar); Ilya Toshinsky (electric guitar, classical guitar, resonator guitar, banjo); Jon Carroll (electric guitar); Jonathan Yudkin (mandocello, mandolin, fiddle, cello, strings); Gary Smith (strings); Robert Wright (bass guitar, background vocals); Chris McHugh, Shannon Forrest (drums, percussion); Steve Turner (drums).

Audio Mixer: Craig White.

Recording information: Crime Scene Studios; Curb Studios.

Photographer: Marina Chavez.

Though there are moments when he's clearly trying a little too hard, Chris Cagle delivers a generally agreeable set on his sophomore release. There are a few problems: the extremely crisp production has almost too much presence and the artist and his musicians seem to be emoting about an inch in front of the listener's nose. And Cagle's writing leans too often on the creaky formula of hanging the song on the hook of a knee-slap punch line. This can work as long as the language feels natural, like something someone in the country demographic might actually say -- which is why "we're not growing old, we're growing love" misses the mark on "Growin' Love," for example. (Cagle's decision to rhyme "change" with "change" in the same song is even more awkward.) Elsewhere, though, his earnest, nasal singing and overall exuberance sell even the weaker material, and where he comes up with a writing gimmick that's actually fresh, such as the chronological breakdown of a happy relationship on "What a Beautiful Day," he hits a clean home run. ~ Robert L. Doerschuk

Despite seeing a promising career almost get capsized after his original label sank under the weight of corporate restructuring, Chris Cagle bounced back with a self-titled sophomore effort that hints at an effusive romantic side beneath his rough-and-tumble, blue-collar side. A good indication of how lovestruck he can get reverberates through the leadoff single "What a Beautiful Day," where Bruce Hornsby-like piano accompaniment pushes along this chronological layout of a successful relationship. The sparsely arranged "Look At What I've Done" with its mournful fiddle and crying string section sits at the other end of the spectrum as a busted-up affair lies in shards.

"Just Love Me" finds the progressive-minded country crooner pleading for love despite his shortcomings, "I'd Be Lying" deals with overcoming male pride to reveal true feelings and "Growin' Love" ties it all up in a neat fairytale ending. It's not all swooning and ballads, though, as Cagle manages to kick it up a notch on the rowdy twangfest "Chicks Dig It." minimize