Jarrod Birmingham,
No Apologies



Label: Tilo Entertainment

(4 out of 5)

Jarrod Birmingham doesn't like mainstream country or the city of Dallas, but he does like old-school outlaws and motorcycles. The former pro bullrider doesn't hesitate to share his opinions on No Apologies, a refreshingly traditionalist country album.

Birmingham lays out his main theme in the album's opening song, "If You Don't Like Me" (listen): Just because I speak my mind don't make me a jerk / Hey that's the truth / Just my point of view / And if you don't like me, then I probably won't like you. Judging by the song's rapid ascent up the Texas music chart and popularity in satellite radio playlists, there's plenty of people who can handle that sort of bracing honesty.

The theme continues through "Where'd You Go Country Music" (listen: Call it pop for crossing over / Call it any old thing you will / Just don't call it country around here) and the sarcastic-yet-accurate "I Don't Live in Dallas" (listen: If you've got the money you can buy you up a lot of friends / Cause they'll take anybody who drives a nice car).

But Birmingham isn't all bluster. There's a prominent tender side to No Apologies as well. "Walk Away" (listen) is a beautiful portrait of a deteriorating relationship. "Like My Daddy Did" (listen), written and originally performed by Pat Haney, questions the cyclical nature of broken homes. "Midnight Train" (listen) peers into the darkness to see if there's salvation or damnation at the end of life's tunnel.

Studio support comes from an A-list lineup of Nashville session pros like Jimmy Carter (Dierks Bentley, Peter Gabriel) on bass, Tommy Harden (Tim Rushlow, Jessica Simpson) on drums, and Dan Dugmore (Kenny Chesney, James Taylor) on steel and banjo. Songwriting help comes from Brian Rung and producer Billy Jo High, but Birmingham gets solo credit for most of the songs.

It took a couple listens to really get into No Apologies. But once you pierce the tough-guy facade and discover the — dare we say — sensitive artist lurking beneath the macho sheath, you'll appreciate this authentic cowboy with a thoughtful understanding of the human condition.

February 21, 2006