Aaron Watson,
shutupanddance

Label: Sonnet
Year: 2002

(4 out of 5)

It's ironic that an album where the majority of songs are about lovers fighting, cheating, or saying goodbye should be titled for an upbeat love song.

"Off the Record," the biggest hit from Aaron Watson's 2002 release, laments a divorce when the flames of passion are still alive: Off the record, there's something I need to say to you / This ain't easy but it's what my heart has to do / Cause I can't let you go until I let you know / Off the record, I'm still in love with you.

Other standout tracks serve almost as prequels. Both "The Notel Motel" and "Stuck Between a Rock and a Heartache" portray the fracturing of lives caused by unfaithful husbands. "I Don't Want You to Go" blames a woman who just can't seem to leave her partying days behind.

This isn't to say that love doesn't stand a chance.

"Shut Up and Dance" finds a couple trying to forget about their problems for a night: Just once let's forget about making ends meet / Or who's got the nicest yard on the street / Darlin' let loose, let your hair down / We're staying at home for a night on the town.

"Man on a Mission" portrays a man bracing himself to fight for love: You warned me from the start not to let you break my heart / I guess you don't know who you're talking to / I'll bet you money no matter how much honey / I'm about to change your point of view.

But if you stack up the love songs against those where hearts are broken, it's no contest: Aaron Watson is no misty-eyed romantic.

While he may not place much faith in love, it's clear he is committed to the straight-up Texas neo-country style exemplified by George Strait and Tracy Lawrence.

Aaron Watson has a rugged, raw voice and the fresh-off-the-ranch good looks to become a major star. With the solid shutupanddance and 2004's The Honky Tonk Kid, he is well on his way to following the honky tonking-to-headlining path blazed by Strait, Lawrence, and other successful Texas exports.

Buy: Lone Star Music, Amazon

October 4, 2004