Comments on: Gary Allan, “Learning How To Bend”

By: Angel

Angel — Sat, 14 Jun 2008 14:43:51 +0000

I like listening to Gary Allen, I have noticed that since the passing of his wife that his song shadow what he has been going through… It is really great to see how is songs bring us closer to “him” and his feelings!! What an honest song writer!!!

By: Dan Callahan

Dan Callahan — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 18:27:59 +0000

I became a Country DJ in 2001, I immediately found myself drawn to Gary’s music. He is the real deal, not the usual cookie cutter Nashville product. This release shows his ability to write as well as sing and play, a bold step that I think has good footing. I love the lush orchestration that Love Sponge adds to the first two singles. We are just up the road 60 miles from Nashville and actually cover it very well. I have let the music city know where we all stand with Gary for several years now and will definitely wave his flag as long as a have a 100,000 watt stick to tie it to. Great job Gary and keep ‘em coming!

By: Frank Strovel III

Frank Strovel III — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 21:55:18 +0000

I think Gary may very well be my favorite country artist. Period.

By: Russ Berman

Russ Berman — Sat, 08 Mar 2008 03:06:28 +0000

I agree with Stephen, something about this song doesn’t make me want to listen over and over . Maybe it’s got to do with the self-help-ish tone of the lyrics. Nice production & decent melody. though. Funny connection to the Police song, per Dan’s observation. I wouldn’t have noticed it on my own, but now I hear it!

By: Stephen H.

Stephen H. — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 05:14:55 +0000

I feel sort of out of place … I’m not a huge Gary Allan fan, and this song isn’t doing much to win me over.

And yet I keep on coming back to read the posts/reviews. :-)

By: Dan

Dan — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 04:29:35 +0000

Corey-

Lots of otherwise-poppy country records have fiddle intros; I could name you a handful of Rascal Flatts singles that do. The melodic phrasing in the verses of this song is reminiscent (to me, at least) of The Police’s “Every Breath You Take”, and the chorus sounds like it would be comfortable in an arena rock setting. The lyric works fine as a country lyric, but it would be just as well-suited to a pop or rock song. I can’t imagine any classic country artist releasing this song back in the day, even without the heavy electric guitar flourishes. And let’s be honest: while there is much about Gary Allan’s delivery that is firmly country, it also rocks in a way that few conventional country voices could if they tried.

And seriously, none of this is to say that I don’t absolutely love the song and want it to be a hit at country radio, because like I said, I will follow a good Gary Allan record anywhere. But yeah, I don’t think it’s his countriest single ever.

By: Corey

Corey — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 02:40:48 +0000

I’m not sure what is not country about this song, i think the fiddle intro is fairly country, fairly country lyric, and powerful country delivery.

By: Dan

Dan — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 21:04:31 +0000

It’s not very country, but I will follow Gary Allan and his voice wherever they go. Beautiful.

By: Joy

Joy — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 15:06:27 +0000

Nobody sings like Gary. I love his voice and I love this song. I agree there is not a bad song on Living Hard–I love them all. I also really hope Gary does a video for the new single. Learning How To Bend is sure to be another big hit for Gary

By: Cowboy Blue

Cowboy Blue — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 14:27:22 +0000

I gotta start listening to my radio new song battles more. I’m fallin behind here, lol. I really don’t think there is a bad song on Gary’s latest album. This is one of his best.