Comments on: Single Review: Darius Rucker, “This”

By: Jonathan

Jonathan — Fri, 14 Jan 2011 14:51:11 +0000

“This” proves the dumbing down of Darius’s music. This is the kind of song the serves only one purpose – to please the radio programmers enough to get airplay.

There isn’t an artist out there who can sustain a artistically credible career with this kind of material. It’s more than bland and boring, it’s gutless filler in place of needed substance.

You won’t remember this song in five minutes let alone five months or five years. It makes no impact what so ever.

When he released “It Won’t Be Like This for Long,” I remember thinking that he could be the next Brad Paisley. I thought he was that good. I still think he has the talent, but the next Brad Paisley? That was a bit of an overstatement on my part.

Darius must really want to fade into obviation and fast.

By: Tom

Tom — Thu, 13 Jan 2011 09:58:44 +0000

…”honey, no cowboy hats on the nashville-trip this year!”

“this” is boring.

By: Ben Foster

Ben Foster — Thu, 13 Jan 2011 07:24:31 +0000

Erik, I didn’t notice that resemblance much on a few early singles like “Don’t Think I Don’t Think About It,” but I really do notice it here. This song sounds like it has almost the same melody as Hootie’s “Only Wanna Be With You.”

By: Erik North

Erik North — Thu, 13 Jan 2011 04:49:28 +0000

Put any country instrumentation on a Hootie and the Blowfish record, and that almost seems to be what Darius Rucker has been doing (IMHO). And this is a solo career, no less.

By: KatieR

KatieR — Thu, 13 Jan 2011 04:08:11 +0000

Darius Rucker’s got a great voice, but his song writing ability is just “okay”. Some good ones, not really any terrible ones, but many “ehh” ones. I own both of his albums (which can’t be said of many radio country artists right now) but his first one is definitely better.

By: K

Thu, 13 Jan 2011 02:51:30 +0000

Wow, you’re on a roll with these reviews today Kevin.

I can tolerate “This” more than Darius’ last single, but it’s sad that this type of ear candy fluff is becoming routine from him.

He’s one of the finest male vocalists to come along in some time, and it’s obvious he has (or should) have higher standards for better material, as his did in the Hottie days.

What frusturates me the most is the fact that Darius has proven he is (or was) better than this. I don’t understand why “Darius the country artist” seems to have lost his desire to record great material that matches his talent.

I would expect an artist with Rucker’s talent and previous track record would strive for higher standards.

The subject is good enough, but it just isn’t interesting or memorable. That’s the thing about country music: either you make a chliche subject something truly special, or the artist choses to leave in all the mudane overcooked stories and reinforce the sterotypes about country music.

Not to mention I remain confused as to why Darius continues along the same path as so many of his peers; wasn’t he the one who said he wanted to do a tarditional country record, and thought pop country singles brought to him were more suited for Rascal Flatts?

How ironic.

By: Ben Foster

Ben Foster — Thu, 13 Jan 2011 01:41:11 +0000

Interesting review. I agree on the point about the country elements seeming slapped on, but since I just thought it was a crappy song to begin with, that wasn’t the first thing I noticed.

By: Hoggy from Oz

Hoggy from Oz — Thu, 13 Jan 2011 01:08:15 +0000

Fantastic review. Love the conclusion!