Love it, hate it, or tolerate it, the one thing “Cruise” undeniably had going for it was a mighty hook. Not just a catchy one, either; as in all great sing-alongs, there was a universal quality to it; it captured a certain moment in the human experience. Yes, I really do think “Baby, you a song / You make me wanna roll my windows down and cruise” speaks to something substantial – kind of like “Oh, play me some mountain music / Like Grandma and Grandpa used to play” or “You and me goin' fishin' in the dark!” – or, to hew closer to Florida Georgia Line's probable influences, “I don't ever wanna feel like I did that day” and “You better lose yourself in the music, the moment, you want it, you better never let it go.”
So it's a good'un. Unclasp that magic hook, though, and everything wrong with this duo's current approach becomes all the more obvious.
First: they desperately need a new production M.O., as Joey Moi has rendered “Get Your Shine On” – as he did with “Cruise,” and has done with every other track on their debut album – with a super-loud, super-compressed, super-exhausting assault of arena-country blah.
Second: they desperately need to aim higher than soundtracking tailgate parties – or at least need to sneak some smarts and heart into that theme, if they're set on it. I really think they could pull it off, too; if you can endure this thing long enough to pay attention to the lyrics, you'll see that they've got a sharp way with details to go along with their strong melodic sense. Tyler Hubbard and Brian Kelley can craft songs; they just have to aspire to more than musical junk food. Songs like “Cruise” that tap into universal feelings can last; songs like this that mean almost nothing will be forgotten like so many 'shine-drunk nights.
Third: I encourage a frank, lusty detail here or there, but the line is fine between that and gross objectification. Careful, fellas.
Written by Tyler Hubbard, Brian Kelley, Rodney Clawson and Chris Tompkins
Grade: C
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjqMB6ILaIc
This is a bit of a guilty pleasure for me.
I like it, but I can’t quite identify why just yet.
I don’t know if I can forgive you for putting “Lose Yourself” in my head now, but great review anyway.
Couldn’t agree more. I liked “Cruise” for what it was, but the massive hook that made “Cruise” memorable is totally absent here. This song merely exemplifies all the things that I didn’t like about “Cruise.”
I can totally get behind point #3. Terrific read too. Thanks.
Ah, now I understand why “Lose Yourself” was stuck in Leann’s head :) Love this review.
Hahaha, Tara.
…when even noise itself considers handing in a note of protest.
by the way I suggest looking up Florida Georgia Line “Black Tears”.
Jason Aldean also did a cover on it.
background noise – nothing more, nothing less
Finally got around to listening to this song for the first and last time. I’d give it a “D” for the din.
The single worst atrocity about this track is the fact it was serviced to radio right near the end of 2012, thus rendering it ineligible to be placed on my 2013 Worst Country Singles list! >=(
I especially weep for the future of millions of eardrums when “Tell Me How You Like It” or “It’z Just What We Do” are inevitably force-fed as follow-up singles! =(
Noah,
I consider songs that were released in mid/late December 2012 as 2013 singles.
YES!!! Well that’s it, then! Problem solved! ;)
totally disagree. its a fun song that many young, single, care-free people can relate to. it’s summer, two people crushing on each other, and they are getting tipsy in the day and night by taking shots (lemon drops, kentucky clear, pass the sugar shaker, chrome beats in the console=a beer in the console. “Baby get your shine on, i love it when you get your shine on. We’ll be rocking all night long.” She’s drunk, she’s happy, she’s having fun. Together, they are having fun. Fun, summertime song. Sorry, you guys got it wrong.
Great summer song, cant figure out why y’all hate it!
Me neither. Its just a fun, upbeat summer smash that knows what it is and doesn’t try to act all pretentious