The successful Rascal Flatts trio takes no new risks in their recently released album, Unstoppable. The album has that same country/rock/pop feel featured on the group’s previous albums, and it is this combination of genres along with the powerful, unique vocals of front man Gary LeVox that factor into the band’s continued success since the release of its 2000 debut.
While the group has certainly grown throughout the years in terms of the members’ own personal strengths as musicians and their ability to mesh together to create an ever-pleasing sound to almost any listener, they fail to produce a wide variety of songs.
Instead, the trio tends to create either happy and upbeat or sad and slow songs, which make the listener either want to joyously shout out all the lyrics or just sit alone and listen to the painful heartache that is continually expressed through slow-paced, melancholic songs about the suffering of lost love. “She’d Be California” and “Summer Nights” from Unstoppable, for instance, can be categorized with the ever-popular celebratory songs such as “Fast Cars and Freedom” from Feels Like Today (2004) or “Love You Out loud” from Melt (2002). “Things That Matter” and “Why,” on the other hand, can be associated with slower songs like “While You Loved Me” from their first, self-titled album. The stories about painful love that these slower songs attempt to address can really be felt through LeVox’s immensely powerful vocals. There is no denying that when he sings, LeVox pours all of his heart and soul into his voice, convincing almost any listener that he is genuinely struggling through the pains of love.
Rascal Flatts has improved musically throughout the years, both in terms of their instrumental technique and overall ability to create a compelling, unified voice. The group’s nomination as the Academy of Country Music’s and Country Music Association’s top vocal group since 2003 illustrates how immensely important the strength of LeVox’s vocals are for the trio. Though Jay DeMarcus (bass guitar, keyboards, vocals) and Joe Don Rooney (lead guitar, vocals) definitely play a large role in the band’s success, it is LeVox’s voice that truly gives Rascal Flatts a presence within the music industry. Whether you are a fan or not, when you hear the beautiful, harmonic sound of LeVox’s emotionally-drenched vocals mixed with a country twang, there’s no question in your mind as to whether you are listening to Rascal Flatts.
And while Unstoppable may sound like other Rascal Flatts albums, it is pure gold to those die-hard fans that would most likely be disappointed if the trio attempted anything besides sweet love songs and summer hits. So, don’t expect something new and different to come from Rascal Flatts’ newest and very popular album. Because of the trio’s undying fame and multi-platinum streak of records, the group finds no reason to change direction on Unstoppable. Thus, (if you are a fan) be assured that Rascal Flatts has continued to produce the same style of music, only attempting to further perfect their sound to better bring out LeVox’s distinct voice.
Read More
The best albums of 2014
By Noah Zeidman | December 4, 2014Across genres, it has been a pretty great year in music.
Top 10 movies of 2014
December 4, 2014This has been an excellent year for film, offering everything from gripping blockbusters to innovative personal films.
Iggy Azalea is “Reclassified”
December 4, 2014It has become common practice among music artists to repackage their albums in an effort to simultaneously boost single sales and dish out new content by slightly renaming the album or slapping “Deluxe” onto the title.
