Outlaw country, throwback classic country, Western, countrypolitan to even singer/songwriter stuff, Nick Sizemore throws the kitchen sink at you with this album and scratches all your country music itches.
Outlaw Country (#580), Traditional Country (#510) and more on the Country DDS. AI = CleanEverything is an appropriate title for Nick Sizemore’s sophomore album since he presents a seafood sampler of some of the best snags in true country music, and with a curious mastery of whatever he chooses to render in a song. Outlaw country, throwback classic country, Western, countrypolitan to even singer/songwriter stuff, Nick Sizemore throws the kitchen sink at you with this album and scratches all your country music itches. Don’t be ashamed if you haven’t heard of Nick Sizemore before. If you have, you’re probably from somewhere around Peoria, Illinois where he’s shared the stage with folks like Alex Williams, Addison Johnson, Ben Jarrell, and Jason Boland and the Stragglers. Or maybe you read the review for his debut album Where The Lonesome Roam from 2021 here at Saving Country Music. Either way, you’re going to want to be paying attention to Nick Sizemore now because he’s released one of the most diverse, tasty, entertaining, and at times truly touching records you can scrounge up. He presents something we rarely get in country music—you’d normally have to go searching through four or five separate albums to assemble a collection of these types of songs. It begins with chest-thumping Outlaw country on the opening track “Long Time Coming,” full of phase guitar and two tone bass lines, and keeps it going into the second song “Bottom Of My Heart” with that ol’ half-time Waylon beat. At this point, you’re fat and sassy just sitting back and enjoying the 70s sounds. Two songs in and you’re already sold, if for no other reason than the super solid guitar work displayed on these tracks.
But then you get to the title song, and all of a sudden Sizemore changes the sonic profile to a more heartfelt mood, and really puts you in the feels. And just as you settle in with this tone shift, he springs a classic country waltz on you in the form of “Crawl” that shows off his ability to croon. “My Best Friend” gives you old school Western vibes with the fiddle, dobro, and sincere storytelling. The song “Eva” and then a cover of Lee Hazelwood’s “Your Sweet Love” invite you into the ’60s Nashville Sound portion portion of the album, which you’re more than happy to be embraced by, though this might be where Sizemore loses some of the audience. “Do one thing and do it well” is the mantra most artists go by. But with Sizemore, he tries it all, and it keeps you engaged and attentive, excited what he’s going to spring on you next, and surprised with the depth and mastery he brings to it.If you’re looking for that one song to sell you on Nick Sizemore’s songwriting, there’s a few strong candidates, including “Everything,” the emotional “Eva,” but most certainly “Prayer Hotline” that turns your attention rapt and sets you smack dab in the narrator’s shoes. Sizemore writes most of the album aside from the Lee Hazelwood track, with contributions from Hal Odell and Jamey Adamson, including the song “World On Fire.” Ben Jarrell also co-writes a song, and contributes some bass and harmony vocals as well. The album ends like it begins, really leaning into the Outlaw country influence, and letting the lead guitar fly. It’s not just the lead tracks, but the rhythm guitar on this album that creates a warmth throughout, and across so many different moods. Combined with the depth of the songwriting, Nick Seizemore gives you plenty to explore on subsequent listens. 8.2/10 – – – – – – – – –Purchase from Nick Sizemore
one track and I’m in. this is exactly what I’m looking for. that jarrell, whitey morgan, barroom country.
Full disclosure, I’ve had this record a couple weeks, and it’s been in heavy rotation here. It’s got something for everyone. Not a bad song on it, and I’m not even being biased…lol Yay, for the Midwest Country scene!!!
This review got me interested. Working so can’t do more than skim the album in 2 minutes but will definitely give it a full listen. The WOW part, my spotify shows 304 monthly listeners, this review should give him a jolt.
Source: savingcountrymusic.com