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Bottom Line:

Cole Deggs & The Lonesome have done a great job on their self-titled debut album, which was produced by Mark Wright and Rivers Rutherford. What I would like to point out is how excellent the songs are. There is a richness and depth to them, that not all country music artists have. If you like good songs and a cool overall sound, then give a listen to this group.

After listening to the first single "I Got More" for quite a while now, Cole Deggs & The Lonesome are finally releasing their debut album, and I couldn't be more excited to see what these guys have to offer.

What I noticed first is Cole's great voice, and second comes the song's lyrics. They have a heck of a lot more depth to them than some I've recently heard. While sometimes "fluff" is okay, usually I'm after more, and these guys deliver on that point. If I had to change only one thing about this release, I wish there could have been a couple more upbeat songs. But that's not a big deal.

Up first is a classic story about the "Girl Next Door" he grew up and spent time with in his youth. Cole describes her as "the perfect woman I was never looking for" thanks to her mixture of angelic and devilish ways. Now that time has passed and his Mom and Dad have started to suggest ladies for him to settle down with, he realizes he won't be happy with anyone less than the lady he knew back when. Another song about reminiscing is the slower-paced "Do You Ever Think About Me." The lyrics are great at painting a picture of what the man experienced and that is something I appreciate in a song. You can really tell the man misses the flame that use to burn so bright in his life.

Not only is "I Got More," the group's first single, but it is obviously what made me take notice of their music. The song just stood out whenever I would hear it on the radio, thanks in part to the tempo and of course Cole's voice. You might look at someone and think he or she is just a lowly "something-or-other" but you could really be missing out on a great relationship full of "more love than you'll ever know." Give things a chance and you might be pleasantly surprised. Just like the man in "Everybody's Beautiful To Someone" might be surprised to know that while he's thinking his wife should wear a little makeup to the grocery store, she gets plenty of good stares and attention from the sack boy. Just because someone doesn't "do things to you," that doesn't mean they can't find it elsewhere.

Getting a woman back to Texarkana and "Out Of Alabama" is the man's goal in this particular song. It was only after she left town that he realized breaking her heart was the worst thing he could have done. "Hey, what do I gotta say to talk her back into my arms?" Cole sings. He thinks she shouldn't be around people who can't possibly love her as much as he still does. Unfortunately for now, her coming back is something he can only dream about. I love how the harmonica sounds throughout this song. Another uptempo song is found in "I Haven't Stopped Hurtin'" and it's one I would love to hear on the radio. I think it would make a really fun single.

If you really want a showcase of Cole's vocals, it can be found on "Twelve Ounces Deep." The lyrics are so wonderful I must mention that it was written by Trey Matthews and Tony Ramey. This song is bound to stick with you because you can really feel it deep-down as you listen. Thanks to one empty memory, a depressed man feels like saying: "I'm thrashing my arms, kicking my feet. Trying to stay up. Struggling to breathe and I've tried to climb out, but the banks are too steep." He's about as down as a person can be. Another great slow song is "Huggin' This Blacktop," but it's more on the happier side with lyrics about a man who can't yearns to see his honey again. He can't wait until he can hold her in his arms instead of just his heart. Songs like this, no matter how happy or sad, can really add some depth to the album. They really blend well with the other nine tracks on Cole Deggs & The Lonesome, and it makes for an interesting debut album from this new country music band.

Track Listing:

1. Girl Next Door
2. I Got More
3. Out Of Alabama
4. Twelve Ounces Deep
5. The One That Got Away
6. Huggin' This Blacktop
7. Makin' Nothing Out Of Something
8. Do You Ever Think About Me
9. Everybody's Beautiful To Someone
10. Girl Like You
11. I Haven't Stop Hurtin'