With over two decades and a staggering 4,000 shows under his belt, Wade Bowen has etched his name into the annals of country music history as a consummate artist, masterful songwriter, and captivating performer. Drawing inspiration from the likes of legendary American troubadours such as Guy Clark, Ray Wylie Hubbard, and Robert Earl Keen, Bowen has carved out a niche for himself as a torchbearer of the Texas music tradition spanning over half a century. New album, ‘Flyin’ sees Bowen staying true to his Texan roots whilst also experimenting with heartland rock, Californian sunshine and singer-songwriter angst and it’s a great look on him.
Renowned for his unwavering commitment to both tradition and innovation, Bowen’s musical evolution is evident in his diverse discography, boasting over a dozen albums that showcase his lyrical prowess and sonic versatility. Collaborations with fellow Texan Randy Rogers have yielded a string of buddy-country hits, adding yet another dimension to Bowen’s illustrious career. ‘Flyin’ sees Bowen stretching his wings a little without straying too far away from what he has become renowned for over the past two decades.
‘Flyin’ takes listeners on a journey through the heartlands of Americana, weaving tales of love, loss, and life’s inevitable twists and turns. The album opens with the titular track, ‘Flyin,’ a soaring anthem reminiscent of the Eagles at their peak. Bowen’s ode to freedom and embracing life’s winding roads sets the perfect tone for the album, with its infectious energy and Californian sunshine vibes making it an ideal concert opener.
Following ‘Flyin,’ Bowen delves into quieter introspection with ‘Mary Jane,’ a poignant singer-songwriter ballad, written by Chase Bryant and Jon Randall, that evokes the spirit of artists like Tom Petty and Billy Joel. The track’s tender lyrics and delicate piano accompaniment paint a vivid picture of two souls seeking solace in a smoky bar.
‘Rainin on Me’ sees Bowen embracing breezy Texan mid-West vibes, channeling the likes of the Eagles and Counting Crows. Despite its upbeat tempo and singalong chorus, the song explores themes of moving on after a relationship, adding depth to its infectious melodies.
The album’s diversity shines through on tracks like ‘Nothin But Texas,’ a funky, bluesy homage to Bowen’s home state. It’s awash with bass driven, bluesy bar room vibes and a Robert Palmer-esque guitar line with organ flourishes adding depth and context to this homage to Texas. Think ZZ Top on a song that could have been on the soundtrack to Tarrantino’s ‘From Dusk til Dawn’ film and you won’t be far off here. Throw in ‘Two Hurts, One Stoned,’ an introspective acoustic-driven ballad that delves into the complexities of fractured relationships and ‘Friday Night’ and the mid-section of this intriguing album really rocks! ‘I’m so over this hangover…..there’s too much pain here in this sober,’ Bowen sings on ‘Two Hurts, One Stoned’ which is a really heavy, somber and thoughtful look at what happens when someone blows up a relationship. Plaintive steel gives the song a Texan Country feel but it’s really much more serious than that whilst ‘Friday Night’ (Featuring Troy Aikman) is a mid-west, heartland rock look at a typical Friday night in small town America. Softer, commercial rock overtones abound here on a song about diners, football, beers, drive throughs and American spirit. It resonates like the Stars and Stripes embodied in a song with catchy, chugging guitars and a big, anthemic chorus.
Standout track ‘Someone Else’s Now’ showcases Bowen’s songwriting prowess, with its driving rhythm and infectious melody serving as the perfect backdrop for lyrics exploring the bittersweet nature of moving on. Featuring a captivating female vocal, the song is a surefire radio hit and a highlight of the album. If Parker McCollum released this song it would go to number one for sure.
Other noteworthy tracks include the haunting duet ‘When I Wanna be Wanted,’ featuring Hillary Lindsey on a plaintive, darker Texan duet look at lust and love outside of a marriage. ‘I stay with my woman when I wanna true but when I wanna be wanted I come to you,’ Bowen sings. Think Bryan Adams’ ‘Run to You’ but done as a Texan heartbreak duet by George and Tammy! Similarly, ‘Love Does What It Wants To,’ is a dark song about regret and loss after the end of a relationship. Clever melodies and an original structure makes this song one of the best on the album. ‘It’s like living with the shadow of the hard truth’,’ Bowen states bringing a Texan edge to this whilst the guitar tone and style places it more in the dramatic singer-songwriter space. Imagine songwriter Richard Marx jamming with Tom Petty somewhere in the late 80s. Strong vocals and dramatic melodies abound.
Long time Wade Bowen fans will love the very cinematic, traditional sounding Texan country song ‘The Request.’ It channels George Strait as Bowen tells the story of a lonely woman in a bar. ‘Play me a heartache I can dance to,’ she tells Bowen on a song designed to bring some people closer together out on the dance floor whilst making others stare into the bottom of their empty glasses. The same crowd will also love ‘Hidin Behind this Microphone,’ which sees Bowen baring his soul in raw, introspective fashion as he closes down the album in a very reflective mood.
Overall, ‘Flyin’ is a testament to Bowen’s musical versatility and storytelling prowess. With its eclectic mix of genres and heartfelt lyrics, the album is sure to resonate with fans old and new, solidifying Bowen’s status as one of country music’s most compelling voices. There’s an intriguing mix of sounds and styles here and a lot of songs about loss and regret that will relate to fans of Texan Country music but Bowen is also, clearly, stretching his wings at the same time, tinkering with heartland rock, mid-west tones and Americana melodies: it’s a damn good look and sound on him for sure.
Tracklist: 1. Flyin 2. Mary Jane 3. Rainin On Me 4. Nothing But Texas 5. Two Hurts, One Stoned 6. Friday Night 7. Someone Else’s Now 8. When I Wanna Be Wanted 9. Love Does What it Wants To 10. The Request 11. The Hardest Part 12. Hidin Behind This Microphone Release Date: May 10th Record Label: Thirty Tigers / The Orchard Buy ‘Flyin’ right here
This article contains an affiliate link. Purchases through this link may result in us earning a commission.
