Tim McGraw – 鈥楨motional Traffic’
“Emotional Traffic” is Tim McGraw’s latest and last album with longtime record label Curb Records. After nearly two years of being held up by the label for various reasons, the album features the country superstar’s diverse musical styling through a stellar 12-song collection. “Halo,” a sweeping, mid-tempo ballad, is a slickly produced opening arrangement that sounds more like something from Coldplay or Snow Patrol. The lead single, “Felt Good on My Lips,” is a bouncy, feel-good number that will have concert audiences dancing and singing along to the infectiously melodic chorus. The second single, “Better Than I Used to Be,” was released in November and features McGraw’s classic country charm as he sings about learning from past mistakes to become a better man. McGraw’s wife, Faith Hill, adds her lush harmonies to the upbeat and playful “One Part Two Part,” performing a complete emotional reversal from the couple’s heartbreaking “Like We Never Loved at All” from Hill’s “Fireflies.”
Much of the time, “Emotional Traffic” falls more on the side of adult contemporary than country sound, proving just how far McGraw has matured from his early days when the cheesy “Indian Outlaw” sparked his musical success back in 1994. Being a Notre Dame fan, I was anxious to hear “Touchdown Jesus.” The moving song about experiencing divine intervention through daily miracles will certainly resonate with anyone who has triumphed over adversity. “Only Human” features R&B singer Ne-Yo, sounding a lot like Gary LeVox of Rascal Flatts on this potential crossover hit. McGraw calls “Emotional Traffic” his best album ever, and I completely agree. McGraw will tour with Kenny Chesney starting June 2. The tour, labeled “Brothers of the Sun,” stops at Heinz Field on June 30.
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