Kix Brooks 鈥� 鈥楴ew to This Town鈥�
Brooks & Dunn were country music’s biggest-selling duo in history until they decided to call it quits in 2010. Since they parted ways, Ronnie Dunn released his first solo effort filled with more pop than country in 2011. Kix Brooks, the rowdier half of the duo, packs a solid punch with his sophomore solo album “New to This Town.” Hardly a newcomer, Brooks rolls into town with an unmistakable swagger. The title track harkens back to the smooth and infectious arrangements that Brooks & Dunn delivered for over 20 years. Fellow guitarist and singer Joe Walsh lends his signature sound to this radio-friendly arrangement, overshadowing any of the songs from Dunn’s solo work. Brooks shows his Delta roots, following with the Louisiana-flavored “Moonshine Road.” From there, Brooks kicks it up a notch as he rocks out on high-energy, guitar-driven songs like “Complete 360,” “My Baby,” “Tattoo” and “Lets Do This Thing.” Brooks also takes time to catch his breath as he slows it down on the Jimmy Buffett-sounding “There’s the Sun” and the smooth-flowing twang of “Closin’ Time at Home.” The new material flourishes under Brooks’ gritty and genuinely honest vocals as he wrote or co-wrote nine of the 12 songs. With both performers releasing solo material, it would appear as if the former partners have permanently moved on in search of greener pastures. While both artists deliver respectable efforts, I would find it much more rewarding to see the two stars arriving in town together.