Adam Fisher – “Cotton Town”

Songwriters: B. Jones, D. Davidson and R. Akins.

Just like Barbie dolls, there are many incarnations of country songs that fit neatly into pretty boxes ready for consumption.

There’s the “All-American Son” country song, which is sure to include references to lemonade stands and apple pie. Nearby on the shelf is “Uplifting Cancer Tale” country song (which comes in especially handy around the holidays), and the always enjoyable Wild Night Out country song and its whiskey shots and neon signs.

Although newcomer Adam Fisher’s debut single “Cotton Town” has some nice lyrical moments – “I’m as stubborn as that old clay ground” being one of them – it largely suffers the fate of the similarly packaged Nostalgic Good Old Days country song.

The opening finds the singer reminiscing about his “Chattahoochie”-esque teenage years in a small farming town before morphing into social commentary-lite, à la another (and far superior) Alan Jackson tune “Little Man.” It’s the type of unassuming song that is best left to that lanky country legend and his uncanny ability to charm his way through even the most lightweight of tunes.

Despite the boring material that boxes Fisher in here, the 22-year-old has a pretty interesting back story: The Jacksonville, N.C. native has been an Elvis impersonator since he was 13, which probably makes for an interesting live show mix of honky-tonk and “Heartbreak Hotel.”

Unfortunately, the real heartbreaker in “Cotton Town,” which is marketed on Fisher’s Web site as “edgy,” is its off-putting chorus. Fisher finally gets to push his vocals on the soaring “I sowed my wild oats/In a cotton town/If I hadn’t of left to chase this crazy dream/They probably would have kicked me out,” but the uncomfortable harmony on “wild” turns out somewhat cringe-worthy. Fisher seems to be a fine enough vocalist – while he lacks the soul of The King in this recording, his voice is engaging and smooth – but something doesn’t sound right.

What Fisher, who was signed to Lofton Creek Records and is being mentored by Dolly’s sister Stella Parton, does have going for him is the potential to succeed with better material. Unfortunately, “Cotton Town” isn’t it.

Listen: Adam Fisher – “Cotton Town”