Album Review: Lonestar – Party Heard Around The World
On their first album sans original lead singer, Richie McDonald, Lonestar delivers a bland pop-country set that never extends beyond life-affirming pablum. Delayed after the lackluster performance of its lead single, 2008′s “Let Me Love You,” Party arrives more than three years after McDonald’s departure. Lonestar’s second act starts with this pleasant listening experience, but it’s ultimately forgettable fluff that lacks the versatility of great Nashville albums.
New frontman Cody Collins is a younger, hipper replacement for McDonald, but his silky smooth voice barely makes a ripple on earnest testaments to God, good women and the glories of simple living. Whether praising the joys of everlasting love (“Making Memories,” “The Future”) or mourning its loss (“Goodbye Is Goodbye”), the band stays squarely within the musical bounds of Music Row. Party, weighed down with harmless, ho-hum production, whizzes by in a blur.
Lyrically, Lonestar embraces stale ideas that lack inspiration. They’ve left the sippy-cup template to Rodney Atkins, but they’ve also chucked their quirky song choices–”No News” is old news–in favor of sophisticated fare that’s tailor-made to their largely female audience. Their sweet valentines have little value; nothing here approaches the greatness of the group’s crossover smash, “Amazed.” Instead, the band relies too often on light-on-conflict power ballads that don’t liven up this Party.
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16 Comments
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April 26, 2010 at 12:13 pm
How did this get 2 1/2 stars? Don’t see anything redeemable in this review
April 26, 2010 at 3:21 pm
Where did the “party heard round the world” title come from? Isn’t that part of the breakdown at the end of Jason Aldean’s “hick town”?
April 26, 2010 at 4:24 pm
The title makes it sound like a rock ‘n’ roll album. This Collins fella has a very bland, generic voice. I’m looking forward to Richie’s solo album Slow Down. His Christian record I Turn to You is great.
April 26, 2010 at 6:17 pm
This is one “party” I hope to never hear anywhere at any time!
April 26, 2010 at 10:29 pm
Glad I wasn’t invited!
April 26, 2010 at 11:01 pm
Sounds like generic sludge.
April 27, 2010 at 10:48 am
The guys were getting bashed before the first song was sputted out of there mouth. I guess in somes eyes they should have just quit what it seemed that they loved doing. Bought the Cd at Walmart this am and find that it is very good, indeed. Love Codie’s vocals and the blend.
April 27, 2010 at 11:39 am
I guess they should rename themselves Alone-star.
April 27, 2010 at 12:20 pm
Wow … very surprised to read such bland reviews. I LOVE the new CD! In fact there is only one song on it that will probably have to grow on me – I love the rest of them. I hear a little of Keith Urban in Codie’s vocals. Can’t go wrong there.
April 27, 2010 at 7:49 pm
Mountains was a great album, their last one in my opinion. The end.
April 27, 2010 at 8:30 pm
Fans of Lonestar unite! I bought this album the very moment the store opened and it is way better than I could’ve hoped for. For all those who so easily cast judgement and have this preconceived notion that they have lost the you are truly missing out on a treasure. I cannot believe the lack of support that this album has been given. Great album, love the sound, richer more relevent lyrics than those cookie cutter country songs on the radio now! Lonestar welcome back..with open arms!
April 27, 2010 at 8:44 pm
Ok to all the bashers, get a grip. Lonestar is a great bunch of guys who were not ready to give up when Richie left.They still weanted to sing and I DONT BLAME THEM as they have talent as well. .Cody is a great, young talent and together lonestar has really been put back together. no it is not Richie but he is gone on his own now and that is what he chose and I back him 100 precent, but give the album a chance, it is good,
It is a great album and I al so excited to listen to it over and over again
way to go lonestar
Your true fans are listening to your party heard around the world
April 27, 2010 at 8:46 pm
On another note, it’s pretty sad that one guy sitting at a desk can write such a horrible review and plant a seed of doubt in others minds. Your opinion is just that..your opinion. But it is going out to world and casting a shadow on what should be a spotlight on some great songs. Think about how you could be supporting rather than destroying.
April 28, 2010 at 12:02 am
No seeds were planted in my mind! I bought the first single from this album, didn’t feel for it and just decided I’d rather stick with the Richie McDonald era. No disrespect.
May 2, 2010 at 8:09 pm
I really like “Party Heard Round the World.”
I do not like this article. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but I strongly disagree.
May 5, 2010 at 6:55 pm
I think that everyone should actually give the new album and lead singer a chance before they start bashing it/him. I think it is a great album! Cody brings a new, fresher sound to the band. He is a perfect new addition. Great job guys!!