Chris Janson – “Until A Woman Comes Along”

On his MySpace artist page, new BNA Records act Chris Janson says that his music sounds like, “Hot, sizzling bacon.” That may be a bit of an exaggeration (depending on how much you like the sound of pork frying in its own fat), but there’s no denying that the 23 year old has a dynamic, radio-ready voice that sounds as good in fifth gear as it does in first.

So it’s unfortunate that, at various turns, Janson’s voice sounds loosely derivative of any number of hit-makers. He’ll drawl out the bottom end of low tones like Trace Adkins, power through sing-along hooks like Randy Houser (when Houser milks Ronnie Dunn), or kick back in the pocket while taking a burden-easing trip down to the river bank like Brad Paisley (on the song “Take It To The Bank”).

Janson does all of these things very effectively, but he doesn’t do much that he can call his own. On debut single “’Till A Woman Comes Along,” he steps right into the boots left open by the last guy who swore he was a rock and roll outlaw with true country credentials. Sure, the track boasts a pinch of authentic southern rock flavoring, but that’s not enough to keep it from sounding tired and exponentially redundant.

That fact spits in the face of a list of influences that boasts primarily outlaw country and punk rock artists, including the Sex Pistols, the Rolling Stones, and Waylon Jennings–there’s not one thing about Janson’s music that draws from an outlaw or punk influence, musically or otherwise.

Janson’s music is straight-ahead, mainstream radio country. And “’Till A Woman Comes Along” makes it clear right from the outset that he shouldn’t be viewed as an artist who, like his purported influences, is interested in being a game-changer or in creating something fresh. This song, from top to bottom, abides by formula. It’s a play to the mainstream, to the most centrist of audiences. That’s not rebellious. It’s submissive. And while it may not be cool to list Brad Paisley and Brooks & Dunn as your primary influences, it would be a heck of a lot more straightforward.

“’Till A Woman Comes Along” namechecks Waylon. Janson’s bio also namechecks Waylon. His list of influences, not surprisingly, lists Waylon. So, given all of that, is it really too much to ask that his music palpably demonstrate some connection to Waylon?

Listen on MySpace: Chris Janson – “Until A Woman Comes Along”