Darius Rucker - “Don’t Think I Don’t Think About It”

If Daruis Rucker didn’t record this song, Montgomery Gentry could have. This song sounds just like many of the duo’s songs.

I mentioned it before, but I was hoping this was the song of the same title that was written by Bobby Pinson and was disappointed when I heard it. Ultimately, if it’s the song in question that matters, and not hopes for future output, I think this one fails to deliver, although I think you’re right about the production and delivery.

Darius’ voice was a soundtrack to teenagers of the later 90’s. To hear him once again is not only exciting but stirs up so many memories. I enjoy this song and hope Darius sees some success as a crossover. Great review Jim!

Am I supposed to somehow be convinced that this sounds like a country song?

Lucas I agree. Also what is with the twang? When he was Hootie there was no twang-now there is twang(maybe he picked up Faith Hill’s and Tim McGraw when they left them by the side of the road). As a black man I would love to see another black man sing great country music like Stoney Edwatds or Mr. Pride- but not this.

Jim, its odd to me that you are tired of the argument of what “is and isnt country”. I know that you have a great admiration for many of todays mainstream stars and have written favorable reviews on many recent mainstream releases (along with some unfavorable ones as well), so I guess thats why you arent fond of someone questioning whether a song that has more in common with adult contemporary than what many consider to be “real country” is in fact, “country or not”. However, the question of “what is country” is now, has been, and likely will be a valid question for a long time. This question was being asked when Willie left Nashville for Austin (and before). He didnt see the over-produced tracks with lush string arrangements that were coming out of nashville as his type of “country”. Should we not ask that question due to the fact that its a hard one to answer? I actually think this Darius Rucker single is more “country” than most of what is on the radio (the slide guitar is a nice touch), but of course, people will disagree and my opinion is based upon a gut feeling I had as I listened. Is the broad, subjective nature of the question that bothers you? Surely you dont feel that everything that is played on top 40 country radio is “country”?

Kelly–I have no problem with the question when it approached from an objective standpoint.

Sorry, LeeAnn–it’s not all a matter of taste. That just isn’t factual. That’s like saying that there’s no such thing as “good art” or “bad art” because all art is subjective and could be good or bad based on individual perception.

I wish we could talk about the music of Rucker, Jewel, Bon Jovi, like it actually mattered, as opposed to simply dismissing it with a wave of the hand as “not country.” I wish we could examine these songs based on musical merit rather than on initial knee-jerk reaction.

So you have to forgive me if I, for once, express my frustration at the country music community’s preoccupation with this particular debate, and the toll it takes on the response to criticism. Lately, it seems like every discussion revolves around not whether a song is good or bad, but whether we’re willing to call it country.

What really irks me about the debate as it relates to this song is the fact that there’s little not country about it–unless you’re defining “country music” by one of those narrow frameworks we were recently discussing in another thread. This song is so centered in the modern country context that to dismiss it as not country is really to dismiss all modern country music.

This isn’t a fringe song. This doesn’t sound anything like a pop record.

I wonder if rap fans spend all their time arguing over whether particular songs and artists are “rap enough.”

Perhaps, Jim. Of course, by your argument, you are suggeting that simply because something is played on country radio it must be “country” due to the song being on that format’s playlist. As I asked in my first comment, you surely cant feel that everything played on current contemporary country radio is country, can you (Tim McGraw’s “suspicions” for example)? Most pop stations play a wide variety, from nickelback to timbaland, to madonna. I would say thats a pretty wide view of a genre but not based upon my definition, but by the station’s playlist (which is what you are suggesting I go by in your argument). I wouldnt suggest anyone determine what is pop or country by looking at a stations playlist, as you are getting advertisers opinions more than an actual example of what is and isnt a certain genre’s type of music. that isnt an “anti-establishment” sentiment but a realistic observation.

I have a wide view of what is country (I love artists from Reckless Kelly, Ernest Tubb, Jimmie Rodgers, Oak Ridge Boys to Gary Allan and even Sarah Evans), and it’s funny you suggest otherwise, as I have no problems agreeing that the Rucker track is country. I just continue to be amazed at your unwillingness to accept that the argument in question is vital and has been for such a long time.

“Go listen to a pop station, Kelly. Then flip to an AC station. Then come back and tell me if this fits in that mix.”

That is a clear suggestion on your part that a song does fit into whatever genre the station that is playing it is supposedly representing. Again, I think you miss the point of what these “traditionalists”( of which I am not by the way) are actually saying when they question if something is “country”. They arent arguing “genre rights”, in my opinion, they are stating that it isnt a good country song more than they are questioning if it is “country”.

It’s always fun to throw ideas and philosophies back and forth (I have applauded many of your thoughts on the 9513, Jim), and like I have said before, God bless the 9513 for being a sounding board versus a cheesy fanboy message board.

Jim, my goal wasnt to “tell you” what you were trying to mean with your words. While your sarcasm is understood and funny, I was left to wonder what you truly meant by your “radio station remarks” from the earlier comment, as you werent answering the question I had asked on multiple occasions. I was forced to “nit pick” as your replies were simplistic, dismissive and vague (in my opinion).

Ok, Ok, I am done, and I will stop on this topic. Feel free to unload (not that you need my permission) on this comment and have a good one ;)

Sorry, LeeAnn–it’s not all a matter of taste. That just isn’t factual. That’s like saying that there’s no such thing as “good art” or “bad art” because all art is subjective and could be good or bad based on individual perception.

Jim, I agree with you that it isn’t that hard to define country music from say, rock. I don’t have a dog in that fight. But I am curious as to your opinion in the quote above. I am asking you because I am interested in your opinions and because, as you say, you get paid the big bucks.

In the context of your quote, what is your opinion about say, folk art or punk rock? By folk art, which is pretty wide ranging, I’m thinking about the American Naive movement, where people living way rural lives used to paint their kids. It was simple and often factually incorrect because of technical errors, but it’s hard to argue the paintings lack for charm and a certain point of view. And as for punk rock, I didn’t like it because the performers were purposefully NOT learning how to play their intruments, which I always saw as motivated more by laziness than rebellion against the sad state of the art in those days.

So, I know I can’t define good art vs bad art but I do believe it can be done. How do you do it?

I think it has a lot to do with the discussion.

There seems to be some posters at the9513.com who don’t think music can be reviewed in any objective way. They may be right about that or they may be wrong.

Or, they might be saying that certain people are not qualified to be valid critics and I think that is definitely true. I hope there is a difference between a good and valid critic and my neighbor Jethro Bodean. Jethro has some skills to be sure but critical thinking and an impressive knowledge of music and artistic expression are not among them.

The good thing about the internet is that everyone is able to express his or her opinion. The bad thing about the internet is that everyone is able to express his or her opinion. I think online critics need to convince us every once in awhile why their opinion matters.

You do that by discussing literary criticism. An education in that area allowed you to see that one of the requirements of criticism is knowledge. The more you know, the better you are able to put some context around a decision about quality. Beyond that, there are some general questions that are standard and a good critic will address those issues.

It’s interesting to read opinion and that makes these blogs/bulletin boards great. Still some opinions tend to have more merit than others and time forces us to focus.

There’s a fine line between education and expierience, and the two don’t always run together. I brought up my education in literature in order to answer your question, but I wouldn’t say (nor do I think you meant to imply such), that my education in that field is what gives weight to the criticism in these pages.

I do think the best critics are those who have lived “on the inside,” at least for some period of time–those who have walked, at least to some extent, in the shoes of those persons whom they are commenting on.

An outsider may be able to effectively communicate the technical details of a musical work, but they will not necessarily be able to do so with due sensitivity and respect unless they understand the creative process from the ground up, and have, indeed, toiled at it themselves.

And I think that it is a critic’s duty to approach every work with great sensitivity and great respect–because it is only when he or she is does this on a consistent basis that the negative criticism has any merit, and, likewise, it is only then that we are justified in the defense of the new.

I would still be able to write about country music if I had never played a writer’s night, if I had never gone through the publishing process, if I had never produced a record. It is, however, because I have done all of those things that I am able to write about it with authority.

I would probably agree with you on that, LeeAnn–and I actually think that your latest comment serves as a clarification.

Also, my reviews are absolutely somewhat subjective. I would never imply otherwise. Hopefully I am able to keep that in check most of the time, but every journalist, reporter, and critic has his or her own spin and his or her own tastes. That’s just the way it is.

I think the best reviewers have formally thought about good vs bad. It doesn’t matter whether obtained in a traditional school or on the job.

Education forces the process to occur but of course, it’s not limited to occuring only in a school of some kind. Public education forces us to think critically about the many things that makes us who we are; Americans, humans and inhabitants of earth. That is never bad.

I was a big fan of Hootie– still am… and I heard this song on Sirius yesterday.

I really, really liked it! I’m rooting for Darius and I’d probably buy his CD. He’s not a novelty act. He’s a great musician.