Grant Langston - Stand Up Man
3.5 out of 5 stars
Witty Lyrics meet a whole lotta guitars
“I’m not sure if Grant Langston is smugly showing off a custom-built Gretsch on the cover of Stand Up Man or just showing the world what a happy guy he is. Either way, it’s not the most inspiring cover. However, there’s an old phrase about books that applies here and when the album kicks in with the ripping title track, a thick slice of Bakersfield country, I knew I’d misjudged a little.
The amusingly titled Burt Reynolds Movie Brawl shows some neat tempo changes before brushing up alongside a modern Nashville country sound on Shiner Bock and Vicodin, warning of the dangers of mixing booze and pills. Langston’s approach to lyrics is summed up by Not Another Song About California, a song inspired by every other band at a show playing a song about California and there’s no shortage of lyrical wit.
Langston’s clever lyrics are backed up by a combination of honky-tonk, alt.country, and rock-n-roll that weaves between a number of country cliches but with a knowing grin. Stand Up Man is a strong album that throws in a few surprises, but knows how to kick the listener’s backside with some classic country-rock.” SM
