buy this used heart

Gary Allan's debut album is an outstanding mix of classic country, with a modern country twang. You can tell his roots run deep, inspirations possibly coming from the likes of Bob Wills and Roger Miller with a little bit of Outlaw country coming through.

The album kicks off with a nice Texas Two Step in "Send Back My Heart. Your hands will be tapping, head bobbing like a little puppy dog in a truck window. There are many tempo changes between songs and the first one will be seen now. After getting your blood pumping, Gary is going to slow things way down with his first hit, “Her Man,” a self-confessing and love-professing ballad. Clichés fill most of the lyrics but it works very well.

The pace picks back up with “Forever and a Day.” This song has a fantastic video as well; Gary has this cloud that continuously pours rain on him. This song has an almost oxymoron feel to it. It has this happy little beat and incredibly mournful lyrics. And, it’s one of the best tracks on the CD. The pace keeps up with a fantastic swing, “Living in a House of Love.” This song would be fantastic live as well.

Time for a slow song, and “All I Had Going is Gone” is an incredible waltz. It’s a tear-in-your-beer, heart-ripping waltz that would have been an incredible release. But, Gary Allan’s now-trademark rasp is showcased in spotlighted fashion on this song.

Time to get back to a fun little West-Coast Swing in the title track, “Used Heart for Sale.” This song takes on the name game similar to George Strait’s “All my Ex’s Live in Texas” and Mark Chestnutt’s “Old Flames Have New Names.” This song takes on a different view. Gary even lets out a little yodel at the end.

The next track is “Of All the Hearts.” This number takes on an Hank, Sr. feel to it. A little dry, but not a bad track. It’s just not one of the stronger songs on the CD. But that’s okay, the next track more than makes up for it. “From Where I’m Sitting,” the next track more than makes up for what its predecessor lacked. This song is a slow one, but I’m sure every guy has been in the chair the subject of the song is in. “From where I’m sitting I can see where I stand / She’s got her head on his shoulder and her heart in is hand / Things are pretty clear when a fool understands / Lord, from where I’m sitting I can see where I stand.” True regret always brings about a clarifying state of mind.

Time to pick it back up with “Wine Me Up.” This song will wake you up and get you singing loud. This song has a great Texas Swing feel to it and the last verse is rather humorous. You have to listen very carefully to it. Unfortunately, this CD has to end, but the last track, “Wake Up Screaming,” is fantastic and features some incredible guitar work in it. Very bluesy; B.B. King would be proud.

This album is an excellent freshman outing and is fun to compare to his other two albums “It Would Be You” (sophomore album) and “Smoke Rings In the Dark” (his latest.) The progression he has made is fantastic. Consider the fact that this album was outstanding and the other two are better and better. I can’t wait for what’s next.