Track Listing

1. Forever Road
2. All I Want
3. Don't Think I Don't Think About It
4. Learn To Live
5. If I Had Wings
6. History In The Making
7. Alright
8. It Won't Be Like This For Long
9. Drinkin' And Dialin'
10. I Hope They Get To Me In Time
11. While I Still Got The Time
12. Be Wary Of A Woman

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #133 in Music
• Released on: 2008-09-16
• Number of discs: 1
• Dimensions: .19 pounds

Album Description
As the front man of Hootie & The Blowfish, Darius Rucker has already experienced success - earning 2 Grammy awards and selling over 25 million albums worldwide. Now, embracing his country roots and a music he has always wanted to make, Darius is attracting the attention of country fans who are discovering his voice for the first time, and rewarding Hootie fans with new music featuring one of the most unique voices across any genre of music. Featuring his debut country single, "Don't Think I Don't Think About It", Learn to Live features 12 undeniable country hits and a voice that is unarguably Darius Rucker. "I have always written country songs...for me, this is really just part of the natural evolution of my career. I plan to be doing this for a long time. This isn't a one album deal - it's a career thing," explains Rucker.

Amazon.com
As the lead singer and co-writer for Hootie & the Blowfish, Darius Rucker always eschewed overt R & B, and fixed the band’s music in roots rock. Now on this solo album, Learn to Live, he immerses himself in the typical Nashville themes of home, hearth, and spirituality, with varying results. His sturdy baritone knows how to carry these messages, and he displays an ease with country phrasing. Furthermore, he's assembled a fine passel of pickers, from mainstream guests Vince Gill, Alison Krauss and Brad Paisley, to 'grassers Aubrey Haynie and Bryan Sutton. All this works fine on the radio—the album and the single "Don't Think I Don't Think About It," which logged the number one slot on the country charts. But while Rucker pays fine homage to Buck Owens with the intro to the humorous divorce declaration "All I Want," and nurtures his inner redneck on the barroom anthem "Drinkin' and Dialin'," too many clichés weave their way into his lyrics, and the overall sound is that of amiable, cookie-cutter, country pop. Next time out, let’s hope Rucker reaches farther back into his South Carolina roots for a more authentic backwoods connection. -– Alanna Nash

Customer Reviews

Pretty Dang Good!
To say Darius Rucker is new to country would be a slight, he grew up in the South and has cut his share of country tinged material, just take a listen to Scattered, Smothered and Covered to hear Rucker's excellent baritone in full bloom -- the guy can sing. And it is a wonderful thing to know that the material stands up to his earnest delivery.

Rucker approached the material by gathering a gaggle of current country mainstays to lend their talents, Brad Paisley's paw prints are all over, "All I Want" and that's a good thing. "Forever Road" carries the same weight of a great chorus (that you can sing along with) and a catchy hook that could get a bite from a fish without bait. But the stomper goes to "Drinkin' and Dialin'."

The ballads are the selling point here, Rucker's voice sells them. Rightfully so, he's clear in the mix, he sounds sincere on songs such as "History in the Making," and "Don't Think I Don't Know." A standout track is the contemplative "If I Had Wings," it could have been too cloying, too schmaltzy, but Rucker's voice won't allow it to be, but credit also belongs to Vince Gill and Alison Krauss for their amazing backing vocals.

An excellent pop-country disc that will get its share of radio play, and rightfully so.

Darius' roots are alive
When I picked this up yesterday I was not sure what to expect. I assumed there would be 3-4 tracks that would stand out, along with some filler. But, this is an excellent record. Every track is exceptional on its own. The gems are the humorous "Drinkin and Dialin", the upbeat "It's Alright", and the touching "It won't be like this for Long", and "If I Had Wings." I am the Father of a beautiful little girl, and I literally cried listening to "It Won't be..(Damn you Darius). If you are a parent you will too, if not you should be ashamed of yourself.

But whatever your musical tastes may be, and I am not a pop country fan, but this album is earnest and real, and the musicians are excellent. Darius' baritone has never sounded better, and for all Hootie haters, you must appreciate his talents and give him his due. He has sold millions of records and can write quality music in any genre. Although, he did receive some collaborative help from some of today's best country talents, combined with his song crafting skills, the effort is worth the price. Darius states that he has found his niche, and has signed on for several albums with Capitol (Nashville), and if "Learn to Live" is just the beginning-look out! Mr. Rucker will be performing in Huntsville, AL at Big Spring Jam, Saturday Sept. 27, @ 7:30pm, and I cannot wait to hear this new material-live.

Pleasantly Surprised
I was a little hesitant on this album... I love Darius and Hootie, but country? Of course I had heard the single and liked it, and my husband got the album for me. My initial reaction, not being much of a country fan, was, "Wow, this really IS country!" I didn't like it the first time. But I listened again and now I can't stop listening to it. I have tuned out the twang that I don't care for in country music and absolutely LOVE Darius' voice and lyrics on these songs. "It won't be like this for long" makes me cry every time I hear it, and I find myself singing along with a smile to "Drinkin' and dialin'". This is a great album and I love it!