In many ways Tim McGraw has been a guiding force in my life in the same way Thrice has been since my middle school years. Despite the obvious dissimilarities (there’s about a mile and half between them sonically), their collective music has been through critical life moments akin to a friend who never leaves your side. In Tim’s case he was present for countless rabble-rousing nights in high school riding in my friend’s red Mustang, served as quintessential late night wind-down music during college years, and was the definitive soundtrack for when my wife and I were dating and became engaged during my mid-20’s.
There isn’t a country music fan who doesn’t love Tim– his ability to blend both the new sound of pop-influenced country with the old school roots of the Honky Tonk has allowed him to age gracefully and remain a constant presence on top of the charts. And with pipes like his, equipped to pour out a tearjerking ballad at one moment and rip the doors off their hinges with a good old fashioned boot stomper the very next moment, A Place In The Sun encapsulates the dynamic nature of Tim’s catalogue better than any other album in his discography.
I’ve had the pleasure of seeing Tim live a handful of times in my life, including an incredibly memorable Soul2Soul tour he did alongside his wife Faith Hill that my wife and I caught shortly after we were married. Only fitting that we’re listening to this album today on my wife’s birthday.
Standout Songs: “Something Like That”, “Some Things Never Change”, “Please Remember Me”, “My Best Friend”, “Somebody Must Be Prayin’ For Me”
