Georgia born Kip Moore has been on the Nashville scene since moving to the Country Music Capitol in 2004. What began as a songwriting career of writing songs for artists like Jake Owen and Thompson Square quickly turned into writing and recording albums for himself with pal Brett James.
Moore’s first two albums produced several successful singles: Up All Night featured the certified double platinum “Somethin’ ‘Bout A Truck”, which earned Moore his first #1, “Beer Money” (RIAA Gold) and the ballad “Hey Pretty Girl” (RIAA Platinum). “I’m to Blame” and “Running For You” were released from his sophomore album Wild Ones, and while both were hits with fans, they didn’t fair as well on the charts. On September 8, 2017, Moore released his third album titled Slowheart and it’s been said to be one of personal, deep songs that were done the way that he wanted.
In the past, Moore has often sung songs of girls, beer, and good times; songs that had an anthem-esqe quality. Slowheart will stop you dead in your tracks. It’s a stripped down, intimate look into his soul that delves into where he started, his journeys, and the highs/the lows. It will have a profound affect on anyone who has tried to make it in any endeavor and fans will find it relatable on any level. From the first track to the last, the album resembles a lot of 80’s-90’s rock style music and it’ll leave you feeling as thought you’ve read a chapter from Moore’s biography.
“Bittersweet Company” (Moore, Josh Miller, and Troy Verges) has a really cool Motown vibe to it. Add in Moore’s dynamic vocals and a killer guitar opening, and you have a perfect picture of a broken up couple who finds that even though things have ended, they’re really great companions:
Oh but I remember when we
Loved each other so fearlessly
So tell me how the hell did we
Turn into bittersweet company
A first in his career, Moore included two songs on Slowheart where he did not play a part in writing the songs, one of which being “The Bull.” Co-penned by Jon Randall and Luke Dick, “The Bull” is a message that could seen from the perspective of Moore as being a working musician who’s been shot down or “bucked off the bull” a few times. But it’s also a universal song that listeners can relate to in their own lives whether they’re musicians or not. Lyrically and musically, Moore delivers the message quite clearly – you knocked me off, but I got right back on . . . I did not quit:
Every knock down in the dirt
Every no I ever heard
It’ll sure feel good to laugh
When I look back and flip the bull the bird
Every nail that ripped shirt
Chorus
Thank you Uncle D for teaching me “La Bamba” on guitar
Thank you girl from Broken Bow who shot an arrow through my heart
Thank you Mama for the roll and thank you Daddy for the Rock
Most of all, most of all, thanks to the bulls that bucked me off
The album’s twelfth track “Try Again,” co-written by Moore, David Garcia, and Josh Miller, is a “guy wants girl back” song that shows a determination strong enough to last through lifetimes. Moore’s raspy vocals, along with subtle background vocals, take on an almost gospel sound creating a very smooth, sexy tune:
Every time I kiss your lips
I’ll give it all I got so you won’t forget
And if on first glance I don’t win over
Your Mama, your Daddy, your cousin, your granny or your girlfriends
Baby I’ll try, try, try, no I won’t quit
I’ll fight, fight, fight you can count on it
To the moon and back, through the highs and lows
To win your love, girl just know
I’ll try try try, then I’ll try again
If you and I don’t get it right
I’ll come and find you in the next life
Baby I’ll try try try no I won’t quit
I’ll try try try then I’ll try again
As stated before, Slowheart is awesome from start to finish, which is why “Guitar Man” (Moore, Dan Couch, and Westin Davis) must have been saved for last. The song is sure to be a concert favorite, much like how Billy Joel’s “Piano Man” was and still is to this day. Style wise “Guitar Man” is reminiscent of Joel’s 70’s classic, complete with la de da’s. Moore’s tune is about the grueling, lonely life on the road – the places you play, faces you remember, and states you go through . . . all chronicled in this sad tale:
Well I woke to the rise of the sun going down
Stale taste of whiskey still fresh on my mouth
Hot cup of coffee smoke in my hand
Another day in the life of the Guitar Man
Chorus (part)
Yea the fruits of my labor is when the crowd sings along
Nothing short of a savior still I go home alone
I’m an empty faceless spotlight mic stand
I’ll get ya high I’ll get ya low
I’m the Guitar Man
The album is stellar with plenty to offer. Each song tells a story, but each story carries a different vibe, making it unique. Moore’s vocals are spot on with every single tune.
For more information on Kip Moore, where to purchase the album and where to catch him live, visit his website: www.kipmoore.net
Slowheart Track List
- Plead The Fifth – Luke Dick, Josh Kear
- Just Another Girl – Kip Moore, Westin Davis, and Ben Helson
- I’ve Been Around – Kip Moore, Dan Couch
- Fast Women – Kip Moore, Blair Daly, Westin Davis, and Troy Verges
- Bittersweet Company – Kip Moore, Josh Miller, and Troy Verges
- Sunburn – Kip Moore, David Garcia, Josh Miller, and Steve Olsen
- More Girls Like You – Kip Moore, Steven Olsen, Josh Miller, and David Garcia
- The Bull – Jon Randall and Luke Dick
- Blonde – Kip Moore, Steven Olsen, Josh Miller, and David Garcia
- Good Thing – Kip Moore, Josh Miller, and Troy Verges
- Last Shot – Kip Moore, Dan Couch, and David Lee Murphy
- Try Again – Kip Moore, David Garcia, and Josh Miller
- Guitar Man – Kip Moore, Dan Couch, and Westin Davis