It’s been three years since Randy Houser released his last album, How Country Feels, and finally fans who have been waiting patiently have new tunes for their ears – 17 as a matter of fact – with the release of his fourth studio album Fired Up.
The album starts off with the emotional “Back,” written by Jeffery Steele and Bridgette Tatum; a deep song about looking back at his choices in life, how a father’s death can affect one’s view of one’s own life, and hoping that when it’s time to leave this Earth, his father would be proud of the life he led. The poignant lyrics of the chorus allows Houser to really show off his signature full baritone voice:
Was I the kinda man
Who gave his word when he shook a hand
Did I get it so wrong, just to get it right
For once in my life and would I live it twice
Did I fill my boots with every step I made?
Did I walk all over my daddy’s good name?
Am I gonna see the me I was born to be
From where I’m at…. when I look back
That voice is front and center throughout the album, but is properly showcased in songs like “Senior Year,” which Houser co-wrote reminiscing about the carefree days of high school, “Yesterday’s Whiskey,” the love ballad “True,” the ode to the hardworking man “Little Bit Older,” his current single “Song Number 7,” (co-written by Justin Wilson, Ben Hayslip and Chris Janson) and the title track “Fired Up.”
Fans expecting the album to be full of songs in the vein of “Like A Cowboy” – the raw, hit you in the gut type country songs – will be pleased with the songs formerly mentioned, but like previous albums, the serious songs are sprinkled amongst more up-tempo, fun tracks such as Houser’s third #1 single “We Went,” and “Chasing Down a Good Time.” “Lucky Me” has a catchy sway about it while telling the story of a man admiring a woman from afar and how he’s lucky that she admires him back, while “Gotta Get You Home” and “Mine Tonight” take a much more direct, flirty approach.
The setback of releasing 17 tracks is that there’s bound to be some songs that don’t hit the high bar. The beginning of “Before Midnight” sounds almost exactly like the beginning of “Runnin’ Outta Moonlight,” right through the first line of the lyrics. “Hot Beer and Cold Women” talks about dealing with the dependency of drinking and partying, and while in general it’s not a bad song, it’s a topic that’s just been overdone. “Same Ole Saturday Night” talks of trucks, dirt roads, and not wanting to do anything except just being with his girl; again, not necessarily a terrible song, just some more of the same.
Last but not least are tracks 16 and 17, which are listed as “bonus,” and that’s where the gold of the album of lies: “One Way” is the best lyrically written song (“Back” comes in at a close second), and it’s not surprising when you realize that Chris Stapleton wrote it with Lee Thomas Miller. The song describes a long lost love, how much he wants her back but knows that it is impossible. It’s so beautifully written; you can feel the pain, the sadness, and Houser’s vocals just bring the raw emotions to life:
Ain’t it funny how it used to be
It used to be so right
All the world was a slow kiss and a fast car on a Friday night
Everything that’s a memory is lost on yesterday
And time is a river…it only runs one way
The final track, “Whiskeysippi River,” is heavy with blues and twang, the perfect blend for Houser’s deep and rich voice. From the beat, to the guitar, Houser’s growl in his voice, it’s one of the best cuts on the album, representing Houser’s Mississippi roots.
Fired Up offers songs that showcase Houser’s talented vocals, some quality songwriting, and a variety of styles that should definitely please his fans that have been waiting since 2013 for new material.