David Nail

Hot summer albums give variety for fans

By Janis Fontaine

August 24, 2009

The artist: David Nail

The album: I’m About To Come Alive (MCA Nashville)

The spin: This is as good as a debut album gets.

Sure Nail’s a little nasally on some tracks, but the songs work better that way, the same way a woman with a small flaw is even prettier because of it.

Nail scored some solid material from A-list names: Kenny Chesney co-wrote one of the best tracks, “Turning Home”, and Rascal Flatts’ Gary Levox co-wrote “Summer Job Days.”

The albums authenticity – Nail is a deep thinker – is refreshing next to all that penny-candy fare out there. The piano on “Mississippi” reminds me of some of Billy Joel’s early work, and Miranda Lambert’s harmony on “Stranger On A Train” is sweet perfection. Lyrically, I love “Clouds”, which Nail co-wrote with Scooter Carusoe.

Download this: Mississippi, Clouds, Turning Home, Strangers On A Train.

Best for: Easy-listening fans who want an album that’s not too country.