Rodney Atkins - If You're Going Through Hell

This is Atkins' Sophomore album with Curb Records and he has a real winner on his hands. The songs were all well chosen to fit his singing style and his personality. There is plenty of steel guitar and lots of emotion. It is the perfect combination for an excellent country album. I think any country fan would enjoy this one.

The Road to Recognition

Rodney made an impact a couple of years ago when his Top 5 hit "Honesty" hit radio. That was from his freshman album release, and gave us a glimpse of what this talented performer can do. For his sophomore album, Rodney was looking for material that would better reflect who he was both as a performer and as a person. That mindset worked incredibly well. Each and every song on this album has strong lyrics and the emotional delivery of someone who has lived the song. Atkins is also an artist who is choosing to stay closer to the traditional roots sound. There is plenty of steel guitar in the music and the reaction of fans at his shows say that it is what they want to hear. How Atkins sums it up says it all, "Every song I sing is about the world as I know it. Every word is real. I'm not going to sing it if it isn't." The general theme of the album is life in the south, and that is something the East Tennessee native knows well.

Explaining the Southern Way of Life in Song

"These Are My People" is a catchy little tune about growing up in a small town. Getting what he calls 'discount knowledge' at the Jr. College and majoring in beer and girls. But through it all they all stick together and stand up for each other. "Cleaning This Gun" talks about being a teenager and dating a girl whose father invited him in and in general conversation said he would probably still be up cleaning his gun when his daughter was returned home after the date. Now that he is a father of a teenage girl himself he can appreciate that conversation. This is a similar conversation to what I remember my dad passing time with when a date picked me up one time. "Man on a Tractor" is a reflective piece about where he is going in his life compared to where he wants to be. "Invisibly Shaken" is a powerful ballad about the inside struggle after a hard breakup and not showing it on the outside. "If You're Going Through Hell" is a song that almost anyone can relate to about how life can kick you down. You just have to keep moving ahead because no matter how bad something seems at the time it is only a temporary thing. It is a powerful message and a fitting end to a great album.