Kenny Chesney

“Just Who I Am: Poets ‘ Pirates”

Release date: Sept. 11, 2007

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Record label: RCA

kennychesney.com

If, while visiting the fictional land of “Margaritaville,” singer Jimmy Buffet did spend a night with the “woman to blame” and fathered a child, by the sound of his newest album, that child might just be Kenny Chesney.

With his latest studio release, titled “Just Who I Am: Poets ‘ Pirates,” Chesney delivers laid-back country songs with a mellow Caribbean feel, similar to his more recent releases from albums such as “When the Sun Goes Down” and “The Road and the Radio.”

Although Chesney usually pens or co-writes a select few songs on his albums, “Pirates” lacks any writing from Chesney. This has a tendency to show through on a few tracks that sound like cookie-cutter efforts of his older songs that have gotten plenty of radio play in recent years.

However, for this album that sound isn’t necessarily a bad thing, as “Pirates” is more of an extension of recent work than it is a step forward for Chesney.

The opening track and first single off the album, “Never Wanted Nothing More,” immediately gives a driving-with-the-top-down-on-a-sunny-day feel with an up-tempo, cheery beat accompanied by several plucking guitars and a banjo.

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The song tells a story of the simple life, which appeals to the commonalities listeners have. From getting his first car, marrying the love of his life and working a job to support a family, Chesney dips into standard country song topics, but has catchy lyrics that make this track fun to listen to.

“I’m what I am and I’m what I’m not,” he sings in his easy baritone voice. “I’m sure happy with what I’ve got / I live and love and laugh a lot and that’s all I need.”

“Pirates” also features a duet with country legend George Strait that seems to be modeled after Buffet’s song “Grapefruit – Juicy Fruit,” called “Shiftwork.”

The two sing about blue-collar work that never stops, calling it a “big ol’ pile of shiftwork.”

The song is a humorous take on jobs that are more mundane than productive, backed by a Caribbean beat and bongo drums.

However, Chesney departs from beach songs and tracks about freedom long enough to delve into provocative topics with the song “Dancin’ for the Groceries,” a sorrowful recording about a woman who is supporting her family as an exotic dancer.

“She wishes she could call and say she loves them, but the boss man says no calls go out or in,” he sings as a forlorn guitar melds into the light drum beats in the background. “So she puts on a dress that might feel pretty if she didn’t have to take it off again – she’s dancin’ for the groceries.”

This is one of a select few tracks that show Chesney as an artist can address something beyond cocktails and the waterfront and all the fun that can be had.

Overall, “Just Who I Am: Poets ‘ Pirates” doesn’t have the sound of progress for Chesney as an artist, but rather an extension of previous albums. But for the most part, it’s a fun listen and is the perfect soundtrack for hitting the road without a destination on a lazy afternoon.

Daily Egyptian writer Alicia Wade can be reached at 536-3311 ext. 275 or [email protected].