From DownIslandLiving.com: Kenny Chesney’s 14^th studio album, Life On A Rock, is due to be released on April 30^th.  This album is really a step forward for Kenny.  It is definitely personal and island based, like Be As You Are , but this album is advancing musically from his previous albums.  A lot of artists get stagnant, but Kenny has managed to keep his island vibe and keep moving forward with his music.  Something that is really refreshing for a modern day artist.  Life On A Rock has some upbeat crowd pleasers,  some deeply intellectual songs, but all of it is rum drinking music!  The high points like “Pirate Flag”, “When I see This Bar”, “It’s That Time of Day”, and “Life On A Rock” are really great tracks.  But, there are some that are a little confusing like “Coconut Tree” and “Must Be Something I Missed” that throw the flow of the album off.  Those things set aside, it is really a great album.  Whether you are a rum slugging pirate, a beach babe, or a country star, you will love this album. 

Pirate Flag

Honestly, is there a better anthem out there?  I mean this hits an absolute homerun for island lovers.  Rum, freedom, and girls, that’s all a real pirate needs.

DIL Take: If you have a pirate soul, you get this song.  If you don’t, you don’t.  It’s that simple. 

When I See This Bar

A lot of us have bars we just love, they are all perfect in their own way.  This song reminds me of a mix of my favorite bars and the people that inhabit them.  If you took the Green Parrot, Schooner Warf, and Capt. Tony’s, mixed them up you get this bar (in my mind at least). 

DIL Take: This is a fantastic song, the best song on the album.

Spread the Love

This track features Bob Marley’s band, the Wailers.  It has the groove of a song you would expect to come from the Wailers, I really dig it.  It is kind of a knock off of “One Love”.  I really like the idea, not sure that it comes across as well as I would have hoped.  The one bright spot is Elan’s vocals, killer reggae voice. 

DIL Take: Good idea, but could have been executed better.

Lindy

Reminds me a lot of a guy version of “Sherry’s Living in Paradise” from Be As You Are.  Not the same story, but vocally, musically, and the happiness of the main character.  This song conjures and image up of a native island soul, carefree, un-complicated, and real.   

DIL Take: Great feeling song, really puts a vivid islander image in your mind.

Coconut Tree

Featuring Willie Nelson, and has your obligatory pot references throughout, which are getting old in Willie cameo songs.  This song is musically very appealing, vocally it sounds like Kenny is trying to sing a Willie song, versus Willie singing on one of Kenny’s songs. 

DIL Take: This is one of two songs on the album Kenny didn’t write or co-write, and it is obvious.  But, a great way to live life, “high up in a coconut tree”

It’s That Time of Day

This song just conjures up images of enjoying a sunset over the water, all those great orange and red colors surrounding you while enjoying the perfect rum drink.  Nothing like finishing up a great day, with great people, and great drinks (and being on Jost Van Dyke doesn’t hurt).

DIL Take: Perfect song to drink to while watching a sunset (and hopefully catching a green flash).

Life On a Rock

Just another one of those songs to add to your “Island” playlist on your iPhone.  This is a song about what we all dream about, laid back life on a Caribbean island.  Kenny really kills it on this one, this is what I want out of a Kenny song!

DIL Take: One of those songs that could make you turn in your resignation and move to an island.

Marley

A few Bob references in here, well maybe more than a few.  The songs seems to be about just Kenny alone having a drink, listening to some Bob Marley, and taking a minute for himself.  Some real deep things to think about in here, it’s a song of redemption (or “Redemption Song”?).

DIL Take: The more I listen to it, the better it gets.  Exactly what I love to do in order to calm things down: turn on some Bob, mix a strong rum drink, sit quietly and enjoy life.

Must Be Something I Missed

Anyone else think Nora Jones when they hear the beginning of this?  No?  OK, just me.  I think we all have days when we feel like this, like we are missing something in our life.  You get, at a breaking point, and think “where the hell did I screw up?”  Well this song is like that too, something is missing.  I just don’t get this song, seems like it is unfinished. 

DIL Take: The song seems out of place, especially after hearing a song like “Marley” which is the complete opposite(and followed by “Happy On the Hey Now”). 

Happy On the Hey Now (A Song for Kristi)

Obviously about someone that Kenny had grown to know that passed away.  Kristi seemed like a great person and someone that was fantastic to be around. 

DIL Take: A great reminder to not take the “Kristi(s)” in your life for granted.

Now if I can just get some of that Blue Chair Bay rum…

Happy Independence Day to the Conch Republic! This day 31 years ago they succeeded from the union.