Pat Green returned from his mainstream pop-country hiatus to his original country roots with his newest studio album “Songs We Wish We’d Written II.”
Green spent the last decade touring with some of the world’s most popular country stars, such as Keith Urban and Kenny Chesney, but before that he was playing to small audiences in college towns. As his fame rose, Green’s music started catering toward mainstream country.
“Songs We Wish We’d Written II” is a trip back in time to when Green was playing in bars and small shows with Willie Nelson and Jerry Jeff Walker.
The album features covers by artists such as Tom Petty and Collective Soul. He puts his southern country twang to use on many songs that weren’t originally written for country music.
The track “Soulshine” shows off the smooth vocals that Green is known for. The song that Warren Haynes originally wrote and The Allman Brothers Band performed carries lyrics that mesh perfectly with Green’s country style. “Let your soul shine / It’s better than sunshine / It’s better than moonshine / Damn sure better than the rain.”
“If I Had a Boat” includes a thick acoustic sound and a simple hook that instantly draws in the listener. This Lyle Lovett cover is a duet with Green’s frequent collaborator Cory Morrow.
I love just about everything that Green has ever produced, but it is sure nice to see Green get back to his country roots. Green shows his true talent by taking already great songs and transforming them into his own.
“Songs We Wish We’d Written II” is a genuine country album from a genuine country artist.
Grade: A
