Gary Allan: Living Hard

Gary Allan’s newest album, Living Hard, is available today! I was fortunate enough to be able to get a copy a few days ago and have been listening to it all weekend. Tracks on the album include:

1. Watching Airplanes
2. We Touched the Sun
3. She’s So California
4. Like It’s A Bad Thing
5. Learning How To Bend
6. As Long As You’re Looking Back
7. Wrecking Ball
8. Yesterday’s Rain
9. Trying To Matter
10. Half Of My Mistakes
11. Living Hard

My favorites so far are We Touched the Sun, Like It’s A Bad Thing, and As Long As You’re Looking Back. I’m in a ballad mood lately, though, so these are likely to change the next time I listen to it!

This is the first full album of Gary’s that I’ve listened to and I can’t figure out why I haven’t sooner. He’s country but not twangy, genuine without being cloying. She’s So California is very catchy and Gary’s voice has kind of a Bob Dylan edge to it in places (trust me, that’s a good thing!). We Touched the Sun is sentimental and thought-provoking and probably my favorite on the album. Like It’s A Bad Thing takes judgments and turns them on their head – “So what if I don’t do it like everybody else does?” Trying to Matter tells of the everyday struggles and triumphs we all have as we make our way in the world. Living Hard – you know Gary had a hand in writing this! I’m not sure what his touring life is really like but this song’ll definitely gave me an idea.

Of the album, Gary says:

“I think the fans are gonna feel that this record is different but the most important thing is that what I do is authentic. I’ve never pushed for a certain image. I’ve just always done my own thing. It’s a good listen, I think,” he says. “I’m excited for people to hear it. It’ll take you through a whole range of emotions, and I think it’s going to take you on a journey. That’s my goal.”

I’d say he accomplished it!