About.com Rating

The Bottom Line

HillJack?s debut album 'Stand Up' offers up an appealing mix of contemporary country music. Anyone who enjoys country radio will enjoy this album.



Pros

• ?Bigger Than Dallas?
• ?Dead And Gone"
• ?My Side Of Town"

Cons

• None.

Description

• 14 tracks all written or co-written by HillJack band members.
• Released by Crop Circle Records.
• Mostly up-tempo modern country music with 3 part harmony.

Guide Review - Stand Up - HillJack


While many country fans may not have heard of HillJack they?ll probably remember Porter Howell and Paul Jefferson. Guitarist Howell is also a member of the popular band Little Texas while lead vocalist Paul Jefferson released a solo album in 1996 (with the moderate hit single ?Check Please?). Jefferson also wrote a few songs that have been recorded by Keith Urban and Aaron Tippin. Rounding out HillJack are the rhythm section of bassist Jon Putnam and drummer John Riffe.

HillJack?s debut album, 'Stand Up' is a marvelous album. Featuring 14 tracks written by the band, it plays like a textbook of modern country music. The album opening ?This Could Get Good? and first single ?Bigger Than Dallas? present a harmonious country band. ?You Still Think About Me? finds HillJack sounding somewhat like Lonestar. The title track, ?Stand Up? is a Beatles-like ballad that also reminds me of a couple of contemporary country bands. The two best tracks on the album are ?My Side Of Town,? a mid-tempo ballad about how a guy will treat the woman who is always getting mistreated.

?Dead And Gone? tells a tale of why the world would not be the same without country music.

Jefferson?s vocal style is reminiscent of Keith Urban and Richie McDonald but he never directly ?steals? anything from them. As a band HillJack has created a solid, country album that is both serious and humorous at the same time. Fans of modern country music will find something to enjoy on 'Stand Up.'