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Never Going Back

Reviewed by Andrew Greer
Style: Half roots, half positive pop-country; compare to Billy Ray Cyrus, Richie McDonald, and Bon Jovi Top tracks: "Get Up in Jesus' Name," "The Only Jesus," "The Cross"

In a nutshell: Running the gamut from foot-stomping gospel to pop balladry to classic rock, country music vet Collin Raye flexes his high-powered tenor in an uplifting ten-track set. Alternating between messages of faith in Christ ("The Only Jesus") and relational fidelity ("Take Care of You"), the platinum-selling crooner doesn't shy away from his middle age, offering up advice on how to keep romance alive in the tongue-in-cheek, Brad Paisley-esque "Mid-Life Chrysler." All joking aside, it's the self-penned "She's With Me" that reveals the platinum-seller's true heart, painting a poignant picture of his granddaughter Haley, who, though affected by a rare degenerative brain disorder, is the real person of faith in Granddad's eyes.

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