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Bottom Line:

Waitin' In The Country is an impressive, solid debut release by Jason Michael Carroll. It showcases not only his wonderful voice, but his songwriting capabilities as well. Singer/songwriter Jewel lends her voice to one of the eleven songs ("No Good In Goodbye") and Don Gehman produced the disc.

"Waitin' In The Country" is about a country boy who knows there's a whole different world out there in the big city but he would rather live where he's most comfortable.

He wants to crank up Merle Haggard on the jukebox and take a dip in the town's lazy river.

Living life to the fullest is the subject of "I Can Sleep When I'm Dead." You can't accuse this man of moving along at a snail's pace because "If there's something going on within a hundred miles of home you're gonna hear my V8 sing." He works during the day so he can make his money, but when the night comes you'll never know where to find him.

First single, "Alyssa Lies," is such a touching song told from the prospective of a father, whose daughter made friends with an abused girl. At first he didn't realize what his daughter meant, but as she told him more he decided to do something Monday morning when he dropped her off at school. By then, it was too late and Alyssa was gone. His little girl didn't understand why this had to happen to her new friend but he tells her now she's with Jesus.

"No Good In Goodbye," featuring Jewel, is about a couple who recalls the night they gave up instead of giving in.

Their hearts are telling them both that they should be together but it all depends on a single phone call. A broken relationship is also the subject in "Angel Of Broken Hearts." The man is looking for someone or something to help get him over his ex. "Have I not suffered long enough?" he asks.

I love the lyrics in "Livin' Our Love Song." A man begins to think about how people said their relationship wouldn't last, but years later they are still proving them wrong. He can't believe that a backwoods boy and a fairy tale princess have built such a strong relationship. "You're dancing in my arms, with a spotlight moon and a sea of stars. Girl we've come so far. Everything that I want is everything you are."

There's something special about your "Honky Tonk Friends" because you can be who you and have a lot of fun with them. Sure, the man keeps in touch with the friends he had while growing up and he still talks with his church friends but for right now he wants to spend time with his bar buddies.

"Let It Rain" is an emotional song about a man who says he isn't afraid of living, he just doesn't know how he'll live without her. Everytime it rains he's taken back to the moments he shared with the love of his life, because she loved rainy days. "We'd run back to your apartment and hide away. We'd talk about forever how we'd share our life. It never crossed my mind I'd be without you here tonight."

I am thoroughly impressed with Jason Michael Carroll's debut album. He has a great voice and has a very bright future ahead of him. I'll definitely be listening to this release for quite a while.

Song List:

1. Waitin' in the Country
2. I Can Sleep When I'm Dead
3. Alyssa Lies
4. Lookin' at You
5. No Good in Goodbye
6. Livin' Our Love Song
7. Anywhere USA
8. Honky Tonk Friends
9. Love Won't Let Me
10. Angel of Broken Hearts
11. Let It Rain