Review: Garth Brooks' Scarecrow Gets a B+

Not many celebrities can just have their last names dropped. Garth is one of them.

Over a decade ago, this Oklahoma-boy turned American icon changed county music forever. Today, he's still a pioneer of his own time with his new album, Scarecrow. His latest release showcases what Garth still does best: the ability to incorporate every music style into a new, pushing-the-envelope definition of country. And that style is what helped Garth propel country music to its pinnacle of success.

...And, if the rumor is true, and this is Garth's "final farewell" album, he is going out on top.

Garth's latest sing-a-long smash is the bluegrass-twinged "Wrapped Up in You," a pure down-home and wholesome jam-out song with a kick-ass harmonica and awesome fiddles. You don't even have to be a Garth fan to have heard a sampling of what a contagious song it is, referring to the Dr. Pepper ads splattering every television network.

The clever "Beer Run" chorus reads as if you were at the Tulsa-county spelling bee... "B-double E-double R-you-in?" This jammin' duet with country great, George Jones is your classic drinking song. Garth also squeezed in another duet with pal Trisha Yearwood. "Squeeze Me In," is a rousing and rocking song about a hardworking woman trying to fit her man into her hectic schedule.

Scarecrow has several more upbeat songs. "Rodeo or Mexico" echoes the cowboy lust theme in his past hit "Rodeo." "Big Money," is a quirky song about relatives that make big money in high-risk careers and will him the money. Why take chances yourself, he says, when you can just be kind to your rich relatives? With a bright piano intro, "Why Ain't I Running" tells the tale of someone who wants out, but can't seem to leave. (Inspired by his recent divorce?)

On the slower, more story-song side is Thunder Rolls-esuqe, "The Storm," with a powerful string section and "Mr. Midnight," a song about an overnight DJ getting an eerie call that changes his life. "Thicker Than Blood" speaks of today's families, comprised of step and half siblings, still being a family.

The album also features "When You Come Back to Me Again" from the Frequency soundtrack.

The smartest song though, is "Pushing up Daises." The song puts an uplifting spin on things going bad, that anything is better than pushing up daisies. It says, there are two certain dates in life that are etched on our graves, but the only thing that really matters is that dash in between. That's serious songwriting talent there.

On that note, Garth's career began in 1989 and will it end in 2002 as he says? If so, he has one helluva dash in between to be proud of. A dash that sold millions of albums, held one of the biggest music events in history, set out on top-grossing tours and in conclusion, a dash that shows he became one of the most important artists, ever. And, with a mixture of pop, rock, bluegrass and pure honky-tonk songs, powerful vocals and slick production, Scarecrow is a final piece of his music history-in-the-making to squeeze in that dash.