Review of Travis Rush's Come and Get It

Broken Halo Records presents Oregon-native, Travis Rush, to country fans everywhere with his first album, Come And Get It. Citing such musical influences as Elton John and Billy Joel, Rush, whose instrument is also the piano, offers a 12-track disc with his debut album. Rush co-wrote all but one song, and also co-produced Come And Get It. The end result is a nice start to what could be a lengthy career in the pop-country music scene.

The first track hits the listener with a decent rock song. "I Wanna Be With You" has a driving, open road sound. Though it has a catchy but over-simplistic chorus and the second verse of the song seems too long, it succeeds in peaking one's interest. There is a definite sense that this rock track sounds great live. Country ballad, "The Real Thing" follows. This song doesn't rate well. It is too wordy for a ballad and the vocals are not believable, either. Another ballad that fares better is one of lost love. "Just For Tonight," written for his ex-wife, is a personal story sung in gentle tones with meaning; here the lyrics are better and go well with the emotion of the song.

The upbeat, title track, "Come and Get It," not only has a well developed story line, but is fun, attitude-infected and likable. Things slow down once again with another longing for love tune, "Then I'll Cry Instead." This lukewarm ballad is a duet with Leah Yorkston. One of the best songs of the album is the faster tempo of the quaint "Get Up Off The Ground." The lyrics and melody fuse together to speak of life lessons learned. The advice passed onto him by his father is one we should all take to heart and practice. "It ain't about how fast or hard you fall; Son, you've gotta get up off the ground..."

Rush is on a roll with great melodies and words as "Leap Of Faith" enters. This love song is everything a woman would like to hear. The country-pop "No Substance In Your Style" again boasts good lyrics. The best vocal on the album is found in "Easier Said Than Done." This track relays the story of moving on; it's touching and displays vocals that are convincing and authentic. The rock track "What Momma Don't Know" is appealing, clever, entertaining, and probably fantastic live. "Before I go to Heaven, I'm gonna raise a little Hell..." The disc takes a turn towards the typical sound of a country song with "You Gotta Live." The final track of Rush's album is "Put The World On Hold," another pretty love song that is simplistic in a good way; the soft melody joined by the piano and acoustic guitar adds to the song's allure.

Ultimately, Travis Rush's debut album is a solid entry into country music, with even a few tracks for non-country fans to perk their interest. The problems on this first attempt are things that Rush will no doubt get a chance to improve on with experience and time. The upbeat, faster tempo songs, along with the pretty ballads sung with sincerity, are where Rush shines. Travis Rush's disc, Come And Get It, is what country fans or those curious, should do exactly.