Hard 2 Love by country artist Lee Brice (Released April 24th, 2012) his 2nd studio album. Artist BackgroundLee grew up in Sumter, South Carolina. He was given a full-ride football scholarship to the University of Clemson but after a arm injury he quit to pursue country music. His professional music career began in 2007 when he started as a songwriter for acts such as Jason Aldean, Garth Brooks, The Eli Young Band & Tim McGraw.In late 2007 Lee sign with Curb Records, this is where he released his first single entitled �She Aint Right, which peaked at #29 on the country charts and was supposed to be included on his debut album entitled �Picture of Me�, but the album was never released. In August 2009, Lee�s fourth single �Love Like Crazy� charted. His is also the name of his debut album which was release in June of 2010. Album BackgroundIn late 2011, �A Women Like You� was released, this is his sixth overall single and first off his debut album �Hard 2 Love�. Other singles off the album include �Hard 2 Love�, �I Drive Your Truck� and �Party People�.Track by Track Review: 1. Hard to Love � I like the rock acoustic guitar sound and feel to this song, its very catchy lyrically. I can see this song climbing both the pop and country charts. This song is about a man who is basically questioning how his lover tolerates him. 2. A Women Like You � I love the complete acoustic feel to this song, its again very catchy and personal as its about a discussion between Lee and his soon to be wife and how he would be if he was still single. 3. That's When You Know It's Over � I like this song, it has a nice rolling drum beat that leads into a splash of instrumentation, with some riffy guitars that�s pairing nicely with the drums to support the well written lyrics. 4. Parking Lot Party � I love the fun party feel of this song. It�s a jammier and rocker for sure. I like the short, catchy live sounding vocals and crowd background. I especially like the acoustic group vocals at the end. 5. Don't Believe Everything You Think � I could see this song being sung by Tim McGraw, as Lee really does sound like him in this song. This song is classic guitar laced song with a reassuring love theme of �don�t believe every rumor�6. I Drive Your Truck � This is the first song I heard from this album. I love how the slow piano opening bursts into a fast tempo expression of how a friend is remembered by simply driving a friend�s truck. This song is laced with emotion, especially in the chorus. I like how the end of this song flows seamlessly in the next track. 7. See About A Girl � I like the slow tempo to this song. A very personal song lyrically about Lee�s girlfriend. 8. Friend We Won�t Forget � I really love the rock feel to this song. This song seems very personal lyrics as they are about memories growing up in the south and in a small town. With that being said the meaning could be the theme of anyone�s life.9. Years Off My Life � This song is my second favorite off the album. It�s a faster tempo fast paced song about looking back on life and talking about how he won�t take years off his life.10. Seven Days a Thousand Times � This song is another love ballad about meeting a girl on spring break, falling in love and having to leave her after a week. 11. Beer � A feel good party song about how much Lee loves beer and partying. This song starts slow then picks up tempo during the chorus, exploding into a drum lead jamming session. 12. That Way Again � An acoustic song that is very powerful. Its about a relationship that seems to have faded or last its spark so the girl is trying to regain that spark. The lyrics are very well preformed. 13. One More Day � This is very solid song, very beautiful lyrically.. it deals with the fact that Lee is away from his wife and baby all the time. I like the changes in tempo from slow to fast as the song progresses. Favorite Songs: That's When You Know It's Over, Parking Lot Party, I Drive Your Truck, Years Off My Life, Beer, One More Day

Positives� I love how personal this album is as far as the love songs towards Lee�s soon to be wife.� I like the rock feel on this album really on the �party themed song�, even on the ballads the vocals, which remind me of a young Garth Brooks or Tim McGraw. The instrumental work is good as well.Downsides� I didn�t like the fact that this album didn�t take any huge risks, there was really no hugely memorable song although they are still good.

Final Review: To recap,This album is a very solid release.

After first listening to his album I must admit that I was a little disappointed, I kind of expected Lee to take some risk with this album; the songs are good/catchy but now what I was expecting.This album follows Lee�s own musical style: Ive noticed that Lee doesn�t really have a flashy musical style, rather his style is more simple and laid back; this album kind of stayed �by the book; with mostly ballad and party theme rocked combined with all the classic country tone and rocking instrumentals mix with a lot of diversity with vocal tones and instrumentation used on most tracks. As I said before I wish Lee would�ve taken some risks on this album (with the topic etc�.)I see a lot of potential in Lee as both a song writer and artist. I can�t wait to see how he grows on his next record.My rating: 6-6.5. a solid(good) release that is only missing a few risky/experimental elements.

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