Pat Green's last CD, WAVE ON WAVE, was hit-and-miss: the title cut was a great song, but most of the others weren't stand-outs. It was stuck somewhere between Green's alternative roots, and his vision of mainstream success.

LUCKY ONES, thank God, makes the transition into full mainstream--with a little hint of his alternative past in the expert songwriting put into these songs. Producer Don Gehman emphasizes drums and guitars--much like he did with John Cougar's immortal AMERICAN FOOL--and raises this album above forgetable contemporary schmaltz. It becomes something of a country/rock album...and it is here that Pat Green may find his true throne.

He didn't write any of these numbers by his lonesome, but he chose some damn good cowriters: Drew Womack, Ray Wiley Hubbard, Rob Thomas, Radney Foster, and Brad Paisley, for example. The strenght of these tunes lies in their production and lyrics: some songs on here, such as "Long Way to Go," "My Little Heaven," and "Temporary Angel" are downright poetic. And few tunes are more romantic than Radney Foster's "Lucky Ones," or the Green/Foster collaboration "It's Time." And yet, "College" is an absolutely hilarious number written and performed with Brad Paisley, and "Sweet Revenge" will reinvigorate the ears of Green's longtime fans ("Ain't lookin for vindication/Apologies or consolation/Pull em up and burn the roots/Kill their horses and steal their boots/Ooh, sweet revenge"), a bluesy number that reminds one of many a survivalist documentary...or "Deliverance."

So, Pat Green's LUCKY ONES man alienate some of his fans. However, it IS a good--possibly even great--CD that gets better every time you listen to it. Give it a try; if you're one of Green's die-hard Texas fans, maybe he'll get back to that stuff later. For now, he's searching for fame and fortunate...and thankfully, he's making great music while doing so.

The Lucky Ones are the people who purchase this album. To me, Pat Green is like Merle Haggard: in a class by himself. CCR, McClure, Roger Clyne and Reckless Kelly are all good, but no one can match Pat. LO is strong from start to finish and has a good mix of songs. My personal favorites are "Somewhere Between Texas and Mexico", Radney's "Lucky Ones", and the Rob Thomas collaboration "My Little Heaven". Pat, please come play the Wormy Dog Saloon in Oklahoma City more often.

Having read previous reviews of this new CD by Pat Green fans, I can understand how they are probably alittle disappointed in its more mainstream country sound. To me, to say sell-out is abit strong. As a more "mature" listener (my college 'daze' have LONG past me by...), I know you can't stay young forever surviving on beer songs and party muzak. (Oh, yes, I also own CD's by Reckless Kelly, Cross Canadian Ragweed, Robert Earl Keen and a few others - just so you know I'm not a totally old fart)

However, at least Pat had the good sense to surround himself with some excellent co-writers for this CD. "Baby Doll, Somewhere between Texas and Mexico, and the last four tracks - Long Way Home, Temporary Angel", etc. are my favorites as I like both the music and the lyrics to the songs.

However, give me time, I may just yet invest in some of PG's other CDs afterI get tired of listening to this one as Icontinue my ever growing search for authentic songwriters and artists rather than the over-produced stuff that plagues both the country, rock and pop-music genres in today's music world.

I've read most of the reviews that slam this album and those that praise it. This album is not overly produced like wave on wave was (and recorded in California)with synthesizer parts and etc. His new producer Don Gehman's efforts (producer for this one and wave on wave) however show in this album where Pat is not like his old material from the late 90's but he is also not mainstream like a Tim Mcgraw and others, he is in my opinion growing as an Americana roots star where Gehman's aim usually goes.
Pat Green's new album shows the effects of the producer in making this into a good americana albumn in my opinion. Pat still supports the Texas scene even though he has supposedly sold out (with co-writing or songs writen by Texas alums Jack Ingram,Ray Wylie Hubbard,Wade Bowen,and Radney Foster on the cd).. A lot more than others can say. Espcially with someone who still recognizes that his band is what helps him not just hired gun back-ups (pat green recognizes his band in the cd's liner notes by allowing them to write thank yous and they are active in the making/writing of the cds)..Something mainstream artists can't say)


With Pat's influences changing, He has changed from a honky-tonk Texas star to a americana roots star that is still pushing the country borders. I got into Pat between his Carry On and Three Days Cd's but have got everything from Dancehall dreamer on... Yes he's changed, I personally liked the Carry On/Three days time frame of his music but he is getting better and hopefully getting back to his texas roots more and more (This cd was recorded in Texas and you can tell the difference in feel compared to Wave on Wave)
So to sum it up, If you remember Pat Green from his Honky tonk player days (1995-1999), you will mostly be the ones slamming this one... If you like him from Three days and carry on, You will wish that he relook at some of the vibes and writing from that time but you will pretty much like it.... If you know him only from wave on wave, he is a fairly new player to you whose music is polished on more songs this go around than wave on wave but still rougher than most mainstream artists for those who want to try something different but don't go too far from mainstream pop country.

I am a relatively new country music fan, and most definitely a brand new Pat Green fan, and I have to say "Lucky Ones" is a great album. A person could certainly call me a displaced rocker from the 1980s, as I miss this big arena rock sound and the bigger-than-life image which went with it; but quite frankly, this is why I find such a refuge in Country's new sound. It's rock, and I like it! Thanks for being a pleasure to listen to, Mr. Green...I hope other hopeless rockers will find you.