Undeniably unstoppable

Rascal Flatts

Unstoppable

Lyric Street

April 7, 2009

Rating: A-

???Every once in a while, a band comes along and helps change the face of music - or at least a genre of music.

???For 10 years now, Gary LeVox, Jay DeMarcus and Joe Don Rooney, a trio better known as Rascal Flatts, has done just that to the country world. Blending terrific harmonies with poignant lyrics, their sixth studio album Unstoppable, further proves what a force this group has truly become.

???Their first single off the album, "Here Comes Goodbye," is the tale of a man realizing that his girlfriend is about to break up with him and his mental preparation for the event. ???Beginning with just piano and vocals, the piece sends a sorrowful message.

???"Here comes goodbye/ Here comes the last time/ Here comes the start of every sleepless night/ The first of every tear I'm gonna cry," LeVox sings.

???Several other songs also deal with a man's heartbreak over the loss of the woman in his life. "Holdin' On" and "Once," though similar in theme, are both effective in conveying the feeling of complete loss and heartache, much of which can be attributed to LeVox's singing style.

???In "Close," the band changes focus via point of view-this time, a woman's. As she tries to move on from a bygone relationship, she feels unable to let go. The skill to easily represent both genders with truthful and enduring lyrics is what gives Rascal Flatts such an increasingly wide fan base.

???Two tracks, both bearing strong messages, stand out from the rest.

???With the first track off the album, "Love Who You Love," the band gives out some simple advice about not taking the one you're with for granted.

???"Love who you love/ With all that you have/ And don't waste the time that flies so fast/ Love who you love/ And say that you do/ Hold on as tight as they'll let you," LeVox sings.

???What follows is "Things That Matter," which delves into the lives of several people whose experiences have made them angry and somewhat negative. Their feelings of hostility change when they are confronted with the things that really matter in life.

???Rooney's reflective guitar solo rounds out the song and orchestrates the perfect ending - the slowly fading melodic endnote, allowing time for listeners to reflect on their own lives.

???Rascal Flatts have proved, once again, why they are country music's number one vocal group, with the tightly written and heartfelt Unstoppable.