Big & Rich Between Raising Hell And Amazing Grace CD

Ruling over the country music scene like no songwriting and production team has in decades, Big and Rich return with their third album as artists, the concept record BETWEEN RAISING HELL AND AMAZING GRACE. Much as the title implies, the album is divided into two halves, the first focusing on the duo's own brand of devotional music. This doesn't mean the usual gospel standards, but a series of heartfelt ballads that touch on both spiritual and earthly themes. The album's second half, starting with the two-part "Radio" is closer to what Big and Rich's early fans expect from the duo, a side's worth of bracing country-rock with soul and metal influences. In particular, a storming cover of AC/DC's "You Shook Me All Night Long" and the soulful "Please Man" featuring Wyclef Jean (R&B star John Legend provides vocal support on the dreamy "Eternity") neatly encapsulate the range of the duo's extra-Nashville influences. The bifurcation of the duo's two musical sides takes a bit of getting used to at first, especially since the layout of the album puts all the ballads on the first half, but BETWEEN RAISING HELL AND AMAZING GRACE is a fine listen regardless.

Big & Rich: John Rich, Big Kenny.

Additional personnel: Wes Hightower (vocals); Gary Burnette (acoustic guitar); Tom Bukovac, Adam Shoenfeld (electric guitar); Mike Johnson, Paul Franklin (steel guitar); Johnathan Yudkin (fiddle); Max Abrahms (horns); Michael Rojas (piano); Mike Brignardello, Ethan Pilzer (bass instrument); Tommy Harden, Steve Brewster (drums); Larry Babb (tambourine); John Legend, Wyclef Jean.