[.ca] Loving Every Minute

From Amazon.com:
Even when he's happy, the ever-mournful Mark Wills sounds like a country-pop Droopy. And when he's sad, he sings of a parade of Norma Raes, wiping their brows in a laundry room or dishing out advice to lonely customers who can't see the forest for the ham 'n' eggs. Wills goes into orbit for "Back on Earth," about a touring country star who likens himself to an astronaut, but saves his brighter moments for "I Hate Chicago" and "Lost in a Kiss," which contain the best hooks in the fly box. It's the sort of schmaltzy country, thick with strings and pounding pianos, that creates its own video tableau, like pet food that makes its own gravy. --Henry Cabot Beck

Yet more ballads and 2 good story songs:
Hard to believe Mark Wills got his start singing rock and roll in Atlanta. Once again, "Loving Every Minute" is loaded up with Will's sappy ballads and misses the mark on the attempted up-tempo material. What may save this project are the two well written 'story' songs "The Balloon Song" and "Somebody". Mercury did a very good job finding him material for "Wish You Were Here". The creative well may have run dry after that one though. You can only turn to pop songs so much before listeners begin to catch on. "Back At One" got alot of early record sales, but the momentum stopped with the second single - an attempt to cover a "Brandy" pop tune. Wills has had a challenge trying to break his reputation as a "balladier" and get something up tempo that hits on radio. Do have to give him or should we say Mercury credit for finding "The Balloon Song" a very touching story that takes an unsuspecting twist. Surprisingly this one hasn't been released yet. The duet with Jamie O'Neal looked intriguing until you listen to the bubblegum pop lyrics. This was actually the weakest track on Jamie's CD. The ironic thing is, the initial appearance is: match up a newcomer with an established act and let the new act ride the coat tales of the more successful act and give the new act credibility. Seems as though Mercury now needs a very hot Jamie O'Neal to prop up a quickly fading act with dying record sales.

This album stinks:
I admit, I have seen Mark Wills in concert, I have his two previous albums, but this is one that I would like to use as a coaster. I liked the title track "Loving Every Minute" but thats about all I liked on this album. Very Weak, I recommend that you don't buy it unless you are a serious mark wills groupie and can't get enough of him. I was hating every minute of the rest of this album and Im waiting for the next one to come out. Perhaps a Christmas album? It has to get better than this.

One Of the Best CDs I have Heard In My Day:
Loving Every Minute is a great song full of joy. One of these days is a song you will want to listen to one of these days and you will feel sorry for Robbie Lee who likes her hair long. I hate Chicago is full of fun and you will not want to stop listening to it! ... Somebody will touch your heart and make you want some ham n eggs! I'll be around will make you hungry for some cake!

Great:
I love this CD for many reasons, not the least of which is Mark's wonderful, smooth, emotive voice. Great evocative lyrics and excellent driving/pound on the steering wheel songs, with delicate ballads interspersed. I especially like "Loving Every Minute," "I Hate Chicago," and "The Balloon Song." This is what Country is SUPPOSED to be. I love it!

A big drop from earlier work:
A huge letdown for this Mark Wills' fan. I really liked 'Wish You Were Here' and 'Permanently' (a little less so), but this album could be a career ender. Overly polished production and weak writing on most tracks.

• Loving Every Minute
• One of These Days
• In My Heaven
• Back on Earth
• I Hate Chicago
• Universe
• Somebody
• I'll Be Around
• Lost in a Kiss
• Balloon Song
• Love Can't
• I'm Not Gonna Do Anything Without You - Jamie O'Neal, Mark Wills