"Please Remember Me", the initial hit song from A Place In The Sun, was criticized for being overblown. I think that criticism is wrong. The song's writer, Rodney Crowell, has written a number of great songs over the years. I think this is another gem from Rodney, which Tim was smart enough to recognize as a hit--and the idea of one person's asking the other person to keep a memory of a relationship, even though the relationship is over, is skillfully done. "Carry On", about keeping a positive attitude in the face of adversity, is another great song. Even the drinking songs, "She'll Have You Back" and "Senorita Margarita" show a depth that was lacking in some of Tim's earlier songs. The title song, "A Place In The Sun", about searching for a "place"--meaning, a sense of belonging--is well-crafted. And "My Best Friend" is a positive statement about marriage.

Tim still gets up-tempo here. "Something Like That" is a catchy song about what the first romance feels like (remember the line about the "barbecue stain on my white T-shirt"); "Seventeen" is a rocking number dealing with what it was like to be that age; and "My Next Thirty Years" is a bouncy celebration of life. The difference between these numbers and some of Tim's earlier songs is that, besides being fun, these songs actuslly tell a story. Tim and his co-producers, James Stroud and Byron Gallimore, put a lot of work into this record, and nowhere is it more apparent than in the song selection.

Even though I hadn't bought an album by Tim McGraw before I bought A Place In The Sun, I gained a greater appreciation for his music after listening to the album. As this record shows, Tim is no mere novelty-song singer. He's a talented entertainer who until recently hasn't gotten the recognition he deserves.

9 of 9 found the following review helpful:


A Must Have...  Dec 05, 1999
Mr. McGraw's fifth cd, 'A Place In The Sun' is by far the best album of 1999. Songs like "My Best Friend", "Some things Never Change", and "A Place in the Sun" are songs that could make you melt. Songs like "Something Like That," "Seventeen," "She'll Have You Back," and "My Next Thirty" have a more fun - party feel to them. Tim's cd "A Place in the Sun", which was named CMA album of the year, and which has aready been certified double platium is a must have for any music fan.

8 of 8 found the following review helpful:


New country music fan impressed!  May 29, 1999 By kellchal@aol.com
I just started listening to Tim McGraw a couple months ago. My boyfriend bought Everywhere for me, and when I listened to the whole thing, I couldn't believe that I loved every song on that cd. I had never had that happen to me before. So, when I bought A Place in the Sun, I certainly didn't think that would happen again. But remarkably, it has, but in a different way than Everywhere. If you buy this cd expecting it to be the same kind of music as his last, you are in for a shock. It is the kind of cd that when you first hear it and you're expecting something different, it's not too appealing. At first, I thought it was a cd I wouldn't be listening to too much. But the songs kind of grow on you after hearing them a couple times. After getting over the initial shock. And no, there aren't a lot of fast honky tonk songs, but I think this cd is just another aspect of himself that he wants to show. If an artist doesn't change every once in a while, he becomes too predictable and that causes people to become bored. Instead of being shocked, you might've said, "Oh, it's just a typical Tim McGraw cd." My favorite song on this cd is "You don't love me anymore," and "A Place in the Sun." I only read one bad review of this fabulous cd, and I truly think that anyone who finds this a disappointment is lacking the depth to appreciate it. Maybe the words he used were too big. Buy this cd! I'm a reformed alternative rock listener. I'm hooked on country!

4 of 4 found the following review helpful:


His best yet  Apr 18, 2000
Before this Cd i wasn't sure what was my favorite kind of music until I heard it. This is probally the best i've heard. With pulse rising songs like something like that, and a place in the sun, this cd can really get you going. And with songs like Somebody must be praying for me, you can find a song for just about any mood your in. This Cd could be the signature of country, that could carry it thru anything. There is not a bad song on it. The heck with 5 stars it deserves it's own constellation.

4 of 4 found the following review helpful:


A Fantastic CD  Jan 15, 2000 By Clare Ford
There is not one song on this CD that I didn't like.This CD turned me on to country music. Tim is a great entertainer and deserves high honors for this one.Everyone should give a listen to it.I think they'll be surprised.

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