Joe Nichols

"Revelation"

Universal Records

Grade: D

To say the title of this album does not do justice to the material would be quite an understatement. "Revelation" is the title of Joe Nichols' sophomore venture, but it does not deliver what it promises.

It is a shame that such a hypnotic voice was wasted on lyrics that have no depth.

In the last line of the album's first track "The Shade," Nichols sings "Yeah, the shade come free with the tree." As far as lyrical quality, there is not much for the listener to grab on to.

True, some of the songs, like "Don't Ruin It for the Rest of Us," would be good dance tunes. However, the song's syrupy lyrics ruin any appeal it might have had on the dance floor.

The rest of the songs follow suit.

"Revelation," the album's title track, is the one of the only songs which delivers powerful and poignant lyrics. It tells the story of a man who dreams that he is a soldier during the Vietnam War.

Unfortunately, Joe can not take credit for this ballad. It was originally recorded by Waylon Jennings in 1972.

"No Time to Cry" also does its part to save the album from being a complete bust.

Nichols' county twang, along with the song's emotional lyrics, which describe a son coping with the loss of his father, gives life to an album that would otherwise need life support.

Joe Nichols gives ammunition to those disgruntled fans who think country music is nothing more than whiskey and dead dogs.

-- by Laura Jones, managing editor