Gary Allan
By All Music Guide
By All Music Guide
ew traditionalist country singer; finally, in 1996, he was picked up by the Decca label. Used Heart for Sale appeared that year, and even if it was a bit timid, the album established Allan as a talented performer with plenty of potential. Two years later, he returned with It Would Be You. This time out, Allan suffered from slick Nashville production, which winnowed away most of his whiskey-soaked barroom charm. Nevertheless, Allans talent shone through. In 1999, Decca closed its doors. However, Allans contract was picked up by MCA, which released his Smoke Rings in the Dark later that year. The album combined most of what Allan did best -- dusty honky tonk, cracked country allads -- into a solid effort that didnt get too heavy with the Music City sheen. The album even included a rousing cover of the Del Shannon classic Runaway that harked back to Allans younger days on the honky tonk circuit. With 2001s Alright Guy, an accomplished mix of driving, dusty swagger and slow-burn croon, Allan proved that he was only getting better with age. Its single, Man to Man, became the singers first number one hit. Allan toured extensively in support of Alright Guy before beginning work on a follow-up album, and when See If I Care appeared in September 2003, it was another solid set of Bakersfield-derived country and poignant balladry. Tough All Over, a Top Ten hit, arrived in 2005.
