CD: Billy Ray Cyrus - I'm American | reviews, news & interviews
CD: Billy Ray Cyrus - I'm American
CD: Billy Ray Cyrus - I'm American
Hannah Montana's dad starts off ok, but soon starts to parody himself
His daughter may be Hannah Montana and he may have set country music sales records but, worldwide, Billy Ray Cyrus will never escape his mega-hit “Achy Breaky Heart”. Although that was a novelty record, it epitomised everything people find preposterous about America’s red states. Which is why, outside of America’s heartlands, most people find it difficult to take Cyrus seriously. It's something he finds very frustrating.
I’m American is Cyrus’s “patriot” album. It’s all about troops and home and stars and stripes. It’s full girls left behind, and parents’ war records. Just the sort of record you can imagine pouring out of Sarah Palin’s 4x4 as she thunders across the tundra to kill a moose. Thankfully, though, there are redeeming musical qualities. In places, I’m American reveals Cyrus to be a surprisingly able composer. There are moments where he skilfully borrows the sound that John Cougar Mellancamp uses to subvert the American dream. But, of course, Cyrus, isn’t subverting anything.
Still, despite the mawkish patriotism – worst offenders being the collaborations, “Stars and Stripes” and “Some Gave All” – the record’s highlights have a strange, ironic charm. We’ve all grown up on American movies, and “Runway Lights” and “We Fought Hard” evoke life on the road. “Old Army Hat”, made me think, momentarily, of Kris Kristofferson. The title track, though, was just like spoof movie Team America’s “America, F**k Yeah”. Just for real.
Watch Billy Ray perform “Achy Breaky Heart” at conservative talk-show host Sean Hannity’s Freedom Concert
Share this article
The future of Arts Journalism
You can stop theartsdesk.com closing!
We urgently need financing to survive. Our fundraising drive has thus far raised £33,000 but we need to reach £100,000 or we will be forced to close. Please contribute here: https://gofund.me/c3f6033d
And if you can forward this information to anyone who might assist, we’d be grateful.
Subscribe to theartsdesk.com
Thank you for continuing to read our work on theartsdesk.com. For unlimited access to every article in its entirety, including our archive of more than 15,000 pieces, we're asking for £5 per month or £40 per year. We feel it's a very good deal, and hope you do too.
To take a subscription now simply click here.
And if you're looking for that extra gift for a friend or family member, why not treat them to a theartsdesk.com gift subscription?
more New music












Add comment