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Shock'n Y'All Image
Metascore
71

Generally favorable reviews - based on 7 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
4.5

Mixed or average reviews- based on 36 Ratings

  • Summary: The country singer seeems to enjoy pushing buttons (albeit with a sense of humor), and he continues his recent forays into politicized music with this latest LP, which features songs such as "American Soldier" and "The Taliban Song."

Top Track

American Soldier
I'm just trying to be a father Raise a daughter and a son Be a lover to their mother Everything to everyone Up and at 'em bright and early I'm all... See the rest of the song lyrics
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 7
  2. Negative: 0 out of 7
  1. Keith is happy to be a dirty old SOB, cracking jokes, drinking beer, and flirting with the ladies, and that makes Shock'n Y'All a fun, rough, rowdy album that wins you over despite your better impulses.
  2. Missteps like the hair-band guitar riffs in ''Whiskey Girl'' or the goofball testosterone of ''Sweet'' hinder the CD a bit.
  3. The hilariously blasphemous Jesus number, '80s-AOR-chorded tough-girl ode, Margaritaville-calypsoed frat-band lookback, and outlaw drawler about Willie's deadly herb all movingly balance muscle with vulnerability.
  4. It’s hard to remember that he once wrote well-crafted ballads of romantic infatuation.
  5. While, lyrically, Keith's material aims for the lowest common denominator, even songs like the shameless arena-rock ballad "American Soldier," are a pleasant change from Nashville's typical assembly line product.
  6. If he approached these songs with the slightest hint of subtlety, he might get his point across, but he's happy just hammering everyone with his trailer-park politics.
  7. Blender
    40
    Keith has a gift for wrapping angry thoughts in man-of-the-people plain-speak, with a Lynyrd Skynyrd-meet-Jimmy Buffett friendliness. But underneath, there's often a set of mean cliches. [Dec 2003, p.138]
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 13
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 13
  3. Negative: 6 out of 13
  1. PhilM
    Dec 17, 2005
    10
    Once again Toby comes through with a great mix of music. Love it!
  2. DebbieH
    Mar 9, 2004
    10
    "Thank God", for Toby Keith, his musicis so supportive of our Armed Forces. My son is serving over seas, and his Shock'n Y'All "Thank God", for Toby Keith, his musicis so supportive of our Armed Forces. My son is serving over seas, and his Shock'n Y'All music gives me strength to go on every day, and motivates others to support our troops. Thanks Again for a wonderful album. Keep up the wonderful work. Collapse
  3. NADINEB
    Dec 19, 2003
    10
    This is a great CD
  4. annabellew
    Mar 16, 2004
    10
    Thank God someone like him really cares for us. I support our troops 100% and as a veteran it is really touching to see that someone like him Thank God someone like him really cares for us. I support our troops 100% and as a veteran it is really touching to see that someone like him appreciates us. Thank you Toby Keith!!!!!! God bless you always...... Expand
  5. FirHousen
    Jan 10, 2004
    1
    Toby used to be a great vocalist and songwriter when he was a bit serious and a bit lighthearted. Now, it's pure bravado, machismo, and Toby used to be a great vocalist and songwriter when he was a bit serious and a bit lighthearted. Now, it's pure bravado, machismo, and arrogance. I don't care if that's how he is in real life, but I don't need that attitude in EVERY song. Nor do I need him parading the American flag around to make money. I want back pre-How Do You Like Me Now? Toby. That had heart. Expand
  6. FirHousen
    Jan 10, 2004
    1
    Toby used to be a great vocalist and songwriter when he was a bit serious and a bit lighthearted. Now, it's pure bravado, machismo, and Toby used to be a great vocalist and songwriter when he was a bit serious and a bit lighthearted. Now, it's pure bravado, machismo, and arrogance. I don't care if that's how he is in real life, but I don't need that attitude in EVERY song. Nor do I need him parading the American flag around to make money. I want back pre-How Do You Like Me Now? Toby. That had heart. Expand
  7. timduffy
    Dec 17, 2003
    0
    this music actually causes iritable bowl syndrome.

See all 13 User Reviews