When Somebody Loves You Alan Jackson Arista Nashville, 2000   Buy it online Tracks 1: Meat and Potato Man 2: When Somebody Loves You 3: The Thrill Is Back 4: www.memory 5: Where I Come From 6: I Still Love You 7: Life Or Love 8: A Love Like That 9: It's Alright To Be A Redneck 10: Maybe I Should Stay Here 11. Three Minute Positive Not Too Country Up-tempo Love Song   Reviewed by Lincoln Cho	Sometimes in the quest for songs that chart instantly and albums that will sell to the largest segment of the population, something is lost. Or maybe several somethings. Take Faith Hill and her 1999 album, Breathe. The Hill we grew to love on earlier albums is gone almost without a trace. Sure: there's still that stellar voice, but it's watered down, somehow. Less compelling by being pushed into the mainstream. And certainly, less country. Watching successful country artists attempting to capture a pop audience is a little embarrassing at times. There's something apologetic and even pathetic about it. "This is what I was. But I can be what you like, too." The nicest part of all of these shenanigans is that it makes you appreciate the ones that don't do it. On When Somebody Loves You, his 10th album in as many years, Alan Jackson is not merely unapologetic of his country roots and sound, he's absolutely celebratory. For instance, on the album's first track, Jackson croons that: I like my Wrangler jeans, cowboy boots Cornbread and beans and country roots It's just who I am A meat and potato man Later, on "Where I Come From," he adds: 'Cause where I come from it's cornbread and chicken Where I come from a lotta front porch pickin' Where I come from tryin' to make a livin' Workin' hard to get to heaven Where I come from And just in case either of those tunes left you any doubts, "It's Alright To Be A Redneck" puts them to rest: It's alright to work hard in the sun all day Drink a couple beers after balin' hay It's good to be a redneck Drive by Ernie's for some barbecue Showin' off your brand new boots The country When Somebody Loves You evokes barely exists anymore: clear skies, open highways inhabited by rusty trucks and "cars that won't run." A place where a guy can be a guy and women are "hot" and the "beer ice cold." So pointed is Jackson's message on When Somebody Loves You that it sometimes seems like a lampoon. But of what? Himself? The genre that's been so good to him? Or the members of the country contingent that would see themselves competing for album buyers and ticket sales with the likes of Dishwalla and U2? The spoof theory is given credence by the last song on the album. "Three Minute Positive Not Too Country Up-Tempo Love Song," that times out -- not surprisingly -- at precisely three minutes: Well it's the right amount of timin' The proper form or rhymin' A little guitar and then it's gone All of these highjinks would be plain silliness without Jackson's solid tunesmithing and true and clean country delivery. In fine form on When Somebody Loves You, even the album's more serious songs -- the title track, for instance, as well as the Harley Allen-written ballad "I Still Love You" -- include elements of humor. And -- counterpoint -- the obviously humorous tunes are well crafted and performed country songs. When Somebody Loves You was produced by longtime Jackson collaborator Keith Stegall and features all of the steel guitars, fiddles and mandolins that have trademarked Jackson's traditional country sound. From end to end When Somebody Loves You is one of Jackson's most consistently upbeat albums and a very good example of the work of a mature musician at the height of his confidence and ability. | December 2000 Lincoln Cho is a musician and freelance writer.	The country When Somebody Loves You evokes barely exists anymore: clear skies, open highways inhabited by rusty trucks and "cars that won't run." A place where a guy can be a guy and women are "hot" and the "beer ice cold."