Morgan Wallen, Dangerous: The Double Album | Album Review 💿

Although it runs long, there is plenty to like about Dangerous: The Double Album, the sophomore LP by country standout, Morgan Wallen.

Country music has a big following – few will dispute that. That said, it’s rarer that a country musician ends up with a highly anticipated album that has the pop world tuned it.  Well, my friends, Tennessee’s own 🎙 Morgan Wallen has definitely experienced a ‘come up,’ becoming of country’s biggest names.  His ascent sets up his sophomore album, 💿 Dangerous: The Double Album for success.  It isn’t all hype either – Dangerous has ample selling points.  Topping the list are those awesome pipes by the star himself.

💿 1

“Sand in My Boots” 

Morgan Wallen commences Dangerous: The Double Album with a surefire bang.  No, ✅ 🎵 “Sand in My Boots” isn’t an up-tempo country banger, but it is a gorgeous country ballad that ‘gives off those feels.’  Wallen showcases his terrific instrument, singing with incredible expression and nuance.  The songwriting is solid, particularly the centerpiece, the passionate chorus where he’s “Dodging potholes in my sunburnt Silverado / Like a heart-broke Desperado, headin’ right back to my roots.”

✅ 🎵 “Wasted on You” definitely has a hard act to follow but proves to be up to the task.  The record maintains country cues but doesn’t limit itself. How so? Well, that drum programming definitely don’t characterize your father’s country music, does it?  Where so often pop experiments in country fall flat, Wallen makes it work well here. Again, his voice shines.  If you needed something slightly more traditional (none of them fancy drums), the brief 🎵 “Somebody’s Problem” should tickle your fancy. Wallen gives us some twang as he longs for this girl who was once “somebody’s problem, somebody’s goodbye” that is ultimately “about to be mine.” In other words, she’s incredibly special and he’s all about making her his.

“More Surprised Than Me” 

On 🎵 “More Surprised Than Me,” Wallen explores assumptions made about himself, as well as his relationship.  “But nobody buys it when we walk in / They say there ain’t no way that she’s with him,” he sings on the chorus, adding “In a world where nothing is what it seems / And no one more surprised than me.” The chorus is pretty sweet, as are the verses where he mentioned buying a Harvard sweatshirt at Goodwill and his accent making him dumb – at least, that’s the perception.

Alcohol and country won’t be “quitting each other” anytime soon.  That’s awesome for us when it comes to ✅ 🎵 “865,” where the whiskey Morgan’s drinking reminds him of an ex- (from his hometown) he’s totally not over (area code 865, with ensuing telephone number). It’s not the first country song involving the bottle, but he manages to make the experience unique.  Pop fans never fear – ✅🎵 “Warning” fuses the best of both worlds.  Vocally, Wallen remains true to self, sounding Tennessean through and through. Furthermore, there’s a story in play, cementing “Warning” in the country corner.  Still, once more, we get some pop cues that beyond the standard guitars, mainly in the form of sleek drums.  Throw in a catchy chorus, and the crossover is complete.

“Neon Eyes”

Wallen wisely never strays too far, with 🎵 “Neon Eyes” shoring up the base… for the most part.   It’s energetic and entertaining, continuing to play to his strengths.  Once again, it’s his awesome voice and a catchy chorus that seals the deal.  🎵 “Outlaw,” featuring 🎙 Ben Burgess, is actually more traditional, with those ripe guitars providing some punch.  Of course, Burgess proves to be an asset, singing the second verse and the following chorus.  

“Tequila made me crazy / Cold beer wouldn’t do / So I’d whiskey’d my way over you.” As is often the case, Morgan Wallen looks to ‘drown his sorrows’ via 🎵 “Whiskey’d My Way.”  That’s the country way.  Of course, it’s not specific to country – the alcoholic atonement is universal! The source of his depression? Heartbreak, of course – isn’t that always the way? Despite his mood, he shows out on this lively ballad.

“Wonderin’ Bout the Wind”

Dangerous continues on consistently and enjoyably with 🎵 “Wonderin’ Bout the Wind.”  Of course, things are more fun when beer 🍺 is involved.  That’s where ✅ 🎵 “Your Bartender” comes into the mix.  Written hypothetically, Wallen asserts everything he’d be and do for her, capped off by his role at the bar: “If I was your bartender / I’d mix ‘em up strong in a tall blender.”  Of course, you would Morgan.  Worth noting, this ranks among the best-produced tracks (🎛 Joey Moi and 🎛 Matt Dragstrem) on an album that seems to spare little expense.

On ✅ 🎵 “Only Thing That’s Gone,” Wallen collaborates with country royalty – 🎙 Chris Stapleton! Two fantastic voices rise to the occasion, particularly as they harmonize on another alcoholic chorus:

“Bartender, pour me one more
Make it quick and make it strong
‘Cause buddy, my last drink, yeah
Ain’t the only thing that’s gone.” 

In addition to high-flying pipes and another heaping dose of heartbreak, we get a kick ass guitar solo.  Yep, that’s some “Country A$$ Shit” right there.  Oops – we haven’t got to that song yet (that’s 💿 two)!

“Cover Me Up” 

“Your Bartender” and “Only Thing That’s Gone” definitely keep the momentum going strong approaching the end of the first disc.  The excellence doesn’t cease there. ✅ 🎵 “Cover Me Up” marks one of the more impressive and radiant ballads to appear on the album.  In an album filled with memorable choruses, “Cover Me Up” definitely earns a spot among the best of the best, if it’s not the very best.  Of course, doesn’t hurt that it’s a 🎙 Jason Isbell cover, right? Further making this a gem is the combination of top-notch vocals and of course, incredible authenticity as an artist – Wallen seems very true to self.

“But I wonder when you’re drinking if you / Find yourself thinking about / That boy from East Tennessee?” Amazingly, crowd pleaser ✅ 🎵 “7 Summers” doesn’t appear until the 14^th track – the middle of this 30-track affair.  Nonetheless, it’s well worth the wait, continuing the victory lap that Wallen has taken throughout the course of Dangerous: The Double Album.  Written by Wallen, 🎼 ✍ Shane McAnally, and 🎼 ✍ Josh Osborne, Wallen reminisces on a past relationship, always a perfect topic for a song, particularly a country song.  He closes out the first half of Dangerous with 🎵 “More Than My Hometown” asserting, “Baby, this might be the last time I get to lay you down / ‘Cause I can’t love you more than my hometown.” Fittingly, “More Than My Hometown” gives this country album it’s obligatory song about hometowns.