Steve Moakler
Steel Town
Having previously released three independent albums and a 5 track EP in 2016, after signing a management deal with Nashville based Creative Nation, Pittsburgh native, Steve Moakler has now released Steel Town (no guesses needed for where inspiration for the title came from!). Moakler has co-writing credits on Dierks Bentley’s 2015 hit Riser, Bentley’s once in life song, as well as Mardi Gras from the album Black. He has previously seen his music recorded by Jake Owen, Ashley Monroe and Kellie Pickler amongst others. Fans of Dan and Shay may already be familiar with Moaklerhaving toured with the band in North America in 2016. As well as touring with Dan and Shay 2016 was the first time Moakler played the Grand Ole Opry.
The album opens with the title track, Steel Town, Moakler’shomage to his home town of Pittsburgh. Many people will be able to make links with the lyrics to this song as it tells the story of the things you learn growing up in your home town and even after you leave it it will always be home.
The second track, Suitcase, has co-writing credits for Thomas Rhett. This has been Moakler’s biggest song to date having racked up over 2 million views on Spotify and Pandora as well as over 600,000 YouTube views. The tale of giving everything up, even a suitcase full of money, to be with the one you love.
The love song theme of the albums continues with Jealous Girl, the girl you want is with someone else; Summer Without Her, when summer just isn’t the same after a break-up and you can’t enjoy it the same way; having not got the girl and then losing the girl, Love Drunk, is the falling in love song – you got me all up dizzy up in my head, buzzin’ on your pretty drees. This is one of my favourite songs on the album and could easily be a future single and reach the success of Suitcase. The positive love songs don’t last for long on this album as up next, Hearts Don’t Break That Way, is the story of getting dumped by a note.
Wheels is the song everyone knows the feeling about. From traveling on the random family road trips that feel never ending to getting your own car but when this happen you realise how life moves fast and before you know it you wish you were young again and could slow life down – life’s just a set of wheels.
Every been to a real country and western bar? This is the story of Saturday night at one sitting on a stool, Siddle’s Saloon. Catching up with friends, blowing off steam and getting the stories from the week. The tempo has been picked up for this track and see this being a real sing a long party track live (Nashville artists know how could use Brits are at these).
As the album comes to a close Moakler questions where girls learn to get guys attention and make guys ramble like fools inthe track School – they don’t teach you that in school. Just Long Enough is knowing a relationship won’t last forever but long enough to still have an impact on some memories (probably from the Facebook memory page that pops up the most random pictures you had forgotten about years ago!!!). The final track, Gold, makes you appreciate what you have and don’t let go of it.
Moakler is entering a tough market of male country artists but I can see big things ahead. He is set to appear at next month’s Tortuga Music Festival in Florida and is also opening 3 dates in October for Tim McGraw and Faith Hills Soul2Soul World (North America) tour, which is sure to introduce him further to fans. He is currently touring North America with his Suitcase tour and fingers crossed he could be brought to the UK sooner rather than later.
This is an album I have enjoyed listening to and will be putting it on my car playlist for Monday morning.
Overall I give it a 7/10
Top 3 tracks
Love Drunk
Siddle’s Saloon
Suitcase
The album opens with the title track, Steel Town, Moakler’shomage to his home town of Pittsburgh. Many people will be able to make links with the lyrics to this song as it tells the story of the things you learn growing up in your home town and even after you leave it it will always be home.
The second track, Suitcase, has co-writing credits for Thomas Rhett. This has been Moakler’s biggest song to date having racked up over 2 million views on Spotify and Pandora as well as over 600,000 YouTube views. The tale of giving everything up, even a suitcase full of money, to be with the one you love.
The love song theme of the albums continues with Jealous Girl, the girl you want is with someone else; Summer Without Her, when summer just isn’t the same after a break-up and you can’t enjoy it the same way; having not got the girl and then losing the girl, Love Drunk, is the falling in love song – you got me all up dizzy up in my head, buzzin’ on your pretty drees. This is one of my favourite songs on the album and could easily be a future single and reach the success of Suitcase. The positive love songs don’t last for long on this album as up next, Hearts Don’t Break That Way, is the story of getting dumped by a note.
Wheels is the song everyone knows the feeling about. From traveling on the random family road trips that feel never ending to getting your own car but when this happen you realise how life moves fast and before you know it you wish you were young again and could slow life down – life’s just a set of wheels.
Every been to a real country and western bar? This is the story of Saturday night at one sitting on a stool, Siddle’s Saloon. Catching up with friends, blowing off steam and getting the stories from the week. The tempo has been picked up for this track and see this being a real sing a long party track live (Nashville artists know how could use Brits are at these).
As the album comes to a close Moakler questions where girls learn to get guys attention and make guys ramble like fools inthe track School – they don’t teach you that in school. Just Long Enough is knowing a relationship won’t last forever but long enough to still have an impact on some memories (probably from the Facebook memory page that pops up the most random pictures you had forgotten about years ago!!!). The final track, Gold, makes you appreciate what you have and don’t let go of it.
Moakler is entering a tough market of male country artists but I can see big things ahead. He is set to appear at next month’s Tortuga Music Festival in Florida and is also opening 3 dates in October for Tim McGraw and Faith Hills Soul2Soul World (North America) tour, which is sure to introduce him further to fans. He is currently touring North America with his Suitcase tour and fingers crossed he could be brought to the UK sooner rather than later.
This is an album I have enjoyed listening to and will be putting it on my car playlist for Monday morning.
Overall I give it a 7/10
Top 3 tracks
Love Drunk
Siddle’s Saloon
Suitcase
