Shopping > Music > Alabama > Closer You Get...

Alabama - Closer You Get... (CD)

Closer You Get...
Pricing Not Available
5 out of 5.0 stars 1 Rating (1 Review)

Album Details: Closer You Get...

Release Date:01/01/1983
Label:Bmg Special Prod.
UPC:755174666421

Other Available Formats: Closer You Get...

User Reviews: Closer You Get...

  • Overall:

    Another winner here!

    By Brian Rathjen  Aug 9, 2001

    One of my favorite Alabama songs is contained on The Closer You Get -- "Dixieland Delight" (a three-week No. 1 hit from the spring of 1983). This song typified the upbeat, traditional country melody that has defined Randy, Teddy, Jeff and Mark's succ...ess during the past 20 years or so. I prefer the album version (a full 5:23 long) to the approximately four-minute "single edit," since there's a lot more to enjoy, including an extended musical bridge in between the second and final chorus sing-throughs. Kudos to WLLR-FM of Davenport, IA, for playing the album version. There's also a butchered "single edit" version lurking around for the title track that sometimes ends up on radio (again, WLLR plays the album version, which adds a first verse). Also, Randy's ballading skills shine on "Lady Down on Love" -- which, to my knowledge, does NOT have a single edit. In addition to those three No. 1 hits, Alabama continued to expertly display their unique mix of southern rock and traditional country skills on the album tracks, including "Very Special Love" and "She Put the Sad in All His Songs." Like their other early albums, this is one I requested my parents to buy because I enjoyed their music so much (I still have the vinyl album version). Read more Less

Pro Reviews: Closer You Get...

  • All Music Guide

    On their fourth album The Closer You Get, Alabama gets further away from the country roots and down-home charm responsible for their incredible chart success. One may be surprised at the unusual number of ballads, but popular country in the early '80s, in hindsight, seems more suited to adult easy listening than country with the popularity of Kenny Rogers, Crystal Gayle, and Dolly Parton. The songwriting is strong, and the vocal harmonies still blend unlike any other country band -- in fact, the members of Alabama trade lead vocal roles throughout the album. However, this album suffers from glossy production and the use of synthesizers. The use of a drum machine on the opening title track is nearly unforgivable, and the arrangement distracts the listener from an otherwise good song. However, Alabama shines when they use more traditional country arrangements. Upbeat songs like "Red River" and "Dixieland Delight" are great additions to their catalog and demonstrate how they became one of... country's most successful groups. This is not the place to start, but most fans should eventually own this album. - Vik Iyengar, All Music Guide Read more Less

Rate & Write a Review: Closer You Get...

All fields marked with * are required
0 out of 5.0 stars
0 out of 5.0 stars
0 out of 5.0 stars
Maximum of 4,000 characters
Cancel

Rate & Write a Review: Closer You Get...

Thank You. Your review has been posted.
View your postClose

Biography

Alabama

Before Alabama, bands were usually relegated to a supporting role in country music. In the first part of the century, bands were popular with audiences across the country, but as recordings became available, nearly every popular recording artist was a vocalist, not a group. Alabama was the group that made country bands popular again. Emerging in the late '70s, the band ... Read more