Song review: Water Tower Town by Scotty McCreery

I have an odd relationship, or whatever you want to call it, with American Idol. I was interested when I heard about it and watched the first three seasons, got annoyed with the third season and didn't watch the next only to start watching again during the fifth season. I loved the show during its sixth and seventh season, but started getting annoyed with it in the eighth. Sometime between then and now I've gone from being annoyed with it to now hating it as I see it for what it really is. I could go into more detail about that, but I won't. At least not here; maybe at another time. I'm sure many of you are wondering why I'm bothering to bring it up in the first place.

Well, it's because I decided to do a review of "Water Tower Town" by the current American Idol for my next song review. Now, if you're a fan of American Idol, you might not like what I'm going to say next, but I ask that you stay with me because it'll end up being important. The past year I have felt like Scotty McCreery and runner-up Lauren Alaina were being crammed down my throat and I began to, perhaps unfairly, resent them for it. Part of it comes from being a fan of artists who have fought so long and hard to get anyone to care, many of which never get the attention they deserve. Another part of it being that I hate when people get pushed on me; I hate being told I need to like someone or something. The irony of me saying that while I'm writing a review is not lost on me, I assure you. I prefer to be shown instead of told. Having someone tell me someone is amazing will only irritate me; if they're so good they'll prove themselves. Now. Again I'll ask for any Idol and/or Scotty fans to stick with me here. 

I've liked who Scotty comes across as a person, he's done things that have impressed me - first example being winning the coin toss on Idol and deferring instead to Lauren. That showed a lot of class. I've also respected him for being so open about his beliefs. I can admire him for that. He's been very respectful towards the country music community which I appreciate; it's nice. I think he has a very nice voice as well. But honestly, the jury has been out of whether or not he has what it takes to sustain a long-term career in country music. His first two singles, while not bad, didn't do much to convince me on that front. That said, I hate when critics/reviewers let their personal opinion cloud their reviews and so when I decided to review this, I decided to do so objectively. Focusing on the song itself.

And you know what? In doing so I found that somewhere along the way I stopped thinking about him as Scotty McCreery, that guy who won American Idol, to Scotty McCreery, country artist. Let's go deeper.

I've read other reviews and while I can respect that people have different opinions, I feel like some critics have been a little too harsh on this song. Yes, this type of song has been done many times over and guess what fellow reviewers, that's not going to be stopping anytime soon. There's a reason why this kind of idea is used so much: it's an idea that artists and fans can relate to. People can listen to songs like this and think that hey, that's like my town. Yes, the lyrics are a little generic and maybe there's some cliches in there, but honestly I've heard it done worse. I said it somewhere else, but my feeling on cliches is that I don't mind if it works and I feel these do work. There's a sincerity in these lyrics that isn't always found in other songs of this type. On one hand, the words are familiar, but on the other, it's familiar in a way that somehow feels kind of new. 

And if I'm being honest, and I have been, by the third or so listen I caught myself singing along. This song is very, very singable and I'd imagine it'll be a good song to see live because of that. The words flow very nicely which I like. The words seem to have been crafted with him in mind and that helps. It feels very genuine to who Scotty is both as a person and an artist and that is so important. I would rather have a song with a well used idea that's true to the person singing it than a more unique song that doesn't feel real. Does that make any sense? 

I mentioned that this song is very singable and the melody has a lot to do with that. Musically, there's an energy present that I didn't feel in his previous two singles. I'm so happy that they went with a more uptempo song for his next single. That was a great idea. Very good playing in this, but when you're talking about Nashville studio musicians, I come to expect that. Everything feels like it fits musically which is a good thing. This might be a little overproduced maybe, but not so much that it annoys me. 

Vocally, much like the music, there's an energy to Scotty's voice that wasn't found in his other singles. People always compare him to Josh Turner and he does have some Josh moments in here, but he reminded me a little bit of Dierks Bentley at times too. It's a very solid vocal. 

To reiterate what I said before the cut, in listening to this I've finally been able to see him as Scotty McCreery country artist instead of that guy who won Idol. As of now, the only songs I've gotten of his were all of his singles, but I've never been inspired to get the rest of the album. Something that this song might change. I really do enjoy this. Good single for this time of year as well. I predict that this will have have more radio play than his last two and should do better overall. And I also feel like this one is going to stand the test of time pretty well also. This is the type of song that's never really going to seem old because the sentiment will never change. Which, as I might point out to other reviewers is part of the reason why people write these kind of songs: people will always be able to relate to them. 

In closing, I feel like "Water Tower Town" has been pretty harshly reviewed, though everyone is of course entitled to their opinion and has the right to express it. Of course there's good and bad ways to express those opinions. I invite the critics to lighten up a little and Scotty's fans to relax a little bit. You don't gotta go crazy convincing people he's a good artist; he has the ability to do that himself. I know because he's finally convinced me. Now see? This is why I wanted to be honest about my thoughts on Idol in general and what my opinion of him as an artist was - it's important because it changed. Solid song.