Living Out Loud

Aaron Lines hails from Fort McMurray, Alberta, Canada, a remote little town 300 miles north of Edmonton. Living Out Loud, his debut, is a solid, if undistinguished, slab of heartland rock that recalls the work of fellow countryman Bryan Adams and, at times, John Mellencamp circa 1985. With the help of producer Chris Farren, Lines has crafted a set that initially sounds slick and powerful, but one that is ultimately undermined by trite lyrics and hackneyed musical ideas that were hackneyed years ago. Still, his freshly scrubbed look and smooth delivery will likely appeal to younger fans and to those who like their country with a rock edge instead of a down-home twang. --Jim Caligiuri