Phil Vassar

1	Carlene 4:07
2	Just Another Day in Paradise 3:54
3	That's When I Love You 3:30
4	Rose Bouquet 3:53
5	Joe & Rosalita 3:27
6	Six-Pack Summer 3:40
7	Lucky as Me 3:43
8	Like I Never Loved Before 4:06
9	Didn't You Know She's Gone 3:15
10	Somewhere in Between 3:54
11	Drive Away 3:41

Barnes & Noble

That country hit with the rocking beat and infectious, sing-along chorus ("Oh la la la la la lookin' good, Carlene") you can't get out of your head is "Carlene," by Phil Vassar, a songwriter of note whose tunes have been recorded by the likes of Jo Dee Messina and Alan Jackson, among others. Like the male protagonist in "Carlene," Vassar is a former high school quarterback gone country artist, and he's got the goods: all-American good looks; a sturdy baritone voice full of feeling; and most importantly, a gift for the hook that grips and never quits. Listen closer and you'll hear a writer who speaks of regular folks playing out personal dramas in the real world. The scenes Vassar paints all ring true: people coming apart (the wrenching, nuanced "Rose Bouquet"); finding each other, trying to get a grip ("Somewhere in Between"); learning to give their hearts fearlessly, or simply enjoying being alive right now ("Six Pack Summer"). It's content that carries the day in Vassar's songs, and that's a rare compliment for a contemporary mainstream artist. And it's an indisputable fact: "Carlene" is one of the all-time, kick-ass country singles. Oh la la la... David McGee

All Music Guide

Phil Vassar established himself as a top country songwriter by penning vigorous, rock-influenced romps for Tim McGraw and Jo Dee Messina. On his own, Vassar is an enthusiastic vocalist, a skilled pianist, and a gifted composer of spirited, nostalgic tales. Like Tom T. Hall, Vassar has a talent for chronological storytelling, squeezing big emotions out of small-town details. The boisterous "Carlene," an immediate hit, details the rediscovery of a high school valedictorian who blossomed into a fashion model. "Joe & Rosalita" follows a similar blueprint, commemorating the journey of two childhood sweethearts from senior prom to domestic bliss. Subsequent hits like "Just Another Day in Paradise" and "That's When I Love You" benefited from the album's good-time piano and guitar vibe, and launched Vassar as a distinctive recording artist. Various country music awards may have solidified his reputation among his peers, but no accolade validates Vassar's talent more than a song like "Didn't You Know She's Gone," in which Vassar speaks through various inanimate objects before admitting the truth to himself. As the dialogue progresses, echoes of '60s pop give way to heartbreaking guitar until his revelation surmounts poetic denial. It is one of many highlights on Phil Vassar, an imaginative debut that suggests he has a wealth of future material for himself and others. ~ Vince Ripol, All Music Guide