Tuesday, August 19


Challenge: Say Something Nice About Rascal Flatts



They're not exactly critical favorites, but they've been going strong for nearly a decade now. Their singles have been hitting the Top 10 pretty much continuously since 2000. All of their studio albums have gone multi-platinum. They're one of country music's biggest touring attractions. There must be something good about Rascal Flatts, even if their continued success baffles and occasionally infuriates me.

To keep it interesting, try to come up with a compliment that hasn't already been used. If the conversation begins and ends with "teenage girls love them," this won't be very interesting. Early commenters will probably have it easiest; later commenters might have to be more creative. Let's see how long we can keep it going.

Bonus points awarded for good backhanded compliments.

29 comments:

Trailer said...

As long as they keep putting out albums, Photocrap will live on.

Lanibug said...

They do good things for their hometown of Columbus --

Chris N. said...

I like "What Hurts the Most." There, I said it.

John Maglite said...

Oh, fine. I thought "Prayin' for Daylight" was decent back when it came out.

countryuniverse said...

Well...we all know that Jo Don is self confident enough to show his bedonkadonk (spelling?).
Self confidence is good... Right?
I like "What Hurts The Most" too and even "Winner At A Losing Game", which I'm pretty sure I'm not supposed to like.:)

Hollerin' Ben said...

They have made some of the best horrible, soulless, overblown, mindless pop country of the new millennium, esp "What hurts the most" and "these days".

Anonymous said...

They are not hard on the eyes.

Chris D. said...

Whenever I think the world of country music is amazing and that I love all of it, one listen to their music snaps me back to reality, which is usually good.

Matt B said...

They recorded "Bless The Broken Road" and by doing so helped Marcus Hummon get a Grammy. I genuinely love "I'm Movin' On."

Trailer said...

I like "What Hurts the Most"... a lot. There, I said it too. Don't let that info get far.

Brody said...

Their "Bob That Head" song opened the door for a Billy Joe Shaver reference to blow jobs that's always good for a hearty laugh. Thank you, Rascal Flatts.

Dan said...

They have singlehandedly kept the hair gel market afloat, securing jobs for thousands.

Chad said...

They're not as bad as Taylor Swift--and that's a good thing

Tess said...

I am sure that their Mother's love them very much. Mom's are just like that.

Anonymous said...

OK, if we haaaave to. The skinnier blonde guy is cute. I read that one of them is in demand as a producer. I have to admit that "SaraBeth" (Skin) made me cry on many a hormonal day.

The Old Man and His Dog said...

Gary proves that you don't have to sing well or look good to be successful in music. There's hope for everyone of us to make it big.

Chris N. said...

"It's Not Supposed to Go Like That" gave me a good laugh. I don't think it was supposed to, though.

John Maglite said...

It takes major chutzpah (are you allowed to use Yiddish words in discussing country music... if you're not Jewish?) to fashion yourself as teen pop stars playing to an audience of teenage girls when you're actually well into your thirties.

Gary's Rascal said...

It is the connection they make with there fans..they still do Meet & Greets when so many others have done away with them, its the way there music can touch every part of your life. Take a look at how many myspace, facebook pages are dedicated just to them..they are a great group, put on the best concerts around and Gary LeVox is HOT and NO I am not a teen, just a huge Rascal Flatts Fan who is looking foward to the next album they are currently working on

Anonymous said...

When I see their interviews, I seriously think they are funny. I like a few of their songs, but not a fan of most of their music. My 8 and 6 year old girls think "they rock". *cough*

LORI

Anonymous said...

For a fat guy, Gary leVox doesn't seem to sewat much

Bobby said...

Okay, here're some:

For someone who whines, squeaks and pro-tools his way through everything, Gary was smart to choose the Latin words for "The Voice" as his surname, because calling himself "The Good Voice" would've been one of the biggest lies in history.

They also get bonus points for producing the song title that has probably produced the most X-rated jokes from their detractors.

Jay DeMarcus did pretty well producing his brother-in-law James Otto's album; it's not nearly as glossy or sappy as Rascal Flatts's material. But then again, Otto didn't stoop to whining about how gratuitous, gory deaths aren't supposed to go like that, bobbing one's head every Friday night, or wanting to be taken down the same backroads his girlfriend's been down, either.

Rascal Flatts, in their early days, were compared to a boy band. But unlike other boy bands, two of the guys in Rascal Flatts at least know how to play an instrument, which means (gasp!) that they actually have an inkling of talent!

John Maglite said...

All good points, Bobby. Thanks for coming by.

Chris N. said...

Ooh, I just thought of something! Every year (including this coming Oct. 17) Rascal Flatts does an arena show in Nashville and donates all of the profits -- not just "a portion" -- to the local children's hospital here. The amount has increased every year, and I think last year it was around $900,000. It's a tremendous act of charity for a very worthwhile cause.

J.R. Journey said...

They've only released 5 albums.

John Maglite said...

Ha. I'm surprised that one didn't come up earlier.

Anonymous said...

They save their actual country songs for those who choose to buy the whole album, thereby rewarding consumers who defy music critics.

J.R. Journey said...

They have actual country songs?

cmw said...

And choose to keep their traditionalist leanings a secret as a way of proving that they're cool enough to withstand critical scorn?

Yeah, not buying it.

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