Released in 1982, Mountain Music solidified Alabama's status as one of the leading forces in the country music scene during the 1980s. With a unique fusion of country and southern rock, with a touch of pop, Mountain Music marked a significant moment in the band’s career and today still stands as one of their greatest releases.
Alabama's musicianship is on full display throughout Mountain Music, due to the band's tight instrumentation and harmonious vocals that contribute to the album's cohesiveness. Despite being out-of-print for decades, the Hi-Res Lossless Apple Music stream, an Apple Digital Master, has been made available by Sony Music and it’s quite lovely. However, I wouldn’t call it the final word in quality as I feel there is still room for improvement. Don’t get me wrong, the stream is solid but it just doesn’t sound as impactful as I believe it could and I’d love to see it in the hands of a well-respected mastering engineer. Admittedly, I haven’t had the good fortune of hearing Mountain Music via any other format and it may well be a case whereby this was simply how the album was recorded. Nevertheless, a slight adjustment to your EQ settings may be advised for this release to bring it closer to your subjective expectations.
While the sonic presentation is sufficient, an interesting difference appears when you look at the history of the album’s releases via Discogs. You’ll note on every listed format that the album artwork is considerably different to the modern streaming counterpart as the cover art no longer displays the flag of the Confederate States of America, instead opting for the current state flag of Alabama. Further investigation into this informed this Australian writer of the symbolism that the Confederate flag represents and while I can fully understand the artwork shift, I truly believe that it should remain unaltered with a further information statement to help educate, especially those of us outside of the United States, or within historical circles, as to why the album is no longer showcasing that particular flag. I suggest this merely because I feel it is essential that we learn from the past, rather than filter, delete, and then pretend it never existed.
Nevertheless, the music has remained unscathed and music lovers, the world over, can thankfully still appreciate Mountain Music, for it is a superb record that is amongst the best albums released in 1982.
Mountain Music is a great opener. A truly epic song. However, that spoken introduction has always been a distractive element and I would much have preferred it if they would have omitted it, as they did for the single edit, as it would have been a far stronger way to launch the album. Still, once you get past that aspect, the catchy melody, infectious energy, and perfect blend of traditional country and rock elements set the tone for the entire album.
Close Enough To Perfect slows down the tempo with this poignant ballad. Randy Owen’s vocals add depth to the narrative of love and imperfection, making it a standout track on the album and one of the loveliest songs from the era.
Words At Twenty Paces is an incredible tune. That introduction is masterful, as is Owen’s vocal delivery, and the storytelling nature of the lyrics. Add to that the lively instrumentation that adds a playful element to the album and you’ve got a tune that all music lovers will thoroughly enjoy.
Changes Comin' On flows beautifully from Words At Twenty Paces and it’s these smooth transitions that truly make Mountain Music an album experience. Of course, it helps if the song is as masterfully performed as this one is for Changes Comin' On is a hidden gem and one of the greatest songs Alabama ever recorded. Masterpiece is a grossly overused word, even here at Subjective Sounds, but when music is this perfect, no other word quite explains the audible experience as well as masterpiece does.
Green River is a thoroughly enjoyable Creedence Clearwater Revival (CCR) cover, but let’s be honest in saying that no one can perform this song as well as CCR themselves. As solid as Jeff Cook’s vocal delivery is, he’s no John Fogerty.
Take Me Down is a lovely country-twanged tune that will have you toe-tapping from the very first note.
You Turn Me On is sonically magnificent. Seriously, you’ll want to turn the volume up on this softer country tune as Owen’s vocal is stunning and the musical elements are hypnotic. I do, however, feel that the song would have been best served if Alabama had omitted the spoken word lyrics as they are a little distracting and not quite Barry White-level smooth.
Never Be One is a song that would have resonated with a broader audience, and likely been a hit, had it been released as a single. Still, as an album-only tune, it’s a beautiful piece of music; until the closing moments that is. Yes, it’s cute, adorable even, but it detracts from the song and Teddy Gentry’s incredible vocal presentation.
Lovin' You Is Killin' Me is a mid-tempo track that combines elements of country and rock. The song's catchy chorus and relatable lyrics make it an engaging addition to the album, showcasing Alabama's ability to balance fun and sincerity.
Gonna Have A Party continues the fun aspect and is a compelling closer that will get you toe-tapping, head-bopping, and excited to play the album again. Ultimately, the song lives up to its title, with infectious enthusiasm and a lively performance from the band.
In conclusion, Alabama's 1982 album Mountain Music is a timeless classic that continues to resonate with country music enthusiasts. Its blend of country, southern rock, and heartfelt ballads, with a touch of pop, solidifies its place as one of the best country music albums in all of recorded music history. Whether you're a fan of classic country-styled music, or not, Mountain Music is a must-listen and represents the very best of Alabama's musical legacy.