CD Review

Pat McGee’s claim to fame is his prolific songwriting skills coupled with his rocking live shows. With their 2000 release, Shine, The Pat McGee Band broadened their ever growing fan base with their blend of roots rock. On their newest effort, Save Me, they prove they're looking to take over radio waves everywhere. In doing so, this one comes off a little overproduced at times, but if you're a fan of acoustic rock bands like Sister Hazel or O.A.R., then this may be exactly who you are looking for.

The first single, "Must Have Been Love," shows the potential these guys have for writing catchy songs. Pat McGee and his cohorts have tried to broaden their musical skills here by incorporating more electric guitar and various instruments with their acoustic sound. "Don’t Give Up," with its heartfelt lyrics and rocking chorus is a standout track, but even this song suffers from being a little too slick for my taste. With its personal lyrics and hypnotic melody, another notable song in the right direction is the exceptional "You and I."

With Save Me, Pat McGee and the band are taking their songwriting and the crafting of songs a lot more seriously. They haven't broken any new ground with this album, but with its radio friendly vibe, they'll broaden their fan base even further.