Triple Tigers
Release Date: June 27th 2023
Reviewed by: Joshua Andre
Russell Dickerson– Three Months Two Streets Down (Amazon mp3/iTunes)
Track Listing:
- Ride The Wave
- Down On The Beach
- Steal My Summer
- Beauty And The Beach
- SMR LV
I first heard of country singer Russell Dickerson and his music when he was featured on Chris Tomlin’s latest album Chris Tomlin and Friends last year for two songs (“Sing” and “Together”); and ever since then I’ve been moved and impacted by his sincerity and his determination to sing about the realness of life. Sure, his stuff is poppy and probably too ‘mainstream’ and polished to be even considered country in the first place, but Russell’s album Southern Symphony is one to listen to and one to get us dancing and appreciating the bright side of life. It’s an album that at times is lyrically simple, and an album at on the surface we would not connect with. But there’s also something about this that is unexplainable. Call it God, the Holy Spirit, Jesus… but Russell’s album hits your heart and tugs at your emotions. There’s no two ways around it- and it really is that simple. We reviewed that album here; and Southern Symphony is that album that speaks about gratefulness- as we are met with an honest, vulnerable, heartfelt and earnest look at relationships, navigating through the ups and downs of life, and just generally persevering through adversity. And though we will review Russell’s latest The Afterparty Deluxe hopefully within the next few weeks; let me briefly touch upon his beach-themed EP Three Months Two Streets Down and see if this release is worthy to be even listened to.
The sad reality is that even though there are some good songs in Russell’s discography, none of the 5 songs present in this EP are actually engaging nor enjoyable. “Ride The Wave” is a pointless, nondescript dance melody that speaks about ‘riding the wave’ and taking each day as it comes; while “Down On The Beach” is even worse, with Russell advocating for people to take time off even when they’re not sick, and instead spend days upon days at the beach just chilling by the ocean. “Steal My Summer”, a somewhat romantic love song, is still quite uninteresting; and the same goes for the ‘nothing’ track “Beauty And The Beach”. “SMR LV” ends the trainwreck on an EP, with the most absurd and nonsensical melody yet, with repetition galore and lyrics about nothing much, except having a summer love on the beach.
Some people may not like Russell Dickerson and his overly sappy music that he calls country. Some people think it’s too pop, and some people think its too Hallmark-y. I for one though, reckon that though Russell isn’t that much of a country singer (because he is like a Hunter Hayes or a Thomas Rhett as he walks the fine line of pop and country!); Southern Symphony is what I reckon what the doctor ordered, especially as it released during COVID-19 as we navigated these uncertain times. As we remember that Russell’s love for his wife is so strong that he sung an entire album about it- let us also remember that God’s love for us is infinite, and that He will provide us with someone who we love with our whole hearts too, if He hasn’t already. Sadly though, this new beach themed EP is a low point- so let’s just forget that three Months Two Streets Down even existed, shall me? So well done Russell for the rest of your material (just not this release!)- I can’t wait to hear what’s next for you.. and I also can’t wait to see how the rest of 2024 pans out. Knowing God and his promises over Russell’s life… it’s going to be a pretty enjoyable year!
3 songs to listen to: Ride The Wave, Steal My Summer, Beauty And The Beach
Score: 2/5
RIYL: Keith Urban, Blake Shelton, Luke Bryan, Luke Combs, Thomas Rhett, Brad Paisley, Eric Church