Touring behind their upcoming new album “Happiness and Other Things” CCR came out with a vengeance. Providing better lighting then the 2008 tour this time around was a welcome sight for this reviewer. Badass frontman Cody Canada was a lot more media friendly and struck numerous poses for the crowd. He seemed way more laid back as he simply proclaimed “No more rain”, referring to the nasty storms that almost shut the gig down before they took the stage. Said rain helped cool it down and that was a welcome relief for sure.

But the main problem with this show was it was again too freaking LOUD.  Why bands turn the volume up so loud that you cannot understand the lyrics is puzzling at best to me. The crowd these dudes draw (which was HUGE !) really don’t care. Packs of women wearing short shorts and cowboy boots are more interested in being on the prowl than hearing good music apparently. It is a huge problem with today’s 35 and under crowd to me. Being “there and seen” means more than supporting live music and that just sucks to me.

When you went way in the back you could hear crystal clear. And I mean WAY in the back. Say what???  Don’t get me wrong. I dig these guys and Canada is a bonafide stud as a do it all frontman. But it is hard for me to get really pumped about a gig where I (and 8 folks with me!) could NOT understand the words to the songs being played. Is that too much to ask of a band?

Touring heavily since 1994 basically is a real tribute to these gentleman for sure. This kickass rock more than country band is still one of the best kept secrets in the business and it is a mystery why they are not accepted more than their cult like status. Probably because today’s music landscape has to pigeon hole you into a category before you can be recognized. By the size of the crowds they draw, CCR obviously gives the fans what they want. Now only if they could get them selves a better sound man in the future…Have fun out there people!