“Cowboys and Dreamers” - George Strait Album Review

George Strait has had an impressive career thus far, consistently releasing albums for the past 45 years. When an artist releases 31 studio albums, they are bound to have a mix of successful and unsuccessful albums.

Strait’s newest release “Cowboys and Dreamers” falls a bit short compared to some of his previous works.

This certainly was not a “bad” album by any means. Strait's voice sounds as strong and clear as ever, and he is still utilizing the same “scooping” patterns with his pitch that makes him a beloved country artist.

Overall, not much has changed since his most recent studio album released earlier this year in February 2024.

However, the lyrics are sprinkled with clichés and predictable lines, which make the album a bit of a tough listen. Most notably in “To the Moon” where he says “I love you through thick and thin, to the moon up above and back again.”

There are also some cringe-worthy motivational lyrics in the lead-off track “Three Drinks Behind," setting the tone for the album.

The message of the album itself is a bit contradictory. Strait begins the album with pick-me-up messages like “There ain’t no good reason for anyone to feel down.”

Later, an aptly named track titled “People Get Hurt Sometimes” sends a different message. The inconsistency makes it difficult to understand the overall theme of the album or even how Strait is feeling.

The title track, on the other hand, “Cowboys and Dreamers” is a catchy tune with carefully planned guitar riffs lyrics about Strait’s life as a cowboy. Strait said he “feels like the last of a dying breed trying to find where [he] fits.”

Strait owns a large ranch in Texas and said in an interview that he rides horses every day when he is home. Throughout the album Strait indicates that the world is changing and he feels his beliefs and lifestyle no longer align with those of the masses.

Although many of the tracks sounded very similar to one another, a few stood out in particular. “MIA down to MIA” for example, seemed to be heavily influenced by the late Jimmy Buffett where Strait talked about an island getaway that he had been planning.

Strait also covered a song called “Rent” dedicated to his late friend and fellow artist Keith Gattis. Strait and Gattis worked closely throughout their careers including their collaboration on Strait’s 2013 single “I Got a Car.”

Their songs together deliver messages of being kind, honest and appreciative in life. It is clear Gattis meant a lot to Strait and it was a kind gesture in response to his untimely passing.

Rating: 5/10

Reviewer’s Favorite Songs: “Waymore’s Blues,” “The Little Things,” “MIA down to MIA”

Reviewer’s Least Favorite Songs: People Get Hurt Sometimes,” “To The Moon,” “The Journey of Your Life”

Matthew Peters is a third-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email mbp5830@psu.edu.