Album Review – Vince Gill’s “Down To My Last Bad Habit”
Vince Gill is the perfect model of how a country artist should age. Forget trying to run with the young crowd, or continuing to try and tap into whatever made you famous in the past. An artist like Vince Gill has accrued all the personal wealth he and his family will ever need. He’s as decorated with awards as any living country music artist, including a Hall of Fame induction, and he might be one of the most universally-respected guys in the entire business. Vince Gill is buds with Paul Franklin and Taylor Swift. Nobody has worked harder to help support the Country Music Hall of Fame than him, and if he wasn’t cool enough, upon occasion you can see him for a nominal cover charge playing with the Time Jumpers in Nashville. Vince Gill is the honorary mayor of country music.
But I have little to no use for this record, I suspect you won’t either, and it’s questionable why the effort was exhausted even to have it made. That doesn’t mean it’s a bad record. There’s not a “bad” song on it. Actually when you talk about the songs themselves, there’s quite a few good ones here. But why slog through the production of this album when there’s so many other great songs and albums out there, including many from Vince Gill?
Despite the name maybe implying that this album may have a little bit of edge, Down To My Last Bad Habit is Vince Gill’s Luther Vandross moment. This is a country music album for 50-year-old women who are addicted to scented candles. This is the Oprah Book Club version of country. This is the daytime television version of country, meaning it’s really not country at all. Down To My Last Bad Habit made me want to get a vasectomy and a sweater with cats on it, and join Pinterest.
But if you want me to complain about Vince Gill’s contributions on this record or say that the songwriting was lacking, I can’t do it. The songs are a little mawkish in stretches, but styled a different way, some of these songs would make excellent country songs, including the title track. And honest to God, this might be Gill’s greatest singing performance he’s ever recorded in the studio save for “Go Rest High On That Mountain.” Vince Gill sings the hell out of these songs, it’s just so non-country, and so not what we’re used to from classic Vince, it’s hard to appreciate fully.
We asked the question how Vince Gill got a new album released by MCA Nashville when virtually the rest of their roster is stuck in endless delayed release hell, and I think we have our answer. Just as so much of country music is going in an R&B direction with artists like Thomas Rhett, Brett Eldredge, and even fellow MCA label mate Gary Allan, so has Vince. But instead of trying to be the second coming of Bruno Mars, Vince Gill turned in his age-appropriate version of the R&B craze. But what’s crazy about this is Vince Gill produced this album himself in his home studio, and wrote many of the songs solo.
Richard Marx also turned in a couple of co-writes, which only makes sense considering the vibe of this record feels very late 80’s during Marx’s performing heyday. Even Chris Botti—the Kenny G of jazz trumpet—is credited on “One More Mistake I Made” like a duet partner. Down To My Last Bad Habit is a late 80’s adult contemporary record if there ever was one. It’s more 80’s Hot AC than most 80’s Hot AC records. Nonetheless, with a songwriting credit on every track including five solo writes and sole producer credits, this is Vince Gill’s album cover to cover and he owns it, so no blaming some Nashville super-producer for the direction or outcome.
What’s also strange is how little banter about this strange sonic direction came from Vince ahead of the release. He wasn’t singing the praises of the strong influences 80’s R&B had on his career. He did talk about wanting to cut songs with a deeper and darker message, and no doubt he does this compared to his major label contemporaries. Take the production away and songs like “I Can’t Do This” and “One More Mistake I Made” aren’t just acceptable, they’re bordering on brilliant. But the music is what clothes the words. It’s not even that this music is bad, it’s just not relevant to either Vince Gill or the sensibilities of today.
There are some more country moments though. “Me and My Girl” would pass as a soft country song on most records, “Like My Daddy Did” and a couple of other tracks feature some steel guitar and slightly more sedated and country vocal signals as opposed to the high-register and highly-embellished R&B runs. And the album ends with a very country and very good song called “Sad One Comin’ On (A Song for George Jones).” But this George Jones tribute almost nags at you as a country fan, reminding you what Vince is capable of, but waits until the very last moment to deliver on this record.
Vince Gill deserves some credit here. We can question his vision with this album, but he accomplished what he set out to do, which was make a record that emphasized his vocal strengths, and re-imagines a previous era in music in the modern context while delivering deep, meaningful songwriting. But as country fans and a Vince Gill fans, this is an emasculated and somewhat disappointing effort that’s probably not worth listening to after the first pass.
One Gun Up (5/10)
Jake W
February 14, 2016 @ 7:19 pm
Well I will still give it a listen. I am definitely gonna add the Jones tribut to my library. I’ve always liked Vince, also he is badass guitar player
Able
February 14, 2016 @ 7:38 pm
More R&B stuff? Yay…
At least the George Jones tribute is solid.
albert
February 14, 2016 @ 8:03 pm
I LOVE Vince Gill . I love his voice ( who doesn’t ? ) . As a musician I LOVE his musicianship and the passion he brings to his projects …or anyone else’s , for that matter . I loved his THESE DAYS album set …. his bluegrass stuff , his contributions to the Time Jumpers , even his production experience.
I listened to the entire album on NPR Trigger . I came to the exact conclusion you did. And I think you nailed it once again with a review thoughtful , honest and diplomatic in equal measures . Its a completely unnecessary collection of cliched , trite , generic pap , vacuous lyrically and musically .Obviously I am not as enamored by his lyric writing on this collection as you seem to be Trigger . I believe Vince gets a ‘by’ simply because he’s Vince F-ing Gill . I also believe that , like so many other artists , Vince could turn in a 10 out of 10 if he DID NOT write and record his own material but searched catalogues for GREAT material which , let’s face it , he would have unlimited access to and first crack at if he so desired .
Saying this , I would still rather listen to Vince sing the ingredients from a tin of Campbell’s soup than most of what mainstream artists are warbling at us .
Scotty J
February 14, 2016 @ 8:18 pm
‘When I Call Your Name’
‘Never Knew Lonely’
‘Pocket Full Of Gold’
‘I Still Believe In You’
‘Tryin’ To Get Over You’
‘Whenever You Come Around’
‘Go Rest High On That Mountain’
‘High Lonesome Sound’
If You Ever Have Forever In Mind’
All great songs written by Gill including several by himself so to say that he needs to look for outside material is a little silly. Not saying he should never do that but one of his strong suits is his songwriting. Many of the above mentioned songs he wrote based on his personal experiences and that makes them resonate even more to me than if he had picked a bunch of songs by others no matter how good they might be.
I’ve listened to this album one time through and I definitely agree that it isn’t much country but if that’s what he wanted then so be it. Not sure he was out there pronouncing that this was going to be the most country album he has ever made. At this stage in his career he can pretty much do whatever he wants whether it be this or the ‘Bakersfield’ record.
albert
February 14, 2016 @ 8:26 pm
I agree , Scotty , Vince has written some solid stuff . But not , in my opinion , on this particular record . If you have nothing to say and no interestingly creative way to say it , why bother ?
BTW ….Faint Of Heart is another terrific Vince tune and performance ….his own version with Dianna Krall and Dawn Sears’ version . There is nothing on this record , in my estimation , that comes close to his best .
Scotty J
February 14, 2016 @ 8:39 pm
Well, as Trigger mentioned in the review some of these songs are pretty strong lyrically but they probably aren’t up to the quality of some of the songs I listed but once again Vince Gill is a singer/songwriter/musician so unless it’s a specific cover record or something we are going to get his songs.
Admittedly I am biased to singer/songwriters because I think if an artist has the talent to do both like Gill or the ultimate example Merle Haggard it adds greatly to the emotional resonance and meaning of the material.
Anyway I don’t disagree with your assessment of this record too much but I strongly disagree with your prescribed cure of seeking out others songs because that is not who Vince Gill is.
BwareDWare94
February 15, 2016 @ 8:20 am
I think Take Me Down is a great song, too. I love hearing so much Fleetwood Mac in it, especially with how it blends with his voice.
luckyoldsun
February 16, 2016 @ 1:36 am
I’ve never been a big Vince Gill fan. I just don’t find his songs or recordings particularly memorable. I’d take “When I Call Your Name,” “I Still Believe In You” and “Go Rest High” as my fill of “vintage Gill” and toss all the other ones as just being more of the same and not as good.
The only singer I’d think to compare him to–as far as going for the high notes–is Dan Seals. I wasn’t a Seals fan, either–I never bought his records–but there’s no comparison when it comes to the songs. I don’t know which of Seals’ songs were self-written and which he got from other writers but “Everything that Glitters,,,” “Bop,” “Addicted,” “Meet Me In Montana”–those recordings are distinctive and memorable.
To me, some of his post-mainstream work was more interesting–“Young Man’s Town” and the Merle Haggard Tribute “Real Mean Bottle” are probably my two favorites.
I agree with you that he should keep writing
ElectricOutcast
February 14, 2016 @ 8:33 pm
This is actually the first real Vince Gill album I bought with my money because I wanted to support older artists and Vince was a very huge part of my childhood even though I do regret not having his past work but hopefully down the road I’ll be able to rectify the situation in the future.
Gena R.
February 14, 2016 @ 9:10 pm
I got to hear this on NPR First Listen last week — quite pleasant throughout, but not much grabbed me outside of “Me & My Girl” and “Sad One (Comin’ On)”…
Agreed about the singing, too; as a vocalist, Vince seems to have gotten only stronger with age. 🙂
Jen
February 15, 2016 @ 5:22 am
Even Sad One is kind of lacking for me. Is that Patty Loveless in the background? Sounds like her.
Cowboyal
February 15, 2016 @ 6:14 am
What Sounds Like Country:
Sorry, not sure where to post this but I found it interesting and worth a look! It’s the results of a readers poll in the Tennessean newspaper about what song’s they think sound country.
The results are interesting I thought:
http://www.cmt.com/news/1762580/what-sounds-like-country-tennessean-newspaper-asks/
Trigger
February 15, 2016 @ 9:41 am
A reader-driven poll like that is not going to really give any true insight into what the population feels is country or not at large. People from sites like Saving Country Music can go over there and skew the numbers. I also find it interesting that CMT kind of piggy-backed off of The Tennessean’s findings. Since they fired all of their professional writers except for Alison, they have to get their content from somewhere.
larry
February 15, 2016 @ 6:53 am
Gill has always been frontrunner for the “nice guy” award but his music has always been too milk toast for me. With the exception of “Go Rest High”, “Pocket Full of Gold”, etc… He’s very talented but has always seemed geared towards the older housewife. Also, he tried going down this R&B/vandross road before in the late 90’s. I’d vote for him but I wouldn’t pay money for his records or solo artist shows.
Frank the Tank
February 15, 2016 @ 6:56 am
While certainly not a bad album, it was, overall, too AC for my tastes. Outside of a few songs, I probably wouldn’t listen to this again.
Smokey J.
February 15, 2016 @ 7:14 am
I just listened to the 2 clips you posted. I really like the George Jones tribute, but “One More Mistake I Made” didn’t impact me at all.
If this album sounds like late 80’s adult contemporary, I’m just going to go ahead and blame Amy Grant for somehow influencing his musical direction. LOL. I must admit, though, that Richard Marx has always been a guilty pleasure of mine. He can craft some really solid pop songs.
I agree that his vocals sound fantastic. Compared to recent efforts by other artists in his age bracket, it’s clear that his vocals have held up as well or better than anyone.
TheRealBobCephus
February 15, 2016 @ 7:40 am
Trigger,
What is the best country album Vince Gill made? I can get behind the dudes voice, but I am not into adult contemporary so much.
ha-ha-ha-aroni
February 15, 2016 @ 7:52 am
Most would probably say ‘When I Call Your Name,’ which was his first album with MCA back in 1989.
Jack Williams
February 15, 2016 @ 8:55 am
I only have one myself and it’s “Bakersfield.” It’s an covers album he did with Paul Franklin and is half Merle, half Buck. I got the deluxe edition at my local Cracker Barrel (the deluxe is a CB exclusive, but the standard edition is widely available). Great stuff.
Scotty J
February 15, 2016 @ 9:25 am
‘High Lonesome Sound’ is a very good album with the title track being maybe my favorite Vince Gill song. The album has two versions of the song one with just Vince and then another with Vince and Alison Krauss & Union Station.
Trigger
February 15, 2016 @ 9:44 am
Any album is better than this one.
I’m not a real expert on the Vice Gill discography. But I will concur that “High Lonesome Sound” and “When I Call Your Name” are two of the better ones. I think of Vince as more of a song guy than an album guy.
Acca Dacca
February 16, 2016 @ 4:05 pm
I agree with this. I think his albums can sound a little samey and reserved when going straight through. However, his singles seem disparate enough (and good enough) on average that they make for a much more palatable listening experience. On the whole, though, great voice or not, Vince has always leaned a little heavily on the adult contemporary side of things. His classic material is still “light country” as you call it. But “Go Rest High On that Mountain” and “When I Call Your Name” are damn great songs, among others from Mr. Gill (though feelings on the former no doubt hinge partly on how one feels about religion).
hoptowntiger94
February 15, 2016 @ 3:14 pm
I’d say “Pocket Full of Gold” was his most country album from the first to last track.
TJP2395
February 16, 2016 @ 10:32 am
I have all of Vince Gill’s albums including stuff from the 80’s. Here’s how they play out.
Best and what i would consider classic albums: “The Key”, “I Still Believe in You” and “These Days”
Great albums but have a few misses: “Pocket Full of Gold”, “Next Big Thing”, “Guitar Slinger” and “Bakersfield”.
The rest of his albums I border on average to good. The only bad record I would suggest not getting into is “The Things that Matter”
pat
April 30, 2016 @ 10:25 am
if anyone has noticed his music or the lack there of stopped when he married Amy Grant hmmmmm who rules the song choicestuck in that house.nothing wrong with Christian music buttttt????
Andrew
February 15, 2016 @ 9:26 am
I have to disagree. The album is more Memphis than Nashville but it’s still country, if mixed with a little bit of soul. Calling it “daytime television” country the way you do rings very similar to metal fans who say anything that isn’t metal shouldn’t be called rock and isn’t any good.
This is a very solid album, if one more suited to a quiet night at home than a barroom jukebox.
Chris
February 15, 2016 @ 11:09 am
I am trying not to get too hung up on labels anymore. While I agree this is not a true “country” record I am really enjoying the vibe…and I am a 53 year old husband of a 53 year old housewife so it is nice to have something we can both enjoy. I has a really laid back sound that is very easy to listen too. Is is the greatest album ever? Of course not, but I am digging it. He can sing the hell out of a song and plays a serious guitar.
JW
February 15, 2016 @ 12:11 pm
I would say VG’s “I Still Believe in You” (1992) and “When Love FInds You” (1994) albums are his best (not counting the “Bakersfield” album of covers). He was in the midst of his most creative years and both albums are chock full of great songs.
Hoss
February 15, 2016 @ 5:11 pm
Those are great albums. I actually will go so far as to say that my favorite album Gill made was with Pure Prairie League- Firin’ Up. Let Me Love You Tonight, I’m Almost Ready, I’ll be Damned, Janny Lou… those are all magnificent songs. And he wasn’t afraid to flex his rock chops a bit.
Dave
February 15, 2016 @ 2:18 pm
I listened to the song “One More Mistake I Made”, and it kind of reminds me of the songs on Alan Jackson’s album Like Red on a Rose.
hoptowntiger94
February 15, 2016 @ 3:10 pm
Let me love you tonight
There’s a million stars in the sky
Let me love you tonight
I’ll make everything all right
Because he’s so talented and a nice guy, I think we all have an image of Vince we’d like him to be, but that’s not reality. Even Gill’s most definitive albums – When I Call Your Name, Pocket Full of Gold – weren’t spared of Pop/ AC design.
Hoss
February 15, 2016 @ 5:09 pm
At least he isn’t making an asshole of himself and trying to rap and sound like a 19 year old like Alabama did on their last album.
sweet on stuart
February 15, 2016 @ 7:25 pm
Not sure if I even classify Vince as Country anymore, just as I don’t really call Roseane Cash, Rodney Crowell and even Emmylou to an extent,Country. The second line of the first paragraph pretty much says that.
I’ll buy the cd because he’s Vince and I like him.
Razor X
February 16, 2016 @ 6:52 am
I also listened to the album on NPR and it’s the first Vince Gill album that I won’t be buying. Aside from “Sad One Comin’ On” there was nothing of interest here. Vince has had his AC moments in the past, and I’ve liked quite a lot of that AC stuff, but this album is just dull — as much as it pains me to say it.
For his most country-sounding albums try:
Pocket Full of Gold
The Key
When I Call Your Name
George Jeffers
February 9, 2017 @ 4:12 pm
I think you are missing out one one of the better works from Vince still is so much better that what is out there in “country” today give it another listen and than decide.
Camie Jo
February 16, 2016 @ 11:03 am
Vince for the “older housewife”. Hilarious.
Vince. For the true romantic.
I only want to remember him as the most gorgeous man alive. Ageless. Beautiful.
Don
February 16, 2016 @ 3:27 pm
I like this album. I like it a lot. I agree, there is an AC element in play here, and that’s ok with me. I’ve always been a sucker for AC and 70’s soft rock anyways. I think you need to have certain albums for certain times. This is a great album for when I’m cooking dinner and having a glass of wine. Sturgill Simpson just doesn’t cut it for that. Now out on the front porch with a beer and a cigar, yes, Sturgill is just what the doctor ordered, but you know what, this album would be okay for that too.
Pete from the Philippines
February 17, 2016 @ 6:58 am
I love this album. It’s very refreshing and easy. It’s like listening to Vince singing The Lucky One with Allison or Feels Like Love. Amazing!!!
Let me add, country or not I’d support Vince all through out. His voice is phenomenal!
Buy his new album 🙂
ejs
February 17, 2016 @ 8:28 pm
Dear “Trigger,”
Did Vince Gill’s dog dump a load in your front yard, or are you simply a bitter, no talent, singer-songwriter wanna be? If a Telecaster-free deviation from a simple I-IV-V chord progression doused in pedal steel guitar is a slap in the face to your definition of country music, is it also reasonable to conclude that Willie Weeks and Steve Jordan (read the liner notes, kids) shouldn’t be represented here because African Americans (Charley Pride notwithstanding?) just ain’t country enough? Ridiculous. And speaking of poor judgment, just what were those musical lightweights Weeks and Jordan (and…uh…Alison Krauss and Reese Wynans) thinking when they agreed to contribute their talents to this record?
I listened to this record for the first time while on the road today. Then I listened to it a second time. Later, I listened to it a third time. My review, sans the unnecessary, juvenile, Trump-esque personal attacks: Vince Gill sings like a bird, his always superb guitar playing is mature, thoughtful, intelligent and restrained (does Mark Knopfler come to mind, anyone?), and the songs and arrangements are very well done. It is very much “….worth listening to after the first pass.” Enjoy, and draw your own conclusions.
Trigger
February 17, 2016 @ 9:29 pm
“If a Telecaster-free deviation from a simple I-IV-V chord progression doused in pedal steel guitar is a slap in the face to your definition of country music, is it also reasonable to conclude that Willie Weeks and Steve Jordan (read the liner notes, kids) shouldn”™t be represented here because African Americans (Charley Pride notwithstanding?) just ain”™t country enough?”
I love when people take my very specific opinions, and then slant them into some extreme viewpoint. First, this was a mixed review. If you think it’s a harsh review, go read some of my negative ones. Second, just because certain people are involved in a song or an album doesn’t somehow magically make it awesome. That’s like cheering for laundry in sports. It’s my job as a reviewer to remove any biases, positive or negative, towards the names involved and consider the music on its own merit. As I said numerous times in this review, there’s not bad or wrong about this album. It’s just not anything I would ever have the desire to listen to again, except for the last song. That’s my honest opinion. Yours is different, and that’s okay. I’m glad you like this album. I wish I did too.
ejs
February 17, 2016 @ 9:58 pm
Thanks for reacting. That was my goal, after all. Good night, Irene. I’ll see you in my dreams.
pat
April 29, 2016 @ 4:55 pm
is this song saying you or your spouse are bad habits for each other?or what I’m confused
Steve B
March 8, 2016 @ 4:56 pm
Okay, I’m late to the party here. IMHO, no one crosses and combines genres as well as Gill. Just listen to that four-disc set (These Days) he brought out a few years ago. The lead track on this album (Reasons For the Tears I Cry) is quintessential Gill bringing together a bit of funky country, rock, and blues into one class package — much like the “Rockin’ Record” from These Days. Yeah, some of the songs are a bit AC, but Vince always tackles that kind of stuff well. I’ll take “Bakersfield” but I’ll also take this album. No one in country music today moves as smoothly as Vince across a variety of music.
Krissie
March 23, 2016 @ 10:56 pm
Just came across this review. It was interesting for sure, and as a huge Vince fan I greatly appreciate that even if you didn’t LOVE the album you still have great respect for Vince and his artistry. I really don’t think Vince was trying to fit any mold, trend etc. I think the album fits his style in many ways and you hear this side of him a lot on the Groovy record from “These Days” among other songs scattered throughout his many other albums. From hearing Vince talk about his work over the years I think he really was just being creative. He always says he wants to play better, sing better and write better and I think he just pushes himself to new levels. This album is a strong reflection of all he is capable of (which you did point out to some extinct). I love the album. It has substance, which is lacking in so much music today. I will admit that to me Vince can do no wrong, but my ears honestly tell me this is a great album”¦.not just for 50 year old women with an extreme love for a scented candle.
George Jeffers
February 9, 2017 @ 4:07 pm
I don’t think I could have loved this album any more and I have been a Vince fan since PPL and the Angel Band. We all have to take Vince for what he is anymore he is not played on Country radio anymore so why do you expect him to cater to them. Almost all of his recent stuff is a solid mix of country (Sad One Coming On), pop (Reasons For The Tears I Cry), Great R&B, soulful ballads always his standard (Down To My Last Bad Habit, When Its Love, I Can’t Do This). And like Vince will tell you himself he does what he wants to do anymore, he doesn’t care that nobody plays really great music on radio anymore. Don’t diss this genius just listen to one of the greatest singers of all time any genre and appreciate the guitar and songwriting. How dare any of you criticize this effort the songs are great the voice is better than ever and the guitar work is impeccable. Go back and really listen for not a country artist just an artist with a message. This is the most underrated artist of this generation.