Album Review – Mo Pitney’s “Ain’t Lookin’ Back”
Articulating the kind of down home and wholesome side of country music that just like so many of the other more pleasing and enjoyable facets of the genre have been rendered patently absent in today’s popular realm, Mo Pitney has become a fan favorite over his burgeoning career with quality songs and a laid back demeanor that puts listeners at ease in a way that both the young and old can appreciate, and together.
Don’t expect raucous honky-tonk tunes about tears mixing with beer stains on wooden dance floors, or cutting loose on Saturday night, or somber moans from a worried man with a worried mind waking up in the gutter. No, Mo Pitney is not a troubled soul. He’s simply an old soul that sings about a simple life and simple pleasures from the distinctly country and devout life he lives.
A signee of Curb Record, this means Mo is subject to the label’s notorious talent retention program that emulates molasses in how they release new music from artists, resulting in Pitney’s new album Ain’t Lookin’ Back being only his second record in over six years of service. And since radio seems to have found no favor in what he has to offer, and Mo doesn’t really fit the underground/Americana/Outlaw profile, it’s been a little hard for Pitney to find traction and a sense of place in country beyond the RFD-TV crowd. But it’s not from the quality of his recordings or performances.
The new album starts out with a great little song with fellow traditionalist Jamey Johnson called “A Music Man” that draws a bead on Mo Pitney as good as anything. Driven to the music from a sincere love that comes through every time he picks up a guitar and sings, it’s the tenderness and care that Pitney brings to each moment that makes the 27-year-old with a wiry frame so compelling to attentive audiences. A voice that is naturally tailored for country, he doesn’t just perform, he professes in a way the brings the words up from deep inside of him, allowing them to drip in the honey of their inspiration.
Still, there a bit of a softness to Mo’s style of country that some may struggle to find engaging. A lot of steel guitar remains in the mix, but even more so than on his first record, the edges of Ain’t Lookin’ Back are smoothed down, while some of the songs sound like they were recorded for the setting of radio, even if they would never survive there. “Boy Gets The Girl” and “Ain’t Lookin’ Back” find Pitney working in more contemporary production than you’re accustomed to for him, even if the steel guitar is allowed to join the party.
But then he brings it all back to the roots with the traditional standard “Old Home Place” cut live with a string band—not a song we necessarily need another cover of perhaps, but let’s not forget this is still a major label release, and it shows just what Mo Pitney is able to provide to the tradition-bereft Music Row ecosystem. Later on the record Mo Pitney impresses with both the writing and mood of “Mattress on the Floor,” which the young will relate to, and the old will remember with fondness. Later the fun and upbeat “Local Honey” is done well enough for you to forgive its cliches.
And in between all of this stuff are quite a few of those just good ol’ “Mo Pitney songs” that are hard to not crack a smile to, and feel custom made for a Sunday afternoon. We’re talking about songs like “Ain’t Bad For a Good ‘Ol Boy,” or the well-written and relatable “Old Stuff Better.” This stuff is peak Pitney.
Sure, with some of these songs, certain listeners may find them a little too corny for their version of country, and that may not be a completely unfair criticism. But a little wholesome goodness is good for everyone, even if it’s just every now and then. It’s a bit of Cracker Barrel in between the late night benders and pontoon parties to ground yourself and re-calibrate back to center. It’s a reminder of the importance and warmness of family and faith. That is what Mo Pitney is best for, and something he delivers that few others are in 2020, and nobody this well.
1 1/2 Guns Up (7.5/10)
– – – – – – – – – –
Purchase Ain’t Lookin’ Back
Jake Cutter
August 18, 2020 @ 8:30 am
This review perfectly articulates what I think of this guy, and the album so far.
However, as good as it is, I’m equally curious to hear what a certain, particular Honky thinks about it….
King Honky Of Crackershire
August 23, 2020 @ 6:59 am
Jake,
Let me start by saying that I continue to be confused as to how I became the Mo Pitney guy has on this site. I suspect maybe it’s because I’ve never been on board with all the super-cool, totally edgy, tough-guy singers like Simpson, or the hipster singers like Ohora(or whatever his name is), or the self-hating arteeests like Isbell, so folks on here who are fans of all that stuff, and are triggered by my dislike of it, use Mo Pitney as a way to mock me for being a boring “mainstream loser”, or something along those lines.
Anyway, I still consider Mo to be the best C(c)ountry singer, under 35, who has a chance of being on the radio. I couldn’t care less about edge(whatever that means). I care about countriness, good songs, and great singing(technically and emotionally).
Having said that, Mo is still average when compared to all the legends. He’d be a middle-of-the-pack star if he were coming up in any decade prior to the year 2000.
I don’t love all Mo’s songs, but I’ve yet to hear one that I hate. I don’t own any of Mo’s music; not because I don’t want to; it’s simply because I’ve got such a massive collection of music by all the greats I love, that it’s hard to talk myself into spending money on a post-C(c)ountry C(c)ountry singer, who’s average compared to all the music I already own, especially when there’s so many different brands of crappie jigs, and crankbaits to spend my money on.
I know millies like to assign pill colors to their beliefs; so I would say I’m black-pilled on Country music. I believe, as a mainstream, commercially viable art form, it died in the late 1990’s. Any real C(c)ountry music released since then, by a young singer, is not really C(c)ountry music, but merely a tribute to C(c)ountry music, a tribute, or a paying of homage to something that has died. Hopefully Mo can make a good living paying homage.
Jake Cutter
August 23, 2020 @ 2:34 pm
Hmmm, I remember you getting mocked, but I also remember you talking about him yourself.
Interesting take. I agree with a lot of what you’ve said, to an extent. I guess the pill I took was more gray than black, and can still listen to a fair amount of the music being made today, even if it’s by a dude from Brooklyn paying homage. But I respect your position. Thanks for the reply.
King Honky Of Crackershire
August 23, 2020 @ 3:13 pm
Yes, I talked about him, no denying that. I’ve stated that he is the best traditional C(c)ountry vocalist of his generation. But, his generation sucks, so it’s easy for him to rise to the top.
I’ve also stated that I like him better than all the independent artists that are promoted on this site.
And I said all that, while never spending a dime on his music.
Me saying all that, led all the Simpson fans and all the other Stan groups on this site, to paint me as this site’s Mo Pitney Stan.
Same thing with Midland. I’ve stated that Midland has a good sound, so every time a Sturgill fan gets mad at me, it’s, “Shut the f&@k up Honky! Don’t you have a Midland concert to go to!”
I hope I made myself a little more clear. I think Mo is a really good singer, in a really crappy era.
Jake Cutter
August 23, 2020 @ 4:07 pm
So what you’re saying is, you’ve bought all his albums?
Joking…yes, it’s clear.
kross
August 18, 2020 @ 8:35 am
I like the whole album, but if Mattress On the Floor isn’t nominated for song of the year, you’re not doing your job. Such a great sweet song that paints a vivid picture of what it’s like when you first live with the woman you love. Simple songs that tell a story that we can relate to, or would like to relate is what good song writing is about.
Trigger
August 18, 2020 @ 9:20 am
It’s a good one for sure. I thought it was the best on the album.
Big Red
August 18, 2020 @ 10:02 am
The song is a good one, for sure, but the video makes it better.
albert
August 18, 2020 @ 8:45 am
damn …good as it gets for ‘mainstream ‘songwriting and production.
and a fine review , trigger
Strait Country 81
August 18, 2020 @ 8:45 am
Sure, with some of these songs, certain listeners may find them a little too corny for their version of country.
Translation: It’s not the “badasses”Sturgill or Isbell
Bobby Hayes
August 18, 2020 @ 8:58 am
I don’t think so, I call it a lack of “balls” for lack of a better term. Nothing to do with gender, but he just doesn’t grab me and make me pay attention.
I really dig Mo and he is a great singer/writer but it’s the lack of whatever ‘it’ is to compel me to be a fanatic vs. just enjoying it in passing.
I also think he should give the southern gospel vibrato a break every now and then. Even Merle used to sing straight notes quite a bit.
But he’s super talented and I’m not so he should do what he digs and makes him happy.
Jake Cutter
August 18, 2020 @ 9:38 am
I think sometimes it’s the people that aren’t trying too hard that actually have the balls.
Even when I was younger, I got tired of everyone trying to be so edgy, ‘ballsy,’” and attention grabbing. I realized early on that it was usually a sign of insecurity.
I know you were more referring to the sound…but for me, the same thing applies.
Bobby Hayes
August 18, 2020 @ 1:05 pm
Yeah I’m referring to the music, for example Don Williams still had it, where Mo lacks it for me.
Having said that, I like the record and my opinion really doesn’t matter. I want everybody to listen to Mo. We’d be better off if that happened.
Greg Green
August 26, 2020 @ 5:32 am
Interesting comparison, Don and Mo, since they’re both low and slow singers. I like what Mo is doing, but he’s got no memorable songs for me and I only think of him when prompted. I think of him fondly, but he’s missing the magic that others have/had.
Mo had a song about a dog, and it was heartfelt delivery, but I enjoyed it more because it made me think of my old dog. As much as I liked the memories the song gave me, the song itself was mediocre song writing since I was moved by my memories and not the singer’s.
Likewise wIth his song about meeting Merle. I understand the enthusiasm and excitement of the moment, but I can’t even remember a word or line from the song now.
I sense more life and depth in Jeannie Seely songs, and I hardly know anything about her. I very much appreciate what Mo is doing, but I’ll probably have forgotten him again by the time lunch rolls around.
Tony Jackson on the other hand seems to have that special quality that Mo lacks. Even when Tony’s doing covers I can feel the magic.
albert
August 19, 2020 @ 7:35 am
don williams
Trigger
August 18, 2020 @ 11:41 am
As I said in the review, I think it’s fair to criticize the record for lacking an edge. Still, there’s some great songs here that shouldn’t be overlooked.
albert
August 19, 2020 @ 7:44 am
‘edge ‘ is an interesting term and can be interpreted in different ways .
musically? vocally? lyrically?
I love that an album like this CAN , with its release and ANY exposure, be an influence on up and coming COUNTRY writers . Truth in timeless universal experience trumps edge every time , IMO . ( merle , joe nichols , dolly ) no one will be singing anything by keith urban ( musical edge ? ) in 25 years but I’d bet my firstborn dolly’s songs will STILL be around .
Therealbobcephus
August 18, 2020 @ 9:06 am
If you think those two are the “badasses” you haven’t been paying attention very hard.
thegentile
August 18, 2020 @ 9:30 am
man, sturg and isbell really do have free rent in their haters’ heads. you guys can’t stop thinking of them. it’s probably like a vietnam flashback in there set to sound & fury.
Greg Green
August 26, 2020 @ 5:35 am
I don’t hate ‘em, hater is becoming an overused word for people who can’t come up with rational defenses. I only think of them when someone mentions them, and by the time I put this iPad away I’ll have forgotten them again. Maybe even by the time I finish reading these comments.
AhYup
August 18, 2020 @ 11:41 am
It’s good but kind of basic.
CountryKnight
August 19, 2020 @ 11:16 am
Good because those guys are the most overrated “country” singers around.
OlaR
August 18, 2020 @ 9:08 am
The album is not bad…& it’s country music. Not pop-country or edm-country.
Even some of the good tracks are too clean & polished.
There is no buzz & airplay. Curb Records is doing nothing to push Mo Pitney.
Mo Pitney needs a new label & producer. But maybe he wants to stay in the “Curb-Comfort-Zone” releasing new material every 5-6 years.
My Highlights: “A Music Man” (feat. Jamey Johnson), “‘Til I Get Back To You”, “Looks Like Rain” & “Old Stuff Better”.
More New Music:
Jeannie Seely – An American Classic – Album (13 Tracks) – Released (08/14)
80 years young & a member of the Opry for 53 years Jeannie Seely is an american classic (country act).
The album is released by Curb Records (well…) & Jeannie Seely got help from producer Jim Ed Norman, country stars like Vince Gill, Lorrie Morgan, Steve Wariner, bluegrass star Rhonda Vincent, The Whites, Bill Anderson & Waylon Payne.
“Not A Dry Eye In The House” features Jeannie Seelys friend Willie Nelson & she recorded new versions of the Grammy winning “Don’t Touch Me” & “Can I Sleep In Your Arms”. Both written by her former husband Hank Cochran.
Ray Stevens is the duet-partner on the Paul McCartney written “Dance Tonight”.
She also remembers her friend Dottie West in one of the songs.
New Stuff:
Ian Burns – “Friday Night” – Single/Track – Released – Australia
Austin English – “Willie Nelson T-Shirt” – Single/Track – Released
Trace Adkins – “Just The Way We Do It” – Single/Track – Released
Sami – “Feeling Like A Rebel” – Single/Track – Released – Australia
Mojo Griggs – “Wanting To Want Somebody” – Single/Track – Released
Jeremy Clement – “Let The Good Times Roll” – Single/Track – Released
Grace Amos – “Listen Real Closely” – Single/Track – Released – Australia
Allan Caswell feat. Donna Fisk – “I Do” – Single/Track – Released – Australia
Lachlan Bryan & The Wildes – “I Went Down” – Single/Track – Released – Australia
Andy Cooney & Larry Gatlin – “Come Tennessee Me Tonight” – Single/Track – Released
&
Dan Allen Crawley – To Kill A Sunrise – EP (5 Tracks) – Released (08/14)
+
Waylon Payne – Blue Eyes, The Harlot, The Queer, The Pusher & Me: Act III – EP (3 Tracks) – Released (08/06)
Trigger
August 18, 2020 @ 9:21 am
“But maybe he wants to stay in the “Curb-Comfort-Zone” releasing new material every 5-6 years.”
Nobody is comfortable in the Curb zone. They’re simply contractually obligated.
OlaR
August 18, 2020 @ 10:10 am
Contracts come to an end.
Who in his right mind signs a contract with Curb anyway?
Daniel Cooper
August 18, 2020 @ 10:21 am
That was Tim McGraw’s issue. His contract was expiring, and Curb was doing EVERYTHING they could to keep him tied down. One reason they sued him.
Jake Cutter
August 18, 2020 @ 10:55 am
Prett-Ay, Prett-Ay, Prett-Ay good question.
Trigger
August 18, 2020 @ 11:40 am
This website quite literally grew out of fighting Curb Records and the bad contracts and legally-dubious practices they’ve used against their artists. If you have a dream of being a country music star, signing to a major label is often part of that. I don’t know the specifics of Mo Pitney’s contract, but it’s not his fault his output has been slow, and his records poorly promoted.
618creekrat
August 19, 2020 @ 7:52 am
If the contract is for X# of records, a gap of 4 or 5 years between albums makes for quite a catch-22.
Trigger
August 19, 2020 @ 8:22 am
That’s why I call it thew Curb Records retention program. They sign artists to multi record deals, and then retain them indefinitely by only releasing a record every 4-5 years or so. So even if these artists hate the label, they can’t leave. Then they have the names they keep on the label to attract new names to sign.
618creekrat
August 19, 2020 @ 9:42 am
Sounds about like pulling on an oar for the glory of Old Rome. And I imagine there are disincentives for complaining too much.
Maybe they offer a Surviving Nashville 101 at Belmont which covers all that.
Hey Arnold
August 18, 2020 @ 9:26 am
I discovered him on “Larry’s Country Dinner” tv program on RFD-TV.
Mo is an “old soul”, a good ole boy for sure!!!
Local Honey is a jam!
I definitely put him in the same category as William Michael Morgan.
Benny Lee
August 18, 2020 @ 9:52 am
Everything’s there – pro production, decent writing, great voice – there’s just no energy. Like it’s idling in park the whole time.
Would be good for a nap (which is not necessarily a bad thing at this point in my life) if not for the “radio” songs, which are as horribly annoying as one would expect from a major label.
wayne
August 18, 2020 @ 11:36 am
Benny said there is no energy. Exactly, and that is what’s appealing to me.
Don Williams is my all-time favorite artist. Will never be another like him. but Mo is in the same vein. Many more years to Mo!
Kevin Smith
August 18, 2020 @ 12:20 pm
I suspect the folks here going eh..will likely never sit down and listen to an entire Gene Watson, Vern Gosdin or Don Williams album. No sir, no how, no way. To each their own, its Aok. Lots of styles out there to pick from, Mo is a certain style and to many of us its a style that tickles our ears and speaks to us. I will say that his live show does real justice to country music. He even plays a bluegrass fest occasionally. He loves classic covers. His version of Haggards Misery and Gin is stunning!
Looking forward to this album. He has a great set of pipes and is one young artist with his head in the right place. No offense to The Great Woodsman in the latest article, but Pitney eclipses you in every way.
Greg Green
August 26, 2020 @ 5:48 am
I think you’re suspecting wrongly. Mo, as much as I appreciate what he’s doing is a cut or two above mediocre. And I have many Don Williams albums (and yes, albums, when they were first released) and not enough Gene Watson cds, and I need to start collecting Jeannie Seely cds, she’s another really good one.
Mo does well in live settings because his heart is clearly in the right place, but there’s not going to be many remembering these tunes five years from now, whereas they’ll still be thinking of Gene, Jeannie, David Ball and others. In recordings Mo comes across a little flat. There’s something missing in the delivery, besides the merely adequate song writing.
Dogit
August 18, 2020 @ 12:42 pm
I want to love this album. Two spins in and I am bored out of my mind! Keep going back to Die Midwestern and fire and brimstone. To me, this Mo albums lacks energy. I really like Mo, but I am struggling to get into this album.
karl
August 18, 2020 @ 1:27 pm
I’m still listening to it. I like his style.
Travis
August 18, 2020 @ 2:51 pm
Mo Pitney ain’t lookin’ back, but he’s sure looking to the side in all these photos. Just a few more inches from lookin back.
Sorry for the dumb joke. Surprised nobody else made it.
wayne
August 18, 2020 @ 4:55 pm
If you are bored with this, well, there is always Kane Brown.
wocowboy
August 19, 2020 @ 5:34 am
I listened to this one all the way through the other day, and honestly, I cannot recall a single song from it today. Not one track stuck in my mind as being “Hey that’s a good one I want to listen to over and over every time I get in the truck”. I am disappointed because of this.
Having heard and seen Mo on Country’s Family Reunion several times and watching his YouTube videos, I know that the boy can REALLY sing a country song, yes, an oldie like “Borrowed Angel” or Merle Haggard’s “Farmer’s Daughter” which I have listened to every day for a week in the truck because it is just that good and pulls at my heart strings bigtime.
But none of the songs on this album have that effect on me, not even close. I don’t want Mo to be stuck singing old songs all the time, but none of this material is anywhere close to being as good as those old songs. I will await the next album in 4-5 years.
Loretta Twitty
August 19, 2020 @ 8:53 am
I saw him open for Merle a few years ago. He gained a lot of fans that night. It’s a shame radio wont play him.
618creekrat
August 19, 2020 @ 10:15 am
This album and his previous one were buys for me. The kid can sure as heck sing.
I’ll throw in another name to compare him with: Josh Turner. Thematically they are very similar. Mo’s voice isn’t as deep, but the quality is there. I’d say Josh was vocally and musically a bit more gimmicky, but maybe that helped him get radio play. The niche at radio that Josh worked is pretty much gone now, though, so Mo may as well sing it straight.
Not surprised his reception here is tending lukewarm. The album probably sounds too commercial for the fiercely traditional. And he’s not Outlaw, nor checks any of the boxes for the SJW set. Probably just a guy who genuinely respects the way his parents and grandparents raised him, and would like to carry on the same. And that’s Country, too.
CountryKnight
August 19, 2020 @ 11:21 am
Yeah, I think you nailed it; he is the new version of Josh Turner. Which is fine by me since I love me some Turner.
He also reminds me of Charley Pride. Just good, straight country music. No need for some edge or SJW angle. Or being some faux Outlaw. But at the same time, he has commercial appeal which is what we need if we are going to win this war.
Homespun and slightly corny should always have a role in country music and sadly it has been exiled by the mainstream and underground in the last decade.
Of course, that type of vanilla pudding tends not to be too popular for the underground crowd.
Dave F
August 22, 2020 @ 9:19 pm
To be honest, this is not my most favorite album by him. I prefer his older music. It just sounded more country. I like my country with a fiddle, steel guitar, and a nice shuffle beat.
JB-Chicago
September 4, 2020 @ 7:21 am
I’m not loving this album after a few weeks but there’s a few tunes that I do like. I’ll give him props for playing shows in the area. He’ll be south of here Sunday Sept. 6 for an outdoor show and I’ll make it to the Apollo Theater in Belvidere on Nov. 6 if it’s still on. I saw Whitey there and it’s a nice old venue that tries hard especially right now when they’re chomping at the bit to stay afloat.
Dave
December 24, 2020 @ 4:19 am
I like Mo Pitney. I also love Tyler Childers. You gotta realize, they’re BOTH country. One is an outlaw, and one is more like a cross between old country and 90s country. They appeal to different audiences. Tyler is a rugged Appalachian man who, albeit is more well-known and mainstream than Mo Pitney (as much as people are going to disagree with me, its true, Tyler Childers has in fact entered the mainstream in full force), Mo Pitney reminds you of your average joe. There’s nothing really eccentric about him, nothing flashy. He doesn’t feel the need to “tell it to Nashville”, but he also doesn’t really need Nashville. He IS NOT mainstream in the slightest despite his record label. His songs don’t even play on the radio. He is a hidden gem. You can ask anyone outside of this circle who Mo Pitney is and they really won’t know. Tyler Childers, on the other hand, has sold out arenas. That, to me, is mainstream. Ask any small town hick who Tyler Childers is, they’ll know. Trust me. In fact, he is probably as well known as a guy like Luke Combs. But he seems to also have a wider audience, the small town rural audience and the urban hipster audience.
Ian
January 27, 2022 @ 7:01 am
I don’t know if this is the record I listened to (The Prince of The Cracker barrel called it (C)country so I gave it a shot). I made it through one song in it’s entirety before I had to change albums. I skipped probably 4 because though the singing and playing was great the lyrics were corny and not in the way that is funny. I can see the appeal and hope he makes a mint. If he were on the radio it would be better, but I certainly won’t be turning to this when I am working overtime in the steel shop. Silver lining is I found a great Mel Tillis record because the names remind me of each other somewhat. 8/10 for commercial country, 3/10 when stacked against Gallo Del Cielo.
Sandy Mason
June 13, 2023 @ 7:51 pm
Mo Pitney Has Saved Good Country Music Mo is the Best that Has Happen in Country Music Mo is what Country Music is All About Awesome Song Writer and Awesome Singer Mo Style of Country Music and Mo Christian Songs and Mo showing that he is a Christian . Mo is Special .