Bigger Hands

iTunes Review

John Anderson's instantly recognizable voice — full of plaintive bent notes and bluesy curlicues — is unique among country artists. Bigger Hands reunites him with producer James Stroud and seeks to reclaim the hit-making sound of his mid-‘90s work. Anderson seems revitalized, finding the right tender spots in the ballads and infusing the uptempo tracks with sly backwoods humor. “How Can I Be So Thirsty” and “Bar Room Country” are welcome throwbacks to the rambunctious fun of his ‘80s hit “Swingin.” On “Shorty’s Long Gone,” he delivers a salacious vocal over a raunchy groove worthy of the Rolling Stones. The hangdog sentiments of “Cold Coffee and Hot Beer” let him indulge his comedic side. But as on Anderson’s past albums, it’s the sadder songs that cut the deepest. “Missing Her Again” and “Better News” are especially potent examples of his ability to convey heartache. The album’s title track strikes a note of humble reverence. Thirty years ago, Anderson seemed like an old soul; today, he sounds younger than his years.