Cory Keefe keeps his eye firmly on the prize and claims a well-deserved reward with the release of an album that never loses sight of its ideal. The album title tells all you need to know and from the tones of opening track 'Deeper Well', a rich and well oiled country sound straight out of the eighties and nineties playbook keeps things chipper, honest and true to the heart of the bearer. I'LL KEEP IT COUNTRY doesn't tinker much with progressive themes, refrains from being innovative and knows the niche where it is heading. There is a space in the sonic landscape of country and Americana music for albums like this and its iconic sound spans a generation.
Adorned with a sound that blends a smidgeon of cosmopolitan with the authenticity of fiddle, steel and conventional strings, this album gets a blessing from 20th century country chart topper Lorrie Morgan who shares vocals on blissful 'I Just Want You'. Apart from the usual battalion of songwriters assembled to hone in on what has been a successful formula in the past, Keefe keeps it in the family with his brother Dustin invited to duet on the aptly named 'Brotherly Way'.
Despite country music being renowned for its sad song syndrome, Cory Keefe generally retains an air of positivity alongside a little wryness and obviously the inclusion of the obligatory beer song. Regardless of the stance taken or themes dealt with on I'LL KEEP IT COUNTRY, Cory Keefe has that precious knack of interpreting classic or new traditional country in an engaging and appealing way. This is an album to put a smile on your face and raise the game that country can just be high quality popular music when executed in a simple and straightforward manner.