Kevin Costner & Modern West "Untold Truths" Universal South

By Kyle McCraw

When I heard that Kevin Costner was releasing an album, I gotta admit, I was skeptical. It turns out Costner has been playing with Modern West member John Coinman since the late-80s. And that is exactly what this sounds like: a country rock album from the late-80s (For whatever reason, production-wise, the album reminded me specifically of Don Henley’s The End of the Innocence – not country, but from the late 80s.).

But to Costner and his band’s credit, they are a competent country rock band. The problem is that this record does not show them to be any more than that. It’s really not a bad listen; I even found myself tapping my feet a few times. Unfortunately, there’s nothing here that’s very compelling (with lines like, “Thumbs up, thumbs down. That’s the world that we’re living in now” and, “I wish I may. I wish I might. It’s going to be another long hot night,” how could it be?).

If you like the genre and you’re looking for an album to play in the background without thinking about it, this will fit the bill. But, if you’re looking for something that rises above the fray, look elsewhere.

Kevin Costner & Modern West "Untold Truths"