Released 10 years ago
Strait Out of the Box: Part 2
George Strait · 2016
201 min · 56 tracks · country music
A rich tapestry of heartfelt storytelling woven through traditional instrumentation and contemporary country rhythms.
Top tracks — play these first
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Blue Clear Sky Start here — accessible entry with immediate hook
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I Can Still Make Cheyenne — This track encapsulates the poignant storytelling that defines Strait's career, portraying a bittersweet narrative of love and sacrifice that resonates deeply with listeners.
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Carrying Your Love With Me — An anthem for lovers separated by distance, this song highlights Strait's knack for evoking strong emotional connections through relatable themes and heartfelt melodies.
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Give It Away — This Grammy-winning song exemplifies Strait's ability to blend traditional country sounds with modern sensibilities while discussing themes of love and selflessness.
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Troubadour — Serving as a reflection on his journey through life and music, this track resonates with authenticity and showcases Strait's enduring legacy within the genre.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album presents solid songwriting and production but lacks a strong cohesive flow across its extensive tracklist.
What we noticed
- Many tracks utilize traditional country instrumentation, including steel guitar and fiddle, creating a classic sound.
- Several songs incorporate storytelling lyrics that reflect personal experiences and emotions common in country music.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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5/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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5/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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4/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- short bursts of nostalgic storytelling
- easygoing tunes for casual listening
- varied tracks for spontaneous enjoyment
- lighthearted anthems for gatherings
- reflective moments during quiet times
Maybe skip if you
- prefer lengthy, immersive albums
- want intense emotional experiences
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Deep Cut — It's a solid compilation but not a primary entry or breakthrough album.
- Themes
- Texas storytelling· heartbreak humor· romantic nostalgia
- Career context
- By the time George Strait released 'Strait Out of the Box: Part 2' in 2016, he was celebrating over three decades as a leading figure in country music. This compilation album followed his last studio release, 'Here for a Good Time' (2011), and marked his continued influence in the genre after being honored with numerous accolades, including the CMA Entertainer of the Year award multiple times.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Alan Jackson· Brad Paisley· Brooks & Dunn
Tracklist
Disc 1
- 1 Blue Clear Sky Start here 2:55
- 2 Carried Away 3:22
- 3 Rockin' in the Arms of Your Memory 4:17
- 4 I Can Still Make Cheyenne 4:16
- 5 Round About Way 3:04
- 6 Carrying Your Love With Me 3:51
- 7 One Night at a Time 3:51
- 8 Today My World Slipped Away 3:14
- 9 The Nerve 4:07
- 10 I Just Want to Dance With You 3:29
- 11 True 3:33
- 12 Maria 4:39
- 13 We Really Shouldn't Be Doing This 2:32
- 14 Meanwhile 3:32
- 15 Write This Down 3:40
- 16 The Best Day 3:24
- 17 Looking Out My Window Through the Pain 3:41
- 18 Go On 3:50
Disc 2
- 1 She'll Leave You With a Smile 2:59
- 2 Run 4:05
- 3 Living and Living Well 3:39
- 4 My Life's Been Grand 2:39
- 5 Cowboys Like Us 3:39
- 6 Desperately 4:08
- 7 Four Down and Twelve Across 2:51
- 8 I Hate Everything 3:55
- 9 The Seashores of Old Mexico 4:11
- 10 She Let Herself Go 3:18
- 11 Give It Away 3:31
- 12 Wrapped 4:10
- 13 It Just Comes Natural 2:59
- 14 Texas Cookin' 4:25
- 15 How 'Bout Them Cowgirls 3:58
- 16 Come on Joe 3:50
- 17 Troubadour 2:55
- 18 River of Love 3:15
- 19 I Saw God Today 3:25
Disc 3
- 1 Living for the Night 3:43
- 2 Out of Sight Out of Mind 3:08
- 3 Arkansas Dave 3:19
- 4 Love's Gonna Make It Alright 3:49
- 5 Drinkin' Man 4:27
- 6 Shame on Me 2:39
- 7 Here for a Good Time 3:01
- 8 House Across the Bay 3:36
- 9 Blue Marlin Blues 3:24
- 10 I'll Always Remember You 3:52
- 11 Give It All We Got Tonight 4:11
- 12 I Just Can't Go on Dying Like This 3:58
- 13 That's What Breaking Hearts Do 3:31
- 14 The Night Is Young 3:33
- 15 I Believe 3:46
- 16 Goin' Goin' Gone 4:15
- 17 Everything I See 3:49
- 18 Kicked Outta Country 4:02
- 19 You Gotta Go Through Hell 2:45
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Drive
Alan Jackson
Shares heartfelt storytelling and polished production with a focus on nostalgia and personal reflection.
Love and War
Brad Paisley
Combines humor and romantic themes, maintaining a contemporary yet country sound.
Revived Remixed Revisited
Reba McEntire
Features nostalgic storytelling and emotional depth, echoing the polished production of Strait's work.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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