To be absolutely clear, I have Tim's first five albums (up to A place in the sun), and I enjoy them all, in different ways. I expect to buy more in the future. If you play these five albums in reverse order, you realise that each is more country and less pop than the one you played before, so you should not be completely surprised at the style of this album.

So, a great album, which is more likely to appeal to fans of traditional country than it is to some of Tim's own fans. For those among Tim's more modern fans who enjoy this, I recommend you try some Alan Jackson next, if you haven't already got any of his music.

To those who complain about the direction Tim's music has taken, the simple answer is that this album was a commercial failure and that his more pop-sounding records are a huge success. This album is only available now because of that success. At the price, it's a real bargain.


Everything you expect from Tim!   January 3, 2002
5 out of 5 found this review helpful

As a long-time McGraw fan (but not long enough to go back to his self-titled days), this was the only CD missing from my collection. I was hesitant to buy it - I thought that since he had no hits from it, it must be one of those weird, old school, nice-try-but-you're-not-ready-for-your-big-break-yet CDs. However, I found it in the bargin bin at my local CD store for a great price, so I decided to go for it and was pleasently surprised.

This CD is up there with any of Tim's other CDs .. so it doesn't have an "I like it, I love it" or "It's Your Love," but it still provides 10 highly enjoyable tracks (my personal favorite being, "What room was the holiday in"). "Tim McGraw" is more country than his newer CDs, especially "Set This Circus Down," and definitely a lot different. There's no Faith Hill, no talks of settling down with his family, and no promises for his next 30 years; this CD is just a young, fun-loving Tim McGraw.


very good   October 23, 1999
4 out of 4 found this review helpful

like many other people, i bought this cd just to have all of tim's, but i was happily surprised. even though the songs are more honky-tonk than his other cd's and i don't normally go for that type of music, he makes it work. i can't believe the songs never got radio-play. they're excellent!!


This CD deserves more recongnition   July 18, 2004
Hello (USA)
2 out of 2 found this review helpful

When this CD first came out, it did not receive the recognition it deserves. And that's a shame, because the music on here is actually very good.

1. Welcome to the Club: a song with a great beat. basically says: "hey man, you're not the only one who's been done wrong"

2. Two-Steppin' Mind: a true country song.

3. The Only Thing That I Have Left: a slower song. says: "I don't have much, but I have you"

4. You Can't Take It With You (When You Go): another classic country beat. song that says: "you can't take it with you, but it's sure nice to have while you're here"

5. Ain't No Angels: another slower song saying I gotta get out of this life and to a better one.

6. Memory Lane: another faster song that says "I keep going to my memories because my memories are full of you."

7. Tears in the Rain: another slower song that really has a lot of emotion. the song says "she will never know how much I want her back"

8. What She Left Behind: another song with an in-between beat. song is saying "what she left hurts more than her leaving"

9. What Room Was the Holiday In?: another in-between beat. song says "you seem really happy. I wonder why(sarcasm)"

10. I Keep It Under My Hat: slow song again. says "I wear this hat to hide the emotion I feel when I see you"

Excellent CD. Definite BUY.


Fan From The Beginning   June 18, 2002
Tami (San Antonio, TX USA)
2 out of 2 found this review helpful

I heard a song on the radio back in the early 90's called Welcome to the Club. I called the radio station and found out who this man was singing. A few months later almost a year this album came out. I got the album and this to me is one of the greatest albums Tim McGraw has ever put out. I have everyone of his albums and I always pull this one out to listen to instead of all the others. This album should have got his name out there first. Welcome to the Club is just a good country music song!!!!!!!!!!!