"Melt" opens with the top-ten smash which you've no-doubt heard, "These Days." The following tracks are of equally superb quality--from the emotionally powerful "My Worst Fear" to the harmony-ridden "Mayberry". Of course you've got some of those up-beat, perky songs: "Too Good Is True," "Love You Out Loud," "Fallin' Upside Down," and "You." You also have a few ballads: "I Melt", "Like I Am", and "My Worst Fear." But then we've got a couple of surprises: The two almost-bluegrass songs, "Dry County Girl" and "Shine On."

You might also be shocked by the presence of a mandolin on pretty much all of the tracks. Their harmonies are as excellent as ever, and Gary Levox's voice hits the high notes perfectly.

Rascal Flatts had been labeled a boy-band; take one listen to these guys, though, and you will know that that is not true. Just because an artist records one pop song ("See Me Through" on their first album) doesn't mean they're a pop artist. Faith Hill's still considered country, but isn't her latest supposed to be almost all blues?

If you're a pop fan, and are looking for another boy-band, then get lost. You will not find it here. They may not look the part, but these guys are country, through and through. "Melt" is one of the best albums to come out in 2002; it's also the best these guys've done so far. It makes me anxious to hear a THIRD album...


Excellent sophomore set by rising stars, Rascal Flatts   November 21, 2002
Kelley Hartsell (Irving, TX)
7 out of 7 found this review helpful

I just bought this CD yesterday and have already listened to it more times then I can count. I loved their debut album and the first release off of this new album, These Days. The talent these three young men have is well showcased on this CD and their growth as entertainers is evident. This CD has a little bit of everything, upbeat songs, soulful ballads, and some thought-provoking songs as well. All in all, it is a wonderful album and I look forward to hearing the rest of the releases from this CD. So far, These Days is my favorite song on the album, but there are a few others which are really outstanding as well.


Rascal Flatts   October 8, 2005
Michele A. Fink (Fleetwood, PA)
9 out of 11 found this review helpful

HI,
I was reading some of the reviews after clicking on an icon that I saw while reading a friend of my daughters Xanga page. I recently lost my daughter on Aug 9, 2005 Laurann Fink age 17 to cancer. This group Rascal Flatts have given me and my daughter so many memories together and after she has past. I guess my route to becoming a devoted fan is alittle unusual and mybe backwards. I am in my forties and have never had a favorite anything. I was never impressed very much or moved enough to be devoted to any one thing. In Dec 2004 shortly after my daughters last Chemo treatment and when we thought we licked the cancer, my daughter and her boyfriend forced me to listen to a song by Rascal Flatts. The song was skin, I thought for a long time it was called SarahBeth. I was sure they just wanted to see me cry and I did. It was as if this group came into our life and was there because they described the events of finding out that you have cancer to the hair falling out to how the girl closes her eyes to escape the reality to dream of herself how she was before the cancer. I would like to know who wrote the lyrics, I think Jay because this is was an extra song on their CD "Feels Like Today" that was recorded in their studio. ON Sept 18th at the York Fair I and my daughter Ann went to their concert that was rescheduled from Sept 12th due to Gary having a sore throat. We had a meet and great scheduled that my daughter Laurann & I were to go to, but due to her passing I took her closest sister, bone marrow donor and fan in her place to share in the memory. We gave Gary, Jay and JoDon a booklet about Laurann and 3 necklaces with Faith, hope & love symbol on it that Laurann designed as a tattoo that when she was cured she wanted to get. She never got to get the tattoo but over 150 of her friends have including me and her sisters. The meet and great was quick but the guys were very caring and took the time to at least look at her picture and say a kind word. They are their music and that is what makes them so special. At the concert they played "Skin" as on of thier new releases. I had Laurann go to their concert in Reading ,Pa in Feb 2005 and they did not play this song. A few days after Laurann Died the song "skin played on the radio several times a day. Prior to this it did not get play time. Laurann's cancer came back Jan4,2005 and until July 21, 2005 we thought we were still going for the cure. She was given 3 months to live that turned into less than 3 weeks. During this time from Jan 2005 until Aug 9, 2005 Laurann and I listened to all of the rascal Flatts CD's and DVD starting from the newest to the oldest. I love them all and every song. They gave me such strength to "See me through" that tough time and the even tougher time I have to go through until I see my daughter again. Those hours of listening while driving for hours in the car to medical teatments and doctor appointments are priceless. There songs have changed in meaning to me after my daughter passed but are still so special. These three sing from their hearts and are what you see and hear. That is why people Young and older are so attracted to them. How can you go wrong wanting to love and be loved as they sing about? I hope they got to read the booklet to know about Laurann and to know how much their music gave to us.
Michele Fink AKA Laurann's MOM


Awesome!   July 29, 2003
4 out of 4 found this review helpful

This CD is really great! :) Country is the best music ever. I really love the song "Love You Out Loud." I know he sings it to his girlfriend, but it reminds me of how I want the whole world to know I chose country music over pop. (And I have never regretted it.) I don't know why people listen to a type of music that just tells you to be cool and do drugs when there's this stuff around. Anyway, I think everyone who hates country music should listen to "Love You Out Loud" cause it will make them change their mind about country music. It's one of my favorite songs in the world.
I also love "I Melt." :)


The light is shining on brightly from above!   November 24, 2002
11 out of 14 found this review helpful

After their debut album sold a million copies, it was time for a new venture. This new cd, "Melt", keeps it right on pace, with 11 great songs on it. I really expect Rascal Flatts to be getting a lot of awards in the near future. Besides, "These Days", their is a lot to pick from on this cd. The title track is a great candlelight soother for romance. The song, "Mayberry", is about the good ol days and a breeze, very relaxing song. The last song titled, "My worst fear", is being compared to, "I'm moving on", but it sure is'nt nearly as moving as, "I'm moving on", is. It's hard to say if this album is stronger than the first, but it's definently in the right direction. Somewhere I read that they want to release quite a few songs. If they don't release at least 5 singles, I will be disappointed. The songs, "Mayberry", and, "Too good is true", are I think the strongest. But then, "Dreamin out loud", is real catchy too. When you listen to this cd, you realize that Gary Levoux's vocals are unbelievable! He has one of the best voices in music, and he can stretch his vocals also. I don't know how many millions this album will sell, but quite a lot. It's safe to say that this album could explode, and sell big like Dixie Chick's first album did. Rascal Flatts truly are blessed and they deserve everything they get. They have a great record label, great songs, and an ever-growing fanbase as I speak.