When the name “Edwin McCain,” is spoken the most common response might be, “Oh yeah, that’s the guy who sings ‘I’ll Be’.” While it’s true that he is “that guy,” his latest release entitled “Lost in America” hardly bares any resemblance to the popular love ballad. In other words, if you pick up the new album in hopes of hearing an “I’ll Be” Part II, don’t hold your breath.

The new album, which is McCain’s seventh album release, marks a different direction for the band in that it has more of an electric sound compared to before.

“It’s an up-tempo record, shorter than other albums we’ve done,” McCainsaid according to his press release.

The album has only 10 tracks and although most of them can be dubbed “askipper,”(skipper meaning a track that you don’t even bother to hear in its entirety,) there are a few songs that don’t make this album a complete and utter waste.

“The Kiss,” which is the album’s second track, has a catchy melody and chorus that you’ll probably end up singing along to the one liner that’s constantly repeated throughout by the end of the song.

The album’s title track “Lost in America” takes the fifth spot on the playlist and although it does have a kind of country feel, it still stands out from the rest of the tracks. The lyrics aren’t exactly happy and uplifting with lines such as “she got a handful of pills to improve her mood; liposuction, big, fake boobs” leaving McCain to sing “I’m getting the hell out of here” at the end of the song. Regardless, it’s catchy.

The most promising song would be track nine, entitled “Losing Tonight.” It sums up the style in which McCain is most famous. A nice, slow melody filled with the sounds of an acoustic guitar and soft percussions beating in the background all topped off with McCain’s heartfelt voice is sure to generate a keeper – and it does.

With only three or four songs that could be deemed “ok,” it seems like the music is less fun to listen to and more fun to play. All but one song is upbeat and requires a whole band to perform. This record seems to be aimed more for the performer than a listener.

McCain provides the lead vocals as well as acoustic guitar.According to his press release, his long-time band consists of Larry Chaney on both acoustic and electric guitars, Dave Harrison on drums, percussion and background vocals, Lee Hendricks on bass guitar, Pete Riley on both acoustic and electric guitars as well as background vocals and Craig Shields on Wurlitzer, piano, B3, saxophone and accordion.

“This is a band record,” McCain said said in a press release. “We all put our individual spin on it, and working on songs as a band really improved the quality of the music. Everybody’s heart and soul went into it. Now it’s time to get out there and play it live.”

Fans will get to see McCain and the rest of his band perform since its national tour kicked off on March 1. For more information on tour dates and tickets, click here.

In the end, don’t expect this album to change any thing. It won’t necessarily carry McCain higher than his already sweet and soulful reputation, but it won’t put him any lower either. He will still be remembered as the “I’ll Be” guy, which isn’t a bad thing at all.

Produced by Noel Golden, “Lost in America” is McCain’s first release under Vanguard Records and is available in stores now.

Rating: 1 out of 5 stars.

Aleesa Camagong can be reached at features@ statehornet.com.