Having racked up 42 No. 1 hits and 22 albums from 1980 to 2000, the group Alabama declares its newest goal for 2001: "To create a Grammy quality album," according to their bio. Well, folks, When It All Goes South strives mightily to be a contender, but it's such a lightweight it couldn't crawl into the ring. With the help of seven (!) producers, Randy Owen and company do sound rejuvenated, borrowing stylistic techniques from modern R&B and updating their overall approach for the millennium. But Alabama, a bar-band that went farther than it ever should have, ran out of creative juice long, long ago. And bringing in Jann Arden and Christopher Cross--rather odd-choice guests--doesn't do anything to reverse that. While the group occasionally works a decent rhythm song into the mix, their lyrics seldom rise above empty platitudes. Want proof? Here's their new take on Dixie from the title song: "Get yourself some rebel pride... One day the South's gonna rise again." To be sure, When It All Goes South is aptly named. It has boys, it has. --Alanna Nash – Amazon.com

Tracklist:
1. When It All Goes South
2. The Woman He Loves
3. Clear Across America Tonight
4. Will You Marry Me
5. I Can't Hide My Heart
6. I Can't Love You Any Less
7. Reinvent The Wheel
8. I Write A Little
9. Down This Road
10. Love Remains (Duet with Christopher Cross)
11. Start Living
12. Simple As That
13. You Only Paint The Picture Once
14. Wonderful Waste Of Time
15. Right Where I Am
16. Second Chances (bonus)