Every once in a while, country honky tonkers release an album that tells you exactly who they are as well as entertains. Whether by design or accident, YOU DO YOUR THING stands a defiant battle call against a culture which beseeches men to get in touch with themselves when at least these two are already in touch with themselves and know exactly who they are. Having all the trappings of a rock and roll band, Montgomery Gentry are self confident enough to walk into any country venue without any doubts that they belong there. The whole irony in using the old hippy axiom "you do your thing" is that in its original usage it was meant to clear some personal space for freedom; while Montgomery Gentry accept personal freedom as a given and assert that the choices you make do make a difference for those around you and who you will turn out to be. Owning up to who we are and taking the consequences is never popular when it all starts to go against us-but taking the blows and giving back as much as you get wins the respect of even your enemies better than pleading for everyone to like you and please share.

Not that any of this makes life any easier. Facing who you are can in fact make life more difficult. "Something To Be Proud Of" makes this point right off the bat. Life itself may still be difficult-but at least you can live with yourself. Not that this doesn't generate some oddities of its own. What is it about Southern boyS that takes a particular pride that their Daddies used to beat their ass? Perhaps it is an assent to a code more important than themselves for which steps were taken when their behavior didn't measure up. Still it appears to be a double-sided pride in that they were rebellious and that their deserving rear ends took the heat for it.

"You Do Your Thing" stands as one of the most reactionary and patriotic "you can just go to hell" statements out there. Something tells me this song didn't start out being the spit of defiance is it; but in a world where a lot of people who used to tell you you shouldn't follow the old ways now tell you you can't follow the old ways-this what comes out.

The rest of the album follows these themes in tales of lost loves, good time bar crawling, and motorcycle rides across the landscape. I wouldn't call this "John Wayne as Hank Williams: with a 44 automatic in one hand, a bottle of Jack Daniels in the other and a guitar resting in his lap" type of music-but there is a hint of that here. The music is rough and ready for travel and owes as much to the Rolling Stones and Molly Hatchet as to Alan Jackson, George Jones and Buck Owens. There is a clear love of life here without the "I Hope You Dance" guidance and sentimentalism.

Montgomery Gentry strike me as a couple of men who'll work hard when the time comes and will sit down to a good time when the chance comes around. They mean you to take them as they are as they'll take you. A good game, a good song, a good beer and a good woman to sit by your side: what more could you ask for your buddies and friends than that? Oh, what ever honest work you do, friend, that's all right by them. But if you really want to live and love life, Montgomery Gentry might hope you hunt and fish.

I've listened to a lot of singers pour their heart out in their songs, from Merle Haggard to Lynard Skinner. After listening to this album, the only way for me to sum it up would be for Down Home Hard Country, Soulful - a must have for any Montgomery Gentry fan. Not to buy it would be their biggest mistake. Once again, this is a MUST for any Montgomery Gentry fan, as well as any and all country music listeners. With the blending of Eddie and Troy's voices, they are soon to be recognized as the top duo group in every country music category.

When I bought Montgomery Gentry's first CD Tattos and Scars, I knew I wanted to hear more from them. I was lucky enough to get to see one of their first performances in Cedar Rapids, Iowa and after seeing their dynamic performance on a hot summer day I said that these guys are going to be big some day. I wasn't wrong. They are so passionate about what they do and most importantly, they are Country! These guys rock! I have anticipated each new album from them and You Do Your Thing is their best yet! I was so impressed with this CD that I reviewed it on the local radio station the day after it was released.

The duo sings about things that are important to all of us. Something To Be Proud Of is a song of reassurance that every son would love to hear from their father.

If You Ever Stop Loving Me displays the emotional vulnerability that every woman would love to believe their man feels about them. Talking To My Angel is another song about being vulnerable. Troy nails the emotions of a man fighting a battle with the bottle. He knows he can beat if with the help of his angel. She Loved Me is a song about a woman loving her man and him not being able to understand why.

The title track, You Do Your Thing is about Attitude. It's about attitude more people should have, minding their own business and taking responsibility for things they mess up. This is one gutsy song!

A fun, fast-paced, upbeat song about a guy going home to his love is felt in If It's the Last Thing I Do with the lyrics, I'm gonna dodge every road block, speed trap, county cop.

Three of this duo's songs, It's All Good, I Ain't Got It All That Bad and I Never Thought I'd Live this Long are songs that most of us identify with on a daily basis.

Gone is the favorite song on this album. This is a foot-stomping, energetic song about a woman who is never coming back like all of the other good things in life that go and never come back. This song will be a number #1 hit within the next few weeks!

Montgomery Gentry has put every ounce of their heart and soul into this album. These songs are about you and me. I am an avid country music fan, with lots of albums. I can honestly say I have never played one as much as I have played this one. This one has Gone to the top of my charts and I don't expect it to be moved from number 1 for a long time! Unless, of course, it's another album by MG! Bring it on guys!!

"You Do Your Thing" is the fourth album from country duo, Montgomery Gentry. Following the success of their last album "My Town," "You Do Your Thing" keeps the hit songs coming. They sing about life, good times and bad, and this album will keep you coming back for more. "If You Ever Stop Loving Me," their first release off the album went to the top of the charts. With a catchy tune, and an awesome video (please check out "You Do Your Thing" DVD) that song got me hooked on Montgomery Gentry. The title track of the album, is a slower song, and the one thing with Montgomery Gentry is that they're not afraid to say anything or show their great love of our country and our troops. "Gone" their third release, is a very up tempo song, which will get you singing and dancing. The first song on the album, "Something to be Proud Of" has a powerful meaning behind it, which can only be best described if I type a line from the song. "And if all you ever really do is the best you can, well you did it man." "It's All Good" is another one of those songs as well, where "Everyday is a good day when your glad to be alive." It's a must listen to. Montgomery Gentry also does their version of "If It's the Last Thing I Do," a song which has also been sung by rival duo Brooks & Dunn. If you've heard that version, you must hear this one, cause you ain`t heard nothing yet. There are slower songs on the album, so if you like that flavor, it's also included and they don`t disappoint. This album and Montgomery Gentry, is for all age groups. I was once a boy band loving teen, but there ain't nothing like Montgomery Gentry. Young, old, male, female, it doesn't matter. "You Do Your Thing" is a must have album in country music. Whether you've been listening to country for 10 years or 1, please buy the CD. You won't be disappointed.

And if your up to it, Montgomery Gentry also has 3 other albums, "Tattoos and Scars", "Carryin' On", and "My Town" along with the DVD "You Do Your Thing" which features 6 of their greatest videos.

I AM A BIG FAN OF MONTGOMERY GENTRY BUT YOU DO YOUR THING IS MY OVERALL FAVOITE AND I HAVE ALL THEIR MUSIC. TITLE SONG HITS HOME WITH ME AND "GONE" IS MY LIFE. I SEEN THEM CONCERTS SEVERAL TIMES AND THEY PUT ON THE BEST SHOW. THEY ARE SO REAL
DOWNHOME BOYS. LOVE 'EM