The second major-label album from The Sing-Off winners
Home Free (it's the third, if you count the holiday record
Full of Cheer, which arrived just months after their debut
Crazy Life),
Country Evolution, ironically enough, shows no sign of evolution from their first record. Then again, very little artistic growth can be expected from an a cappella group who just loves to sing. All they want to do is harmonize, happy to sing golden oldies or contemporary hits. After
Crazy Life failed to burn up the charts with its originals, Columbia wisely decided to deemphasize commissioned original material on
Country Evolution, finding space for new versions of such hits as "Honey, I'm Good" and "House Party," along with chestnuts "Elvira," "9 to 5," and "The Devil Went Down to Georgia," all of which overshadow the serviceable new tunes here. It's all good times and hijinks, enforced frivolity that you either love or hate, there's no halfway, you either listen to the whole thing or you can't get past 30 seconds. If you love the group's shtick, you'll find this a delight. If not, the torture never stops.