Blake Shelton's 'Based On A True Story' Just About Passes The Grade

Blake Shelton has been one busy guy these past couple of days, with the return of The Voice coming earlier this week and with a new album in tow, it's imaginable that Shelton is looking forward to summer for more than just the weather, but for a chance to finally relax. Is all this nonstop action worth it for Shelton though? Well it's too early to cast a verdict on this seasons The Voice, but his album has been scrutinised by some already and the overall critique is that Based On A True Story just about passes the grade.

A True Story, but doesn't disappointThe album offers next to no real surprises and is just your average country release, with Metracritic averaging the scores for the album at a satisfactory, but far from overwhelming 6.2. Probably the most positive review comes from Billboard, who agree on the openness of the album, specifically the open lyrics from Shelton. Based On A True Story is just that, it is a collection of personal songs from the country star that doesn't go too deep, as Blake maintains a pich of humour on many of the tracks. As he recently revealed in USA Today, the album may be a personal journey, but it is a 'pretty light one' at that.

Country Weekly and the Los Angeles Times agree that whilst the album hold its own and is never really a disappointment, some of the album sounds as though it was made in a rush and as a result it feels as though Shelton has underachieved on an album he could have exceeded with had we spent just a little more time on it. But given Shelton's hectic work schedule, you can forgive him this time for rushing this release.