Mo Pitney is one of country music’s greatest assets to come around in a long time. One must only hear the heartbreaking “Clean Up On Aisle Five” or the tearjerker, “Just A Dog” to understand that Mo is the real deal. Here at TICM, we even featured Mo as one of the bright spots in mainstream country music. The thing is, neither one of the above mentioned songs would do anything on country radio today, especially not when Mo is on Curb Records, a label that hasn’t had the best of luck in recent years. So with that, our ears have been treated to Mo’s first two singles, “Country”, and now, “Boy and A Girl Thing”. The thing with “Country”, as I stated in my review was that it was “ok”. It had a great sound, but the lyrics were lacking, and that is also a problem that is found on his latest, “Boy and A Girl Thing”.

That’s not to say that “Boy and A Girl Thing” is a bad song though, it’s far from it actually. The song has that same traditional country sound that is Mo’s bread and butter, complete with plenty of steel and acoustic guitar driving this song along. In a world where mainstream country is favoring Pop and electronic beats, Mo’s sound seems extremely fresh and authentic. Now, the theme of the song gets a little corny. It lists off some things that boys and girls dislike when they’re younger (such as each other), and how they mature into adults who love each other. Some might wish to point out some of the stereotypes that are present in the whole “which gender likes which thing” category, but to me, it’s meant to come off as sincere, and not something like Raelynn’s “God Made Girls”, or Michael Ray’s “Real Men Love Jesus”, where the songs never prove a point. No, instead this song is meant to show a timeline of how boys and girls grow up. Some might find it a tad corny, but it goes deeper than “this gender should like this, this gender shouldn’t like this”.

I’ve said it before, but I’ll say it again, Mo Pitney’s worst two songs have been his singles so far and they’re still pretty dang good. While “Boy and A Girl Thing” is a bit corny lyrically much like “Country” was, it’s hard to dislike Mo when he’s trying to carry a torch for traditional country music in the mainstream. His vocals were made for country music, and that is evident from the first notes of every song he sings. If “Country” was able to reach the top thirty despite having everything going against it, then “Boy and A Girl Thing” should at least be a sizable enough hit to where we can get an album from him. Until then, his singles aren’t bad to listen to.

Grade: B-
Listen: “Boy and A Girl Thing”

Author: Zackary Kephart

​When glancing at the title of Mo Pitney’s debut single, you may roll your eyes. However, this simple title carries a big message and is honestly more than just a single, it’s a symbol of someone fighting to get traditional country music back into the spotlight.

Yes that’s right folks! Now you’ll have to excuse my language as I’m about to use the “s” and “f” words, but I was happy when I heard, wait for it, wait for it……steel guitar AND fiddle! The thing is, they’re also very heavily used in here as well! It’s 2015 and I have to praise that a country song actually used country instruments. It’s sad but true. Another plus of this song is Mo’s voice. It was made for country music, plain and simple. It’s the type that makes you turn your head and listen to what this guy has to say. Now, as much as I have praised the vocals, instrumentation, and production, I will admit that this song is a bit clichéd lyrically. I’m pretty sure Mo uses every definition of the term “country” in here.  There’s talk of things they do in the country, talk of listening to some country, and talk of someone dying for their country. I could use without the pandering to the southern lifestyle, but I understand what Mo is trying to do. Mo is simply trying to find an audience, and the single does a good job, lyrically, of appealing to the masses. I just wish it connected more as a song is all. There is one line here however, that resembles EXACTLY how I feel about Country music.

Country ain’t even a place on a map, it’s a place in your heart

That’s really what country is, a lyrically driven genre that connects to the listeners soul, regardless of location.
Overall, Mo is truly talented as an artist. What’s surprising is that “Country” isn’t even his first song. If you want a true testament to Mo’s talent, check out his heartbreaking performance of “Clean Up On Aisle Five”. Mo is the type of guy that Country needs right now. “Country” may not be the best use of his talent, but it does show that he has a bright future ahead of him.
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Grade: B
Listen:  “Country”