James Otto plays Madden NFL 08 on Xbox LIVE Sunday

Shake What God Gave Ya

The press release for James Otto's new album ends with a telling quote from Otto: "As much as there's all these different fractures of country music these days..." Otto has proven himself popular with the current crop of country music fans, and this CD should prove to be a popular addition. Otto is trying to position himself as the new king of country soul, whatever that may be. The "country soul" sound isn't new - Conway Twitty, Ronnie Milsap (who sings with ...

Sunset Man

James Otto is a member of Muzik Mafia, and his second album reflects the eclectic influences of his troupe. The Washington State native combines country, rock, blues and soul on the 11 songs. He does everything from rockin' tunes about partying, "Ain't Gonna Stop," to the first single, the mid-tempo love song, "Just Got Started Lovin' You." Otto is also in full-party mode with the catchy tongue-in-cheek "Drink and Dial" and the R&B influenced ...

Days of Our Lives

"Days of Our Lives" is not based on the long-running soap opera, but some of the lyrics herein are almost as trite as the long-lost-evil-twin-sibling plotline. There's the requisite nostalgia for the young and restless days of "Misspent Youth," the wrestling with passions on "Miss Temptation" and "Lowdown on the High Life." "She Knows" is a retread of Garth's "If Tomorrow Never Comes" that is neither bold nor beautiful, and "The Ball" channels another Brooks ballad ("Unanswered Prayers. ...