Garth Brooks: Man Against Machine: Album Review

Artist: Garth Brooks

Album: Man Against Machine

Point of Purchase: Christmas gift, but it is available for digital download on GhostTunes.com

Thoughts: I was a little apprehensive about this album.  I mean on one hand, it's Garth, and he's never really disappointed me, even when he did his Chris Gaines thing, but the first time I head the song "People Loving People" it really annoyed me for some reason.  The more I heard it, the more I liked it, and that perplexed me. Anyway I added the cd to my Amazon wishlist and figured that I'd eventually purchase it, and one of my uncles ended up buying it for me for Christmas.  I opened it up a couple of days later and popped it in the player and listened to it 5 times in a row. It's that good. It really is best to listen to it in order even though there isn't really a continuous story going on, the songs just flow better (this is coming from someone who almost exclusively listens to music on shuffle).  If you're a parent, thinking of becoming one, or have friends with kids there are some songs that will sing right to your heart (Mom and Send 'Em On Down The Road) but in all honestly there is a song for everyone on this album. It might end up being one of my favorites.



Track Listing: Favorite Lyrics

1. Man Against Machine "This is where I make my stand because I can't stand it anymore"
2. She's Tired of Boys "She said I’m tired of boys/I’m tired of first dates/And I’m tired of toys/I want a lover who will understand/Someone who will touch me with a knowing hand"
3. Cold Like That "I could be the train for a change/You could be the one tied to the track"
4. All-American Kid “And the whole town cheered/And his mama cried/Another hometown boy/Made it home alive/Got his picture in the paper and the headline read ‘Welcome Back All-American Kid’/Yeah, this song is for those who never did/Come back all-American kids”
5. Mom “So, hush now little baby, don’t you cry/Cause there’s someone down there waiting whose only goal in life/Is making sure you’re always gonna be alright/A loving angel tender, tough, and strong/Come on child, it’s time to meet your mom”
6. Wrong About You “You were right about so many things/That I’m starting to think I was wrong about you”
7. Rodeo and Juliet “To thine own self be true is all she knows”
8. Midnight Train “It’s like I’m chained to a midnight train passing through”
9. Cowboys Forever “We've always been, it’s what we’ll always be/We’re cowboys forever”
10. People Loving People "Talk is cheap, but lies are free"
11. Send 'Em On Down the Road "You can help them find their wings, but you can't fly for 'em"
12. Fish “So I asked myself a question/That I knew the answer to/Is success a second mortgage/On a big house with a pool/Or is it a chair/The salt in the air/Wetting the line”
13. You Wreck Me “Tell me what I got to do/To paint me in/Your perfect picture”
14. Tacoma "I'm burning your memory/One mile at a time"

Cream Cheese Cherry Pie Crumb Bar

so one night this week my friend had an excess of tasty dessert treats (I'm not sure how that happens, will power that I don't have perhaps) and I picked them up on the way home (because again, not going to turn down free treats)... Oh.My.God. so worth the calories... these were amazing little squares of awesome. Try them at your own risk (to your waistline).

She found the recipe at Brown Eyed Baker and you can see the link to the recipe here. But for your baking convenience, and mine, I thought it would be great to post it here.

this photo is from the
Brown Eyed Baker's Site

INGREDIENTS:

For the Crumb:
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
¼ teaspoon salt
1 cup cold unsalted butter, cut into small cubes
1 egg

For the Filling:
24 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
1 cup granulated sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 (21-ounce) cans cherry pie filling

For the Powdered Sugar Glaze (optional):
½ cup powdered sugar
1 to 2 tablespoons heavy cream or milk
¼ teaspoon vanilla extract

DIRECTIONS:

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking pan.

2. Make the Crumb: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. Use a fork or pastry cutter to blend in the butter, and then the egg (the dough will be crumbly). Press half of dough into the prepared pan and bake for 8 to 10 minutes, until light golden brown. Set on a wire rack to cool.

3. Make the Filling: In a separate large bowl, beat the cream cheese and sugar on medium speed with an electric mixer until smooth, about 2 to 3 minutes. Add the vanilla extract and mix to combine. Using an offset spatula, spread the cream cheese mixture into an even layer over the crust. Spoon the cherry pie filling in an even layer over the cream cheese mixture. Crumble the remaining dough evenly over the cherry layer.

4. Bake for 45 to 50 minutes, or until the top is light golden brown. Cool completely before adding the glaze.

5. Make the Powdered Sugar Glaze (if using): In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, cream and vanilla extract. Add more cream if you want a thinner glaze, or more powdered sugar if you want a thicker glaze. Drizzle over the bars and allow to set.

6. The bars can be served at room temperature or chilled. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.