Rascal Flatts

When he�s on, few vocalists commit to an emotion quite like Rascal Flatts Gary LeVox. The singer will recklessly throw himself into love, heartbreak or desperation. �Come Wake Me Up,� the new single from �Changed,� is another fine example of how this trio continues to work at a level few country artists are aware of.

The ballad begins quietly, with a soft piano and LeVox singing at little more than a whisper. Even the first chorus is muted in comparison to the songs cathartic close. �Turn the TV up loud just to drown out your voice, but I cant forget / Now I�m all out of ideas and baby I�m down to my last cigarette,� he sings to begin the second verse. �Yeah, you�re probably asleep deep inside of your dreams / While I�m sitting here crying and trying to see / Yeah, wherever you are baby / Now I am sure you moved on and aren�t thinking twice about me and you tonight.�

A perfect Rascal Flatts song is easy to fall into, but not so easy that it relies on banal metaphors or country cliches. �Come Wake Me Up is certainly a familiar story, but it�s an original emotion and voice that will immediately connect with fans, especially those going through a difficult breakup. The trio simply soars above the mini-orchestra that marks the climax. It takes a few deep breathes to come down from this drama.

�Tonight your memory burns like a fire / With everyone it grows higher and higher / And I cant get over it, I just cant put out this love / I just sit in these flames and pray that you�ll come back / Close my eyes tightly, hold on and hope that I�m dreaming / Come wake me up,� they harmonize during each chorus. The performance overflows with sincerity.

�Come Wake Me Up is easily the Flatts� best ballad since �Here Comes Goodbye.� It�s slightly less effective than �What Hurts the Most\cf3 rquote - a song that could be particularly considered their career song - and is among the highlights on �Changed.�