A guy learns there are consequences to “Cheatin’,” though his ex tends to rub his nose in it. The glitter of stardom pales when compared to the love of an adoring, supportive family (“These Four Walls,” “Roll Me Back in Time,” “Missing Missouri”). “You’ll Always Be My Baby” recognizes the value of a parent’s—and God’s—unconditional love. Life in a small community beats the anonymous busyness of city life on “New Hometown” (“We’ll stand out in our front yard where we can finally breathe … Imagine Friday football games where everybody knows our names”). On the flip side …
… We learn about the stifling closeness of such towns on the tragic, opaque “Bible Song,” which tells of a husband and father who committed suicide. A resentful wife and mother defiantly seizes a “Momma’s Night Out,” going dancing without her beer-swilling hubby. Although married herself, Evans doesn’t mention a ring amid longings for physical intimacy (“Tell Me,” “Coalmine,” “A Real Fine Place to Start,” “The Secrets That We Keep”).
Evans’ heartland values place a premium on family, faith and simple country life. Unfortunately, since sexual passion lacks clear marital context in one-third of these songs, Real Fine Place could stoke flames of desire that teens aren’t in a healthy position to quench.
