Album Review: One of the Boys / Don’t Take My Heart Away by Cheryl Handy
Alright, let’s talk about Cheryl Handy’s One of the Boys / Don’t Take My Heart Away. This little gem from RCM Records Inc. feels like a warm porch swing on a lazy Sunday afternoon—simple but oh-so-satisfying. It’s got that classic country twang mixed with folk vibes, and it’s unapologetically American through and through. Like, you can almost smell the hay bales and hear the cicadas buzzing in the background when you hit play.
First off, “One of the Boys” grabs your attention right away. It’s not trying to reinvent the wheel or anything, but dang if it doesn’t stick with you. The lyrics are heartfelt without being sappy, and there’s this raw honesty in Cheryl’s voice that makes you feel like she’s sitting right across from you, spilling her soul over a cup of coffee. I kept rewinding just to catch how effortlessly she nails those high notes—it’s like honey dripping off a spoon, smooth and golden. You know those songs that sneak up on you? This is one of ‘em.
Then there’s “Don’t Take My Heart Away,” which hits different. If “One of the Boys” is the front porch swing, this track is more like staring out at an open field as the sun dips below the horizon. There’s a vulnerability here that punches you in the gut (in a good way). The melody builds slowly, layering guitars and strings until it feels like your chest might burst open. And Cheryl? She sounds like she’s lived every word she’s singing. By the time the last chord fades, you’re left wondering why you didn’t grab a tissue before pressing play.
What sticks with me most isn’t even the technical stuff—it’s how these songs feel. They’re real. No frills, no overproduction, just Cheryl pouring her heart into two tracks that remind you what country music used to be all about. It’s easy to get lost in today’s sea of polished pop-country hybrids, but this album brings you back to basics.
And honestly? Listening to it made me want to call my grandma. Like, who does that? But here we are. Maybe that’s the magic of Cheryl Handy—she reminds us of simpler times, even if we weren’t around for them. So go ahead, give it a spin. Just don’t blame me if you find yourself daydreaming about dirt roads and denim jackets afterward.
