Album: Always & Forever

Introduction
"Always & Forever" is the second studio album by American c and w singer Randy Travis, released on May 4, 1987, by Warner Bros. Records. The album was produced by Kyle Lehning and became an industrial and vital success, solidifying Travis's status as a leading artist in the country music category throughout the 1980s. "Always & Forever" went on to achieve multi-platinum certification in the United States for sales surpassing two million copies.

Background and Production
Following the success of his debut album, "Storms of Life", Randy Travis collaborated once again with producer Kyle Lehning for his sophomore effort. They intended to produce an album that substantially highlighted Travis's unique and traditional nation sound through its concentrate on story-driven ballads and honky-tonk tunes. Lehning also helped Travis strike a balance in between the more conventional country sound that gained him acknowledgment and the contemporary pop-country noise that was getting appeal at the time.

Composition and Track Listing
"Always & Forever" features 10 tracks, the majority of which showcase Travis's deep baritone voice accompanied by a strong traditional nation arrangement. The album's distinct sound is identified by fiddles, steel guitars, and soft harmony vocals that support the effective storytelling in each tune.

The album begins with "Too Gone Too Long", a song about completion of a relationship, and is followed by "My House", a witty tale of a man protecting his home from robbers. The 3rd track, "Good Intentions", is a tongue-in-cheek tale of a mischievous youth who constantly discovers problem in spite of his expected excellent intents.

"Always & Forever" consists of 3 ballads that would go on to end up being some of Randy Travis's the majority of renowned hits. "I Told You So" is a song about remorse and forgiveness in a relationship, while "Tonight I'm Playing Possum" is a moving homage to Travis's late musical hero, George Jones. The album's standout track and biggest hit, "Forever and Ever, Amen", is a statement of relentless love that features a memorable chorus highlighting Travis's vocal prowess.

Other songs on the album include the positive "The Storms of Life", which explores the trials and adversities faced by a working man; "I Won't Need You Anymore (Always and Forever)", a ballad revealing love and assistance for a partner; and "What'll You Do About Me", an energetic track dealing with an old flame who has actually proceeded to another relationship.

Reception and Legacy
"Always & Forever" got extensive vital praise, with lots of critics praising Travis's conventional country noise, the quality of the songwriting, and the cohesive nature of the album as a whole. The record was an industrial success, investing a total of 43 weeks at the top of the Billboard Top Country Albums chart.

Travis was awarded the Album of the Year award at the Country Music Association Awards in 1987 for "Always & Forever" and went on to win the Grammy Award for Best Male Country Vocal Performance in 1988 for "I Told You So".

The success of "Always & Forever" moved Randy Travis to country music superstardom and established him as an essential figure in the late 1980s and early 1990s neo-traditionalist movement within the category. The album remains a classic example of traditional c and w and still resonates with fans and artists today due to its timeless noise and withstanding messages of love, distress, and perseverance.