'Changed,' the new single from Rascal Flatts, feels more personal than anything the trio has released up to this point in their decade-plus long career. The song, the title track from their 2012 album, was co-written by Gary LeVox, who talks about his relationship with God instead of just using his name conversationally as he's done in songs before.

Credit the group for taking a risk in offering country radio a single that could also be a hit on Christian radio. The first verse is the story of salvation: "I came up out of the water / Raise my hands up to the Father / Gave it all to him that day / Felt a new wind kiss my face," LeVox sings with a hard-to-define conviction not heard before from the vocalist.

Sonically, the soaring ballad has all of the hallmarks of a choice Rascal Flatts song. The harmonies are balanced in a way one would expect, and LeVox reaches a crescendo before Joe Don Rooney takes the story out with a guitar solo. The unique edge at the very beginning is enough to hold one's attention through the full story.

The chorus goes:

"I got off track, I made mistakes / Backslid my way into that place / Where souls get lost, lines get crossed / And the pain won’t go away / I hit my knees, now here I stand / There I was, now here I am / Here I am / Changed."

One begs to hear the story that inspired LeVox's spiritual revolution. Suddenly, a new mystery surrounds a group that fans thought they'd pretty much figured out three albums ago. It's doubtful that Rascal Flatts will suddenly become America's favorite country gospel trio, but 'Changed' is a good stepping stone toward sharpening their identity once again.

4.5 Stars
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Listen to Rascal Flatts, 'Changed'

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