Randy Travis made the “Country CDs With Legs: Recordings and Reissues in 2008 that are likely to last” section in The Wall Street Journal. He was one of only eight releases that made the cut! He also made 9513.com’s Top 10 of 2008 list at #8!

Here's what the Wall Street Journal and 9513.com had to say about Around the Bend:

"Randy Travis
"Around the Bend"
Warner Brothers/$13.99

The country traditionalist with the great baritone was back here with his first secular album of hard but modern country songs in eight years. (He'd been focusing on quality gospel songs.) He turns to some of the best modern but traditional Nashville songwriters for the material (Shawn Camp, Leslie Satcher), and even that old-timer Bob Dylan for a turn on "Don't Think Twice." Don't think twice; check out the record." - The Wall Street Journal

"8. Around The Bend, Randy Travis

Though his recent spate of gospel records wasn’t half bad, it sure is nice to see Randy Travis back to recording (mostly) secular straight-up country music. Around The Bend is Travis at his very best. — Juli Thanki

After a string of bluegrass and gospel albums, it’s good to have Travis back doing what he does best: using his voice’s unique timbre to relate the full spectrum of emotions of country love songs. The strong variety of material on Around The Bend doesn’t disappoint. — Karlie Justus

Recommended: “Everything I Own (Has Got a Dent),” “Dig Two Graves,” “Don’t Think Twice, It’s Alright”" - 9513.com