The Zac Brown Band’s first major label release, “The Foundation,” earned a Grammy nomination for Best Country Album and also spawned four No. 1 singles on the country music charts.
Needless to say, expectations were high for their new release, “You Get What You Give,” which was released on Tuesday, and though it may not surpass its predecessor, it certainly is in the same general ballpark.
The album has a healthy variety to its sound, ranging from traditional country to a funky country-rock sound that is guaranteed to get you in a better mood. The song “Knee Deep,” the second track on the album, is definitely an example of the latter.
It’s an upbeat and cheerful song about relaxing on a beach without a care in the world. It only figures that Jimmy Buffet is featured on the song, singing about buying a boat and sailing away. It’s exactly the type of song you would expect to find Jimmy Buffet in.
One thing that remains consistent throughout the album is Zac Brown’s powerful voice and outstanding acoustic guitar play, backed up by the rich sound of Jimmy De Martini’s fiddle. Whether it’s on the uplifting first track, “Let it Go,” or on “Colder Weather,” a pleasant but mellow song about self-discovery and hardship.
Even if you’re not into country, one song that you absolutely must listen to is “Whiskey’s Gone,” a brilliant song about a guy who won’t leave the bar even after being cut off. The lyrics are hysterical and the song itself is a lot of fun to listen to.
Easily two of the best songs on the album are the lead single “As She’s Walking Away” and the longer “Who Knows.”
“As She’s Walking Away” is the lead single for good reason. Country superstar Alan Jackson is featured on this sure-to-be-a-hit track.
“Who Knows,” on the other hand, will probably never end up on the radio, given that it is over 10 minutes long and features an instrumental bridge that is several minutes long on its own.
But don’t be intimidated by it’s length. “Who Knows” is a microchasm of the album as a whole – fun, exciting, and fulfilling. The best way I can describe it is that it’s like a classic country jam, almost something you might expect to hear from O.A.R.
The album as a whole is definitely satisfying. The Zac Brown Band brought their “A” game and delivered on their second major label release. However, unlike “The Foundation,” the album didn’t completely grab me the first time I heard it.
It’s hard to describe, but it seems to lack that “it factor” that made “The Foundation” as great as it was. But that’s just the difference between a great album and an outstanding album, and “You Get What You Give” is definitely a great album, and you should check it out.