Too many people say they don’t like country music. But, perhaps city people just don’t get enough exposure to modern country. Zac Brown Band is more like rock-pop than anything else anyway – his evocative story-telling and ever so slightly twangy vocals are the only signs that his latest album, You Get What You Give, is actually a country release.
Further proof though is As She’s Walking Away, which features country luminary Alan Jackson, as well as a fiddle solo. It’s a poignant song of falling in love too late, and Brown and Jackson’s vocals smoothly unite. However, the following Keep Me In Mind is a cheeky, poppy track, more Pete Murray than cowboy.
The closing track, Free, is possibly the highlight of the album. It talks of leaving the city lights behind and, despite not having any money, enjoying “just you and me…” It captures the freedom of travel and the lack of restrictions in the country. Although the track’s themes are definitely country-orientated, the music itself is simple acoustic.
But, hidden amongst the more mainstream tracks are definite country-inspired songs like Whiskey’s Gone, the bluesy Make This Day, and Knee Deep (featuring Jimmy Buffet).
Ultimately, You Get What You Give is a fantastic album for city people who dream of escape.
BY KELLY THEOBALD
Best Track: Free, As She’s Walking Away, Make This Day
If You Like These, You’ll Like This: KEITH URBAN, NITTY GRITTY DIRT BAND
In A Word: Trees
