Album Review – Alabama’s “Southern Drawl”

The stereotypical observation about the classic side of the country music divide is that classic fans only like music because it’s old and sounds old, and only hate the new music of today because it sounds new. But the truth of the matter is country music’s past has plenty of bad music, eras marked by disappointment and poor trends, and songs and artists that time has not been very kind to. You want to talk about the misogyny in the country music of today? Well go back and listen to some of Conway Twitty’s biggest hits. Want to talk about too much pop in country? Then give a listen to Juice Newton or Olivia Newton-John. And if you want to talk about shallow lyrics brow-beating listeners with Southern-isms, listen to some old-school Alabama.
Hank Williams Jr. had his fair share of Southern-affirming moments as well, but he would also mix in some songs that would hit you square between the eyes with an emotional-laden punch. Alabama had some of those too, but they tend to be further down the list of their top hits, if they make the list at all. If there was a precursor in country music to the shallow and simplistic model of songwriting that we see in practice today, especially the doubling up on catchy choruses at the expense of verses, Alabama may not be a bad candidate to assign the blame to.
It doesn’t mean some of those old Alabama songs haven’t gone on to become classic and even iconic, or that they weren’t worlds better than what country music offers today. “Tennessee River,” “Mountain Music,” “Song of the South”—these songs are legendary. But let’s not fool ourselves into believing Alabama was a band of great substance just because they were around during the Regan Administration, or that Luke Bryan and Jason Aldean symbolize the headwaters of country music’s downward slide.
So here comes Alabama with a new album—their first original country LP in 15 years—and they start it off with the title track which is so moronic and formula-based, it’s grotesque. Sure, it’s just one song, but so was Billy Ray Cyrus’ “Achy Breaky Heart.” Cyrus had multiple songs that were great contributions to the country canon, but nobody remembers them. ‘Southern Drawl” is one of those songs that’s so bad it can ruin the experience of a whole album, or even a career.
READ: Alabama’s New “Southern Drawl” Song Couldn’t Be Worse
But the title track marks the low point of the record, and the rest of the time Southern Drawl works to redeem itself, sometimes successfully, and sometimes taking further regressive steps backwards.
There’s two types of people in this world: people who are constantly moving forward, and people who are perpetually stuck in a time that they believe their lives most mattered, like Uncle Rico from Napoleon Dynamite. It might as well be 1985 on Southern Drawl, and not in a good, reminiscent, nostalgic way, but in a drabby, cheesy way, like the feeling you get when walking into an outdated laundromat, or your crazy aunt’s puke green and magic mushroom linoleum kitchen.
Who can’t get behind the message of a song like “American Farmer” that preaches about how without the boys in bib overalls, we’d all starve to death? But it’s all so direct and sappy, it’s like Lee Greenwood’s “God Bless The U.S.A.” The following song “It’s About Time” is almost scary in its dated-ness. “It’s about time, it’s about space, it’s about saving the human race,” it says. Who talks like this anymore? This is the type of stuff Millennial irony thrives on.
But in between cringe-worthy moments are a few songs that as forgettable as they may be, are at least innocuous. And few more that are serviceable, and some are even not half bad. “Wasn’t Through Lovin’ You Yet” is actually the moment Alabama tries to be relevant to today’s sounds and somewhat pulls it off. I could hear an artist like Dierks Bentley record a song like this and actually make it acceptable.
One of the knocks on Alabama over the years has been that many of their big songs are songs about songs. Only fitting then that Southern Drawl‘s best track is that very thing. “This Just Ain’t A Song” isn’t just a reprieve from some of the awfulness on this record, or even fair to characterize as slightly decent. “This Just Ain’t A Song” is downright good, if not great, and even if you wrote off Alabama in 1988 or would never consider touching this album after hearing the title track, a selective download of this song might be worth it.
“As Long As There’s Love” is not bad either. But then there’s the hokey “Hillbilly Wins The Lotto Money,” and the moment Southern Drawl‘s awfulness challenges even the title track—a song called “One On One,” where Randy Owen tries to pull off a Barry White impression, and falls somewhere between sad and creepy. I’m not saying there isn’t some 62-year-old divorcee with 16 cats out there that won’t flip this on while taking a bubble bath surrounded by smelly candles and slide down into hillbilly heaven with dreams of Randy Owens’ salt and pepper beard brushing up against her cheek. But man, it’s pretty unbearable.
Southern Drawl is not the problem with country music mind you. It’s just very far from the solution. Honestly, I’m not exactly sure what Alabama was hoping to accomplish here. They sell 20,000 records upon the debut, release some songs that remind certain country fans why they were only one foot in on the band in the first place, and they reinforce the theory that Alabama was a product of their time that sold a bunch records and had some hits, but really didn’t move country music forward in any measurable way during their tenure.
It would be great to see a classic country band that is name-checked so often in the songs of today’s posers come back from the dead to show them how it should be done. But instead we’re reminded why Alabama is one of the reasons country music is in this state in the first place.
1 1/4 of Two Guns DOWN (4/10)
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THE GOOD:
THE VERY, VERY BAD:
October 1, 2015 @ 8:40 am
Where’s Mark Herndon?
October 1, 2015 @ 10:36 am
Far as I can tell he was fired and/or never asked to rejoin the band when they got back together. Apparently the other 3 always considered him an employee rather than an actual member of the band. There was a lawsuit in 2005, I think it was, where the other 3 sued him. Can’t remember what it was over though.
October 1, 2015 @ 11:20 am
That will cost him some money, but at least people won’t think he is responsible for that God-awful artificial snare sound on “The Closer You Get’. Pshah-pshah-pshah . . . . The first time my skin ever crawled that was the sound that induced it.
October 1, 2015 @ 8:58 am
Fiddle in the band might’ve helped their sound and direction, and while I love the good ones from these guys, the bad ones are bad. You’re right, they could’ve done so much to change the direction of music, and they dropped the ball. It could definitely blemish their legacy, but I’m sure it won’t even be remembered. Terrible
October 1, 2015 @ 9:14 am
I’m glad you brought up the fact that not only new songs can be terrible. Conway Twitty’s “Happy Birthday Darling” is one of the worst songs I’ve ever heard
October 1, 2015 @ 9:55 am
But when paired with this accompanying image, it’s the best song EVAH:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wBSSjVPqZK4
October 1, 2015 @ 11:22 am
I work with a woman whose breath smells exactly like that guy’s.
October 1, 2015 @ 9:57 am
Conway could be singing the cheesiest song ever and it is still listenable. Back when the singers could sing, they could pull off the shitty songs.
October 1, 2015 @ 9:18 am
Yup they were pretty checklisty too. AND these guys are the reason Lionel Richie was able to get some legacy award from country music that one time. Funny but the bros don’t name check Alabama in their songs maybe this album will give them a reason too.
And yeah bad music is always present but not in such large quantities still SOMEBODY -ahem looking at you Mr. Jackson- did sing the lyrics “Hotter than a hoochie coochie” once.
And is it just me or did they literally grow into looking like Disney Country Bears stunt doubles?
October 1, 2015 @ 11:24 am
I’ve heard quite a few name check’s for Alabama, the most famous being in Jason Aldean’s “Burnin’ It Down.”
October 1, 2015 @ 11:34 am
What about Brad Paisleys “Old Alabama?” Something about “Listening to old Alabama, Drivin thru Tennessee…” And then he says something like “it’s love in the first degree”…that was a pretty big song if I’m not mistaken.
October 1, 2015 @ 12:11 pm
Old Alabama wasn’t name checking the band, it was a tribute to them. Paisley brought the band in for vocals on the bridge and for the video. And he mentions about 4 Alabama songs in it.
FGL’s “Anything Goes” and Darius Rucker’s “Homegrown Honey” do name check the band though.
October 1, 2015 @ 1:26 pm
I stand corrected. Honestly I’m kinda happy I was wrong, it upset me that I knew that much about Brad Paisley to begin with.
October 1, 2015 @ 9:57 am
Achy Breaky was just annoying, but then Miley came along and somehow is even MORE annoying… Alabama on the other hand… Eh, they were always a pretty shallow, unrealistic band… I’m not crazy over bad music, but at least these guys remain consistent: they were goofy and not super special then, and they haven’t changed much.
October 1, 2015 @ 10:02 am
Even Hank Jr’s “Southern-affirming moments” were pretty good more often than not. I’m born and raised in New Jersey, but I’ll be damned if I don’t love “Dixie on My Mind.”
October 1, 2015 @ 10:24 am
….”they reinforce the theory that Alabama was a product of their time that sold a bunch records and had some hits, but really didn”™t move country music forward in any measurable way during their tenure.”
Solid review , Trigger . And I’m certain its fair , given your track record , however I haven’t listened and won’t.
I think it was hip to like Alabama back when ……the way its hip to like an Aldean or ____(you’re fav pop/country band here )_____ today . They have no real lasting legacy or substance outside of sales and a few OK songs .They tried to incorporate all the pop sonics and writing styles of the day and failed , for the most-part. They were known …..hence the references to them in contemporary country . That’s all . They were known. If they were a musical influence on today’s wannabes then they were for all the wrong reasons , obviously .
Again ….and stopping short of calling folks in the country music biz STUPID …..it is beyond me why with so many incredibly good writers and songs around …songs of substance , songs that hit the heart right across listener demographics , songs with narrative / a point /a message/an observation / a GREAT title and hook , clever , traditional but timely ( Prayin’ For Rain – Henley ) these so-called ‘artists’ keep recording the worst stuff around . Why ? I cannot help but believe that NO ONE knows a great song when they hear it anymore . You don’t have to look far for them if you have internet access and can spell . They are everywhere…..songwriter’s websites, CD Baby ( independent artists mostly ) probably sitting on Aldean’s living room table if he took the time and KNEW what he was looking for . There is simply no good reason why bands and listeners need to suffer through the kinds of 4th rate songwriting we are constantly subjected to ….outside of stupidity and laziness by the industry- labels, producers and artists . No good reason . Surely most of North America is smart enough to know STUPID when they hear it in a song , if not just manipulative and lazy writing . WHY does an artist or label lose money on crap when there is so much great music they COULD be building a career on ? The independents are proving it every day . WTF is wrong with the industry ??? Surely they seem to be targeting the very very young and naive who genuinely cannot tell the difference in a smart song and a stupid song .
September 11, 2021 @ 12:30 pm
Did they really need four songwriters to write a simplistic song like southern drawl. It’s likely randy Owen would sing anything to get an unearned piece of the publishing because that’s where the money is. Alabama knows where the best songwriters are but they won’t give their publishing away. That leaves them with the hack writers. Why do you think Elvis recorded 3/4 junk?
October 1, 2015 @ 10:29 am
Off topic once again, but where did the “dog dying” stereotype come from? I have heard very few country songs about dogs. Like, close to none. Trucks? All the time, too much of it lately. Wives leaving? Used to be all the time, wish there was more of it now. Dogs? Not much then, not much now. Where do people get the idea that country is about dogs dying?
October 1, 2015 @ 10:45 am
“Old Shep,” “Old Rattler” and “Old Blue,” are the most likely suspects for that stereotype, Plus a smattering of “Old Yeller” references from the likes of Confederate Railroad and Gary Allan. Even in Justin Moore’s “If Heaven Wasn’t So Far Away” there’s a bird dog who has passed away…
October 1, 2015 @ 10:46 am
Red Foley had a huge hit in the 30s or 40s called Old Shep that everybody and his brother has recorded. That’s really about the only dead dog song I can think of off-hand
October 1, 2015 @ 11:27 am
https://savingcountrymusic.com/song-review-mo-pitney-its-just-a-dog
October 1, 2015 @ 12:38 pm
Guys, we can’t forget Ol Red by George Jones
October 1, 2015 @ 10:43 am
Ha! Trig’s review way more entertaining than the album. I’ve never done this, BUT I feel the new George Strait is worth discussing.
October 1, 2015 @ 10:44 am
I’ve always enjoyed a lot of Alabama’s “hits,” but I’ve never felt the need or urge to go out and spring for their albums the way I have every George Strait album, the way I have every Alan Jackson album, the way I have every Trisha Yearwood album, the way I have every Dwight Yoakam album.
Alabama was a decent band for their time and a lot of their songs are still great to listen to today, but they never packed the same into their music as a lot of other artists have done.
Turnpike Troubadours’ Strong Chart Showing; Charles Kelley’s Solo Work; Randy Owen Gets Sultry, Kinda | Country California
October 1, 2015 @ 10:46 am
[…] Country Music reviewed that new Alabama album, writing of the track “One on One” that “Randy Owen tries to pull off a Barry […]
October 1, 2015 @ 10:47 am
Everyone should check out ‘ignite the night’ that’s some quality bullshit right there.
October 1, 2015 @ 12:40 pm
Chase Rice is that really you? wow! I’d like to say it’s an honor finally meeting you (albeit online) but I don’t like to lie!
October 1, 2015 @ 3:02 pm
You have a JD and Jesus tour? C’mon, don’t be the moneylenders in the Temple.
October 1, 2015 @ 11:03 am
I don’t suppose they are going to play in Texas anytime soon since there isn’t a fiddle in the band.
October 1, 2015 @ 11:50 am
I don’t have much negative to say about Alabama. I have a lot of great memories of their music, and still enjoy songs like “Jukebox in My Mind” and “There’s No Way.” But they definitely were a product of their time, and without the nostalgia factor, some of their hits sound pretty hokey today. I will give “This Ain’t Just a Song” a listen when it’s available on iTunes. It seems to be blocked everywhere for me right now. :/
October 1, 2015 @ 1:23 pm
In other news, I heard that Merle Haggard is looking to cut another record and is going to be fielding songs in the next couple of weeks. Also, why haven’t we seen a review of the new George Strait album? Is it because of the exclusive agreement with Walmart?
October 1, 2015 @ 3:17 pm
I appreciate the interest in a George Strait review. I take writing album reviews very seriously. It can sometimes take weeks of listening and pondering before I’m ready to post a review. Some times it takes significantly less time. But just like anyone, there’s only so much music I can cram into my head at any given time. Since Strait’s album was not announced until last minute, it was hard to plan for, and I also didn’t get a chance to listen to it beforehand. If and when I’m ready to post a review of it, I will do so.
October 2, 2015 @ 12:13 pm
Awesome! Thanks Trigger. I’m sorry if that comment sounded like I was attacking/ criticizing your selection of album reviews. On the contrary, I really respect your point of view and so before going to buy an album, I check here first. Thanks for keeping us updated
October 1, 2015 @ 3:15 pm
I have no use for Alabama. The only reason that they continue to exist is the fact that Nashville has realized that they could be used as a mythical link to country music heritage by contemporary performers. In terms of cheesy checklist songs, they ain’t got crap on Pre-all my rowdy friends era Hank Jr. If none of the survivors from the previous era are willing to lend support to the current generation, Nashville had to invent one.
Screw Alabama. They are carpetbaggers to country music for all I am concerned.
October 1, 2015 @ 3:30 pm
“One On One” is seriously embarrassing. That’s a grandpa love song if I’ve ever heard one.
October 1, 2015 @ 3:44 pm
Considering that “Roll On” was the first tape I ever owned, and that Alabama was, and remains, my favorite group ever, I can’t even pretend to be unbiased. I readily admit that some of their stuff, especially album cuts and most of what came after 1996, is junk, though, and I can’t even say that I really have a lot of respect for the members outside of their music. But I can’t agree with calling them shallow, and I don’t understand why so many people here have so much disdain for them. There is no denying that their music was often simplistic lyrically, but I don’t think that qualifies as “shallow.” Neither does simply including many “Southern-isms” in the songs. While most of today’s songs about stereotypically country topics seem very insincere, most of Alabama’s seemed genuine.
Maybe the last few years have just redefined the scale by which I measure, but I see way too much good stuff from Alabama to refer to them as shallow. Lyrically simplistic? Sometimes. Repetitive with topics? Somewhat. I would even concede not completely country. But shallow? I just can’t see it.
That said, I despise every song that has name dropped “Old Alabama,” and I think it is a clear sign that any song that does will be garbage.
October 1, 2015 @ 4:02 pm
I thought they were breaking into “Pour Some Sugar On Me”. That was fucking terrible. Worse than Brett Favre’s un-retirement.
October 5, 2015 @ 9:11 pm
Whoa, easy on Favre there
October 1, 2015 @ 5:47 pm
I just bought this cd and I will listen to it tonight.
October 1, 2015 @ 6:16 pm
If you’re gonna write an Alabama song you gotta double-time the end..
I wrote that in 1982, as it seemed that was their standard fare song structure.
October 2, 2015 @ 9:22 am
Good observation. That does seem to be one of the trademarks of their songs from the 1980s. In particular, the fiddle instrumentals at the end of “Mountain Music” and “If You’re Gonna Play In Texas” were among the highlights of their music, in my opinion.
October 1, 2015 @ 7:14 pm
The big deal about Alabama – and what a lot of folks take for granted now, or just don’t realize – is that they were country music’s first successful self-contained band. All acts before them were vocal groups, I.e. Oak Ridge Boys, Statler Brothers, etc. So in that sense, be it timing or whatever, their success was a huge influence on the industry (much like the Beatles were to Rock/Pop) in that Nashville went looking for bands. So I suppose we could thank them (or not) for Sawyer Brown (well, Star Search, too), and later Shenandoah, Diamond Rio, and on and on. So there’s that….
What got me about Alabama though, was they still played the Nashville game by having session musicians play on their albums. By 1987 it was hilarious to see their album called “JUST US” with credits including up to ten guitarists, and three drummers! Although that album contained what I still believe to be their best song, “Tar Top”.
They had a chance to do good, but they played the game and ended up making several big empty hits that I always thought were pandering at best and downright embarrassing at worst.
October 1, 2015 @ 7:17 pm
So I was taking a birthday trip down to Houston, and I’m in the car with my dad and friends and we’re listening to 97.1 the legends out of Houston and an Alabama song came on and my dad said “nope” and turned it off lol, yeah the story’s off topic just thought I’d share with y’all.
October 1, 2015 @ 9:52 pm
That is not off topic at all. “Nope” pretty much sums up Alabama. What I can’t figure out, though, is what one would do in Houston for fun!
October 1, 2015 @ 10:12 pm
There’s a lot to do in Houston for fun! Yeah it’s not New York City or Los Angeles but it’s a good ol’ Texas city.
October 2, 2015 @ 6:42 am
I’m not exactly sure what does in Houston for fun on a regular basis, but I always enjoyed going to the rodeo. Saw George Strait twice there. I lived in the Beaumont area for not quite a decade and listened to Country Legends 97.1 a lot when I was there.
HMC, are you in Texas?
October 2, 2015 @ 7:18 am
No, a outside of it, I live 2 hours from Houston.
October 2, 2015 @ 12:20 pm
Ah, I see. I’ve been to Southwest Louisiana (if that’s where you are) a few times. I have family in Lake Charles.
July 14, 2021 @ 10:39 pm
Whenever I sing that great outlaw anthem ain’t living long like this I substitute Easton for Houston. I’ve worked in three different prisons but by far the nastiest and most corrupt was in Easton Pennsylvania. Even the chaplain was on the take.
October 2, 2015 @ 6:02 am
Interesting review. The line between good and bad music is thin sometimes (though sometimes its obvious). I think Alabama skated that line their whole career, alternately ending up on one side or the other. That’s why their legacy is mixed in the eyes of a lot of country fans.
October 3, 2015 @ 1:06 pm
I think of Alabama as the Rascal Flatts of their generation. They have great raw skills; strong lead singer, good harmonies, good musicianship, but they never lived up to their potential.
They both have some great songs. They have a bunch of pretty good songs. Then they have a bunch of not-very-good songs that were very of the time. They also didn’t release many great albums. But they did make very palatable pop country music for many years.
I just never could get too much into Alabama but they have a handful of songs that I enjoy. Neither bands really made good enough music to warrant their massive popularity.
October 3, 2015 @ 3:08 pm
Great cd of Alabama! 2 guns all the way up 10/10 excellent job Alabama! You guys are the true legends (group) of country music.
October 5, 2015 @ 9:23 am
Yet again I’m combating a dearth of understanding: what was so bad about Billy Ray Cyrus’ “Achy Breaky Heart”? Yes, Waylon sarcastically commented about Cyrus in his autobiography. Yes, many country fans seem to hate the song. But I went back and listened to it after not having heard it in years and it didn’t really bother me. Not just because we’ve hit an all new low these last few years, but on its own terms I didn’t think it was awful. It was certainly brimming with melodrama and a tad self-parodying, but that’s about it. If I were strapped to a chair and forced to listen to the song on repeat it wouldn’t drive me crazy right away.
In other news, I seem to recall a little band that put out a song many years ago that celebrated a certain type of roots music. The bridge went “Play some back-home, come-on music. That comes from the heart. Play something with lots of feelin’, ‘Cause that’s where music has to start.” Wasn’t that Alabama? Cause it seems like they didn’t take their own advice with this record.
October 5, 2015 @ 9:31 am
Achy Breaky Heart’s greatest sin was its ubiquitous-ness, which wasn’t the fault of the song. And that Billy Ray looked like such a dunce with his mullet. I wasn’t necessarily defending the blind hatred for the song, I was using it as an illustration of how the hatred for one song can mar an entire album or career.
February 21, 2017 @ 7:16 pm
It’s biggest sin was finding self-important reviewers who say things like ubiquitous-ness with a straight face.
July 8, 2021 @ 11:34 pm
The first time I heard achey breakey I said that is the most annoying country song since Elvira. The nonsense rhyming syllables remind me of the hanky Panky. It’s a bubblegummer.
June 14, 2021 @ 2:13 pm
Alabama always reminded me of the down home cousins version of The Bee Gees in good ways and bad. All that’s missing is the medalions
June 14, 2021 @ 11:44 pm
Alabama was a victim of their own success they received unprecedented creative control when they signed their major label debut. They wrote heartfelt songs like my homes in Alabama. Unfortunately once the fat old white guys in suits found out there was so much money to be made with a certain sound it was all we heard with ever diminishing returns Alabama was pressured to support a whole organization of families. They were talented musicians who never achieved their potential.
July 16, 2021 @ 8:11 pm
no one expects a cult favorite like emmylou harris to sell multi-platinum albums. as long as she does enough business to remain profitable, she doesnt have to chase trends and embarrass herself. no such luck alabama. new generations of fans keep discovering emmylou. no such luck alabama.
July 8, 2021 @ 11:26 pm
Now for the mark herndon controversy. A band as big as Alabama has got to have in writing who owns what on the business end. If mark herndon was an equal partner and they no longer wish to work with him.they should buy him out. Bring an accountant and make him an offer. If in fact he was a salaried employee which seems more likely. get an accountant to go over the books. If they owe him any money they should pay up. Then that’s all they owe him. I can’t see the upside to trying to cheat mark herndon unless there is a lot of money involved. That seems likely as Alabama has made a tremendous amount of money
July 13, 2021 @ 11:58 pm
Alabama was more versatile than they ever gave themselves credit for. Jeff cook was their best multi instrumentalist. He had an excellent singing voice and was a good songwriter. Why was he marginalized? They quickly went from a collaborative group to the randy Owen show with a couple of props. Randy Owen was also talented but over the years he and Alabama became stale. It was time for an infusion of fresh talent and they had Jeff cook right under their nose. He could have done for Alabama what George Harrison did for the Beatles. They never achieved their full potential because they kept chasing hits instead of looking right in front of them. They didn’t always use their resources wisely.
August 27, 2021 @ 9:38 am
Randy and the props might as well have been the village people
July 16, 2021 @ 7:38 pm
the closer you get was my tipping point with alabama. it was so slick it would slide right off the turntable.