Album Review – Braxton Keith’s “Real Damn Deal”

Traditional Country (#510) and Classic Country (#510.1) on the Country DDS.

There might not be any better barometer for where we’re at in country music at the moment than this new album from Braxton Keith. Any and all rebuttals against declaring that we’re in a full-throated traditionalist revival are rendered weak and ineffectual after a spin through this record. Braxton puts on a traditional country clinic, but with a reinvigorated, youthful enthusiasm that inspires atta boy’s and fist pumping, along with tapping toes and boot heels shuffling across hardwood floors.

It’s taken at least seven years for Braxton to finally release his debut album. And though the music of this Midland, TX native has always been undergirded and informed by all those old classic country greats, he’s occasionally explored more contemporary sounds as well. He’s even had one of those organically-generated viral hits in “Cozy” that’s not too far from traditional country, but still smartly skirts the line of pop like an Ella Langley song.

With Real Damn Deal though, Braxton Keith puffs his chest out, and bets on the present and future of country music being COUNTRY. Some might even find his “Real Damn Deal” proclamation a bit ostentatious, especially when combined with the silly cover art. But it ain’t bragging if you can back it up. That’s what Braxton does in the album’s fifteen tracks, transitioning from the lead off title track into a straight Western Swing number “I Ain’t Tryin’,” illustrating his allegiance to traditional country right out of the chute.

The is plenty of heartbreak as you might expect, and hope for from a record like this. “Always Leaving Something” is exquisite, subtle songwriting (Jessie Jo Dillon, James Melton, Clint Daniels) that Braxton delivers perfectly. His duet with Mae Estes on “Hurt By Heart” might be where the album hits its emotional peak. Selecting Roger Miller’s “Am I All Alone (Or Is It Only Me)” was a smart decision. Braxton does co-write the majority of the songs, but makes some great selections with the outside contributions.

But along with being an old soul, Braxton Keith is also a character. Songs like “Little Bit by Little Bit” and “I Own This Bar” both co-written with Liz Rose show off that more kiddish side of Braxton Keith, as does “I Ain’t Tryin’.” You can tell they tried to experiment with a more contemporary approach on the song “Wind Blows,” but ultimately the more traditional approach won out for the majority of the tracks produced by Alex Torrez and David Dorn. This is not a songwriter record, but there’s still songs with heft like “Don’t Know More.”

Though it feels like he shouldn’t be, Braxton Keith has been a harder sell to some older traditional country fans. It’s impossible to deny his dutiful adherence to country’s roots, but some see the twisted mustache, Braxton’s confident gait across the stage, and hear some of his more lighthearted songs, and wonder if he really does care for the center crease in a pair of starched Wrangler jeans. His slightly higher register voice is also not everyone’s cup of tea, though irrespective of taste, Braxton’s voice and range is one of his greatest assets.

Braxton Keith is a Gen Z’er, making Gen X and Boomer country music. This is going to cause some confusion. But pay attention to how the fans in Braxton’s own age demographic react to this music. In certain markets especially down in Texas, he’s not only considered the “real damn deal,” he’s one of the hottest tickets in town. No, Braxton doesn’t stand at stage center and stare at his boot tips like George Strait. He allows himself to become a vessel for the music, and you see that enthusiasm unfold on stage, and hear it captured in the performances on this album.

Like any artist, Braxton Keith will not please everyone, even if younger audiences go wild for him. But all he needs to worry about is trying to please himself. Being the Real Damn Deal isn’t about being some version of a country star that others want to impress upon you. It’s about being the most authentic version of yourself you can be. That is what’s presented on Braxton Keith’s debut album. It also happens to be real damn country. Braxton Keith embodies the past of country music, while becoming its future on this debut album.

8.1/10

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