Album Review – Brett Eldredge’s “Sunday Drive”

You don’t make it long in this world as a conscious, distinguishing country music fan brushing up against the mainstream without a healthy bit of skepticism. You’ve been burned too many times by artists promising one thing, and delivering another, or buying into the early promise of a young artist’s career only to have them to turn around and release some dreadful and pandering lead single from a sophomore effort. Or maybe they pull the feigned mid-career rehabilitation that suddenly takes a dark turn. Remember when we thought Zac Brown was finally over his whole EDM obsession and released the rootsy Homegrown in 2017? Man did we ever sound the “all clear” signal on that one too soon.
Brett Eldredge was one of those guys who showed a lot of early promise with some quality songs and a really expressive and unique voice, but very quickly fell into the business of trying to keep his major label deal as a middle tier artist by being willing to record whatever he thought radio would play, specifically adopting the Bruno Mars-inspired R&B style of “country” indicative of Thomas Rhett and others. So much for rooting for him as a guy who could shake up the mainstream with something a little more real.
Ahead of Eldredge’s new album Sunday Drive we got the same old mid-career spiel of how he was focusing more on substance and songwriting, looking to make an “Americana” move with more personal expressions, reconnecting with his Midwest roots as a boy from rural Illinois, yadda yadda yadda. Sure, we’ll believe it when we hear it. It was his 2015 record entitled Illinois where Eldridge took his turn for the worse. The piano-driven lead single from the new record called “Gabrielle” wasn’t too bad with the acoustic guitar strums in the chorus resulted in a fairly pleasant listen. But again, we’ve been down this road of bait and switch before.
Lo and behold though, Brett Eldredge delivers a record in Sunday Drive worthy of all the promises in the run up. It’s is more adult. It does feel fairly Americana. He doesn’t fall back on drum loops or snap tracks, and many of the songs are really well-written. In short, Sunday Drive feels decidedly non mainstream. It may not be a smart financial move, but Brett Eldredge is back in the good graces of all of those mainstream fans looking for something more.

Make no mistake though, it’s a stretch to call Sunday Drive country. This is more of a piano-driven, adult contemporary effort that you could listen to with your mom, though not necessarily in a bad way. Brett has never had a knack for true country, and his voice naturally lends to these more soulful and ballad-like compositions, which allows him to lean into his innate gifts. Listening to Sunday Drive really does unguard your skeptical attitude about mainstream country, and has you pleasantly surprised by the bits of mandolin, and the mature and thoughtful subject matter.
But Sunday Drive also floats by a little too easy, with not a whole lot to engage you directly, or to distinguish one track from another. A song like “Good Day” will probably have you rolling your eyes. The album is produced by Ian Fitchuk and Daniel Tashian, who is the same indie rock tag team that did the award-winning album Golden Hour by Kacey Musgraves. Dreamy can be fine, but too much dreamy can render a record sleepy, which isn’t an unfair conclusion to take from Sunday Drive. No song is repulsive, but it all begins to run together by the end, similar to the prognosis some gave to Golden Hour.
Sunday Drive also hits some quality high points, and perhaps somewhat ironically when it becomes its most hushed. The title track is quite a magical work with the power to slow down time and take you to a warm and reminiscent place. The final track “Paris, Illinois” about Eldredge’s hometown almost has a Tom Waits or Ray Charles quality to it—such a delicate and bygone-feeling. If nothing else, this record makes the case for Brett Eldredge as one of the most underrated singers of this generation, and he receives bonus points for writing or co-writing 11 of the 12 songs.
Sunday Drive is a pretty great record for the mainstream world, but as you cheer it along, you fear it might be so dense and sedate that if it’s a commercial failure, it may just foretell Brett Eldredge’s inevitable rebound into more radio-friendly material. We’ve been down this road before. But hopefully similar to Kacey Musgraves and Golden Hour, Sunday Drive establishes Brett Eldredge’s foothold for who he is so he doesn’t have to rely on radio for an audience. The music direction of this record compliments his voice so well, one can only hope Eldredge earns his creative freedom through this effort. It is a shame Sunday Drive isn’t something more appropriate to the country genre. But it’s definitely more appropriate for Brett Eldredge.
7/10
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Purchase Sunday Drive
July 13, 2020 @ 8:27 am
I’m appreciative of B E recording these songs . happy for the writers . encouraged by the arrangements . a bit B E does randy newman , to my ear . a bit jennifer warnes’ musical poetry .
not country , as you’ve pointed out trigger . but certainly mature music for mature listeners …something sorely absent across the genres in these times. so I’d releuctantly agree with your 7 rating based on these tracks .
but B E has a generic-sounding voice which brings nothing to the songs other than his acknowledgement of them by recording them . willie , on the other hand , singing some of these might be what they need in terms of all-important character and credibility
July 13, 2020 @ 10:24 pm
Nice call, Albert. I also heard a little Randy Newman style phrasing in the “Paris, Illinois” tune. Was planning to add that to the Tom Waits and Ray Charles references. Have to admit I had very low expectations for this, only know this guy’s name from pop masquerading as country assumptions. And this is not country, but I like both songs Trigger posted.
July 13, 2020 @ 10:28 pm
yeah ..I couldn’t name two B E ‘ hits ‘ at gunpoint ….but this is certainly different in a good way ( kacey musgraves ) .
July 13, 2020 @ 10:36 pm
Haha! Right there with ya!
July 13, 2020 @ 8:43 am
I was hoping you’d cover this record. As upbeat and pop as his self titled album was, I honestly saw some hope in it. There weren’t any outright bad songs that I can recall (I haven’t listened to it since it came out, though) so I was hoping he’d gradually mature. This is quite a nice album. Like you said, it’s not really country, but it suits his voice very well.
July 13, 2020 @ 4:23 pm
“Cycles” was one of the best songs of that year, and the short bridge of “we’re made for each other/til we ain’t made for each other” with the instruments striking with each word of the second stanza is one the most powerful moments I’ve ever heard in song.
Self-titled was a low-key return to form.
July 13, 2020 @ 8:44 am
You guys are being way too kind giving this a “7”. You nailed it on piano-driven adult contemporary. After one full listen yep it’s quite a stretch to call it Country or even Pop Country that’s because it’s not either of those. It’s middle of road harmless boring vanilla soft rock male vocal music. Is some of it “pleasant”? I suppose for background music. None of this should be played on Country radio but it will be taking valuable airtime away from some actual Country artist that deserves those spins. The single “Gabrielle” is boyfriend piano Pop aimed at mom/daughters pure and simple. Part of the problem not part of the solution in my book. I’m gonna take that goofy annoying Soupy Sales lookin’ grin out of the equation.
July 13, 2020 @ 8:59 am
“None of this should be played on Country radio but it will be taking valuable airtime away from some actual Country artist that deserves those spins.”
“Sunday Drive” would be better than 90% of the singles currently being played on country radio right now. And though it’s not a country song, it does have a very country theme. I was non plus on “Gabrielle” too, despite many mainstream fans suggesting it to me. But it’s still better than most on country radio. Of course it can’t compete in the country department with what you find outside of country radio. But if the peer group for judging this record is country radio (and it is), it definitely deserves to be at the head of the class.
July 13, 2020 @ 9:15 am
“None of this should be played on Country radio but it will be taking valuable airtime away from some actual Country artist that deserves those spins.”
That was also my take on it, except I never expect airtime for good country music any more. But it might take away streams or downloads from an up and coming artist who hasn’t sold his/her soul yet, and if she/he gets the attention that would be misplaced on this release, he/she may never face that midnight crossroads decision.
That’s why I say just cut off all things music row. Let it die on the vine. What you are truly looking for is not found there.
Music row is as the bitter dhari plant, which will neither nourish nor satisfy hunger. It is the tree of Zaqqum, the food of the sinful. Like molten brass it will do naught but boil your insides.
July 13, 2020 @ 6:51 pm
An SCM first!
+1, Charlie.
July 13, 2020 @ 10:07 am
What is this country radio you speak of?
July 13, 2020 @ 9:04 am
Well-written Trigger!
Sunday Drive is an adult music album for an adult audience.
Brett Eldredge is not a honky-tonk singer…but the country music format was always open for “unique” voices.
“Gabrielle” might one of the slow climbing singles & will go to #1 after 56 weeks…or it will burn out in the Top 30 soon. The album is not filled with future singles. There is no real bad track…but…there is no real outstanding song too & with so many other male artists releasing radio friendly fluff…Brett Eldredge will find himself on the wrong side of Nashville sooner or later. His last albums & singles already performed only soso.
New Stuff:
Jake Bush – “Gravity & You” – Single/Track – Released
Jade Turner – “Highway Town” – Single/Track – Released
Phil Vassar – “This Is God” (2020) – Single/Track – Released
Robert Counts – “What Do I Know” – Single/Track – Released
Bec Lavelle – “I’m Happier” – Single/Track – Released – Australia
Aleyce Simmonds – “Just Do It” – Single/Track – Released – Australia
Aly Cook – “Cold Wind” (Radio Edit) – Single/Track – Released – Australia/NZL
&
The Texicana Mamas – “Cocina De Amor” – Single/Track – Released
The Texas Mamas are Tish Hinijosa, Stephanie Urbina Jones & Patricia Vonne
+
Mark McGuinn – One Man’s Crazy – Album (13 Tracks) – Released (07/09)
Dalton & The Sheriffs – Luckier By Half – Album (14 Tracks) – Released (07/07)
In The Pipeline:
Zoë Nutt – How Does It Feel – Album – 07/24 (incl. a duet with Brandy Clark)
July 13, 2020 @ 1:47 pm
I love Tish Hinojosa first albums, haven’t heard about her in a while, will surely check out texicana mamas.
July 13, 2020 @ 12:26 pm
Major Sinatra vibes!!! A very soulful album.
Crowd my Mind, The One You Need, and Sunday Drive are standouts.
As for future singles, it’s tough to say…. But I would go with “Good Day” and “Magnolia” since they are the most upbeat songs for radio
July 13, 2020 @ 12:59 pm
His first album “Bring You Back” was incredible. Probably his most “country” effort ever. Songs like “Raymond” , “One Mississippi” , “Signs”, “Gotta Get There”, “Go On Without Me”
Every album he has, he puts at least one Crooner like song on it.
1st album = One Mississippi
2nd Album = If You Were My Girl
3rd Album = The Reason, Haven’t Met You, The Long Way
Christmas Album = Perfection… Better than Michael Buble’s Christmas album
Brett is someone who always idolized Frank Sinatra and Ray Charles. He’s a crooner all the way through. I believe that’s the type of music he wants to make as it makes his soul happy.
His fans will love the album. But going in this direction is a risk for Brett. It paid off already because to Brett it’s a masterpiece but… How will the mainstream sales be??
July 13, 2020 @ 1:26 pm
Also, just My 2 cents is that Brett probably doesn’t care about album sales or #1s at radio anymore… He’s been on a spiritual journey (he’s been very open about it).
He’s probably leaving it up to his label to “worry” about the stats.
He seems musically free at the moment.
July 13, 2020 @ 3:23 pm
Solid songwriting, both in terms of lyrics and melody. The music could have used some embellishment, though. Steel guitar would go along quite beautifully with the piano…
Regardless, this is far, far better than the Brett Eldredge of the “Don’t Ya” era.
July 13, 2020 @ 3:24 pm
I feel like outside of politics, most people on this site generally agree about good country music. To me, these 2 songs however are such an absolute chore to listen to to. I tired a couple times and have nothing but regret, so I didn’t bother checking out the album. Just another reminder of how subjective music can be I guess.
July 13, 2020 @ 4:24 pm
Every time I post about a mainstream album like this, I get a lot of “Huh?” comments. I get more of them now because during the COVID-19 era, I’ve been consciously covering more independent music, which means mainstream reviews come across to some readers even more as anomalies. However, I receive a ton of requests to review these albums that mainstream fans feel represent the best of that side of the music, and deserve to be highlighted. The mainstream and what gets played on radio still makes up the majority of what people consider “country” music. You can’t save country music and ignore the mainstream side of the cultural divide. Being very familiar with much of the music in the mainstream, I can say confidently this music vastly distinguishes itself. I also still see the concerns with it. This isn’t a recommendation, it is a review. And I will continue to highlight whenever a mainstream artist steps out of line, and does something unexpected.
July 13, 2020 @ 6:23 pm
No worries Trigger. As I said, music is subjective and I’m not criticizing why you reviewed this… just my honest reaction to the music. I’m usually in agreement with your reviews but not on this one, which isn’t the end of the world. Imagine that.
July 13, 2020 @ 7:14 pm
I’m definitely not criticizing that it’s being reviewed. I actually enjoy it when bigger name mainstream acts get written about good, bad, or otherwise but we all do have our opinions and that’s what makes interesting conversation. I know for the most part most of us on here don’t listen to or care what’s on mainstream Country radio I was just alluding to the fact that I personally don’t think any of these songs is going to help radio sound more traditional Country. Is the title track better than 90% of what’s on radio right now? I don’t know about 90%….lol that’s an opinion but I doubt they’d ever try and take any song like that to radio for obvious reasons. Just like Jake we all have our honest reaction. Some guys like Eldredge and Rhett I just don’t care for. They annoy me.
July 13, 2020 @ 7:17 pm
I can’t place the artists but the sound of those two songs has me somewhere in the late 70’s to very early 80’s soft-rock state of mind. Ok maybe Dan Fogleburg(sp?) is what I’m thinking but not quite as melodic. I’m not saying the music is bad. His voice is great actually. But both songs seemed like they were taking a herculean effort to be something that they didn’t quite achieve. It wants to be rock but it can’t. Wants to be blues but can’t. Wants to be country but can’t. I think this guy missed his era but I really like his voice a lot.
July 13, 2020 @ 7:29 pm
Have you heard of the artist, Frank Sinatra?
Most of these songs embody the “Crooner-Soul” genre… Definitely not the “soft rock style” of the 80s…
Yet if this wasn’t a “mainstream” release , I’m sure you wouldn’t have commented that..
July 14, 2020 @ 7:10 pm
No I’ve never heard of Frank Sinatra. Is that some Tejano singer? I have heard of Ray Charles. This sort of reminds me of hearing him signing.
July 14, 2020 @ 4:55 am
Non-professional here: I liked both of the songs posted.
July 14, 2020 @ 6:45 am
It’s a solid album. I always liked his first single “Raymond”, it reminded me of visiting my great-grandmother Many years ago who was born in 1924. This album is decent. It’s not country, but it’s better than most of what’s spun on mainstream country radio today.
July 14, 2020 @ 7:10 am
I haven’t had a chance to listen the album yet but the title track might be my song of the year so far.
July 14, 2020 @ 8:07 am
Country or not the title track Sunday Drive is very good. Maybe it’s because I grew up in a time (The 60’s) when my parents piled my sister, brother and me in the back seat of our Pontiac and we took Sunday afternoon drives after lunch on the lawn at my grandparents house in the country. So yeah…I can relate. And I’m sorry….if the final verse doesn’t grab you then you must have no feelings. Maybe it’s because my dad passed last year and prior to CV19, I would pick up my 89 year old mom who has dementia at her assisted living facility and take her out on Sunday drives when she was up to it. Often the same backroads in the country we took when I was a child. However with CV19, assisted living facilities here in GA are under quarantine so I have not been able to do so in a couple of months but hope we can take a few more soon.
July 15, 2020 @ 9:04 am
Made me sleep, better than clonazepam.
July 15, 2020 @ 2:25 pm
This reminds me a lot of Marc Cohn from the 1990s if anyone remembers the pop artist.
July 16, 2020 @ 7:38 am
Yes. Good call right there.
July 18, 2020 @ 3:48 pm
Brett did an incredible job with this cd…..He has wanted to mature with his music and he did just that…..I personally see him having a couple #1 hits even if he wasn’t aiming to achieve any…..He wanted to do something different and did just that…Give the man a break for trying something different with his music it sounds great I give him a 10…..Maybe he’s got alot more to say in upcoming CDs…
August 11, 2020 @ 9:36 am
I loved this album! My friend recommended it to me. Of course, you have a favorite on every album but with this album, I have several favorites. I have listened to it on repeat for the last three days. I am now a huge Brett Eldredge fan!