Album Review – Cody Johnson’s “Human: The Double Album”
Boy, we sure had high expectations that Cody Johnson would be bringing his brand of starched Wranglers and printed shirt country to mainstream radio when he partnered his CoJo record label with Warner Music Nashville. Unfortunately, that never really materialized. But it’s probably all for the better. In fact, Cody probably dodged a bullet. Little good can come from chasing radio play, and seeing his sales, streams, and gate numbers, Cody Johnson doesn’t need Music Row’s help. He’s got grassroots fans to support him.
The only trend Cody Johnson is chasing these days is releasing a double album. Called Human, the 18 songs make it more like a long LP instead of a true gatefold, and pulling out some cover songs and working with a host of contributing songwriters and co-writers ensured you didn’t get only one album’s worth of good songs stretched into two records, even if only half of this album might appeal you—which half depending on where you fall on the country music spectrum. Meanwhile, those grassroots CoJo fans will find exactly what they want cover to cover.
Cody Johnson has always been unfairly cast aside by the snobbish Americana crowd and independent country hipsters as “too mainstream,” while the mainstream set sees the cowboy hat, and hears the east Texas drawl and fiddle and is sent packing as well. But they’re both overlooking the effort of Cody Johnson to mix meaningful moments in with country rock mega songs that make his live shows something to behold, and his devout fans willing to run through walls for him.
Cody Johnson is what mainstream country music in 2021 should be: country, but widely appealing and pragmatic, while being unafraid to make you think and feel a little too. Perhaps more than any other Cody Johnson record, Human: The Double Album feels organic. Compared to his first record after partnering with a major label, you can tell Cody is just recording what he wants. Sure, he’s no John Moreland or Hayes Carll. But he’s also not trying to smooth the edges off, or fit into a mold to appeal to an industry or to listeners that probably won’t ever find favor with his more traditional style of country in the first place.
Recording what is the most subtle Music Row kiss off song in country history in Willie Nelson’s “Sad Songs and Waltzes” with Willie Nelson himself is not what you do when you’re looking to win friends and influence people inside the country music beltway. Neither is dusting off the cleverly-composed Harlan Howard conversation with the moon called “I Don’t Know a Thing About Love” popularized by Conway Twitty. You also don’t emphasize the steel guitar and fiddle an extra notch like Cody Johnson does on this album.
Cody Johnson finds the sweet spot between infectious appeal, country authenticity, and critical acclaim. Where most artists are rushing to one side or the other of the country music cultural divide, Cody’s tilling the rich soil in the in-between. Songs like “Honky Tonk Hardwood Floors” and “Let’s Build a Fire” have all the energy and attitude of those mainstream radio #1 smashes, but with emphatic fiddle and a bit more developed lyricism, they slide just above the “Bro-Country” label.
You wouldn’t ever accused Cody Johnson of being a “Boyfriend Country” star such as Dan + Shay, but songs such as “Known For Loving You,” “Made A Home,” and “Stronger” are written in the popular vein of male performers singing about strong women, just with significantly more of a country-sounding accompaniment.
Then you get into songs like “Human,” “Driveway,” “Treasure,” “I Always Wanted To,” and maybe the best of the set, “‘Til You Can’t,” where Cody Johnson is openly challenging the audience go a little bit deeper than the surface, and feel something those songs on the radio rarely deliver. It’s songs like these why you can’t compare Cody to Morgan Wallen or Luke Bryan.
Cody Johnson knows his fans, and knows his place. He’s a contemporary traditionalist who sings simple poetry set to appealing music for fans who don’t necessarily want to unravel the mysteries of life or grapple with existential questions. They simply want to listen to good music that reminds them of the gifts of life, and imparts simple lessons and rural wisdom. Oh, and they actually want it to sound country. And that’s why Cody Johnson is their guy.
1 1/2 Guns Up (7.5/10)
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Purchase Human: The Double Album
October 13, 2021 @ 11:09 am
I feel like after a while cojo just got old to me. He kept doing the same formula of simplicity that the simplicity just made me tired of hearing the same themes and musical stylings over and over. Most of the time inferior to the previous project. Doesn’t really affect that critically and as it’s own entity it’s a good album. But I prefer someone keep things fresh.
October 13, 2021 @ 11:47 am
You got yer songs about being a wild, ramblin’ honky-tonk troubadour. You got yer songs about that cowboy life that you know is hard on you and you might never win at, but you just gotta keep trying at, dammit. And then you got yer songs about that good woman at home that keeps you grounded and puts up with your wild, ramblin’, honky-tonkin’ cowboy ways even though she had every right to leave you but by God that woman’s love’s just too strong.
October 14, 2021 @ 5:22 am
I considered myself a pretty good size CoJo fan along with Aaron Watson way back when but I just can’t be assed to go see them live anymore. 30 minutes guaranteed are going to be taken up talking about first responders and the military and its the same ol thing every single show, which isn’t a bad thing, but when you’ve seen them both live as much as I have its just a tired act.
October 24, 2021 @ 10:39 pm
Makes sense to mention Cody and Aaron in the same vein here, because to me, they are very similar artists top to bottom. They have a forumula and they stick to it. Sometimes it comes across as corny. Sometimes, insincere. But they’ll also find a way to reinvent themselves with a song (or songs) from time to time, which always has me coming back to take a listen.
October 13, 2021 @ 11:21 am
I consider myself an above average Cody Johnson fan, and after two listens this holds up nicely alongside his other albums. If you like those, you’ll like this.
I made the mistake of seeing him live once, and struggled not to leave early due to all the political pandering and blabbing on an on, and thankfully there is none of that going on here.
My criticism of these last two Cody Johnson albums is still that he barely writes any of his own songs anymore, which is a shame because he has shown himself to be a really good songwriter. Still, as Trigger mentions, that might help keep the quality of these 18 tracks a bit more consistent throughout.
I “loved” 7 songs off this album on Spotify. That will probably come down by a song or two eventually, but that is a LOT for me. Good album. Got the vinyl pre-ordered.
October 14, 2021 @ 12:48 pm
I really got into him during the pandemic because he was doing a ton of acoustic shows which were great, no commentary. His first show with his full band it was straight back to politics, made me sad. Right or Left I don’t care about your views while you’re on stage, I just want to hear the songs…
October 13, 2021 @ 11:41 am
I want to like the dude. He is just boring and not that interesting.
October 14, 2021 @ 1:42 pm
That’s about where I’m at with him. You definitely can’t accuse him of not being country, but as far as I’m concerned, you can be country as cornbread and still be mediocre. To me, he sounds like early 2000s radio country, and that’s about the time I stopped listening to country radio. Maybe I’m just a hipster, but he seems like pop-country for people that don’t like pop-country.
October 15, 2021 @ 5:40 pm
I was about to comment and say pretty much the same thing: he reminds me quite a lot of 2000s country. And while I have some nostalgia for that era since that’s when I was still listening to the radio and it was the soundtrack to some good times, my tastes have evolved, and a lot of it doesn’t hold up. My main issue with guys like Cody Johnson and Luke Combs, for instance, is that there’s little to no wit to their songs, and almost no insight (which you could still find in a lot of 2000s country). Combs got close with “When it Rains it Pours”, but I really miss the irony and turns of phrase that used to be the hallmark of country music songwriting. I made the mistake of listening to Mark Chesnutt’s Tradition Lives right after finishing Human, which made the contrast even greater. Cody Johnson’s latest isn’t bad, I just can’t help but find it generic and bland overall, a few great songs notwithstanding.
Sometimes I wonder if I even like country music and albums like this are the reason why. A lot of the indie acts that are often championed around here typically strike me as too indebted to the past (almost like tribute bands), and I feel they often lack memorable hooks or melodies. On the other side of the spectrum we have the mainstream, which is nothing but hooks whilst being completely braindead and lost to trend-chasing. Which leaves us with people like Cody Johnson and Luke Combs (not quite traditional, not quite pop), who don’t really leave much of an impression on me either way. But I respect them quite a lot even while not really digging their music. As has been said plenty of times, if this was the worst of what country music had to offer, we’d be in a much better place.
October 13, 2021 @ 12:46 pm
I don’t know much about him.If he’s mainstream, I’ll take that over what we have. I’d have to hear more.
October 13, 2021 @ 12:49 pm
First of all, I apprecaite this review. SCM should be about “mainstream” artists as well that are respectable in the lofty goal of, well, SCM. So, kudos to Cody and Lainey and a host of others that are considered mainstream but are putting out some quality.
“Cody Johnson has always been unfairly cast aside by the snobbish Americana crowd and independent country hipsters as “too mainstream,” while the mainstream set sees the cowboy hat, and hears the east Texas drawl and fiddle and is sent packing as well.” CLASSIC!
Consistent, boring, and repeatable? Exactly. That is what some of us want. That is why we like Strait, Jackson, etc. No complaints there.
October 13, 2021 @ 1:40 pm
The album is fantastic. ‘Til you can’t’ is Such a great song and really hits home, especially if you’ve lost a close one.
Can’t wait til the vinyl release. It’ll get plenty of play. No reason a few of these tracks shouldn’t hit the airwaves. But I guess if they don’t play Alan Jackson’s new stuff, they probably won’t play this one either.
October 13, 2021 @ 2:20 pm
I listened to this album the other day and thought it sounded like a mainstream record from 2006 with a guy thats not that great of a singer. Some of the verses sounded like he was using one pitch for every word. Some great songs though.
October 13, 2021 @ 2:20 pm
People who find him boring probably find George Strait sticking to the same formula boring too.
Re: Sad Songs & Waltzes, I did find it an odd coincidence that Cody and Daniel Donato both released albums that include covers of it on the same day.
October 13, 2021 @ 3:55 pm
Who cares? Not everyone has to be a “tortured” soul like a lame as Fu** Sturgill or Isbell.
Half the artists this sites readers here hype up are trash anyway besides Whitey Morgan,Hellhound Glory,Jason Boland,Dale Watson and maybe a couple others i can’t think of right now
October 13, 2021 @ 4:09 pm
Yeah, there does exist here this idea if a singer isn’t full of angst then the material is too lightweight and soft to be considered good. Sometimes, you just want enjoyable driving music.
October 13, 2021 @ 8:28 pm
Yep, when Colter came on the scene LARPing as a hobo philosopher, they all fawned over him. Then he gets serious about ranch life and turns to cowboy music and a lot the cool people got bored with him.
October 14, 2021 @ 4:46 am
I love George’s stuff from the 80s to mid 90s, but after that, I must admit, I do find him boring. Though I’m not sure if that has to do with his music being formulaic or the gradual shift to more contemporary production that smoothed off whatever edges (however slight) that his earlier music had.
October 13, 2021 @ 3:33 pm
I just have 2 complains:
First, this is marketed as a double album but with only 18 songs it feels like a regular album (Aaron Watson’s red bandana had 20 songs and wasn’t marketed as a double album) besides there no side a or side b
Second, I’m worried about his handlers. This album was announced back in June and in October when the album is being released physicals (cd and vinyl) are not available (cds are available on October 29th while vinyls November 26th). He’s bound to debut higher but I can imagine he would have charted higher assuming physicals were ready.
Overall, this is a strong album irrespective of my reservations.
October 13, 2021 @ 4:35 pm
There definitely seems to be a trend to take 1 1/2 albums of songs, and announces it as two albums to try to increase hype (or in Eric Church’s case, three albums). There’s too much music being released already. Just focus on releasing a good album.
As for the availability of physical product, this has nothing to do with Cody Johnson or his handlers. Vinyl right now is on an 8 month back order in many cases, and now CDs are starting to suffer as well. T shirts are even hard to come by. This is industry wide and global. It’s a big problem, and likely to get worse before it gets better.
October 14, 2021 @ 11:15 am
Pick the 10 best songs and call it an album. Double albums are never good.
October 13, 2021 @ 4:28 pm
Any chance of a review of Lauren Albania’s new album?
October 13, 2021 @ 4:35 pm
Lauren Alaina maybe?
October 14, 2021 @ 2:01 am
It was clearly autocorrected. Why the snarky reply?
October 13, 2021 @ 10:23 pm
Guys, as a 59 years young women, he has a great voice and for real, not so bad to watch?! Just open your mind, you will probably be very surprised what great things about your self you really never knew. The words to his ????, (listen sometime).
October 14, 2021 @ 5:54 am
Never got into Cody Johnson for some reason and I don’t really know why. All these double album releases have to be on purpose to try to garner more revenue from streaming services right? It would appear that they are throwing more material at the wall to see what generates the most plays since the concept of listening to full albums is more or less non existent to most listeners now. If that’s the case then good for them for capitalizing on the new format. I prefer a tighter album output of 9-12 quality songs then a bunch of filler but I’m probably in the minority compared to the general audience.
October 14, 2021 @ 6:13 am
Been a fan for a long time. If there is one thing you can expect from Cody Johnson it is consistency. The guy has released one very good country album after another for years. If I had one complaint, it would be the release of what seemed like 10 singles leading up to the album. Kind of brings down the excitement of the actual release. If the album’s done just get it out there. At least there was plenty of songs left when it came out though.
Overall, another solid effort by Cody.
October 14, 2021 @ 7:39 am
Trigger,
I really don’t know how you handle these double albums. This one is a stretch to call a double album as I consider a double album 20 songs +. I just can’t focus on the whole album in one sitting. That’s prob a me issue but man.
October 14, 2021 @ 10:09 am
I don’t think most folks appreciate just how much listening time goes into a single album review. I usually listen to an album 3-5 times, maybe more, and then spot listen to certain songs and parts before I’m ready to review it, often on different devices. The music doesn’t just magically float into your brain, and you’re ready to compose an album review just because you WANT to review an album. Double albums take twice as much listening time, and now that we’re experiencing a massive glut in releases due to all the albums that were recorded during the pandemic coming out at once, it’s virtually impossible to stay on top of everything. All I can do is do my best to focus on one title at the time, really try to understand the work and appreciate this artist put their very soul into it (whether it’s good or bad), and try to compose a thoughtful summation and critique in review form. It’s by far the hardest and most time consuming thing I have to do. I love doing it, but I don’t think folks really understand the deep commitment it takes.
October 14, 2021 @ 8:26 am
I’m not sure why he has to put “The Double Album” IN the title??? Yes, I know Morgan Wallen did it but is everyone going to do it from now on? Just call it Human and be done with it. This guy needs to put out 18 songs like he needs a hole in the head. There’s a few good tunes on here for sure but why not just give us your best 11-12 and leave us wanting more??? Like was said above……his music is ok but he’s boring over all. I’ve seen him live twice and he preaches and yacks so much in between songs people are like get on with it!!! Even with my rearranging track order and cutting a few I don’t think it’s rotation worthy. There’s too much good music out right now and coming soon.
October 15, 2021 @ 4:48 am
I don’t understand the whole double album trend either. Why not release an album once a year instead? Waiting 3 years to release a double album with nothing in between isn’t impressive.
October 14, 2021 @ 9:01 am
In the album Cody Johnson displays a confusing cosmic ambivalence as a prelude to a storm of scathing mediocrity, mudhole-like bass, livid percussive clickings, and scorching drawls, which collectively create a feeling of cruel and crazed sub-parity. Bursts of fleeting steel notes in the tepid torrent, and waves of steaming dog-fecel-esque tones plop above a disastrous piano melody, creating an atmosphere of forgettable rot.
October 14, 2021 @ 10:14 am
What you’ve just said is one of the most insanely idiotic things I have ever read. At no point in your rambling, incoherent response were you even close to anything that could be considered a rational thought. Everyone in this room is now dumber for having read it. I award you no points, and may God have mercy on your soul.
October 16, 2021 @ 7:30 am
Satan couldn’t have said it better himself.
October 14, 2021 @ 10:13 am
Have listened to the album once through so far and I really like it. There is one song Cody played on a radio show once that I wish he would release called “Thank God I’m Not That Tough.”
October 14, 2021 @ 11:45 pm
what I’m hearing here is Cody Johnson music . he’s hit it out of the park again , if these tracks are any indication . superb songwriting , productions , audible mix , smart and appropriate arrangements and a one- of-a -kind voice riddled with character and commitment . i was a fan from his first record . the fact that he isn’t acknowledged for all of the above the way so many should -be ”also-rans” are is just another illustration of how messed up the genre is when it comes to the mainstream . what more do you want from COUNTRY radio than a guy like this ?
this nonsense would piss me off if i still cared . i know where to find what i’m looking for.
October 15, 2021 @ 10:01 am
I have always liked his music and seen him 3 times. Still really need to dive into this album. The little bit I have heard is missing something, not sure what. Need to study it a bit more before making assumptions on much. Probably will still pick it up somewhere, sometime.
October 17, 2021 @ 10:25 am
As always a nice change from novelty “independent” country. Some of us just like the straightforward stuff that actually tends to mirror real life for the most of us.
October 23, 2021 @ 2:37 pm
Heard ‘ Til you can’t’ On the country music radio station I have just discovered Down Under.
LOVED IT !!
Album now pre release paid for via eBay, and Cannot Wait to receive it !
New big CJ fan here 😀
October 24, 2021 @ 10:36 pm
Listened to this album a few times. Wanted to hear it and then hear it again to make sure I felt this way…honestly, I think this is Cody’s best work yet.