Album Review – “The Wilder Blue” (Self-Titled)

Whatever chemistry this quasi supergroup has concocted, whatever contraband or rare earth/conflict minerals might be necessary for the recipe, someone should bottle it up for human consumption, use it to lace the drinks of the poseurs making popular music these days, aerosolize it and fumigate the offices on Music Row, and inject it straight into the veins of all new applicants who want to become performers to help save American music. Because it’s the real shit.
Not even a name change can knock what these dudes have going for them off its axis. Initially known as Hill Country, their first self-titled record from 2020 had us all singing their praises for the laid back country rock bluegrass-infused sound they discovered which was so easy to warm to. Their second eponymous release (strange but true) is a bit more expansive and adventurous, but still includes all those good vibes, quality songs, and killer harmonies that made Hill Country, and now The Wilder Blue, your new favorite band.
Comprised of solo artist and songwriter Zane Williams, songwriter and performer Paul Eason, drummer Lyndon Hughes, multi-instrumentalist Andy Rogers, and bassist Sean Rodriguez, The Wilder Blue is one of the most balanced, forward-thinking, and collaborative projects you will ever hear in country and roots music. With each member bringing veteran experience and no ego or agenda to the project, it allows each contributor to maximize their strengths, and press them into duty for a collective effort.
Their sound reminds you of the best of The Eagles and Alabama, figuring out how to borrow just enough from timeless sounds and melodies to be immediately appealing, while putting enough of their own spin on each song to be original and fresh. On this album, the instrumentation is brought forward even another notch. Some of the guitar solos and banjo rolls will blow your mind on this one, and are featured even more prominently via a few expanded compositions. You wouldn’t want to characterize The Wilder Blue a jam band or anything, but they near that level of immersion and imagination in a number of moments on this album.
Similarly, they lean even heavier into the multi-layer harmonies that bolstered their first record, at times committing dedicated stanzas in songs solely to harmonious runs, almost hot-dogging to show how effortless their voices meld together in savvy arrangements. The Wilder Blue features an elevated level of musicianship compared to what you’re used to from a Texas country band, while remaining not just accessible to all audiences, but incredibly infectious.

What is this album about? A host of things, really. It’s a little country nostalgia here and there, an interesting ghost story in the form of “Shadows and Moonlight,” an inspirational track sung by Paul Eason called “Build Your Wings,” (Zane Williams sings most of the lead parts, while everyone harmonizes). But this isn’t really a thematic album. It’s less about getting you thinking, and more about getting you in the right mood. It’s also one hell of a road trip selection.
Even with all the deserved praise for The Wilder Blue sound, listening to songs like “Picket Fences” and “Birds Of Youth”—as witty and favorable enough as they may be—it makes you wonder if the band can be a little pedestrian at times in regards to lyricism. That’s when you get to the eleventh track on the album called “The Kingsnake and the Rattler.” This is some serious, Townes Van Zant-level poetry shit going down from Zane Williams, and it adds the exact amount of songwriting weight that this album needed to find its balance. Pair that with the final song “Ghost Of Lincoln,” and the album might conclude with its two strongest tracks.
The assertive bass line of “Feelin’ The Miles” may be a little too progressive for some country audience members, and may remind you of something you might hear on an 80’s Miami Vice soundtrack. The Wilder Blue does enlarge their sonic boundaries on this record. But as Zane sings in the expanded, 6-minute song “The Ol’ Guitar Picker,” “There’s only one rule in music. If it sounds good then it is.”
That’s the maxim that guided The Wilder Blue into a sound nobody knew they were missing, but that now feels immediate and necessary. And it’s that beautiful chemistry they find the perfect recipe for once again on their second record.
1 3/4 Guns Up (8.5/10)
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Purchase from The Wilder Blue
March 25, 2022 @ 8:28 am
Been looking forward to this one. Might prefer the debut still, but this one doesn’t disappoint. The vocal harmonies, the pickin’. Plays like a good mix-tape. “Feelin’ The Miles” sounds a lot like “Dreams” by Fleetwood Mac, especially that intro drum roll.
March 25, 2022 @ 8:58 am
This album is a cornucopia of sounds, topics and points of view. I’ll have to listen at least five more times through to accurately gauge the score. As it stands, though, the music is enough. Zane Williams is one of the most underrated and underappreciated musicians on the country music scene, and Paul Eason, Lyndon Hughes and Sean Rodgriuez are all incredibly talented in their own respective rights. I deeply appreciate everything they stand for. Whether you’re a fan of country, folk, soft rock, Americana or just music in general, this is a must listen.
March 25, 2022 @ 9:46 am
I’m so glad I had the opportunity to support making this album with some of that stimulus money. It was a little to Eagles like for me at first but I came to really appreciate the more experimental qualities. They are taking a direction that mellow 70’s and 80’s country rock never quite got to.
Between this and Ian Noe it’s a great day.
March 25, 2022 @ 9:56 am
The king snake and the rattler is way too similar to Eric Church’s The Snake.
March 25, 2022 @ 1:40 pm
If you just look at the subject matter being two snakes, then sure. However if you listen to the lyrics then you see its completely different. It’s a thinly (albeit enjoyable) allegory of the battle with us all far more nuanced and far deeper than Church’s song (which I do enjoy as well).
March 25, 2022 @ 10:11 am
Kingsnake and the Rattler is fire. Serious early 2000s DBT vibes.
This record is all over the plac ein the best way. Every song sounds like it could be a different band or even a different era altogether.
This will be in heavy rotation for a while…
March 25, 2022 @ 10:56 am
I hear Mr. Mudd and Mr. Gold
March 27, 2022 @ 3:22 pm
Yup. Daddy’s Cup… “A V8 on a go kart, easy terms no money down”.
March 25, 2022 @ 10:39 am
It’s not as great as their first album but this is still dope…. with two albums and especially cause I love bluegrass this is a top 8 out right now in my opinion. They are just so unique sounding in my opinion. Also the ballads and harmonies are to die for. They need more listeners so let’s help them out!!!
March 25, 2022 @ 1:32 pm
Another fine effort! Tough to top the first album, but great harmonies, some Eagles- like feel, just really great music!
March 25, 2022 @ 3:48 pm
Hearing Nancy Wilson’s, Crazy On You, guitar intro, in the guitar intro of “The Kingsnake and the Rattler.”
Very Cool.
March 26, 2022 @ 12:25 am
Great guitar playing. Goddamn, I wish I could play like that.
March 29, 2022 @ 3:34 pm
I wish I could play half as good as the playing on this album…
March 26, 2022 @ 8:58 am
On second listen, “Picket Fences” sounds like Alabama and “ The Conversation” a tribute to the Eagles!
Thoroughly enjoyable stuff!
March 27, 2022 @ 5:33 am
Absolutely spot on about the Eagles/Alabama comparison! These guys are incredible, like a much more serious (and talented) version of Midland for me.
Also feeling the miles has that country/soft rock blend you could hear in the early 80’s. love ’em.
March 27, 2022 @ 8:23 pm
A fantastic band! Their debut was awesome. Can’t weight to get my hands on this one too.
Brilliant stuff!
March 28, 2022 @ 11:27 am
Can someone explain or provide details behind the band changed their name? Just wondering, seems a little odd. Thanks.
March 28, 2022 @ 5:28 pm
It had something to do with an intellectual property issue. “Hill Country” is just a common term here in Texas, so they couldn’t copyright/license it, or maybe someone that had before got on them. Easier to just change the name than hassle with it indefinitely.
March 29, 2022 @ 12:57 pm
Congrats to the band for another great album, no sophomore slump here! Excellent instrumentation and harmonies, and a good variety in the songs to keep the listener engaged. Well done!
March 29, 2022 @ 3:36 pm
Early front runner in my book for album of the year, and it’s going to be tough to beat going forward.
March 29, 2022 @ 4:49 pm
Finally listened through this one today, and enjoyed it a lot, cover to cover. The imitation was a little thick on “The Conversation” – honestly said “Oh, come on” aloud, midway through the first verse. I don’t mind when band’s borrow elements, but that one was in Greta Van Fleet / Airbourne territory. I remember having the same feeling during the first album. But on the whole, I think this one is more polished and put together than the last.
It’s not novel, but it’s so technically sound and well done that it’s impossible not to like.
April 6, 2022 @ 2:46 pm
Probably my favorite record so far this year. In terms of songwriting and musicianship, you can’t ask for much more.
May 17, 2023 @ 9:50 am
Both their first album Hill Country and the new “blue” album – are excellent! Some of the tightest harmonies and instrument playing I’ve ever heard – up there with the ranks of the Eagles and other bands with a really tight sound.
I had the chance to meet the band at the Ramble at the Randall (Webster, KY, May 2023) and they are all ego-free, humble and PRESENT for the event. You can tell they are not checked out. They aren’t elsewhere mentally or emotionally – that is huge as many artists are.
I agree with prior comments that this band and Zane Williams are 1000% underrated and underappreciated.
I appreciate that their harmonies and style is a throw back to vintage Eagles, and that they can also hang with modern country audiences. Their performance live is as impressive or even more so as the studio versions. In tune, in time, balanced, and well done.
If you can see them live – do it!