Album Review – Zach Bryan’s “Summertime Blues”

No rest for the weary, and no time to ruminate upon and digest the 34 tracks Zach Bryan released just a couple of months ago via his massive #1 album American Heartbreak. Make room on your plate, because here are nine more in what Zach Bryan is characterizing as an EP called Summertime Blues. No, Zach doesn’t cover the old Eddie Cochran tune of the same name. He also doesn’t evidence any drop in quality due to the prolific nature of his output. He just continues to remain in the flow state in which he commenced his career, and continues to deliver and defy the conventional wisdom for musical output.
To Zach Bryan, words are his world. They come dropping out of the sky, oozing up from the ground, swamping him with poetry, rhyme, and lyrical hooks, while his keen sense of insight is constantly cataloging the meaningfulness of moments for future use in song. The rush of words from this young man is overflowing, boundless, and effervescent, and his soul is the vessel that captures them all. This is Zach Bryan’s singular gift, and what makes him wholly unique even among some of the most accomplished and productive of songwriters. For those suffering from writer’s block, his carnival of excess seems inequitable, even impossible. That is why jealousy is a component to some of the Zach Bryan criticism.
Summertime Blues feels like a cousin or continuation to American Heartbreak in how the songs and production are approached—some with a full band sound, some more stripped down. Some love to point out that Zach Bryan really isn’t that “country.” This is true to some extent; he’s a singer/songwriter. But there are country elements in most everything he does, whether it’s in the instrumentation, or the lyrical themes. The opening song “Quittin’ Time” is driven by both banjo and fiddle, and the blue-collar story following a steel worker, soldier, and roofer through their laborious day is very much in the country music vein.
But whatever you label Zach Bryan, it’s the songs that have lit a fire whose flames have reached the very top of the country mainstream. Summertime Blues throws even more logs onto that inferno, then stokes it with accelerant. “Oklahoma Smokeshow” display’s Zach Bryan’s deft use of character to tell compelling stories that seem relevant to all of us. The casts of his songs are unique enough to be compelling, but similar enough with people we know or once knew—or ourselves—to be eerily applicable to our own lives.

Zach Bryan goes out and lives his young life, and like a sponge, soaks up all those most potent emotional moments, from utter euphoria to crippling self-doubt. While many of us may experience these moments as fleeting, he zeroes in on them. It’s his muse. Because it’s in these intense moments that you feel the most alive. Then he contextualizes them in a way few songwriters are capable of, like in the song “Twenty So” on the new album, zooming out to understand that no matter how daunting the emotions or decisions might feel now, in the future you will cherish these moment, and reflect upon them fondly.
This element of wisdom, and Zach’s ability to pull lyrical hooks seemingly out of the air that then sink straight into your soul is the reason his songwriting feels so vital. This group of songs is as good as any other Zach Bryan has released, and those groups of songs have ensconced him just behind Morgan Wallen and Luke Combs as the biggest thing in country music, and virtually without mainstream radio play or other mainstream opportunities.
Summertime Blues doesn’t come without some concerns, which is bound to happen since nothing from Zach Bryan is slow cooked. “Jamie” with his frequent tour opener and SCM Album of the Year alumnus Charles Wesley Godwin is one of the stronger tracks on the new album, but the writing and approach really wasn’t for a duet, they just sort of made it that way. Zach’s phrasing and performance on “Us Then” just feels a little tired and unrehearsed. “Matt and Audie” is a good story song, but also a common trope, which is a bit uncharacteristic for Bryan whose originality of ideas is one of his strengths. It’s the stories so many of these songs contain—including if not especially songs like “Jamie”—that make the appetite for more Zach Bryan so insatiable.
Cherish these moments Zach Bryan fans. A bumper crop has come in. This is Zach Bryan’s year, and is Zach Bryan’s moment. But you never know when drought and famine could set in. Just ask fans of Hank Williams III, who got three records in 2011, another two in 2013, and nothing but crickets since. Zach Bryan has already said his current tour may be his last. Sure, him and Barbra Streisand. But you’re never quite sure when an artist will tap out, either of quality stuff, or entirely. So savor this moment in music, because it belongs to Zach Bryan.
1 3/4 Guns Up (8.3/10)
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July 21, 2022 @ 8:44 am
ZB has since clarified that he meant he may be done with structured touring
July 21, 2022 @ 8:46 am
From Twitter: “Guys when I say last tour I just mean I’m done going on runs after this year! I’ll still play shows! It’s not a tactic to sell tickets or a grab at y’all’s attention, I just want to rest and enjoy my family and life.
STILL PLAYING SHOWS, just not going on tour runs!!!”
July 21, 2022 @ 8:56 am
Eh, I still don’t take these proclamations very seriously, only because they tend to come true less than they don’t. But who knows, with the amount of mailbox money he has coming it, he could be like Tyler Childers, and only playing important/exclusive appearances. All the more reason to cherish these moments now if you’re a Zach Bryan fan.
July 21, 2022 @ 9:59 am
The way I read it is he’ll kinda do it like Jinks and many other indie artists and announce by the show, rather than all at once.
July 21, 2022 @ 8:51 am
Boring, amateurish songwriting that sounds like he just rewrote the lyrics from his last shitty batch of songs.
July 21, 2022 @ 8:59 am
Show us where on the doll Zach Bryan hurt you
July 21, 2022 @ 9:11 am
I can’t unsee that scene from Always Sunny in Philadelphia
July 21, 2022 @ 9:06 am
Lol. ZB is definitely an overrated snooze fest, but that was a little harsh.
July 21, 2022 @ 9:16 am
You took the words out of my mouth, Sev. I’m not a big fan, but I can respect the guy…and it’s good that he’s showing the younger kids that paying attention to songwriting can be a satisfying thing.
July 21, 2022 @ 9:10 am
So I’m guessing you haven’t listened to either of this years albums?
July 21, 2022 @ 9:50 am
I have. Neither are very impressive.
July 21, 2022 @ 1:42 pm
Do you have a link to your Soundcloud/Bandcamp album? Would love to hear.
July 22, 2022 @ 3:47 am
You know that in my opinion is a FANTASTIC idea. Not as much the link, but what about any time someone gives a non descript poo poo like this, they should be given the opportunity to show what they dig and what is better. Perhaps listing the top 20 songs they found this year. This can not only legitimize someone’s opinions when they show negativity, but we can all get new tunes out of it!
July 22, 2022 @ 4:14 am
Don’t need to study shit to know somethings shit
July 22, 2022 @ 3:56 am
Ok I like what the guy below said could you leave a few songs released this year you say are better and I’ll listen
July 23, 2022 @ 8:18 am
Fair enough. I haven’t been impressed with very many country albums this year, but the new Local honeys album is insanely good. Best thing they’ve released yet. Songwriting is top notch. Highly recommend. I don’t understand why Trig would review ZB’s new album instead of theirs, considering they could use the exposure a lot more than him. But who knows? Maybe he’ll get to them. The new Drive by truckers album is, as usual, excellent. There’s Another band Trig won’t review. Overrall the year has been better for rap and rock than country so far, but I didn’t include those, considering that this a country site. I’m lookin forward to the new Nikki Lane and John Fulbright though, they at least sound promising.
July 23, 2022 @ 9:15 am
I never review one album “instead” of reviewing another. That’s just not how it works. What happens is that I get absolutely inundated with releases, and try to review as many as I can. July 15th was an especially busy release day, not just from the amount of releases, but the quality of them. That is why I posted a dedicated article running down all the releases from that day so hopefully nobody gets overlooked. Then the next Friday comes, and a whole new batch of releases shows up begging to be reviewed. I’ve reviewed four albums from 7/15 so far, and Zach Bryan’s was the 4th. The Local Honeys album is still being considered for review, and wasn’t not reviewed just because I reviewed Zach Bryan. I try to review as much music as I can, and try to highlight as much music as possible without overloading people, including music I ultimately don’t review.
July 23, 2022 @ 10:33 am
I got bored with that new Local Honeys album pretty quick. Drive By Truckers new one had 2-3 I like, but it’s been about 14 years unfortunately since they’ve had a good album in my opinion. You can always find a couple good ones though on each of their albums.
July 24, 2022 @ 9:51 am
I just saw him live at Under The Big Sky. I’m a forty-something that was surrounded by a whole bunch of screaming twenty-somethings that were having the best time of their lives it appeared. They were singing every word to his songs. That don’t sound boring or amateurish. I was thoroughly impressed and became a much bigger fan right then. Cody Jinks later than evening told the giant crowd in attendance that Zach Bryan stole the entire weekend. He was probably right. It was awesome.
July 21, 2022 @ 9:14 am
Good for him. He’s striking while the iron is hot, which is really smart. ….His core fan-base demographic isn’t known for their long attention spans.
July 21, 2022 @ 9:27 am
Sadly I think you’re right. But the main lesson here is that he’s showing it can be wildly successful to let the artists be artists, instead of following a formula.
July 21, 2022 @ 9:22 am
My only issue with his songs is that he’s a bit long-winded in his lyrics. He does throw everything he’s got lyrically out like a Springsteen deep cut. Can’t hate on the guy, he’s got a good voice, he’s original, and the stripped down sound is refreshing. I don’t even know what new direction real country can go in now.
July 21, 2022 @ 10:17 am
It does strike me that he could use some judicious editing.
July 21, 2022 @ 8:55 pm
This is what I suggested with his first few releases, and if anything, he’s become less judicious. He’s also exploded taking this approach, so I’m not sure changing it up now would be very smart. Zach has made his own way, under his own methodology, very very successfully. Throw out the rulebook.
July 23, 2022 @ 7:23 am
Obviously, he’s been very successful. Exceedingly successful. And he’s succeeded in a very un-Nashville way. He deserves every credit for that.
I’m not sure he’s at a place where his songwriting will become lasting art, though. And part of that, I would contend, is that all great art requires editing. To me, his stuff meanders. Much of it just doesn’t seem tight. But for whatever reason, his fans love it. They hang on every word, so maybe he feels compelled to give them lots and lots of words.
Then again, the music business is a place where art doesn’t mean success and success doesn’t mean art. (See, “Line, Florida Georgia”.) At his creative peak, Townes Van Zandt sold maybe 100 albums a week, tops, when he was alive. As you noted of Bryan in May, “Early estimates had him at some 70 million streams and 67K in sales, so interest in the album only grew stronger over the week, and he blew out expectations.” Granted, that is not an apples-to-apples comparison, but we get the drift: Bryan is tearing it up, and Van Zandt, arguably one of the best songwriters to put words on paper, couldn’t make a dent sales-wise.
I hope Bryan grows into a good editor.
July 21, 2022 @ 10:03 am
For those that have seen him live…worth the $100 ticket prices?
July 21, 2022 @ 10:22 am
$100 seems crazy high for a new act. I understand it’s supply and demand and what people are willing to pay, but mannn
July 21, 2022 @ 11:29 am
How old are you?
I’m a young 45. I felt like an old 85 year old at his concert. It’s a young, young crowd (but very well behaved and appreciative). So if you don’t feel like feeling old, save the $100.
July 21, 2022 @ 11:52 am
I recently spent 50$ (and fees) to see Steely Dan. I’m 36 and felt young there.
July 21, 2022 @ 1:07 pm
Recently saw Steve Earle. Basically no young people there at all. Which makes sense, I think he said he’s 67. But if there’s no Zach Bryan’s out there bringing in young crowds, this kind of music will die out pretty fast. SCM is right to give him a lot of coverage.
July 21, 2022 @ 1:46 pm
I totally agree and totally support him. Zach Bryan deserves and warrants all the media coverage he’s getting this summer. I’m glad to be experiencing this phenom from the ground up.
I’m seeing Bryan 2x on Willie’s Outlaw Fest in the next two months (more age appropriate for me than his solo headlining shows).
I’m a huge Steve Earle fan too.
July 21, 2022 @ 5:38 pm
Another thing to consider that I didn’t mention before, Charles Wesley Godwin is opening a lot of his shows. It was my first time seeing him live last year and not only does that add to the value of the ticket, it’s great that he will get a rub from the success of Zach Bryan. CWG live is a different beast than his recordings would let on and the band rocks.
July 22, 2022 @ 7:57 am
I love Steve Earle’s music, but I opened for him once and watched him be a rampaging dick to the entirety of the crew. Anyone can have a bad day, but talking to his people it didn’t seem like an isolated occurrence. Don’t feel much like giving him any more of my money after that.
July 21, 2022 @ 1:50 pm
I already know I’m old. Are you saying that people over 40 should only go to greybeard shows so they don’t feel old?
Nothing against gray-bearded performers or fans. I’ll go see them, or anyone that I can. In fact, I’m disabled and I bring my rolling walker to sit on at shows.
July 21, 2022 @ 3:27 pm
No. What I thought I was saying was if you don’t feel old around younger people, then go. I normally don’t. I never usually feel my age and go to all kinds of shows, but this one really skewed young. I felt like a chaperone. Other parents were asking me “which kid is yours?” and I don’t have any kids.
We just sat in the back with the parents and let the kids do their thing. It was a different perspective to see a concert for us regulated to spectator of a larger event.
July 21, 2022 @ 3:33 pm
However, there was no wait at the bar. But, who wants to get wasted in front of a bunch of high schoolers? The bartenders looked bored.
July 21, 2022 @ 12:48 pm
It’s almost worth it for the vibe alone. As Hoptown said, I am 35 and felt old at the show, but it was electric. My wife, who is less of a country fan than I am, was blown away by the crowd knowing every lyric to every song, especially unreleased ones. I haven’t experienced anything like it since the very early Eric Church days when he was playing country fairs, but was obviously on his way to bigger things. That was a long time ago, but I would say the vibe for ZB is even stronger.
July 22, 2022 @ 1:17 pm
I just saw him up in oregon. He was great sure, but the energy of the crowd carried it. The comparison I can make is when you see Charley Crockett live, he takes the stage and has a presence and control that ZB hasn’t figured out yet. It’s one thing to take the stage and have everyone know your songs and a totally different skill to take the stage and have the entire crowd eating out of your hand. If ZB gets that skill locked down, he’s gonna be a wild force. $100 for a ticket tho? Seems steep, who’s the opener lol
July 21, 2022 @ 11:48 am
I’m a Zach Bryan fan, but I was pretty indifferent on this release. It has a lot of the same issues that I had with ~60% of American Heartbreak. The songs don’t feel fully baked, and what’s there doesn’t compensate for the shortcomings. A good third of AH was so strong that the blemishes didn’t matter, but I can’t say the same for this one.
It sucks because it’s so apparent how good some of these songs could be if they went through a traditional record recording process and buffed out the clunky writing and delivery.
I made a distilled down playlist from AH, and I’m not sure I would add many of these to it. After 40 songs in 2 months, the ZB experience just feels too oversaturated and overexposed.
July 21, 2022 @ 11:49 am
Finally obtained one of those fancy avatars.
I liked this album more than the other one released.
July 21, 2022 @ 11:58 am
I’m going out on a limb and taking a guess that it doesn’t have much of a “blues” sound at all.
July 21, 2022 @ 1:24 pm
And nothing says “blues” quite like a cover photo of a newly minted artist playing to a full stadium. I can see how he’d have the blues.
July 21, 2022 @ 12:05 pm
This duet with Charles Wesley Godwin has confirmed for me why I haven’t been able to get into ZB at all. He just doesn’t have the voice. I like “Jamie” (not sure who wrote it) but the parts CWG sings are way better to me than when it’s just ZB solo.
As always, good luck to ZB and it’s nice an independent guy is doing so well. But I don’t think he’ll ever be for me.
July 21, 2022 @ 4:31 pm
I agree with you: Charles Wesley Godwin is good . . . . ZB is not for me . . . .
July 21, 2022 @ 8:57 pm
Charles Wesley Gowdin is the superior singer, and I think Zach Bryan would agree with that assessment. That’s why he put him on the track, and has taken Godwin out touring.
Zach Bryan is a songwriter first and foremost.
July 21, 2022 @ 9:19 pm
Yeah I get that, I wasn’t really trying to compare them, more just to say that I realized I don’t like ZB because he isn’t a good singer. I can’t fully explain it. I love Bob Dylan and he’s a songwriter first and not a great singer. But somehow his singing gives the songs the right energy in a way ZB’s does not
July 22, 2022 @ 7:31 am
I have this issue as well. I try so hard to like it and I do like two songs off this project more than the first but I swear every time he starts singing I have to adjust to what I’m hearing. Not saying it’s bad, as his fans clearly love it, it’s just not for me.
July 23, 2022 @ 8:46 am
I like Zach Bryan’s voice. When I hear it I know it’s him. Stands out from the rest to me. Most of these singers all sound the same. I also loved Hank 3’s voice and a lot of people always complained about his voice too.
July 21, 2022 @ 12:25 pm
Sounds like someone playing for tips at the local Mexican restaurant. But that’s just me….your results may vary.
July 22, 2022 @ 7:58 am
I felt exactly the same. But if he’s drawing a young crowd, that means the young crowd is interested in country/folk/americana-ish music and that’s a good thing
July 21, 2022 @ 12:58 pm
I don’t really understand the hate. Don’t listen I guess. But you can’t deny that a shit ton of people are loving the hell out of what this guy is doing. And he is genuine. I think the rawness is not a bug, so much as its a feature. He speaks to a lot of folks, but no one speaks to everyone.
I am an old dude but have to say my Spotify metrics show 9 of my top 20 most listened to tracks in the past 6 months are Zach’s. And he is my most listened to artist over the same period.
My son met him the other day and said he is a super nice, kind, guy who took plenty of time to have a conversation with a fan. I’ve been blown off by enough heroes of mine to appreciate that.
July 21, 2022 @ 3:31 pm
Which heroes?
I am curious.
July 21, 2022 @ 1:56 pm
Haters gonna hate, hate, hate, hate, hate.
July 21, 2022 @ 3:29 pm
And regulators gonna regulate.
July 29, 2022 @ 11:21 am
Regulatorssssss……… Let’s ride
July 21, 2022 @ 4:54 pm
My favorite songs on this are Oklahoma Smokeshow and All The Time. Zach Bryan is on a roll right now.
July 21, 2022 @ 5:41 pm
No hate from me. I wish him the best. But for me, just can’t get into the voice. He should give Trigger some royalties for all the free marketing he gets here. (Now don’t get all uptight. Just having a little fun).
July 21, 2022 @ 6:07 pm
I’m in the camp with those that appreciate his success, but he’s not my cup of tea. I respect the guy and wish him the best, but I like singers with distinctive voices, plus everything he does seems to plod along. He needs to bring more energy, grit and passion to his songs to get me to listen consistently. I like things the early Tyler Childers stuff where you can feel the pain and passion in his voice and see it in his eyes and facial expressions. When I do listen to him I appreciate most aspects of his music, but I quickly get bored with it. To be fair, I feel that way about a lot of the more artsy kind of stuff in general.Maybe I’m just too ADHD or simple minded to get it. He’s kicking ass though and he’s a hell of a worker. Whether I like it or not, he’s earning his accolades the right way. He seems l like a decent guy too!
July 21, 2022 @ 6:07 pm
Maybe the haters wish we could go back to 2014 when it was FGL and Luke Bryan on top. I will take what’s happening in 2022 over that. Sure, ZB is a singer/songwriter that never bought any polish for his shoes. The rawness is a middle finger to the industry, like a Nirvana in the 90s. I agree that some of the songs sound like watered down rewrites of AM. Nirvana sounded like shit too. Think of how many young and upcoming singer/songwriters this guy will inspire! The future is bright.
July 21, 2022 @ 8:07 pm
RJ,
In 2014, I was listening to Don Williams, Waylon Jennings, Ricky Skaggs, Lynyrd Skynyrd, and Patty Loveless.
In 2022, I am listening to Don Williams, Waylon Jennings, Ricky Skaggs, Lynyrd Skynyrd, and Patty Loveless.
You know us old farts. Hard to change.
July 21, 2022 @ 8:51 pm
Wayne,
In 2014 I paid no attention to mainstream country. One night I saw that the CMA awards were on so I flicked it on out of curiosity to examine the state of country. Within 5 mins there was a duo that I never heard of (FGL) and some guy (Luke Bryan) that appeared to be collaborating on some god awful song. The stage had a skate park setup with people on roller blades, skateboards, the whole getup. It was so awful i just turned it off.
Grew up with in the 80s while my Grandpa performed covers of Hank Snow, Cash, Twitty, Judds. Then came the 90s and I stopped paying attention around 1995 and am just now getting back into it. Trying to digest 50 years of country in a year or two. It’s amazing to have it all at your fingertips.
I watched the 1985 CMA awards recently where Skaggs won Entertainer of the Year. His acceptance speech was profound where he commented on the state of country in 1985 and how the industry was pushing him to the side for more poppy sounds.
Really looking forward to Luke Combs belt out Seminole Wind.
July 22, 2022 @ 5:52 am
Well please don’t speak for all of us “old farts” whatever that means. I cracked 60 and listen to everything from Bill to Billy (and Molly), Ray Price and Willy to yes, some of Zach Bryan and everything in between. And everyone on your list. Anything I find myself or Trigger presents here that I like, regardless of the performer’s age or if it was released 70 years ago or last week. Otherwise you remain stagnant and miss out on a lot of good music.
July 21, 2022 @ 6:31 pm
I’m hoping for one more album in 2022 with about 20 songs on it.
July 21, 2022 @ 6:37 pm
Lyrics aren’t bad. Music is incredibly boring and sounds like Mumford and Sons or one of those other slit-your-wrists-and-bleed-out bands.
July 21, 2022 @ 7:07 pm
My take is that he is too ambitious right now. He needs a drug or alcohol problem or maybe a woman to slow him down to where he would be less prolific and more refined rather than recording and releasing whatever half-baked diddy he comes up with on the shitter.
July 21, 2022 @ 9:00 pm
What got him here was cueing up a mic, belting songs out, and releasing them willy nilly, and ASAP. That method has got him farther than any other non radio-supported country artist in our lifetimes or anyone else’s. At the beginning I made similar suggestions. Now I understand this would likely throttle his ascent, and kill the magic behind his music.
July 29, 2022 @ 11:25 am
Is there really magic behind his music?
I don’t think he’s all that special
July 21, 2022 @ 8:37 pm
Oh my gosh. The negative comments are hard to comprehend. This kid is tearing it up. And the young generation is responding…organically and at grass roots. Great stuff. And it keeps on coming. Great review Trig. Only disagreement is it should have been a 9 and not and 8.3 (hardly worth quibbling though). Seriously, what a talent.
July 21, 2022 @ 10:02 pm
All I can say for Zach is that I moved to Detroit, got excited as he** that he was playing here, and then couldn’t buy tickets because they were already sold out. If random Michiganders are buying out his shows before his first studio album, he’s really tapped into something special.
July 22, 2022 @ 4:19 am
have you been robbed yet?
July 22, 2022 @ 4:09 am
This may or may not be good. I’m still overloaded from the last album, so haven’t given this much more than a cursory listen. Zach has been successful so far with his approach, but you have to wonder if he shouldn’t have just canned some of these songs for later when he might want to take a break and spend time with the family as he says.
July 22, 2022 @ 4:11 am
‘Some love to point out that Zach Bryan really isn’t that “country.”’
I thought this website was called “Saving Country Music” lmao
July 22, 2022 @ 8:09 am
Zach Bryan is most absolutely saving country music. A young man massively appealing to young audiences with heartfelt, under-produced songs prominently featuring fiddle and banjo whose been at or near the very top of both the mainstream albums and singles charts since May is most certainly shaking up the mainstream order, and returning roots and substance to the genre.
Is Zach Bryan’s music stereotypical, straight down the middle George Strait country? Of course not. Both things can be true.
July 23, 2022 @ 3:04 pm
I have seen you in other context crusading about a token fiddle or banjo not making an artist or a song, “country.”
With ZB it’s counts in favor of making it “country” but out the other side of your mouth you admit that it definitely isn’t “country”
Yet it’s somehow saving “country”
I’m not trying to be pedantic, it’s just truly hard to follow the logic. And I’m not convinced that country music ever really needed saving in the first place, especially if an admittedly non county artist is saving it. What would it take for country music to be totally and completely “saved” in your estimation? Or is it just the self licking ice cream cone that it seems to be?
July 23, 2022 @ 5:49 pm
A lot going on here.
First, the banjo (and fiddle) on this album is in no way “token banjo.” That is when you take a EDM/hip-hop/pop song, and put a banjo on top of it to justify calling it country. That’s not what’s happening here at all. The banjo and fiddle are primary elements to the music.
I hope we can be capable of a nuanced discussion. You can admit that a song, album, or artists is not straight-down-the-middle country, but still say it’s has enough country elements to qualify, or is more country than anything else. Again, Zach Bryan is a singer/songwriter that incorporates country elements into his music. I have absolutely no problem with someone calling him country, or him appearing on the country charts. But I’m also willing to admit that he’s not “bulls-eye” country. Please don’t try to use that concession to try and undermine the entire premise of this website.
No, country music will never be “saved.” It is an ongoing effort that was going before I was born, before this website was started, and will continue when I’m dust and this website is rendered obsolete by web 3.0.
If you want to read more about this:
https://savingcountrymusic.com/how-saving-country-music-got-its-name/
July 22, 2022 @ 11:00 am
Seriously, he’s truly talented. But aside from the first couple of songs that he released he has nothing original to say. He plagiarizes tired stories and images. I live in rural America. There are a shit-ton of heartbreaking, transcendent stories to be told. This is lyrical cud chewing. I know he has the capacity to tell me something in a way that causes me to rethink myself, the way that real artists can. He either has no life experience or he’s phoning it in.
July 23, 2022 @ 7:41 pm
Craig, I’d argue that most songs are “plagiarized” at this point. No matter what heart breaking or transcendent stories are out there, most have been told by a musical artist. It’s impossible to hear every song but they are all out there. As a rural American who was worked on ranches, specifically during hay season, I can tell you he has to have some sort of experience.
“There’s a way the grass smells on a summer night, when it’s freshly cut, and the moisture’s right.
it’s night like these in the August heat, I think the devil’s just another boy I can beat.”
-Snow by Zach Bryan
I can promise you, as someone who has been able to detect this smell during hay season in Colorado in August around dusk he isn’t phoning it in. And if he is phoning it in he’s calling a damn good reference. It may not be an entire story but those lines hit me at my core. Keep it up ZB.
July 24, 2022 @ 10:35 am
Either you”get” Zach Bryan, or you don’t. If you get him, you pick up on these lines and references that are in so many of his songs, and have been since his debut “DeAnn.” If you don’t, they pass right under your nose unnoticed. He’s not a great singer. He doesn’t have a distinct sound. It’s these lines that have earned him such a huge a loyal audience. Some lines some of the audience picks up on, others it’s other lines. Not every song includes one, but enough do that they’ve fueled this Zach Bryan phenomenon, and created a very real connection with a massive audience.
July 22, 2022 @ 5:09 pm
Thumbs up, Craig.
Young people out here generally feel more Megadeth than Zach Bryan. If you play an acoustic guitar, you’re a campfire singer. You better blow down doors either with interesting vocal quality or the clear voice of experience. Poetry’s good, if you can manage it. Otherwise, either play us party music or die. No one is interested in success, which only a handful have. They’re interested in the truth. We’re all tired of lies. Sure we clap for anyone who’s giving it an honest try, but our arms remain folded.
Bring your A game and try to sing a melody we can feel and remember. Sound about right?
July 25, 2022 @ 5:32 am
“Bryan’s set was met with a standing ovation from the crowd and chants for an encore for nearly five minutes after his set ended that were unfortunately not met.”
It certainly reads like Zach Bryan should have been slotted ahead of Cody Jinks…
https://www.dispatch.com/story/entertainment/music/2022/07/24/buckeye-country-superfest-luke-combs-cody-jinks-perform-hits/10080909002/?fbclid=IwAR10wAXkxZWJPnmKwc9XJDh-x4v7C1fz3koCJH-fTpRzazJ9hy027z0Srpw
July 25, 2022 @ 7:45 am
I don’t have a problem with Cody Jinks playing after Zach Bryan at this point. Draw or not, there is something to be said about pecking orders and prestige in country music. Zach Bryan is still coming up, and Cody Jinks is well established. Perhaps next year at this time, that order will be reversed, but Bryan still is paying dues, and that’s how promoters see it. Now, Zach Bryan playing before Margo Price at Under The Big Sky, that was a bungle.
Cody Jinks sells out almost immediately in certain markets. The current tour he was on was all about trying to open up new markets for him in the mountain west and Midwest. A lot of these Texas guys get comfortable playing in the markets they know they can sell out, and don’t push themselves and develop a following beyond that. I think he’s doing fine. I also don’t think Cody is “anti labor” by any stretch. Just listen to his songs like “Somewhere in the Middle.” I just think he reacted to a sign on a door, and like everyone else who broaches politically sensitive subjects in the public space, probably could have expressed himself better, or thought a little deeper before reacting.
July 25, 2022 @ 8:07 am
Since I can’t be critical of the Turnpike Troubadours anymore, Jinks has been the subject of my angst.
July 25, 2022 @ 7:57 am
I didn’t get that takeaway from the article at all. The next line of the article and the 1st sentence under the Cody Jinks heading was: “The crowd began to pack in once the acts became bigger and bigger”. It seems this review intended to provide positive feedback on all acts. I would be interested in hearing/seeing how much a Luke Combs crowd knew about Cody and how/why Cody was able to get in this lineup.
July 25, 2022 @ 8:11 am
I think naturally no matter the pecking order the crowd was going to start packing it in closer to Luke Combs. The far majority was there to see Combs and tailgate (there are some epic tailgating pictures circulating).
The 5 minute encore stood out. Especially, since leading up to the concert a lot of Zach Bryan fans on social media were saying they were skipping this concert due to his low placement …. why spend festival ticket prices to get 30-40 minutes of an early Bryan set? I see that same sentiment being expressed about the Outlaw Fest too.
July 25, 2022 @ 9:59 am
There’s a lot of chatter and some photos swirling of Cody Jinks standing in front of that massive crowd like it was his draw. Great for Cody (and Zach) that they got to play in front of a crowd like that (60,000+). But we all know the vast majority of folks were there to see Luke Combs. Most fans would much rather see Cody and Zach in a more intimate setting than opening sets for Combs. It was a cool event though, and a good opportunity for both Cody and Zach.
July 25, 2022 @ 10:29 am
It was sent to me this morning via the FB page Outlaw Muse. I blasted them saying the post was “misleading, desperate and lame. And that’s the kind of shit that gives real journalists a bad name.” The post since has been taken down from Outlaw Muse’s FB page. For the record, I didn’t blame Jinks for this one.
July 25, 2022 @ 12:04 pm
Living 2 hrs from Columbus tickets to this show were an immediate no brainer purchase once I saw the announced lineup…. The storm that blew through earlier in the day pushed everything back and shortened sets. I personally wouldnt have minded at all if Bryan and Jinks got to split Marlowe’s time but maybe that’s just me. Both could’ve used more time.
Bryan gets mixed comments on here but for those that may net “get ZB” you probably ought to get used to seeing him around because he is the present and future. Much like reported about everywhere else the young crowd sung every word to every song and had the stadium eating out of the palm of his hands (young & old alike). He was really, really good & sometimes it is better to leave the crowd wanting more.
Jinks (my primary reason for going) playing to a full stadium was awesome, & plenty in the crowd were singing along to him as well. Definitely a different vibe than his smaller theater shows, but still great energy and sound awesome. Will be seeing him in a small venue in a few weeks. He played a solid set list but even with a full show there is always stuff I would’ve wanted to here him play. More people getting to hear him is a good thing without a doubt.
Combs may or may not be the best Nashville guy for SCM anymore idk but man is he some kind of performer. Like him or not you know the songs and he blew the place up for 2hrs. His show is worth seeing. Overall was a great event. My 5 cents worth…
July 25, 2022 @ 10:15 am
Yea, this EP ain’t worth the salt it takes to feed it in my opinion. ZB is talented in his own right and I like a lot of his stuff but the EP sounded like he regurgitated most of the stuff from AH. I’m not entirely sure why he has as much appeal rn than guys like Charles Wesley Godwin. CWG’s output is insanely good I’d you ask me…and I’m in that same demographic that is falling all over themselves for ZB atm.
July 26, 2022 @ 10:00 am
Living abroad ( Spain, Europe ). Close to my 50’s…..f*u*k**g jealous to read that many kids in the US are enjoying this guy as over here youngsters are all about trap, reagetton and other soulless “music”. Just by thinking that because Zach some of these kids might want to dig into the country genre, discovering new & old bands… I think its worth it, even if you dislike him in particular.
I’m not a Country music expert. More into rock….but I have been enjoying Zach and Tony Logue’s records a lot for the last couple of months. And How the Mighty Fall was my fav one last year…..Thanks to this site !!!
July 29, 2022 @ 11:34 am
I have all Of Cody Jinks albums and zero of Luke Combs…. This place gets a wierd fascination with Combs when the dude is Nashville manufacturerd that is no better then the rest of the shitty mainstream acts out there
July 29, 2022 @ 11:37 am
Luke Combs is most definitely better than Sam Hunt, Florida Georgia Line, Walker Hayes, etc., and it’s not even close. It’s okay to still not like his music or mainstream country in general, and draw that distinction.