Review – Josh Abbott Band’s “I’ll Sing About Mine”
The Josh Abbott Band from Texas lends its perspective to the modern country music laundry list song in their new single and video called “I’ll Sing About Mine” from the album Small Town Family Dream.
Written by Adam Hood and Brian Keane, I’d heard this song before and had a very favorable reaction to it, but what really puts “I’ll Sing About Mine” in a whole new category for anti-pop country songs is the video that was just released today. As bad as the songs are that these new school country music videos create a backdrop for, the videos themselves causes even more cultural corrosion by portraying an adulterated view of the true rural people trying to hold on to their agrarian identity.
The songs and videos for offerings like Dustin Lynch’s “She Cranks My Tractor,” Luke Bryan’s “Country Girl (Shake It For Me),” and Bucky Covington / Shooter Jennings “Drinking Side of Country” are more akin to rap and rock videos, with buxom women responding to casting calls on college boards located in cities to come out and over-glorify rural life as some endless party. As if authentic rural people don’t have it hard enough with flat brimmed baseball caps infiltrating their high schools and trailer parks on the edge of town getting eaten up with meth. Now their culture is being misrepresented by outsiders in an attempt to monetize it and sell it to listeners in the suburbs and cities.
The best part about Josh Abbott’s “I’ll Sing About Mine” video is the faces of the people. I’ll guaran-damn-tee you all of these people are real folks from real places. What’s even better is these scenes they’re in are the same scenes you see in pop country videos–the back of pickup trucks, out on the farm, on a tractor or 4-wheeler, at a football game. But the scenes are 100% real. These people are so ragingly authentic and their faces tell such gripping stories, you want to take every single one of them and put them in your pocket so you can feel the honest, simple goodness in their souls all day long. If a picture is worth 1,000 words, then a face is worth a million.
Bare midriffs, buxom gyrations, and badass cars are no match for the curves and character of a real country face served cold. Neither is the caricaturish, shallow, and materialistic portrayal of rural life in pop country compared to the sense of family and community, and the fulfillment of hard work that accompanies true country living. Now that is something to be envious of.
The other great thing about “I’ll Sing About Mine” is the non-judgmental, even-keeled manner with which it delivers its message. It takes a lot of patience and a lot of heart to say what this song says without flying off the handle or flipping birds. It makes its point with as few pointed words as possible. This is something that I could never pull off, yet it inspires me to try and learn to. It understands that really, few words need to be said, because deep down every human knows what’s real and what isn’t. They just have to be reminded, and then the awesome momentum of truth will do the rest.
And at the heart of the song, it is simply telling a story. And most importantly, it’s enjoyable to listen to. I can’t say enough about “I’ll Sing About Mine.”
Two guns way up!
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
Purchase “I’ll Sing About Mine” from Amazon
January 21, 2013 @ 2:11 pm
Nice write up! I enjoy this band even though they lean more towards the pop country side of things rather than the punk alt. country/bluegrass side of country that most of those on this website tend to lean to including myself. I’ve seen these guys perform in Nashville and have some solid songs.
January 21, 2013 @ 2:39 pm
A good song erodes all prejudices cut along predisposed lines of how people identify themselves through music. Sonically, this song may not be one that would normally appeal to me. But because the message is so poignant, the music appeals to me as well. If someone doesn’t want to get into it because of their perception of who they are as a music listener or what The Josh Abbott band might be, then they’re limiting their musical experience.
January 21, 2013 @ 2:42 pm
I like it. It’s a different approach and I’m shocked CMT is carrying it. It’s an honest song from a pretty unassuming artist. Meaning, I don’t think many would expect a guy like this to take the shots he does, and although he isn’t dropping F bombs and flipping the bird, he is cutting right down to a personal level.
It is very clear who it is directed at, no mixing words in the chorus and the line about “Springsteen”.
I don’t know that he is taking on all of pop-country but he is taking it to those that make it sound like a day in the life is, you work for a couple hours on your tan, then it’s clean up for the club and romance a girl on the tractor, day in and day out. That certainly is Luke Bryan, Chruch, Aldean, Gilbert.
January 21, 2013 @ 3:57 pm
I was surprised it takes a pretty direct shot at Eric Church. He’s a pretty easy target these days because he seems to be so universally hated amongst many artists, despite his very large and loyal fan base. There’s a good chance Shooter Jennings’ “Outlaw You” is also about Eric.
I totally understand the anti-Eric sentiment for all of his comments and actions off stage, and though I don’t consider myself a fan personally, there is much worse music out there. It just goes to show that when you start slinging mud, it opens the door to have it slung back at you.
On a side note, I was up until 2:30 last night working on an article that goes into the history of the anti-pop, anti-Nashville song, including what I hope to be a mostly complete list of them over the years. I think this ranks right up there with some of the best, just because it takes a much more laid back attitude to it.
January 21, 2013 @ 5:37 pm
Well I very highly doubt the Springsteen line could be referencing Eric Church. In fact it most definitely couldn’t considering that the original version of the song was released in 2010 by Brian Keane. The song Springsteen was on Eric’s Chief album which came out during the summer of 2011.
January 21, 2013 @ 5:45 pm
Interesting. So it’s just referencing Springsteen himself?
January 21, 2013 @ 6:26 pm
Here is a link to an interview with the Josh Abbott Band and the original writers about the song from last October. Pretty much explains the whole thing and says the “tractors ain’t sexy” part was directed originally toward Jason Aldean. http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/photos/pdf/2012/Cmw1025.pdf
August 16, 2013 @ 11:51 am
Late to this post, (just saw it linked from the Wade Bowen piece) but I think it could have been Rodney Atkins “It’s America”
” It’s a high school prom, it’s a Springsteen song, it’s a ride in a Chevrolet
It’s a man on the moon and fireflies in June and kids sellin’ lemonade
It’s cities and farms, it’s open arms, one nation under God
It’s America”
January 21, 2013 @ 3:03 pm
on a side note which pertains to this article. I’ve watched this new show on CMT called Buck Wild lately. It seems they are trying to create a country version of Jersey Shore. All of the episodes so far show West Virginia 20 year olds cutting out early on their lawn mower jobs, tearing up jacked up pickup trucks that their parents probably bought for them, partying/drinking, fighting with each other/neighbors/ parents, girls without hesitating going topless or running around naked, sleeping around, etc. I’m not that old, but it makes me wonder if that’s the way young people really are nowadays. Don’t people care anymore about morals and how others view them? They look up to these people and think this is the way to act. I’ll admit I find it kinda amusing but I personally understand that this isn’t real life.
January 21, 2013 @ 3:11 pm
http://hellogiggles.com/is-mtvs-buckwild-the-new-jersey-shore
January 21, 2013 @ 5:07 pm
Viacom: Purveyors of Cultural Filth
https://savingcountrymusic.com/viacom-purveyors-of-cultural-filth
March 14, 2016 @ 10:13 am
Yes it is. Sadly, my generation in general thinks they can do whatever they want without consequence.
January 21, 2013 @ 3:30 pm
Great review and incredible video. Although I prefer Adam Hood’s version of the song, Josh Abbott’s is amazing as well. Josh Abbott’s most recent album has more of a mainstream feel to it, but lyrically it’s 10x better than the nonsense played on country radio. With Kacey Musgraves’ Merry Go ‘Round blowin’ up mainstream radio, it would be incredible for this song to make a push for the top 20 as well. Keep up the good work!
January 21, 2013 @ 3:55 pm
Good video but written by Adam Hood and Brian Keane
January 21, 2013 @ 4:01 pm
Thanks, that was added above to stave off any confusion!
January 21, 2013 @ 4:02 pm
The song has a good message, but the music/singing is a bit too pop country for my taste.
As far as the video goes, I know what you mean by the people being authentic. However I think a better example would be this video from Jakob Dylan: http://youtu.be/-m_SPZh2-wY
January 21, 2013 @ 4:47 pm
Thanks for the write-up and for bringing attention to this great song and video–when I see it in the morning rotation on CMT (the only time I watch it all day), then we’ll have made some progress—most mornings, the commercials are better than what they play.
Brian Keane also has a version of the song on his album, 90 Miles an Hour.
January 21, 2013 @ 7:23 pm
Overproduced and unoriginal in sound, but authentic in message. I’d rather read the lyrics.
January 26, 2013 @ 5:24 pm
Brian Keane’s version of it is better. I don’t dislike JAB’s version, but it’s unnecessary at best and doesn’t sound quite right to me. Probably because it’s a little more polished.
January 21, 2013 @ 7:30 pm
“Tractors ain’t sexy…” Cute. 😀
I like the message of this song. Instead of dishing out countrier-than-thou attitude while selling cliche` images, it’s better to just be honest about where you’re coming from.
Nice sound, too — almost a ’90s feel to it, fresh and energetic with winsome vocals.
January 21, 2013 @ 11:04 pm
Beautiful song and video.
I am increasingly becoming a fan of Texas country music. There are two defining features in that genre that truly appeal to me:
1) the mixing of country and soft, melodic rock (my two favorite genres), although I can see why the rock aspect may turn off some classic country fans
2) the deep, soulful storytelling-based songwriting
Of all the types of independent country I’ve heard so far on this site, Texas country is probably at the very top in musical quality as far as I’m concerned, matched only by Appalachian-inspired music in the mold of The Anderson Family or The Foghorn Stringband.
January 22, 2013 @ 2:40 pm
I agree, Eric.
I far prefer, and I always have preferred, Texas country music over music coming out of Nashville.
While you can occasionally find some authentic artists who record in Nashville, your chances are much better with most music coming out of Texas.
The first country music I listened to was Jerry Jeff Walker and my lifelong passion for real country eminated from him and his Texas roots.
I spend a lot of time in Nashville and in Memphis and both of them use their (long since depleted) musical tradition as an urban marketing ploy.
Nashville represents counntry music’s past, but Texas represents its future.
January 21, 2013 @ 11:33 pm
I’ll admit I have never been a fan of Josh Abbott, I always felt they had a pop-twang to them that made every bleached-wrangler college frat boy act all big and country. BUT i do like the message of this song, and have been giving JAB a chance. Maybe im to judgmental but I’ll stick with Corb Lund for the time being.
January 22, 2013 @ 2:25 am
Not even a good video can save a song like this. And really, the fact that we are talking about the VIDEO of a SONG….Uhh, what about just the song??? Like back before songs could be good…cuz they had a good video….
Come on man, just more of the same Pop country shite.
It just doesn’t seem to end.
I fear the list of lousy bands like this is long.
“I can”™t say enough about “I”™ll Sing About Mine.”…like seriously?
I gonna chalk this up to ” you hit your head ” Trigg
January 22, 2013 @ 11:04 pm
The struggle right now for Red Dirt is to figure out how to separate themselves from Music Row sonically, yet still compete with them in regards to accessibility. I think there’s a big struggle going on right now for the heart of Red Dirt, and this song falls right in that nexus. I completely agree that sonically this song is soft, but it’s the lyrics that sell me on it hook, line, and sinker. The video is just window dressing, but it’s some damn good window dressing.
January 22, 2013 @ 11:12 pm
Personally, I love the sonic structure of this song. I guess we just have different musical tastes, though.
January 22, 2013 @ 2:28 am
Oh ya,,,AND, its a Cover song….from way back in 2010!!!
January 22, 2013 @ 2:47 am
people need to take more shots at church,aldean,gilbert and luke bryan.
January 22, 2013 @ 5:35 am
The fact is that you can’t get Luke Bryan fans (for example) to even consider listening/buying/caring about what we here consider “good” country music by playing his songs and real country music songs side by side. The difference is too extreme and it’s an almost impossible transition. The only way for real country music to be respected en mass is through transition bands and songs like this one. I don’t love the sound at all, but I see it as an outstanding transition song for listeners of the untollerable to move just a liiiitle bit closer to the bright side!
January 22, 2013 @ 10:03 am
The most important thing is to let people know that they have a choice, and alternative to what they hear on mainstream radio. As soon as they know that, they will begin to make better choices.
January 22, 2013 @ 7:09 pm
So these guys are Not played on mainstream radio?
January 23, 2013 @ 12:27 am
No. They are rather soft, sure, but there’s good stuff on this album, and their prior too. I’ve only listened to two.
January 23, 2013 @ 8:39 pm
Wow Skelton, when exactly can I expect your album to drop? Quit your pompous comments, Josh Abbott is not soft. You sound like a hipster know it all. Get over yourself.
January 23, 2013 @ 1:35 am
I see, well thanks for the info.
I never listen to FM radio so I’m really out of the loop when it comes
to what is played.
I’ve had Sirius since 2005 and never looked back. Channel 60 Outlaw Country.
Only old school and current bands that play old school music…completely safe from
EVER hearing R Flatts, Chesney, T Keith, T Swift etc etc….
January 23, 2013 @ 7:28 pm
Thanks for introducing me to these guys. I love the song and the message. Pretty hard to believe this actually gets radio play. Texas country is definitely where it’s at. Just bought all 4 of Kevin Fowler’s albums, and a few Red Dirt compilations
January 23, 2013 @ 8:44 pm
I’m assuming that since you just bought Kevin Fowler’s albums you’ve never heard of Randy Rogers, Cory Morrow, Chris Knight, old school Pat Green, Roger Creager, the now defunct Cross Canadian Ragweed, Reckless Kelly, Micky and The Motorcars. Give them a try.
January 26, 2013 @ 5:36 pm
To add to Preston’s recommendations, also look into Bleu Edmondson, Hayes Carll, Jason Boland & the Stragglers (whom I know have been mentioned on this site before), Stoney LaRue, Adam Hood (also mentioned here recently), the Lost Immigrants, Wade Bowen, older Jack Ingram, Corb Lund (who is actually Canadian, but heard a lot on the Red Dirt scene), Joey Green, & maybe Charla Corn, though a lot of her stuff is poppy. And don’t forget the old masters like Guy Clark, Joe Ely, Gary P. Nunn and of course the godfather of them all, Ray Wylie Hubbard.
Even better if you want to develop your own tastes, hit up KFWR.com and stream the station for a while. They broadcast nothing but Texas country (well, and Miranda Lambert, for some damn reason) and are based out of Fort Worth. They were playing Keane’s version of this song when it came out, and it’s much better than JAB’s version.
January 27, 2013 @ 4:12 pm
I don’t dislike jab because they sound like “pop country”. They just end to have a bit more polish on the singles and carry a lot of the Texas/red dirt sound which doesnt have to be straight up old country. For guys like jab its the lyrical content that sounds nothing like pop country, even though musically it may sound skmilar to some. Even the “country” red dirt guys like Jason boland get into some rockin stuff. Good to see good music is getting noticed, I’m big on both sides. I like me some red dirt as much as I like the underground, traditional and roots guys.
February 15, 2013 @ 1:57 pm
This song rings true for real small town people. Today’s country is so out of hand with its “poppiness”, the artists have little idea of the way of life. However, I am a big Church fan as he writes all of his own songs and is very talented. I also feel his music is as close to the golden age of country music as we’ve seen in a long time. Artists such as Aldean, Bryan, Chesney, Mcgraw, Swift etc…are so far removed from country music they shouldn’t even be played on the radio
May 8, 2013 @ 6:31 pm
I totally bought this song a few months back after hearin on the radio a bunch