CD Reviews- Zac Brown Band- You Get What You Give

The Background:
Zac Brown Band's second major label studio album, You Get What You Give (Atlantic/Southern Ground Artists, Inc.), was released this last week and features guest appearances by Alan Jackson and Jimmy Buffett. As Zac explained to Associated Press, "It's a defining record...Every step of it's done the right way and I expect people are really going to love this record and see the depth of our musicianship, we're always growing. Not that we've arrived at any grand finale or anything, but the progress from this last record to this one, it's tremendous and I'm proud of it."

The band has received five CMA Awards nominations including "Entertainer of the Year." Previous honors and accolades include their GRAMMY win for "Best New Artist," "Top New Vocal Group" from the Academy of Country Music Awards and "Breakthrough Video of the Year" from CMT and USA Weekend.

The Review:
Once upon a time, 1979 to be exact, there was a group of musicians from the south that hit the country music scene and took the genre in new directions while reaching out to an incredibly diverse fan base. Many of those fans had never before listened to country music. The group was Alabama. With a vibrant stage energy, full group harmony choruses, an everyman appeal and casual, working-class attire, the group presented a new youthful image and changed the country music marketplace forever. Without ever leaving their country roots, Alabama drew in fans of rock, southern rock, pop and classic country. In addition, the group's soulful ballads stirred emotions in women of all ages.

Thirty years later, the Zac Brown Band has embodied the same method of success and taken that same recipe for success and made it their own. While You Get What You Give may only be their sophomore major label album, we are watching history in the making. Another band of gargantuan musicianship skill-set and beautiful harmonies is etching itself permanently on the country landscape.

Georgia native Zac Brown pushes a carefree country mentality. While he’s a proponent of a prominent fiddle throughout the album and hosts pedal steel guitar, he’s not afraid to draw on- and draw on well- from other genres including reggae (such as the breezy singalongs Jimmy Buffett duet “Knee Deep”) or Southern-rock (like the nine minute jam of “Who Knows”).

Perhaps the best song on the album- perhaps the entire year- is the powerful and haunting ballad, "Colder Weather." It begins with an amazing piano melody, tells a story from a hauntingly sorrowful perspective, and captures their trademark harmonies beautifully. The lyrics are deep as hell:

"She'd trade Colorado if he'd take her with him,
Closes the door before the winter lets the cold in,
And wonders if her love is strong enough to make him stay,
She's answered by the tail lights
Shining through the window pane."

What the listener is left with is a heartbreaking tale that is part love story, part heartbreak and all great storytelling. The ballad “Cold Hearted” is another great emotional turmoil in song- a passionate plea for bad things to happen to an ex.

Escapism is common as a theme throughout the album with three beach themed tracks. It also captures the essence of their live shows as well, however. Musicianship through numerous solos across the entire record are woven in deeply with the albums fabric. ZBB has even included a fantastic track called “Martin,” a dedication to his beloved style of guitar. They’ve added two additional players since The Foundation was recorded and it results in a richer, fuller and more robust sound. Brown stretches himself on vocals as well. On tracks such as “Quiet Your Mind,” his greater vocal range and higher notes give the songs more passion and intensity. And therein lies the paradox that makes the album so unique and special. The music is about not caring about the world while they’re playing their instruments like the world depends on it.

You Get What You Give is the current best album of the year- music at its very best. While it’s country at heart and soul, it borrows the better qualities from several different genres. There are few comparisons to their peers in country music as it’s done in a style that is fresh and unique nearly on every track. You Get What You Give is also the very first album this three year old site has ever given a perfect five out of five to. It’s pure country music bliss.

Sounds Like:
Dave Mathews Band instrumentation with Alabama vocals

Track Highlights (suggested iPod adds):
I Play The Road
Cold Hearted
Quiet Your Mind
Colder Weather
As She’s Walking Away
Martin

The Verdict:
Five Stars Out Of Five