Album Review – Flatland Cavalry’s “Welcome to Countryland”
It was time.
Flatland Cavalry from Lubbock, TX blazed onto the scene with their debut album Humble Folks from 2016, and had many in Texas music, Red Dirt and beyond singing their praises, and seeing the youthful country rock sound underpinned by earnest songwriting that made a band like the Turnpike Troubadours so unique and resonant becoming communicable now to a new generation of promising artists.
Flatland’s auspicious debut and wide acceptance early on was good, even if it was all a little early. At the time, the principal members of Flatland Cavalry were still in college. So touring was mostly regional, and sporadic. But they’d set a strong foundation for themselves moving forward. And when the sun had set on their college days, they could reap the rewards.
Then came their second album Homeland Insecurity. It had some really good songs on it, but in certain respects it felt like a misfire. The mixing was a little strange. They didn’t really known what to do with the audio signal of singer, songwriter, and frontman Cleto Cordero. It was a sophomore album with some freshman mistakes. And when original fiddle player Laura Jane Houle left the band right before the release, she took a unique wrinkle that made Flatland a bit more interesting than just another gaggle of dudes in a country band.
So for Flatland to live up to the original hype, appeal, and comparisons they garnered upon their debut, they needed to deliver here with their third record, or they could be one of those bands that’s hot off the line, but never really blossoms as anticipated. Early signs were promising. The band signed with the same management team as Luke Combs. Seasoned producer Jake Gear was brought on board. Instead of solely relying on Cleto Cordero’s pen, some other songwriters were commissioned to help polish up his ideas.
Welcome to Countryland is a worthy introduction and a resounding pronouncement for an important band coming into their own. It’s a step up, a stepping out, and an effort worthy of the buzz and adulation Flatland has been garnering for five years now. Well-written and executed, heartfelt, touching, and honest, it’s an album that doesn’t attempt to barrel you over with emotions, but works to reset your priorities and perspective in a roiled time. And perhaps most expressively, it is country.
Flatland Cavalry was always a country band. But for this effort, they dial up their country roots even more. They’re not here to pass judgement on the country cred of anyone else. As they proclaim in the first song “Country is what country means to you.” It’s just to them, country means pounding bass drum, prominent fiddle, and harmonica and steel guitar added on top of their native sound to really bring the twang to this record.
You still have a few of the country rock growlers, like “A Cowboy Knows How” co-written by Luke Combs, “No Ace in the Hole,” or the story of temptation in “Dancin’ Around A Fire.” These are songs that will render great during Flatland’s live shows. But primarily, the Countryland that Flatland Cavalry presents is a place where troubles melt away, appreciation is shared, and thankfulness is given, especially for the others that have come into your life.
You can’t help but feel how the love Cleto Cordero has found for fellow songwriter, performer, and now wife Kaitlin Butts comprises much of the muse for Welcome to Countryland, and Kaitlin’s occasional appearances on harmony lines help compliment those sentiments, while similar to fiddler Laura Jane previously, Kaitlin helps give a legitimacy and coolness to the band like only women in music can do. Hailey Whitters (who is married to producer Jake Gear) also appears on the final track, “…Meantime.”
Cleto Cordero is not the troubled soul like Evan Felker, or the rock star with the mug shots and priors to prove like Koe Wetzel. But these aren’t requisites to being a good front man, or writing good songs. Cordero’s no stellar or unique singer either. But the attribute that Cleto taps into on this record is his talent at setting a mood. The quieter he gets here, the more you hear and feel what he has to say.
When Cleto coos his appreciation out for Kaitlin in “Life Without You,” or conveys the message of slowing it all down in “Tilt Your Chair Back” and “…Meantime,” or surprises you with the imaginative and evocative “Fallen Star,” it’s hard to not get lost in the poetry and moments.
Welcome to Countryland isn’t perfect. A couple of the harder songs still seem to not get the levels on the guitar where you would expect them to be for the track to punch. The song “Gettin’ By” feels a bit too close to “Somewhere in the Middle” by Cody Jinks to impact like it should. But there’s no unforced errors here, and the effort feels like it’s at 100%.
Flatland Cavalry sunk their heart into this record, and even if they’re not your thing, you still feel and respect their effort and earnestness by the end. It doesn’t feel like a stretch to declare Welcome to Countryland an arrival for a band that’s already been beloved by many for years now.
8.5/10
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Joe Mama
July 2, 2021 @ 8:16 am
Didn’t realize this already released. Can’t wait to check it out!
Shawn tackett
July 2, 2021 @ 8:21 am
like this group. they really have a good sound. hope to hear more of their music soon.
TK
July 2, 2021 @ 9:44 am
Curious what the misfires on Homeland Insecurity were? I felt like Homeland Insecurity was a tremendous sophomore album and showed a ton of growth. Reminiscent of Turnpike’s 1st true album vs. Diamonds and Gasoline…the latter cementing their status as a force.
I hear a lot of kick drum on this album that appears very Turnpike-esque…which is a good thing.
I am liking what I am hearing and I like that they still believe in albums that hang together in terms of thematics and production. Some (Randall King ahem) need to get to releasing a full album rather than teasing us with badass singles.
Trigger
July 2, 2021 @ 11:58 am
As part of reviewing this record, I went back and listened to “Homeland Insecurity,” read my review, as well as the comments. Especially after listening to this new record, I feel like some of the mixing and production of that album just didn’t rise to the quality of the songs, and reading the comments, it didn’t seem like I was alone. Doesn’t mean you can’t listen through that stuff and I still gave that album a high grade (8/10). But I just think this album removes all of those concerns.
Andrew
July 2, 2021 @ 8:30 pm
The songwriting is not in the same tier as Turnpike
Trigger
July 2, 2021 @ 9:12 pm
That’s a really, really high bar though.
Jake Cutter
July 2, 2021 @ 10:43 am
I always respected their “effort and earnestness” but had some similar issues to the ones you pointed out. Happy to give this one a shot based on your review, and the 2 songs here.
albert
July 2, 2021 @ 10:51 am
i’m late to the flatland cavalry party . if these tracks are any indication of what I’ve been missing , i’ve got some catching up to do . this is really something special , to my ear . this is what ‘modern country’ SHOULD sound like . this is what zak brown SHOULD have evolved into . i can hear both musgraves and merle in this …and yet these folks have a character all their own . loving the arrangements and the production and the unique vocals …..all audible , clean , melodic with just enough but not too much sophistication ( mike and the moonpies ? ) yup ….THIS should be where COUNTRY music went to and this should be the sound of mainstream country radio , IMHO . this gives a songwriter a reason to get up every morning and not feel like he’s simply punching in to punch out rivets on the label assembly line .
karl
July 2, 2021 @ 1:09 pm
Check out Tall City Blues and Coyote from the first album. I was hooked by those two songs.
Cameron H
July 4, 2021 @ 8:40 pm
“Stompin’ Grounds” “Come Back Down” “Years From Now” “Devil Off My Back” and “Traveler’s Song” are my personal favorites from their earlier albums.
Sparky
July 6, 2021 @ 12:14 pm
Life where we work out is my favorite. But all of the above are awesome.
Terry
July 2, 2021 @ 11:29 am
There just isn’t enough time in the day to listen to all this good music from Flatland Calvary, Alan Jackson, Vincent Neil Emerson, etc. Just great stuff!!
Cody
July 2, 2021 @ 11:38 am
Lots of good releases today! This album along with new songs from Randall King and Midland.
Jbird
July 2, 2021 @ 11:49 am
Luke Combs co-wrote a song? That’s one hell of a red flag….
Tyler Pappas
July 2, 2021 @ 6:49 pm
Wow. I guess I thought Flatland Calvary were more popular on here than I thought but only 10 comments. I really liked the album. Won’t be my favorite album this year but I’m really happy for new music plus Mike & Moonpies album in august
Andrew
July 2, 2021 @ 8:28 pm
Flatland’s success is so promising for the country music ecosystem. Good album, but something’s missing for me — maybe it’s me and my more advanced stage in life. I’m sure I would have loved it at 22.
Blaup
July 2, 2021 @ 9:27 pm
I’m amazed these guys made a song like ‘Tilt Your Chair Back’ in their 20s. This album is incredible. Seeing them in a few weeks and just can’t wait.
Jerseyboy
July 3, 2021 @ 4:46 am
Check them out on Youtube, its a full show broadcast early spring for Texas Tech’s Lubbock Lights Event. Its a good chance to hear them if you havent seen them live.
JB-Chicago
July 6, 2021 @ 8:28 pm
That video was incredible!!! Had a great time watching it tonight especially with the intimate interviews……. I love these guys even more now.
Scott S.
July 3, 2021 @ 5:43 am
I’m really liking this album. The singles released had really gotten my excitement up, and I think the rest of the album delivered. One of my favorites so far this year. Thanks.
618creekrat
July 3, 2021 @ 7:32 am
Listening to “Some Things Never Change” a couple months back, I had my misgivings about the sonics, but looking at a single facet of a diamond doesn’t tell the whole story. In the context of the album, it sounds good.
This album is a nice step forwards for the band, and it’s just a really pleasant trip from start to finish. I’d liken it to a day in the lower 80’s, 75% sunny, and nothing more pressing to do than to saddle up and ride southward from the rolling farms down through the Shawnee hills, before turning westward and returning back up the river road.
Oh, “Off Broadway” is named after one of the St Louis music venues most frequented by the Red Dirt bands. It’s about half a mile SW of Anheuser-Busch, and right across the street from the Lemp Brewery complex, which once rivaled A-B.
Jerseyboy
July 3, 2021 @ 12:49 pm
The more I listen to this album, the more I like it and I don’t need much convincing, all the songs are really great and relaxing to some degree as 618creekrat describes.
They were the last band I saw live back in early 2020, in NYC and they were really starting to hit their stride, and now with a lot of hard work during the last year have put out a great collection of songs.
Wish they would come up to NYC again soon, but until it’s a bit more tame, I’d stay away, sadly.
Happy 4th everyone, enjoy the holiday and rest assured, we still live in the best country on earth!
JB-Chicago
July 4, 2021 @ 1:24 pm
I’ve been immersed in this album for the last 3 days and I can’t stop playing it. It’s amazing how it grows on you more with each listen. Everything just flows nicely weaving with variety and textures throughout the music. Cleto and the boys exceeded expectations. Knocked it out of the park. Thanks Jerseyboy for the heads up on that video it’ll be great for couch concert night here at the JB mansion!!!
Don
July 5, 2021 @ 6:35 am
Very Good!!!!
Banjo King
July 6, 2021 @ 6:19 am
I can just picture Grady Smith reading this and shaking his head at the “not a unique singer” part lol. I know how much he loves the band and Cleto in particular. Looking forward to giving this album a try. I like a few songs by them but have never been able to really get into them.
Bill Wilson
July 7, 2021 @ 10:49 pm
Great album,one of the years best in my opinion.
thebugman10
July 8, 2021 @ 11:43 am
I’ll give it a few more listens, but I was underwhelmed. I thought “Homeland Insecurity” and “Humble Folks” were better.
Jeff S
July 16, 2021 @ 6:44 am
Nice album. I prefer the latter half. For me, most of the keepers are the slower paced songs (with the exception of Daydreamer – a great hum along).
Carol S.
September 30, 2022 @ 6:32 pm
Excellent review. I know their earlier music, love it, going to see them in Knoxville. Saw the setlist, checked out this album from 2022 from your fabulous review. Learned a lot about a great band!