Album Review – Kane Brown’s “Experiment”
Kane Brown is not the worst thing happening in country music in 2018. It’s important to draw that distinction. Though many traditionalists and independent country fans love to lump anything emanating from a major label into the same refuse pile, it’s not only unfair, it’s unhelpful to the cause of lobbying for better music to permeate and thrive in the mainstream. You can’t save country music while completely avoiding the most popular arm of the genre, or burying your head in the sand to the problems that persist there, or failing to recognize the positive takeaways that can be had.
Sam Hunt, Mitchell “Bitches” Tenpenny, Walker Hays, and a host of other B-team country music pseudo stars with multiple #1’s on radio that 95% of Americans couldn’t pick out of a lineup, they form a line to the left of Kane Brown when it comes to the worst possible thing country music has to offer.
But that’s about where the compliments one can construct for Kane Brown give out, at least from an objective, informed viewpoint. That doesn’t mean that Kane Brown’s music isn’t any good. Clearly the guy has fans, and quite fervent ones. So there is something to the mass appeal that has put him in the position as the hottest thing in “country” music at the moment. But those fans aren’t fans of country music, at least not most of them. They’re fans of Kane Brown, and are fans of country only due to false association.
As crazy as it might sound, Luke Bryan’s latest album What Makes You Country is leagues better, and more country than Kane Brown’s Experiment. Same goes for Blake Shelton’s Texoma Shore. Jason Aldean’s Rearview Town? It’s still better than Experiment, and more importantly, the singles from these respective releases are better, and more country. Put Luke Bryan’s “Most People Are Good” against anything Kane’s released, or Blake Shelton’s “I Lived It,” or Jason Aldean’s “Drowns The Whiskey.”
Give Kane Brown and his handlers credit for being more savvy than most. They know how to deftly slip just enough country signifyers into the mix to throw otherwise intelligent journalists and even some smart fans off the scent of what’s really going on here, allowing Kane Brown to slip past the gatekeepers of the genre like sliding a guard dog a bone. The songs that will make it on the radio and in playlists, and the bulk of the music on Experiment is nothing more than fleeting, vacuous, unimaginative, safe, pallid American mass consumer generic entertainment, unremarkable and inconsequential to the greater culture aside from aiding its continuing slide and homogenization.
Yes, there’s a song on Experiment called “Short Skirt Weather” that’s surprisingly twangy and country. But it’s just one song, and far from the “traditional” offering some are making it. “Short Skirt Weather” is early 2000’s refried Blake Shelton at best. And not to be a prude, but the song figures out how to be more objectifying than most of the worst offenses of the entire Bro-Country era. You weigh this with the big radio single “Lose It” that works like the recitation of a date rape, and Kane Brown immediately raises the stakes as one of the most misogynistic artists in mainstream country at the moment.
The other false signifyer on the record is “American Bad Dream,” which of course has won vociferous praise from the politically-incited media for its progressiveness and anti-gun stance. Granted, it finds Kane going off the script quite a bit, which in itself is refreshing. But it’s 100% a hip-hop song, and Kane himself has said this song is not about gun control, it’s simply about awareness. That hasn’t stopped certain media members from using it for their own devices, similar to how they’ve recently twisted the words of Eric Church to make him an anti-gun Bernie Sanders supporter, misinterpreted the message of Carrie Underwood’s “The Bullet,” and other offenses. Brown sings, “Is it this messed up, or is it really reality?” in “American Bad Dream.” In this media environment where both sides skew the truth for their own selfish purposes, that’s a very good question.
“American Bad Dream” is probably not the best song on the record. From a written standpoint it’s “My Where I Come From.” This is more what we expect from country music, and even though Kane’s cadence kills the melody, and Dan Huff’s terrible production buries the magic, the spirit of the track endures. But “Where I Come From” doesn’t symbolize the overall style of Experiment either. The true story of the record is one generic, sappy, and subservient love song after another. The primary inspiration of Experiment was not to mix country and modern sounds like the explanation of the title reads, it was to record a love letter to Kane Brown’s new wife.
From “Good As You,” to “Homesick,” to “One Night Only” and “Live Forever,” Experiment is one maudlin love song after another. It’s just a shade away from Luther Vandross screw music. And if you wonder why Kane Brown concerts are 70% women, and 100% women in the front row, it’s because that’s who he’s singing to, as are many of “country” music’s newest male stars. If you want to know why there’s a dearth of support behind young female stars, look at the crowds and comments sections for anything having to do with Kane Brown.
The reason Kane Brown holds such appeal is because women want to fuck him. It’s Beatlemania. Dudes love to razz Kane Brown for being fuggly, but he has that bad boy appeal, and that’s what has won him such a wide and dedicated following. Kane Brown is a social media star with music as the side hustle. While most actual country artists were out there refining their chops in clubs and honky tonks, Kane Brown was hanging on Facebook and Instagram, posting videos where he could have been singing his ABC’s, and girls still would have clicked “like.” Add on top of that the spurious nature of his ascent, and you have yourself a social media superstar.
The media continues to attempt to interject race into the Kane Brown narrative, but if there’s one positive takeaway from Kane Brown’s success, it’s that it verifies that race won’t necessarily hold an artist back in the country mainstream of today, especially as fellow African American artist Jimmie Allen is finding success at the same time. But this idea that Experiment is “90’s country” as some have described, or a “mix of traditional country and R&B,” is patently false.
As Kane Brown endangers the traditions and sound of true country music, he does the same for the legacy of African Americans in the genre, who were important to formulating the roots of the music an artist like Kane Brown is ripping out of the ground by his reductive argument that his music is anything more than R&B with some buried banjo. Kane Brown isn’t an asset to the African American legacy in country music, he’s a danger to it, while working to undermine the attention and support for actual country music artists of African American descent.
What constitutes country music? To producer Dan Huff and other high-nosed media socialites who only know country from the outside looking in, a little bit of banjo and fiddle here and there does the trick. But how much of these things did you hear in the songs of Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, or Johnny Cash? Instrumentation can help turn a song country, but what comprises country music boils down more of a feel, and it’s one that Kane Brown only has in fleeting moments at best.
If you want to broach a discussion about what is not country, one easy instrumental marker is the present of electronic drums. In the final song of Experiment called “Lost In The Middle of Nowhere,” Kane Brown mentions in the first stanza, “808’s and pounding hearts.” The term “808” is slang for the Roland TR-808 drum machine that became the industry standard in the 80’s. Throughout Experiment, it’s not the occasional banjo or fiddle sound that makes it country, it’s rapid ticks of the drum machines, the hip-hop cadences, and the R&B style that make it conclusively not country. Rhythm and blues are not entirely foreign to the sound of country, but only when they’re incorporated with respect and country is still the predominant influence should it still be considered country. Otherwise, it is mislabeled.
Kane Brown is not country, and by insisting that he is, unnecessary conflict is created. Understand that many country fans would rather listen to a hip-hop, R&B, or pop record as opposed to Kane Brown, because at least that music will be authentic and honest, and genuine about its nature, as opposed to an aberration of the truth. That doesn’t mean there’s anything inherently wrong with Kane Brown’s music as a whole, it’s just that it’s being misidentified, leading to dissension and avoidable criticism. This is why Taylor Swift made the switch from country to pop. She was tired of deceiving about the nature of her music, and the significant and fair criticism this lent to.
Taken simply as pop music, Experiment is not terrible, and any troublesome elements are fleeting. Kane Brown can also be a good singer. We saw that in some of his early videos. But his delivery is regularly off here as style gets in the way of allowing sincerity to flow.
Despite theories to the contrary, true country fans don’t want conflict. They don’t want to wake up on Monday morning looking something to hate on. It’s just that country music means something to them beyond a simple form of entertainment. It’s their way of life. It’s how they find meaning in themselves, and stay grounded to their roots and ancestry. Kane Brown doesn’t just embody bad country music, he symbolizes the searing off of those roots, and the declaration of their irrelevancy, including for the African American artists in country and their fans. That’s why many oppose Kane Brown so vehemently, like they have Sam Hunt and Florida Georgia Line before.
No offense to Kane Brown, but he doesn’t belong. And for both country music and Kane Brown to grow, both should be honest about the nature of his music, and move on from each other. Then country can be free of Kane Brown, and Kane Brown can be free of the harsh criticism of his music of not being country.
Colter
November 26, 2018 @ 9:44 am
Oh and good choice on the neck tattoo kane. It makes you look really cool.
Dan
November 26, 2018 @ 10:10 am
He’s sooooo original.
Chris
November 26, 2018 @ 12:36 pm
Looking at that album cover I wouldn’t ever guess his music was being marketed as country. I might think it was Drake recording under a pseudonym.
D Ray White
November 26, 2018 @ 10:02 pm
Always wonder about idiots who can’t read Mandarin or Cantonese getting Chinese script neck tats. Every one of these douche nozzles has no idea if it says “strength”, “love”, or, more likely, “small penis”.
Fat Freddy's Cat
November 26, 2018 @ 9:58 am
I wonder why the girls think Brown is a “bad boy”? What, because he has tattoos? Meh, practically everyone has tattoos nowadays. The fact that I don’t almost makes me a rebel!
Hey Arnold
November 26, 2018 @ 11:27 am
Or maybe your fat cat is the true rebel?
Wait… cats… Freddy… are you ghost writing as Freddie Mercury?
Mercury… Mercury Lane album… Jimmie Allen?
Jimmie Allen to Darius Rucker… Hootie and the Blowfish.
Trying to connect this somehow to Kevin Bacon..
Fat Freddy's Cat
November 26, 2018 @ 1:15 pm
LOL Kevin Bacon has a band, The Bacon Brothers. That will probably do well enough.
Hey Arnold
November 26, 2018 @ 2:47 pm
Kevin Bacon was in Footloose, and Blake Shelton sang Footloose in the 2011 remake. Blake is friends with Darius. Soo Boom!!!! Rebel You & Freddie Mercury are beautifully connected to Kevin Bacon!!!
Weird ass thread….. Lol
Thomas Augeri
November 26, 2018 @ 10:17 am
I do legitimately love Homesick. It’s probably his most country sounding song and also fairly sincere and dignified.
BillieJo White
November 26, 2018 @ 10:35 am
You should be ashamed of yourself for writing such a degrading article about a genuine young man who is clearly country and writes and sings songs about his own life and if he wrote one out of love for his bride then so be it let him. Kane Brown is more sincere than some of us will ever be.
King Honky Of Crackershire
November 26, 2018 @ 11:09 am
BJ,
Does Kum N Go give your husband a discount on lottery tickets, since he works there?
Colter
November 26, 2018 @ 11:15 am
You should be ashamed of yourself for having such a low level of intelligence to think this douch is actually country.
Linda
November 26, 2018 @ 11:26 am
You know when you call people names, I wonder are you looking in the mirror as you type in your comment?
Colter
November 26, 2018 @ 11:30 am
Oh good comeback. That must be the adult version of “I know you are but what am I.”
Linda
November 26, 2018 @ 11:23 am
I agree, this thing about Kane Brown is all about his race. The majority of country music stars are white, and there in lies the problems they have with Kane Brown.
Colter
November 26, 2018 @ 11:33 am
It’s not about his race at all. It’s about him being a talentless hack who is hijacking the term “country”. Nothing about him or his music is country. But since you’re a fan of his you probably don’t have the mental capacity to understand that.
Linda
November 26, 2018 @ 12:11 pm
You really don’t know how to say anything w/o being obnoxious do you. Putting others down because you don’t agree with them shows your maturity.
Colter
November 26, 2018 @ 12:43 pm
And you really don’t know a thing about country music. You’re one of those people who are served up distractions and eats them with fries.
P. S. That distraction with fries part is a quote from an actual musical artist. I’m sure you’ve never heard it because you think this dipshit has quality music but if you can figure out who said it you should listen to his music instead. It will probably make you a smarter person and you’ll realize how untalented kane brown actually is.
Jamo
November 26, 2018 @ 11:03 pm
Calls people racist, degredes people for putting others down. Facepalm
Carw3
November 29, 2018 @ 9:13 am
You say this while calling people racist because they don’t like any artist you do. I’d ask if you see the irony, but I know the answer.
the pistolero was
November 26, 2018 @ 12:10 pm
I can only speak for myself, but I had no clue Kane Brown was mixed-race until his fans dragged race into the discussion.
Which, really, tells me all I need to know about his fan base.
Trigger
November 27, 2018 @ 11:04 am
There was a concerted effort by Kane Brown’s handlers and their willing accomplices in the media to paint anyone who my find his music disagreeable for any reason as racist from the very start of the release cycle of “Experiment.” As you can see from the reaction of certain fans, it has been effective, however misguided.
Chris
November 26, 2018 @ 12:42 pm
Oh good grief, this again. Did you even read the article? I’m assuming you did not.
tucker33585
November 26, 2018 @ 1:45 pm
If it were race then we would all hate Charley Crockett too
Rod Johnson
November 26, 2018 @ 6:30 pm
This thing about Lame Klown is about him not being country.
NCW
November 26, 2018 @ 7:38 pm
I really hope you looked in the mirror while you typed that and decided to play the race card where it didn’t need to be played.
Linda
November 26, 2018 @ 8:34 pm
The race card was played long before this, being dressed up as being about saving the country music genre. You speak to Kanes young fans as if they were nothing more than hormonal. That’s degrading and abusive and you should know better than that. If you want to get your point across you could try having some respect for other people who are not of the same mind set as you. Oddly enough you guys are good at promoting him even though your going about it in a negative way. God Bless All.
NCW
November 27, 2018 @ 2:37 am
I am going to say that I agree with you on one part of this. Bad publicity is good publicity as they say. Any time you can get your name out there good or bad is a win. Where I wholeheartedly disagree with you and take offense is when you blatantly interject race when his race wasn’t brought up. Then you claim it was veiled in hormonal kids and women. I call bullshit. People can disagree. Disagreements are not the basis for racism. They way you present it as racism makes me sick. Go back and look at past articles and reviews of anyone on this website and then come back when you’ve read those. You represent what is wrong with people today. Yes, this is a website that is entertaining and opinionated. Just because it doesn’t share your opinion doesn’t mean that the people are racist. It just means we don’t agree.
NCW
November 27, 2018 @ 4:40 am
And the more I read your comment the more pissed i get. “Saving country music genre” is not a thing. If you are accusing this website of somehow being racist, then it shows how ill informed you are. This website has promoted and defended those left out of the country music genre of all colors and gender.
Fat Freddy's Cat
November 27, 2018 @ 6:06 am
This website has embraced artists like Rhiannon Giddens.
Um…you DO know who Rhiannon Giddens is, right?
ScottG
November 27, 2018 @ 7:35 am
Keith Urban received a substantial amount of criticism on this site a couple weeks ago, pretty much along exactly the same lines. In the past so bas Sam Hunt and many other pop “country” artists. I can only assume you don’t realize that.
What do they all have in common? Bad, electronics, non-country MUSIC! I’ll join you in calling out racism when it shows up. But not liking KB doesn’t automatically make someone a racist. Just because you can’t understand why a decent amount of people don’t like him, doesn’t mean you need to interject a false narrative as to why. If you really want to know why, listen, a few times, to the albums that this website champions. You can easily find the best of lists. If you’re really not willing to try and understand why, then please don’t make snap judgement assumptions. That doesn’t help anyone.
Linda
November 27, 2018 @ 11:52 am
People on this thread are calling Kane Brown out of his name on this thread, that’s a stone throw away from calling him the “n” word. One person said they were getting and I quote “pissed off” because they didn’t like the tone the conversation was taking, well unfortunately that’s the way it goes in conversations, where people disagree. If you want to make your point, calling people names and bullying them, isn’t the best approach to get others to consider what your saying as valid. Stating the fact, that the majority of country singers are white is just that stating a fact. There is so much racism in this world, it in our government, the private sector. When people are calling others names, one questions what the motivation is to do so, and unfortunately more times that not, race us an underlying issue. Take Care and God Bless.
ScottG
November 27, 2018 @ 2:18 pm
Sorry I honestly don’t follow. What do you mean they are “calling him out of his name?” Maybe I’m out of touch but I have no idea what that means.
The Lucas Revens Band
November 29, 2018 @ 4:40 am
Linda are you saying it because his last name is brown? Is that the basis of your argument? Until reading these comments I had no idea he was black. Race has nothing to do with making bad music, plain and simple. People of all colours make good and bad music, he falls into the bad category regardless of race. God ain’t blessing shit here lady.
Jack Williams
November 27, 2018 @ 7:23 am
Linda, you do understand that you just insinuated that people who disagree with you on the topic of Kane Brown must be racist, don’t you? Tell us again how you love God.
ScottG
November 26, 2018 @ 12:04 pm
“Kane Brown is more sincere than some of us will ever be.”
Even if that’s true, does it make it good? I’m pretty sincere about taking a shit in about an hour from now…do you want an audio recording of that? Also, why do all you fans keep talking about that, and how “blessed” he is? He could be a great, sincere guy, but what does that have to do with not liking his music?
Fat Freddy's Cat
November 27, 2018 @ 6:08 am
It means that the Great Pumpkin will appear in his pumpkin patch! 😉
The Original WTF Guy
November 26, 2018 @ 1:10 pm
This brilliant sarcasm. Right? Hey! Hello? Right?
Melissa
November 26, 2018 @ 10:39 am
I was recently at a family member’s house & they had The Voice on when Kane was performing (I don’t watch the Voice on my own!). I didn’t realize he was who was signing and thought it was just pop music that I was tuning out.. I got irritated when the show referred to him as country star Kane Brown. shameful
Shannon Derita
November 26, 2018 @ 10:50 am
Haters always will be haters
He is 100% country I have both albums love every song you can post whatever y’all like he will forever rise above the negativity because he is too blessed his music has been a blessing in my life his songs are genuine and pure he has a good heart and he has his family and beautiful wife and devoted fans keep hating he will keep rising
J
November 26, 2018 @ 11:12 am
Uh oh. Here comes the little kane brown fan girls. And by that I mean 40 year old women with the “let me speak to your manager” haircut.
King Honky Of Crackershire
November 26, 2018 @ 11:14 am
Dang Shannon, I’m jealous. I’ll bet Randy brings home a free 16 piece bucket at least twice a week. Sure, it’s leftover from his shift, but it’s free. You’re so lucky.
tucker33585
November 26, 2018 @ 1:48 pm
Liking something doesn’t make it country. I love a lot of alternative artists but it doesn’t make them country
Paddleman
November 27, 2018 @ 8:18 am
The word of the day is punctuation. You should try it some time.
Carw3
November 29, 2018 @ 9:18 am
So there’s this thing in the English language called punctuation, you should consider it. It won’t help your poor musical tastes, but at least your crappy takes will be more readable.
Sam
November 26, 2018 @ 10:51 am
His got a great singing voice. I love the new album. Love all of his country music songs. I’ve been following him for a long time on YouTube.
Head Case
November 26, 2018 @ 3:41 pm
You must hate all of his songs then if you love all his country songs since none of them are country.
Bj
November 26, 2018 @ 10:56 am
Just let man do him he aint hurting no one or anything so wtf he sings country….. Emimem sings rap but who cares it music that what theire great at and you all are haters bc u can not do what they do……
tucker33585
November 26, 2018 @ 1:50 pm
He sings pop. Calling it country hurts real country.
Paddleman
November 27, 2018 @ 7:58 am
Nobody “sings” rap. They recite verse. Eminem actually sang on one of his albums. It was awful.
albert
November 26, 2018 @ 11:01 am
”Kane Brown is a social media star with music as the side hustle.”
”style gets in the way of allowing sincerity to flow.”
seems there are more and more wannabe’s for whom this applies .
its the ultimate dead-on observation about all of them , trigger .
every sentiment and narrative is ‘ slave to the rhythm ‘ ….the trendy syncopation ….no flow …. no sincerity …..no feeling of honest emotion ….God forbid a steel guitar or a fiddle should attempt to effectively address that cuz they’d battle the syncopation war from intro to outro and we dcan’t have that .
all style all the time pandering to the conditioning of a non-country demographic.
no one does that better than pop music and look at where that has taken THAT genre .
ARE YOU LISTENING ‘ country ‘ music ..????
Hey Arnold
November 26, 2018 @ 11:05 am
Country music and radio is marketed to college girls and their moms. The hotter a male country artist is, the more label support they’ll get.
Girls complain about the lack of females in country… but in the same breathe they want Luke to shake it for them, they want Sam Hunt to sing Hey Girl, and they want to get in a truck driven by Tyler Hubbard..
Kane Brown is better than Russel Dick, Walker “Colonoscopy” Hayes, Dylan Frankenstein Scott, Michael “Carly’s plaything” Ray… I’ll give him that
Amanda
November 26, 2018 @ 4:55 pm
I’d like to see less of these dicks, and more of Jon Pardi, William Michael Morgan, Carlton Anderson, Cody Johnson, Mo Pitney, and Midland…and I’m a 22 year old college girl. Substantial lyrics and solid country instrumentation over looks for me any day. These guys can bring country back to the great days of the late 90s and early 2000s if country radio programmers can get their heads out of their asses long enough to stop and listen.
Hey Arnold
November 26, 2018 @ 5:44 pm
Yes indeed. I am a massive Jon Pardi fan. He is pretty much my favorite artist. I love traditional country. Pardi is so neat because he is traditional but there is a hint of doo-wop Motown in him (Heartache on the Dancefloor, Lucky Tonight). Yet he can bring it on home with Head over Boots, She Ain’t in It etc.
I’ve heard 3 new songs off his next album. Heartache Medication, Call Me Country, Me & Jack. All very traditional and great!! They are on YouTube recorded by fans at his latest concerts!!
Hey Arnold
November 26, 2018 @ 6:02 pm
& p.s. im the same age as you!!! In my college, everyone (who liked country) loved Luke Combs. He is ok to me, but he has a college grassroots following for sure. And this is in Connecticut, not the South.. I don’t get it…. Jon has had a successful 2 years for sure, but not as crazy big as Combs, or Kane or Stapleton. I hope Pardi will have a successful future and not turn into the next Josh Turner or Rodney Atkins
Amanda
November 26, 2018 @ 7:58 pm
That’s so cool! Pardi is one of my favorites for sure. He reminds me of late 90’s-early 2000s country, which I have a special place in my heart for. I’ll have to check those songs out. I’m sure they are awesome! Pardi should be a huge star, but with the way country radio works…well, we’ll see.
I’ll be honest, I’m not too crazy about Luke Combs. I like When It Rains It Pours, but everything else is just way too generic and boring for me. Sure, he’s better than Kane Brown, Russell What’s his face, flavor of the month Brett Young, and Walker mid-life crisis Hayes, among other embarrassments, but I don’t get the hype behind him.
hank
November 26, 2018 @ 9:53 pm
You’ve been saying the same thing in every comment since that incompetent clown Josh tried to copy Saving Country Music and failed horrifically. We get it, find something else to say.
Hey Arnold
November 27, 2018 @ 12:07 pm
Hank, I’m confused??? What do you mean…. Josh Turner is decent, not a clown… Just my opinions and I like Jon Pardi.. I was talking to Amanda about that, not you.
(Please Trig, let this comment go “through” , I want an answer from Hank. He’s been commenting stuff like this to me before.)
Trigger
November 27, 2018 @ 12:15 pm
Hey Arnold,
Hank is not talking about Josh Turner. I’m not 100% sure what he’s talking about, but if it’s what I think he’s talking about, it’s a subject I’d rather leave alone. Let sleeping dogs lie.
Hey Arnold
November 27, 2018 @ 12:54 pm
@Trig, Ok. But I feel like this is a personal attack.. My real name is Josh (Arnold is my stage name lol) I’m just worried Hank had access to my IP and has my info.. I know I can be a clown with jokes.. but I don’t know what “copying SCM and failing” means… wtf?? I love blowing off steam in the comments and making corny jokes. I love Country Music and this site. I’m currently applying to medical schools, so I don’t want my name and IP being shared or accessed across this site.. All my comments are insightful and corny anyways…but I’m still concerned…
Trigger
November 27, 2018 @ 1:18 pm
Nobody has access to your info. Saving Country Music is a secured site (that’s what the “s” at the end of “https” means). Again, can’t speak for Hank.
Hey Arnold
November 27, 2018 @ 1:42 pm
Thanks Trig, so this whole “Josh” commotion isn’t about me…? What does sleeping dogs lie mean in this context?? It’s just odd how you “want to leave that subject alone” . How can I not take it personal… So confused
Rusty Trombone
November 27, 2018 @ 3:11 pm
Insightful? Debatable.
Hey Arnold
November 27, 2018 @ 7:17 pm
@ Trig & hank… HELLO. Can someone answer my question. Is this “clown Josh” commotion directed at me? Is it about me? We can leave the”subject” alone.. That’s fine. But I just want to know if it’s directed my way? I’m clueless about what this is. Trig, I know this site is secure. But you said you can’t speak for hank.. Does that mean he can get access to my ip through 3rd party sites. Are you friends with Hank? Does he have special access? I don’t want to get involved in drama.. Im not about drama.. I love my apron but I’m not Your Mama. U can’t Ride in my little red wagon…
Trigger
November 27, 2018 @ 11:30 pm
Goodness dude, put the bong down and stop being so damn paranoid. Nobody’s got access to your stupid IP address. Last comment on this thread. All other will be deleted.
Seth of Lampasas
November 30, 2018 @ 9:19 am
Hey Arnold, let us know where your residency is going to be, so I can avoid that hospital.
Luiz
November 26, 2018 @ 11:06 am
I liked “Where I Come From” , “Good As You” , “It Ain’t You It’s Me” and “American Bad Dream’.
Saving Bro Country Music
November 26, 2018 @ 11:09 am
Can’t argue too much about the review. Some good points are made, albeit exaggerated at times for strategic purposes: rallying the Kane Brown haters while attracting an uproar from his supporters.
But I disagree, to an extent, with the “paying your dues” component. If he had risen to fame as a YouTube comedian or Instagram model and then decided to start releasing music (as the Gabbie Hannas and Jake Pauls of the world do), you’d have a point. But my understanding is that – alleged gaming aside – he built his brand and fanbase by posting music on his social channels.
I know that’s different than playing the dive bar circuit, but I don’t know that it’s necessarily inferior or worthy of scorn. Technology gives artists the opportunity to share their art with the world, and he made the most of it.
It’s also not easy. There are plenty of talented musicians who are “YouTube popular” but can’t make any headway in the actual industry. He benefited from the novelty of being a social COUNTRY-ish artist, but still.
Saving Bro Country Music
November 26, 2018 @ 11:12 am
Also – admittedly disappointed that you didn’t address “It Ain’t You It’s Me” (which sounds like a potential single) or Becky G’s involvement in Lost in the Middle of Nowhere (another case of a powerful male dueting with a pop artist rather than giving the “rub” to a country female).
OlaR
November 26, 2018 @ 11:10 am
No time to listen to “bad rock with a fiddle” (Tom Petty).
Kane Brown (like Chris Lane, Sam Hunt, Kelsea Ballerini…) is not good enough for pop or rock…but for the low Nashville standard pure gold.
Ok…i tried to listen to Experiment & it’s bad r&b-pop with a fiddle & some other “country” elements.
Much Better Music:
Kenyon Lockry – Honky Tonk Noir – Album – Released
An album like a soundtrack to a film noir made in the fifties. Great mix of honky tonk, country & rockabilly.
Rebecca Jed – Cowboy Up – Album – Released
Rebecca Jed keeps it country with a unique voice (not a sweet sugar-coated Nashville voice).
Dewy
November 27, 2018 @ 12:25 pm
“Rebecca Jed – Cowboy Up – Album – Released”
Thank you for turning me on to her music. 10/10.
Corncaster
November 27, 2018 @ 6:54 pm
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SNnIyIKaI5Y
well whaddyaknow, country music
Dobe Daddy
November 26, 2018 @ 11:12 am
The Monkees were on the Johnny Cash show once, so judging by the comments from the people who didn’t read the article (besides the low ranking) this makes them the most country sounding band that has ever existed in history. Screw you, Buck Owens and the Buckaroos.
King Honky Of Crackershire aka Meemaw
November 26, 2018 @ 11:16 am
That album cover is legendary.
glendel
November 26, 2018 @ 11:18 am
fl-ga line needs to offer kane membership in their duo, and make it a trio, as his [pop country] is indistinguishable to these ears from theirs. something about having all the same whatevers in the same place.
Lone Wolf
December 14, 2018 @ 1:54 am
Glendel….Florida Georgia Brown!!
Mama. Trains. Trucks. Prison. Getting Drunk.
November 26, 2018 @ 11:31 am
His music is trash, plain and simple.
Linda
November 26, 2018 @ 11:42 am
Your entitled to your opinion, however opinions do not make your opinion or anyone else’s opinion true nor based on fact.
ScottG
November 26, 2018 @ 11:58 am
Wow, “your” going deep there.
Travis
November 26, 2018 @ 12:29 pm
You’re right, an opinion is just an opinion. However, if you want an informed opinion on country music, this is one of the few places to be. There’s not many other places with an author that dedicates as much time to following country music and provides as close to an un-biased opinion as you can get as what you read here.
Linda
November 28, 2018 @ 11:20 pm
Travis Tritt from the show Real Country with Shania Twain and Jake Owen? I really like the show. Or am I mistaken, if so please disregard. God Bless.
Hey Arnold
November 26, 2018 @ 11:47 am
I hate how the media and others take it as a race thing… Kane is not country… but I am a huge fan of Darius Rucker. Darius is pretty traditional to me, he belongs to country music for sure. His crossing over (back in 2008) was one of the most graceful “Pop to Country” efforts ever in Nashville country history. Darius was never BroCountry ever. He is a phenomenal vocalist and artist. He crafted his own unique sound by staying true to the Country Roots and history. Glad he is a member of the grand ole opry.
Dragin
November 26, 2018 @ 11:48 am
I can sum this article up in three words… Kane Brown sucks!
#fuckpopcountry
Ulysses McCaskill
November 26, 2018 @ 11:51 am
This kind of music makes me physically ill and brings out a blind rage in me like very few things can.
For the love of God someone crank up the Marty Robbins and get me a beer before my head explodes.
Chelle
November 26, 2018 @ 12:01 pm
I happen to find this article hard to read, as if the writer has something personal against Kane Brown. So it’s not “real” country. It’s also not pop music. My music taste is Iron Maiden, 5FDP, Pantera, Slipknot, etc. I grew up listening to Johnny Cash, Waylon, Glen Campbell. But I heard a Kane Brown song and immediately wanted to hear more. So ya, when I’m not listening to metal or hard rock, Kane Brown is blaring from my speakers. Haters will hate. Period.
Travis
November 26, 2018 @ 12:32 pm
Well if you’re listening to 5FDP and Slipknot…you’re not listening to metal either. It’s just the pop version of metal like what Kane is to country. It does sound like you listen to, or have listened to, some decent artists though.
Linda
November 26, 2018 @ 2:45 pm
I agree, people who make hateful, spiteful comments are going to do because they can, and the ugly and bitter words are not worth reponding to. I decided I like what I like, and I’m not gone to apologise to anyone, nor trade insults with people who think no one understands them or what they are saying but them. To me hate is a really strong word, I believe in God, and He believes in Love.
Linda
November 26, 2018 @ 12:03 pm
I like Kane Brown, and he Country as far I’m concerned. The issues regarding his music are all about his race, and mot his music. I would imagine that jealousy plays in the mix as well. Brad Paisley took Kane Brown on tour with him. Blake Shelton invited Kane Brown to sing on The Voice. What is obvious is there are other Country Music 🌟’s who do embrace Kane Brown as Country Singer. To those people who are not threatened by Kane Brown’s music, I praise their ability to see past his race, and enjoy his music
63Guild
November 26, 2018 @ 1:02 pm
It ain’t about race, at least not around here. We hate all offenders equally
The other Sam
November 26, 2018 @ 8:17 pm
Yeah. Uh Linda Blake Shelton did not invite Kane to sing on the Voice. That would be the producers. In fact Kanes performance was taped in front of audience. The coaches were not there.
ScottG
November 26, 2018 @ 12:07 pm
Judging by the comments of his fans, this is a losing battle. That doesn’t mean people should stop fighting the good fight…but the battle is lost. Take all the time to explain Trigger, They just can’t seem to get it. Either they don’t read your full post or they are incapable of understanding even the simplest of concepts.
63Guild
November 26, 2018 @ 12:56 pm
Your last bit hit the nail on the head.
Lynda
November 26, 2018 @ 12:28 pm
Kane Brown put a different twist on country music. He is extremely talented and I’m a huge fan!
Colter
November 26, 2018 @ 12:46 pm
A “twist” on country music and being absolutely not country whatsoever are two different things.
CoachMark
November 26, 2018 @ 3:08 pm
You just “twisted” your name from Linda to Lynda. Same KB bot, different spelling.
Dirt Road Derek
November 26, 2018 @ 12:38 pm
A fair and accurate review. Brown isn’t country, and even as a pop artist he’s really just average. What gets me the most is how stiff he is, completely lacking anything resembling charisma. Other than the occasional hip swivel or forced smile, he’s a monotone statue. Compared to the super hyper stage presence of someone like Chris Janson, Brown is like a life size cardboard cutout.
63Guild
November 26, 2018 @ 12:56 pm
Sees article on Facebook, immediately goes to comments to see if Kane Brown fans are here and not disappointed. This is gonna a be good.
Dan
November 26, 2018 @ 12:58 pm
All this stuff – “misogyny”, “objectifying” etc, the problem is that none of it’s real – it’s just saucy stuff and there’s nothing wrong with it per se. The music is indeed crap and vulgar, but trying to apply this sort of ideological analysis to it doesn’t work.
Trigger
November 26, 2018 @ 1:27 pm
I agree that too much can be made of misogyny and objectification. Music is sexual in nature, and we can’t be too prudish about it. That said, I’m stupified that some of the same exact individuals who’ve criticized myself for being a misogynist simply for mentioning that Ashley Monroe is a mother, for example, have given Kane Brown superlative accolades for this record and a lifelong hall pass for what are pretty smutty lyrics and suggestions simply because they believe he’s good for their politics. If your threshold for misogyny is that you can’t even mention that a woman has kids because it perpetrates gender stereotypes, but refuse to acknowledge the whistle at the end of “Short Skirt Weather” that would get you fired from 90% of corporate jobs in the current environment, then you’re a hypocrite.
63Guild
November 26, 2018 @ 12:58 pm
True fact The Rock is more country than Kane Brown
63Guild
November 26, 2018 @ 1:01 pm
And honestly I think that would be a cool article to breakdown Trig as he’s gone to bat several times for the good guys
Trigger
November 26, 2018 @ 1:05 pm
Yes I’ve covered this before, and Dwayne Johnson has tweeted back his approval.
https://www.savingcountrymusic.com/dwayne-the-rock-johnson-is-a-huge-cody-jinks-fan-sturgill-jamey-johnson-etc/
63Guild
November 26, 2018 @ 6:22 pm
Completely forgot about this Trig. He just chimed in on Rogan post the other day about Sturgill and his love for him again
Troy
November 26, 2018 @ 1:58 pm
I actually bought the album & it ain’t bad if you listen to it with the mindset that it’s a pop record (and it is because none of the songs on here are technically country anyway).
If I want real country, I’ll listen to the new Whitey Morgan album. And Trig, the Comanche Moon record kicks ass. Another great recommendation.
albert
November 26, 2018 @ 2:33 pm
BUT , Troy ….if you listen to this record as a POP record , then I can direct you to POP music that would make this look like a sesame street cover album .
The ONLY folks interested in what Kane Brown is pedaling are the completely uninitiated , uninformed and uncaring ( very young ) listeners ‘country’ radio targets non-stop . Anyone who IS informed and cares about saving the genre doesn’t spend a lot of time fretting over the state of ” country ” radio anymore ….they’ve found far better options already .
Saying that , thank goodness there ARE folks trying to stay abreast of what ‘country’ radio is hawking and doing their best to keep radio and the music honest …..SCM
Troy
November 26, 2018 @ 4:17 pm
Valid point, Albert. Thank God there are folks like Trig who love real country music. And I can actually think of vastly better pop albums than Kane’s to be honest. Its decent but it sure as hell will never be country music.
Daniel Cooper
November 26, 2018 @ 2:34 pm
Anyone who thinks Kane Brown is “country” should give a listen to Randy Travis, George Strait, Alan Jackson, Dwight Yoakam, or Clint Black. They are more Country than Kane Brown EVER will be.
Thoroughbred
November 26, 2018 @ 2:43 pm
LeBron James. Steph Curry. Kevin Durant. James Harden.
They are football stars. They have taken over the NFL in a whole new fresh way. One day, we will see them in the NFL Hall of Fame, and we’ll say of future college football players, “That guy could be the next LeBron”. Their biggest fans defend the fresh perspective they’ve brought to the sport and how all of the old fans need to move on.
See how this makes no sense?
Rusty Trombone
November 26, 2018 @ 2:56 pm
For the love of the flying spaghetti monster, won’t someone please buy these Kane Brown fans some punctuation.
Please take some of these and use liberally
. (Full Stop – ends a sentence)
, (Comma – used to keep distinct information separated)
; (Semi Colon – used to join two or more ideas in a sentence and then give them equal weight)
ScottG
November 26, 2018 @ 4:19 pm
Whatever you do don’t read Cynthia Carver’s comment below.
Rusty Trombone
November 26, 2018 @ 10:21 pm
Who are these monsters?
Why do they hate grammar and syntax?
ScottG
November 26, 2018 @ 11:11 pm
Hmmm…hating it might imply that they are doing it on purpose. No, I think this is straight up ineptitude on display here.
Nicolas
November 26, 2018 @ 3:26 pm
I couldn’t agree more with you, Trigger. You explained perfectly with this post what is country music and why Kane Brown isn’t a country artist. It’s not about Brown nor about his music, but about what country music is and why we love it, all around the world. If a Frenchman like me loves country music, it’s because of what I feel when I listen to it. I’ll never feel this listening to Brown. Beyond the use of pedal steel guitar, there’s a songwriting, a way of life and shared references for all those who love this genre. Brown is not a bad musician. He’s just not a country musician.
Cynthia Carver
November 26, 2018 @ 3:49 pm
I am so sick of people acting so mean This guy is so awesome so talented if you don’t like him don’t listen your lose.
Ulysses McCaskill
November 26, 2018 @ 6:38 pm
If he weren’t being passed off as a country artist, I’d do just like you said and ignore it. Unfortunately, like many other artists he is being mislabeled country and that has been a very destructive force to traditional country music.
NCW
November 26, 2018 @ 7:34 pm
Loss. It’s loss.
Kevin Davis
November 26, 2018 @ 7:51 pm
Bad grammar and spelling is a trademark of Kane fans.
Head Case
November 27, 2018 @ 7:36 am
Your lose! Lol. Based on every article mentioning Kane Brown it is clear to see who his fans are . Going by how they type in the comment section, real music, country or otherwise, would be too difficult for them to understand. So that would be your loss.
WRS
November 26, 2018 @ 4:06 pm
The music Kane Brown makes is not country. I am suggesting the term “rural hip-hop” to refer to the type of music that Kane Brown makes.
Troy
November 26, 2018 @ 4:18 pm
That’s offensive to hip-hop. Hahaha!
Ulysses McCaskill
November 26, 2018 @ 6:33 pm
Oh most definitely. It’s offensive to all the rappers/groups that actually had talent and didn’t make auto tune-soaked garbage music. Folks like 2Pac, Eazy E, Biggie, etc would I believe have a very similar reaction as many former country greats if they could see what has happened to their respective genres. I’m the kind of guy that can listen to a Marty Robbins song and then turn around and and enjoy an old rap song. Why? Because both songs were made by musicians who had enough talent and drive to do things their own way and put out authentic music. And that is evident the moment the song begins.
Troy
November 26, 2018 @ 8:39 pm
The part in all of this that really sucks is that he has the potential to be a great country music singer, but this new album isn’t even decently done pop.
Chris Cote
November 30, 2018 @ 8:42 am
I’m the exact same way. I’ll hear a good Merle Haggard tune, then when some pop shit comes on, I’ll change it to a good head banging rock song. I’m a lover of all different types of music. But they’re just that; DIFFERENT. There’s nothing wrong with different kinds of music, and diversity of music. There is however, something wrong with trying to blend the two genres in some pathetic attempt to appeal to a much larger audience than true country or rock or pop fans, thus ruining the song and making music lovers’ ears bleed by creating some ugly sounding pece of crap.
Dobe Daddy
November 27, 2018 @ 8:42 am
If I want rural hip-hop I’ll listen to Gangstagrass, not a melange of mediocrity squeezed through an iMac Pro.
Wet cold UK redneck
November 26, 2018 @ 4:19 pm
Dirk road Derek hit the nail on the head. Kane is an average pop artist, but successful in the ‘country’ area. It’s kust clever marketing.
As for ruining country, keep the pop country gang at the awards shows and the charts, and the fashion gang following them. Keep Cody/ Whitey/ Turnpike etc off the radar where they can’t be ruined by the labels and hangers on, managers and showbiz dickheads that ruin artists by pressing them in a more marketable direction. True country is out there, and it’s easy to find thanks to streaming, even for me in the UK. These guys don’t need pomp and bollocks awards to make a living out of decent honest music. They will always be there, and there will always be people trying to dilute music for the masses. As long as they dilute Kane brown, it keeps the real guys safe.
Charlie
November 26, 2018 @ 4:37 pm
Va-MEH-lla Ice
albert
November 26, 2018 @ 5:06 pm
man…I’ve tried to like these 2 songs 2-3 times now ……but I can’t .
the hook is silly in both ….very weak ….. there is no melody and display a VERY limited vocal range . they’re musically so trendy and cluttered and non-descript they give us NO indication of who this artist is and either of the tracks could have been recorded by any number of trend-chasers ( a few of whom I’m certain could have injected them with far more life and dynamic than KB managed to do here.
Pointless music to provide yet another poser with a platform to promote himself and not the song .
KaneBrowns biggest fan!
November 26, 2018 @ 5:43 pm
Omg!!!!! You all are so mean!!! Kane Brown has gone through so much in life! He has a lot more fans than some other country artists out there!!! He has Been phenomenal in his work! He grew up in a hard life and his childhood was rough and he wanted to change that and make his life better and he did and he wanted to send out messages to his fans! Which he has done great doing just that!! He sings his heart out to his fans and his wife! You all need to look in the damn mirror and look at ur past and ur life!? Is ur life perfect?! No no one is perfect! He is a great artist and let him be and do so! Leave ur negative feedbacks to yourselves! Kane if u read this I’m sorry bout these horrible comments from all these negative ppl!!!! You are amazing at what u do!!! Keep up the great work!! To all of u who hate on Kane! Go away and don’t listen to him then! That won’t phase him! He has plenty of fans! Obviously is a great artist since he has sold out tickets from his last two tours!!!! Every time he is in my town, it’s always sold out within tickets being out in less than 2 months! That tells u something! That he’s worth seeing in concert! Leave ur negativity on the sidelines!! Thanks!!!
Ulysses McCaskill
November 26, 2018 @ 6:25 pm
Another exclamation point or two would have driven it home a bit better I think.
ScottG
November 26, 2018 @ 6:28 pm
Now this here is just downright precious.
You have been phenomenal in your work / commenting.
Mike
November 27, 2018 @ 8:05 am
This post gave me AIDS!!!
Fat Freddy's Cat
November 27, 2018 @ 1:03 pm
Every time he is in my town, it’s always sold out within tickets being out in less than 2 months! That tells u something!
It tells me to stay out of your town.
NCW
November 26, 2018 @ 6:16 pm
Each and every time this guy comes on the radio I cannot turn it fast enough. Couple of legitimate points I will make as to why I can’t stand him as a musician. 1. He’s a puppet. From day 1 he couldn’t sell his soul fast enough to anyone in Nashville willing to pedal his music. 2. He can’t sing. In my opinion I do not like his voice. I feel like it’s fake. As a bonus I will add in the fact that his TV performances have been cringe worthy.
Dropped the mic and walked off on that ass!!!💯💯
November 26, 2018 @ 6:34 pm
ALL OF THE HATERS MAKE THE SALES GO UP👀👀 I CANNOT BELIEVE THE HATRED,THE STEREOTYPING IS UNBELIEVABLE. HOW MUCH MONEY DID YOU WASTE FOR THIS DISTURBING BLOG? YOU PROBABLY WORK AT STARBUCKS, HAVE NEVER DONE ANYTHING SUCCESSFUL IN YOUR LIFE AND YOU WILL NEVER BE PROSPEROUS BY JUDGING AND DECIDING THAT THIS MAN IS NOT COUNTRY. I DON’T WANT TO SEE THIS CRAP OR ANYTHING LIKE THIS TOWARDS ANYONE WHEN I’M TRYING TO BUY TOYS FOR TOTS MAYBE TOYS FOR YOUR BROKE ASS KIDS. I HOPE EVERY ONE OF YOU EAT, SLEEP, DREAM ABOUT KANE BROWN MUSIC FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE. HE’S HERE TO STAY HATERS AND WE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE OUR HATERS BECAUSE YOU ARE OUR BONUS CHECKS BABY🤝🤝 CROWN THE KING KANE BROWN 👑👑👑👑👑
NCW
November 26, 2018 @ 7:29 pm
Keyboard warrior. Good for you. Strong work.
And this ladies and gentleman is why the millennial generation will kill 🇺🇸. Butt hurt so fast and just couldn’t let it go. Everyone has an opinion. Articulate yours.
DJ
November 26, 2018 @ 7:30 pm
DEPENDS ON HOW SUCCESS IS DEFINED*****
63guild
November 27, 2018 @ 12:35 am
oh boy……this is the comment of the day, week, month, hell all of 2018? wrap it up folks we can go home now
Lin
November 26, 2018 @ 6:43 pm
Kane Brown is awesome and I don’t care what his race is. I love listening to his music. I have bought his CD, he is my favorite at this time. I love the young man. I, like Kane dont care what people think of me are Kane. We all have are on thoughts .
Carw3
November 29, 2018 @ 9:26 am
Oh hey Linda, or Lynda, or whatever you’re going by now. I see you still haven’t discovered punctuation or grammar, cool.
Chris Cote
November 30, 2018 @ 3:03 pm
Lin, hy would you care what his race is? What does race have to do with quality music, or what genre it is? Do you have to tell yourself that it’s okay to like a man’s music even if he’s mixed race? That sounds a little bit racist, don’t you think? You should judge his music based on his music and not his race, like everyone else on the site is doing.
Patty Porter
November 26, 2018 @ 6:49 pm
Country has changed this is 2018 just because it’s not old country he is nee and fresh and different there is nothing wrong with that and I love all his songs kane is country I think people judge him wrong because of how he became famous you are wrong about him look at Sam hunts songs he is country why would you want everyone’s music the same he is his own country star you should not post this not all girls want just to sleep with him his music is awesome you suck
Ulysses McCaskill
November 26, 2018 @ 9:29 pm
Highest grade completed? _____.
ScottG
November 26, 2018 @ 9:49 pm
I’m going with 4th. And I’m HOPING I’m right.
Judy
November 26, 2018 @ 6:53 pm
I have been listening to country music for over 50 years. Look how country music has evolved from the days of Loretta Lynn, Porter Waggoner etc.
I am a big fan of Kane Brown. If people listen to his music, request it, want to hear it no matter what station is playing
It. Then he belongs. I love his music. So just let it be. He is doing what music does…it touches people and he has touched all of us. Not everybody has to like him. But there are a lot of us that do.
Altaltcountry
November 27, 2018 @ 2:10 am
I wouldn’t say “evolved.” Liberace did not evolve from Chopin. Justin Timberlake did not evolve from Chuck Berry. Michael Buble did not evolve from Frank Sinatra. Popification is often a step backwards. It substitutes the glitz of the present for the brilliance of the timeless. No one has improved on Loretta Lynn. She was popular but she wasn’t pop. You can tell she’ll be around for the long haul by the quality and originality of the musicians she influenced. Porter Wagoner maybe less so.
Jack Williams
November 27, 2018 @ 7:07 am
Popification is often a step backwards. It substitutes the glitz of the present for the brilliance of the timeless.
Well said.
Aggc
November 27, 2018 @ 7:11 am
“Liberace did not evolve from Chopin.”
Love that one. 🙂
Blackh4t
November 26, 2018 @ 7:16 pm
I find it interesting that fans seem to think its special that they bought his cd, or maybe even 2.
I thought it’s a given that if you’re a fan you buy the music. These ‘sellout’ artists are losing a lot of revenue from people like me who pay hard cash for music.
Also, side note, if you want my money, stop ignoring people who aren’t on FB. You’d be surprised at how much of an untapped market is waiting to hear from you.
ScottG
November 26, 2018 @ 7:34 pm
Well, in reading his fan’s comments, it seems someone figured out how to tap into the barely literate market.
Blackh4t
November 27, 2018 @ 12:07 am
Yes, BUT do they have money?
Oh wait, over here in Australia the government will give it to them and take it off me.
Rusty Trombone
November 27, 2018 @ 3:13 pm
Show us your southern cross tattoo bogan!
The Lucas Revens Band
November 29, 2018 @ 4:57 am
HA!!! There is so many people with southern cross tattoos and half finished Ned Kelly tattoos here!! Anyways, yeah KB isn’t good.
DJ
November 26, 2018 @ 7:27 pm
Patty, Lin- LOL how old are y’all? What grades did you skip in school?
kapam
November 26, 2018 @ 7:53 pm
The debate will probably go on forever about whether or not this guy is really country.
But his music is just not for me. The songs are mostly just too shallow and meaningless.
However, I must admit he has a pretty good voice – nice tone and delivery. Pity the songs aren’t my thing (although “My Where I Come From” actually wasn’t half bad).
Wes
November 26, 2018 @ 8:11 pm
For all the Kane Brown supporters mad about this article please check out a song that most of the supporters on this site think is real country in contrast what you listen to. On top of that it has a great message for y’all. Folk Soul Revival’s song “Buck Up”. But seriously no need to get pissed off if you’re just discovering this site you probably don’t belong here. I have a feeling most people here think differently than y’all..
Jerry
November 26, 2018 @ 8:17 pm
The level of ignorance is high.people said the same thing when the likes of Haggard came along as it wasn’t there traditional country sound they was to. He grew up influenced by multiple genres and multiple life lessons. Dolly Parton was called out for having more of a pop sound. Haggard had a rap Melody that upset traditionalist.
ScottG
November 26, 2018 @ 8:40 pm
Just out of curiosity: If you read your own comment, how does, say, the grammar seem to you? Enquiring minds want to know.
Trigger
November 26, 2018 @ 9:08 pm
Nobody ever said that about Merle Haggard. The blue hairs loved him for “Okie From Muskogee.” Waylon was the one they said wasn’t traditional enough. Then he made Ralph Mooney a permanent fixture in his band, and everyone fell in line.
Ulysses McCaskill
November 26, 2018 @ 9:27 pm
You’re talking about Waylon, not Haggard, and anyway it’s a terrible comparison.
altaltcountry
November 27, 2018 @ 10:49 am
Most people see the outlaw movement or the Bakersfield sound as a reaction against the easy-listening sounds of countrypolitan. In this sense, Haggard and others are a return to the true roots of country music not a departure from the tradition. The neo-traditionalists of the 90’s (who are apparently “old school” to many of the commenters here) are attempting to do the same thing. What’s most important is that all of these later artists aren’t copycat revivalists. They contribute something new at the same time that they preserve the achievements of the past–which is what the achievements of the past did as well, and which Kane Brown and other pop country stylists fail to do.
Corncaster
November 26, 2018 @ 8:49 pm
It’s Huff, so this is a straight up Keith Urban template. I doubt Huff even changed the EQ on the vocal.
liza
November 26, 2018 @ 9:31 pm
Figures that you would blame women for him. If I had to turn on country radio, I’d rather listen to him than FGL or Sam Hunt. I know that’s not saying much. Good review.
Bill
November 26, 2018 @ 9:35 pm
That second to last paragraph sums up perfectly why I fell in love with country music. There’s never been another genre I have related to more than this one. From the experiences and stories told through these songs, hell, even some of the stereotypes. It definitely has shaped my life. I don’t find that anymore on mainstream radio. On another note, is anyone else sick of only love songs being written anymore? I understand that’s one thing everyone can relate to. I mean everyone loves something or someone or has. There’s so much more in this genre that can be written about. On Kane Brown’s new album, I gave it a listen because I read he said it would be a lot more traditional and boy, did I laugh after I finished it. And I agree, most of these mainstream songs nowadays are pretty objectifying. At work today, “Hooked” (or whatever it’s called) by Dylan Scott came on the radio and all I could think of was it sounded like the audio description of a smut film.
Dennixx
November 26, 2018 @ 11:38 pm
An album review is all this was, and generously garnered a 2 out of 10.
If it had been a blind review it may have graded out a 3.
albert
November 26, 2018 @ 11:48 pm
”There’s so much more in this genre that can be written about. On Kane Brown’s new album, I gave it a listen because I read he said it would be a lot more traditional and boy, did I laugh after I finished it. ”
you’re right on both counts , IMO , bill . SOOO much more to write about than these generic ‘love’ songs coming at us faster than we can keep up .
and I believe the word ‘ traditional ‘ needs to be explained to the younger wannabes who THINK that’s what they are influenced by and tapping into with these pop albums .
this stuff , in nearly every respect is so far removed from ‘ traditional ‘ you have to scratch your head when you hear this and ask yourself ” is the sky blue…or have I had it wrong my whole life? ” . Jesus what a joke ….
Bill
November 27, 2018 @ 7:05 am
Agree 100% with you. Why I brought that up was because I read an article on a newer artist, unsure which one, going through a catalog of songs with his producer to pick for his record and how some of them (and I took this as a jab toward what traditional country music has been and still is) are ‘outdated.’ He went on about how some talked about working in a factory. All I could think about was does this guy really think blue collar work is extinct? I would much rather listen to a country song sing about a hard day’s work than another stupid ‘love’ song.
For the Birds
November 27, 2018 @ 1:01 am
I listened to that goddess awful “Short Skirt Weather” when Trigger mentioned the wolf whistle in a previous article. How is Kane Brown different in any way when he’s simply adding some hip hop influence to same old bro country misogyny? It makes me a little sad to see all of these women on here defending and adoring him. Ladies: why don’t you find music that reflects your experiences instead of objectifies you while shaming you for not adhering to impossible physical standards?
I grew up listening to country radio with my grandfather in his F150. Back then, as a young girl, I heard not only a lot of female singers, but a lot of women’s narratives. Faith Hill’s “I Can’t Do that Anymore” made me more empathetic about my mother’s frustrations with my father. Mary Chapin Carpenter’s “He Thinks He’ll Keep Her” warned of giving your life over to a man only to end up in a typing pool at minimum wage. The Dixie Chicks murdered a domestic abuser and celebrated female freedom and friendship. Reba told long stories about women in unconventional situations (Lights Went Out in Georgia, Fancy). Even though it wasn’t the greatest music, even music video hotties like Shania (Any Man of Mine) and Mindy McCready (Guys Do it All the Time) had songs of female empowerment. Sadly, these kinds of songs by female artists still exist, but radio would rather play Kane Brown’s wolf whistle and Honky Tonk Shake it For Me in Your Cut Off Jeans Just Keep Your Mouth Shut.
But it wasn’t just that there were more women, and therefore more female perspectives. Male country singers weren’t releasing laundry list songs about skimpy clothes. I remember the songs by male artists that were popular had a variety of themes and I can’t remember a single one that was about what a woman looked like: Garth’s The Thunder Rolls, Brooks & Dunn’s Neon Light, Alan Jackson “Jukebox” and “Chattahoochie”, George Strait “Heartland.”
I just feel kind of sorry for the little girls riding around listening to country music now. They’re being told it only matters how good they look in a short skirt. :wolf whistle:
JB-Chicago
November 27, 2018 @ 11:14 am
Sadly it not just the “little girls” just as importantly and even worse it’s their moms too and they control the largest percentage of the Country music business (concert + radio) as it is today.
You would think the mature 35 and up women would look for something a little deeper (and a few like some on here do) but many are standing right there with them at the show ogling at and fawning over these guys. I blame the business and the people on the row that keep encouraging and rewarding them, but hey money talks.
Cary kitchen
November 27, 2018 @ 4:54 am
I’m so over hearing Kane brown isn’t country . This is 2018 and ppl we are not in 1970 . Times have changed. Most bars don’t even do line dancing or bands anymore like 20 yrs ago where it was country . Now u got shorts and flips flops . Not heans and boots . time has changed . And I don’t care what Kane’s nationality is his blood bleeds just like all of our blood does. Ppl grow up get with the times .
MH
November 27, 2018 @ 2:47 pm
“I’m so over hearing Kane Brown isn’t country .”
If you’re hearing it at all, don’t you think there’s truth to it?
Ulysses McCaskill
November 27, 2018 @ 5:11 pm
Good music never ages. The new crap is not country music, and there’s nothing you can say to make it so.
John
November 27, 2018 @ 10:29 am
Country music has a long and rich history of non white artists. In fact some of the best of any color. Black, Hispanic, Cajun…there have been many. Linda Martell had moderate success but is one of my favorite female country singers. The race arguments are propaganda. And only believable to non country fans, any real fan knows better.
altaltcountry
November 27, 2018 @ 10:31 am
A criticism of the album “Experiment” (not a personal attack on Kane Brown):
Not many folks here have probably heard the Jody Miller album “Home of the Brave” and there’s a reason for that (I found my copy at the Salvation Army thrift store for a buck fifty). Miller was a folk singer who had a 1966 crossover hit on both country and pop charts with “Queen of the House” (an answer to Roger Miller’s “King of the Road”–which I would guess most of you have heard). Her song won a Grammy for Best Female Country Vocal Performance in 1966. She had a top 40 hit the next year with the single “Home of the Brave” and appeared on several pop tv shows like Hullabaloo) but the song didn’t fare well in the country charts. Nevertheless, Capitol decided to promote her in both markets, and hired former country guitarist-turned-sessions musician Billy Strange (he played on Pet Sounds) to produce the “Home of the Brave” album. It’s an unsuccessful mess of both styles–with neither done well. She turns the delicate, introverted Beach Boys song “In My Room” into a Connie Smith torch song; the production for “Your Cheatin’ Heart” sounds like Phil Spector doing countrypolitan, complete with godawful background chorus (how can anyone screw up Hank Williams–this is how).
Now Jody Miller has a wonderful voice, and she’s easy on the eyes, but on this album she fails to establish any personal identity–a problem that persisted on her later works, none of which fared well on pop or country . The AllMusic review of “Look at Mine” (produced by Billy Sherrill in 1971) pertains to all her efforts: ” The wide variety of songs she recorded and her chameleonic vocals prevented Miller from establishing a signature sound.” Still, she has her devoted fans, judging by the comments on YouTube. If Miller were starting out today, she’d probably be a hit on “The Voice” and then rapidly drop out of sight, as most of the “stars of today” do.
This is my problem with Kane Brown’s album. It’s an experiment in the same way that making a meal out of all the outdated canned goods in your pantry is a gastronomic exploration. It’s part bro country twang, part boy band, part Southern rock, part urban pop….
Artists who try to communicate something lasting, something of value in country music (or any other genre) are constantly juggling between tradition and innovation, consistency and surprise. It’s hard work, and it’s not always profitable, but no one of any merit does it solely for profit. “Experiment” has none of these tensions. There’s no there there.
albert
November 27, 2018 @ 5:39 pm
this is exactly the problem with ‘ artists ; calling themselves ‘ artists ‘. THEY AREN’T !
right down the line , radio folk are trying to be all things to all people and we know nothing about THEM as people because if it . the faces , the voices , the songs and the arrangements are all interchangeable with no statement , no style , no difference ….just a generic paint-by-numbers group of wannabes playing it safe , playing the game , playing the role of an ‘artist ‘ without understanding the meaning of the word and the risks involved with being who you are and saying what you feel …sounding how YOU sound regardless of the consequences ……UNTIL you get to a Stapleton, a Kacey Musgraves , a Jason Isbell and you actually begin to understand what an artist is .
Benny Lee
November 27, 2018 @ 11:50 am
Great write-up, Trigger. You managed to explain the criticisms with eloquence, while being (perhaps a bit overly) fair to KB.
This is just mindless background music. It’s not country. It has no soul. The writing is beyond laughable. I could take 15 minutes and write a song off the top of my head that would blow everything on this record out of the water.
This music, and just about everything on radio these days, regardless of genre, should never have been given the platform it stands on. Unfortunately, this is more proof that mass marketing can always sell anything to enough people…
altaltcountry
November 27, 2018 @ 8:15 pm
I realize this thread is almost done, but here’s a question for any Kane Brown supporters who claim that (1) KB is country or (2) it doesn’t matter if he is.
Here are some artists from various decades who are undeniably country. I’m omitting anyone who might be considered pop or crossover. No country rock, no Americana etc. I’m not even including Loretta Lynn. Any self-respecting record store would file these musicians under Country.
Your homework (I promise not to correct your grammar):
Part 1: State in one or two sentences what these musicians have in common. If you’re not familiar with them, there are tons of YouTube videos and singles / albums on the streaming services.
Wayne Raney
Johnny Paycheck
Kitty Wells
Ernest Tubb
Cody Jinks
Moe Bandy
Sammi Smith
I’m not fishing for any particular response. How you answer the question says something about your view of what country music is. But to answer the question you have to have a view.
Part 2: State how Kane Brown’s music is consistent with country music as YOU (not me, not Trigger) have defined it.
Part 3 (optional): If you think Kane Brown’s music isn’t country or that Question 2 isn’t important, explain why you’re participating on a forum titled “Saving Country Music.”
albert
November 27, 2018 @ 8:28 pm
your asking a lot of a Kane Brown fan , AAC….you know that …right ?
Justin
November 29, 2018 @ 9:19 am
That’s, like, a lot of work for a Kane Brown fan. They just wanna kick back and hear a good pop song as background music while they’re at work scrolling Facebook.
ChessieSystem
December 2, 2018 @ 1:45 am
Today’s “country” is just pop with a twang. I grew up listening to Lynn Anderson’s Rose Garden and even that was criticized as being too pop, don’t know why..but looming at the production of that in 1970, it was pure magic. Violins, steel guitars, the Jordanaires doing the background vocals it was (is)the real deal. I suggest give a listen to Patsy Cline. Both of these lady’s had crossover success while still being a true country experience. Do pop has been in country for a while, but the feel is a distinct feel and sensibilities. Music forms grow, but the feel doesn’t change. Today’s country is more like the Eagle’s, which is fine but don’t call it country. Kane’s album is a great contemporary listen with some country elements, but not a Tracy Lawrence, Alan Jackson, Clint Black or Darius Rucker ;). No bashing here, but just an option from an older guy.:)
Adam Wakefield
November 28, 2018 @ 9:46 am
This article is on point on Kane Brown as an artist, but from a songwriting stance I don’t agree. There are some well written songs on here if you take into account the format. “My Where I Come From” is not even close to the best song on here. Maybe “true country fans” approve the message but the song is insignificant and already been done by more artists to name. “It Ain’t You, It’s Me” is by far the best song on here. The concept may not be all that deep, but it is undeniably smart. Where “My Where I Come From” is an unnecessary addition to the small town pride songs, “One Night Only” is a fresh take on the “I don’t wanna just fuck you” song category. “Short Skirt Weather” is a well written song too. It IS sexist, but not any more than the plethora of sexist songs released by the country singers that all the pop country haters revere. There are some other well written songs here too like “Work”. “American Bad Dream” may have been a nice idea, but it is a terribly-written, self-serving barnacle on this record. Folks, don’t get me wrong, I can’t stand pop country either; but if we’re talking songwriting let’s get it right. Granted, the good songwriting on this album is probably nothing more than a good team of people picking songs and access to Nashville’s best writers’ catalogues; but let’s at least give credit where it’s due.
yb01uk
November 28, 2018 @ 2:10 pm
Mostly agree! For me, the highlight of the album is “Homesick”. Granted, the lyrics are only OK. However, the military family angle of the video elevates the song. For me, the song is undeniably country (with a touch of R&B!)…it even has a nice fiddle section, and steel guitar! Read the comments under the video, and then compare them to the comments on the Dixie Chicks’ “Travelin’ Soldier” or Lonestar’s “I’m Already There” and you will see that all three songs evoke similar emotions from the listeners.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ukHikH_10CA
With all that said, the album as a whole is not particularly country, but I think it deserves more than 2 stars. Having listened to the new Jimmie Allen album (looking forward to the SCM review!), I think KB’s album takes the edge. JA’s album is mostly generic pop country, although he does have winning songs in “Best Shot”, “Warrior” and especially “All tractors ain’t green”.
Ben
November 28, 2018 @ 11:50 pm
“Like I’m like so tired of you old farts like not respecting Kane, he’s like so talented and like country music has to like evolve it can’t be so sad and whiney for like forever god it’s not 1990, plus he’s like so cute and like a bad boy, kinda like 6ix9ine but not as icky lol” -paraphrasing the average Kane Brown fan..
Since when did country girls fawn over guys with eyebrow piercings? Not hating, just wondering when that became a thing. Meanwhile in Montana, the girls go wild when Turnpike or Ryan Bingham rolls into town.. 🍻
Carw3
November 29, 2018 @ 9:33 am
Trigger, what happened in this thread? There are about 10 different people making basically the same comments defending Brown and calling everyone else racists. They all sound equally illiterate, so I’m inclined to think it’s all the same person.
Trigger
November 29, 2018 @ 11:50 am
It’s because they’ve been trained by the media to assume any criticism of Kane Brown is solely due to racism. It was a concerted effort by the Kane Brown camp perpetrated by their willing accomplices in the media to make it so. This was my theory when writing this review, and the behavior in the comments is further evidence this is true.
Johnson
November 29, 2018 @ 9:55 am
Classifying American Bad Dream as 100% a hip-hop song proves you have the same troubled relationship with other genres that ‘mainstream media’ has with country. You spend so much time agonizing over what constitutes real country that you fail to recognize the similar battles being fought in other genres.
Also, Kane Brown is not a danger to the legacy of African-American roots music. Legacies are histories; Kane Brown can’t diminish the impact black musicians have already had on country anymore than Florida Georgia Line can ruin what Hank Williams did for country.
Trigger
November 29, 2018 @ 11:49 am
“You spend so much time agonizing over what constitutes real country that you fail to recognize the similar battles being fought in other genres.”
I very respectfully disagree. Though I would never consider myself an expert on what’s happening in hip-hop or any other genre, I have gone out of my way over the years to show concern for the sovereignty and integrity of ALL genres. Even as a country advocate, I would never want to see country influences or artists impinging on other genres. I want hip-hop to be hip-hop, and R&B be R&B, and all forms of music expression to thrive, and they won’t do so if they’re simply an amalgam of all popular influences bunched together in a monogenre.
Check out this tweet I posted just last week:
https://twitter.com/KyleCoroneos/status/1064996800975826944
“As a country advocate, it’s never occurred to me to demand R&B/hip-hop/EDM open themselves up to country & roots influences & artists. I have too much respect for that music & the artists who’ve devoted their lives to it to sour that music with a selfish-minded country invasion.”
I also wrote an article a few months ago about the aberration of Billboard #1 songs, and how they’re affecting ALL genres.
https://www.savingcountrymusic.com/history-making-1-runs-on-billboards-genre-charts-are-an-aberration/
“Country isn’t the only music community scratching its head while a fairly innocuous and forgettable pop song rewrites history by hitting record marks for its time at #1 on a genre specific chart, or a performer or group who doesn’t even seem to belong in the genre dominates that genre’s most important chart metrics.”
– – – – – –
You also say, “Kane Brown can’t diminish the impact black musicians have already had on country anymore than Florida Georgia Line can ruin what Hank Williams did for country.”
I agree, but what both Kane Brown and Florida Georgia Line can do is diminish the legacy of country music in general, and that’s the concern.
DMacc
December 1, 2018 @ 6:14 pm
Thank god for Spotify, that way I don’t have to count on country music stations/industry to get my music. I can’t stand this crap, for those of you that do more power to you. It’s a shame for good artists though as the rewards are reduced without the help of the industry.
Trigger represents what we like, if you like KB why do you care what we at saving country music say on our site?