Album Review – Koe Wetzel’s “Noise Complaint”
Koe Wetzel from Stephenville, TX has certainly been stirring up the chatter of both the positive and negative persuasion over the last few months after the release of the record Noise Complaint. A veritable young pup of the Texas music scene, he’s been vilified by some for immature lyrics that speak to lewd behavior, while being celebrated by the younger set of the scene as someone who’s bringing an edgy, energetic, and deceptively deep approach to a movement where the stars continue to get older. Despite its size and expanse, the Texas scene is still a scene, and even the slightest little disturbance can be exacerbated into what some consider an existential threat via incessant internet chatter, and it seems everyone dialed into Texas music loves to fall on one side or the other of Koe Wetzel fandom.
The worst part about this album is the title, the cover, and the introductory track, which are about as smooth of a move as meeting your girlfriend’s parents with your penis is hanging out of your zipper. It’s not just inappropriate, it’s not even really illustrative of the music when you drill down. “This album was made for one purpose and one purpose only: To get chicks,” says the intro track in a chipmunk voice. Surely there is at least some sarcasm in the intro, but talk about starting on a bad foot. Yes, there is some jackassedry on Noise Complaint along with a host of other concerns, but my take on this album is probably something different than you would expect for someone who likes to celebrate substance over carefree, vapid listening.
First, I wouldn’t consider Koe Wetzel a typical solo Texas music artist. I would consider this a band that happens to go under the name of the frontman, singer, and principle songwriter, Koe Wetzel. That seems to be more of the approach to the music, and the marketing. They just sound like a band too, with a decidedly more rock style than country. In fact one of the criticisms you could broach is that the sound of Koe Wetzel, despite showing a lot of adeptness at constructing songs that are sonically fetching and appeal to a wide ear, is really inferred to a great extent by post-punk, post-Grunge late 90’s alternative rock. For those whom this era in music looms large, this is one of the big appeals of this band. But much of Noise Complaint feels like Koe Wetzel is mimicking a sound as opposed to crafting his own.
And yes, at times the lyrics of Noise Complaint can make you downright cringe, like a droning, drunken plead for someone to get poor Koe Wetzel some Taco Bell at the end of the song, “February 28, 2016,” or like in the opening song “Something To Talk About” when he sings about taking home a married woman, getting shot in the head by her husband, and then popping out of the casket to dance around at his own funeral. It’s not just the under-development of narrative, it’s a very juvenile approach at times that holds this record and this band back, and makes them more polarizing than their otherwise palatable sonic approach and sometimes poignant songwriting would afford. Koe Wetzel’s plight is not helped at times by leaning on braying power chords from the lead guitar as opposed to composition or lyricism for a song’s appeal. That may be fun for the band, but this is not 2001. There’s nothing more self-indulgent in 2017 than the power riff. We’re living in the era of the song.
Yet there’s something underlying here that makes Koe Wetzel more than just a screw-off band. You have to sift through the refuse sometimes, even though Wetzel and Company do try to illustrate depth in moments. It’s like they want to be a screw-off band, and they try to be a screw-off band, but the depth gets in the way. My estimation of Koe Wetzel is not of a young, wet-behind-the-ears outfit sowing their wild oats simply to score chicks. It’s of a songwriter with some really involved insight and an ability to articulate it through verse that has fallen in with the idea that he needs to be rambunctious to to exude cool and youthful energy.
Koe Wetzel, whether inadvertently or purposefully, captures the poetic nature of the drunken stupor, of the life veering off the skids, and of youthful indiscretion. Koe Wetzel and his bandmates are still young, and still in the nascent gestation period for a Texas music outfit. Wade Bowen and Randy Rogers fans may hear a band like this and think they need to grow up, and would prefer to hear something more the speed of Flatland Cavalry or Parker McCollum when it comes to the new up-and-comers. But you can’t fault Koe Wetzel for being himself, or themselves. It may be immature at times, but that doesn’t make it any less honest, or even enlightening in the way it speaks to a lifestyle and an era in life, and the joys and consequences thereof. 20-somethings in Texas music love this record for a reason.
This is not a feel good party album, despite how it may appear on the surface. There’s a lot of partying going on, but most of what makes it on the record is the aftermath. Temptation, doubt, and self-loating are all spoken to here. If anything, it’s when Koe Wetzel tries to get deep for deep’s sake when he gets a bit exposed, like the valiant, but somewhat failing “Honey Pain,” burdened by its repetitiveness.
What they got wrong here was the presentation. But what Koe Wetzel’s critics are getting wrong is that there’s nothing here but foul-mouthed recitations of bouts of drunkenness that offer little to no insight into the human condition. Koe Wetzel is still very young. Yet you get the sense through Noise Complaint that all the parts and pieces are here to really strike at something when a moment of sobriety enters the picture. Like most Americans (and Texans), the road through the early and mid 20’s is a rocky one, beset with temptations and wrong turns, still inferred by a religious and/or moral foundation that hopefully doesn’t get totally drowned out by debauchery, drugs, and alcohol, and eventually results in lessons learned, wisdom gained, and music that speaks to the deeper meanings and struggles of life when all those wild oats are sowed.
From Sturgill Simpson to Jason Isbell, to even a lot of the stalwarts of the Texas scene, it was those searching times of their early 20’s that went on to result in their most successful output in their 30’s. It’s just with Koe Wetzel, you’re listening to those drunken moments in the here and now. Koe Wetzel just needs to find his own sound, and his own style, and understand where the line is of what you should expose of yourself, and what you should wait to share via sober insight.
The present is definitely messy, but if he plays his cards right, Koe Wetzel’s future could be quite promising.
1 1/4 Guns Up (6/10)
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Kross
August 1, 2017 @ 6:56 pm
I stumbled across this cat a couple months back because of Parker McCollum. I like them. Looking forward to hearing where they go from here.
Wallace
August 1, 2017 @ 7:12 pm
It sounds like country for the Nickel back crowd.
Jtrpdx
August 1, 2017 @ 9:17 pm
That was my thought exactly. Not to overdo the rag on nickelback thing, but it really does. Lots of that same tempo, similar song structure radio rock / soccer mom hard rock vibe.
JT
August 1, 2017 @ 7:14 pm
Let’s all just hope and pray he can’t play cards. I’d rather listen to a Chris Gaines album than listen to anything this douche bag puts out. Maybe him and Rich O’Toole could go on a Community College tour and tell the crowd how cool they are?
HayesCarll23
August 1, 2017 @ 7:17 pm
This is so bad.
gbkeith
August 1, 2017 @ 8:11 pm
I think one of the turn offs is the aggressiveness of his fans. “Hey brah, why aren’t you supporting Koe, he’s a true local original, why won’t you play him on the radio? You suck. I’m going to kick your ass” That sentiment has been posted multiple times on my local stations app and facebook page.
Trigger
August 1, 2017 @ 11:02 pm
Yes, they came at me on Twitter after posting this. Not really representing Koe or themselves in a very good manner.
Barstool Hero
August 2, 2017 @ 9:55 am
It seems like their fans would have a hard time reading beyond a 2nd grade level, but weirder things happen. After listening to it on my lunch break, I think your review was beyond fair.
Nanci Gates
May 5, 2023 @ 8:08 pm
Well I’d say all the haters can kiss it now with Koe’s phenomenal success!
Trucker Speed
August 1, 2017 @ 8:25 pm
I thought the album was pretty good, tell it all town is a killer tune. His first album I thought was better though. Trig I’ve never seen any articles on Shane smith and the saints. Any reason for that? I think they got an awesome sound
Jordan
August 1, 2017 @ 9:14 pm
Their songwriting is awesome too, in my opinion. Shane Smith and the Saints
Trucker Speed
August 1, 2017 @ 9:27 pm
100% agree
Trigger
August 1, 2017 @ 11:03 pm
I’m sure Shane Smith will get some ink eventually. Lots of bands, only one of me.
Trucker Speed
August 1, 2017 @ 11:05 pm
Totally understand. Thanks for all the great articles and reviews you do write
Keep on Chooglin
August 2, 2017 @ 2:25 am
I discovered Shane Smith and The Saints a couple months ago. Great lyrics and sound.
Megan
August 2, 2017 @ 11:26 am
one more heavily in support of Shane Smith & the Saints. cool stuff, great songwriting, unique sound.
Sarah
August 3, 2017 @ 5:57 am
I totally agree. I discovered them right when they came out with their first album in 2013, and have been surprised that I have not heard much about them on any site. I showed them to my friends some of which like hardcore country, the Lumineers/Avett Brothers, or pop country and they honestly have really liked Shane Smith. I know that you have a lot to review Trigger, and I just want to give my opinion even though everyone has one. I just want to say that I feel like Shane Smith and the Saints fit the category of bands that are usually reviewed here. They are not well known and have quality songs. With that said, even though this review might help Koe out with his next album, I would trade anything for a Shane Smith review, and I think they deserve it more.
kapam
August 1, 2017 @ 9:01 pm
The track sample sounded better than I thought it would – a sort of mid-90’s indie feel, as was suggested. I don’t go much for clichéd rhyming couplets or hokey, misogynist scenarios, so if they can steer clear of that sort of selling-out, they have a future with me.
sbach66
August 2, 2017 @ 4:46 am
Interesting. I played some samples, didn’t do a whole lot for me, but hey, if it works for someone else.
On another note, looking forward to seeing your review of Joe Nichols’ latest. I’m able to stream it on Amazon Prime, and it started off enjoyably enough…and then “Tall Boys” spun up. Oh boy. Screeching halt.
Justin S
August 2, 2017 @ 5:31 am
Yeah There’s a sir mix a lot cover to end the album that joe thought was a good idea for some reason. It’s a bizarre album.
Mike
August 2, 2017 @ 7:32 am
And it’s not like the Baby Got Back cover was anything new… Jonathan Coulton’s version was actually fun and didn’t try to sanitize it. But here, as the watered down chaser to a batch of derivative drinking songs, cliched love songs, and religion-themed tunes… it’s just, well, yeah… bizarre is the right word.
Jacob W.
August 2, 2017 @ 5:48 am
I strongly dislike this. This is only a few feet away from utter garbage. Don’t see how this was even mildly, positively reviewed.
Trigger
August 2, 2017 @ 7:19 am
I had a lot of negative things to say about this music, but I’m being serious when I say I think there are flashes in Koe that speak to a deeper songwriter looking to come out. I’ve been listening to this album for months, trying to figure out how I truly feel about it, and why so many are falling in love with the music. To Koe Wetzel fans, this IS the better alternative.
Nanci Gates
May 5, 2023 @ 8:10 pm
I’d definitely say I think Koe’s fans are incredibly loyal!
RD
August 2, 2017 @ 6:15 am
A strange mix of bro country, Hellbound Glory, the worst parts of Texas music, and 90’s pop country.
Don’t ratfuck my stereo.
Koe Wetzel sucks...Midland ROCKS!!!
August 2, 2017 @ 10:04 am
He needs a dose of Hellbound Glory and to stop eating all those tacos
YouThinkYouKnowCountry?
August 2, 2017 @ 1:22 pm
midland?! the one-hit wonders?! go back to nashville!!!
Mike
August 2, 2017 @ 7:40 am
I’m going to give it a listen. Just the fact they aren’t saying the exact same thing everyone else is saying in the linked song is reason enough to think maybe they’re on our side. I believe anyone who stays out of the same rut as everyone else deserves a chance.
MH
August 2, 2017 @ 7:54 am
Is this Texas/Red Dirt Bro Country?
Trigger
August 2, 2017 @ 8:18 am
This is not Bro-Country. Nothing really about it is Bro-Country. Call it shallow or immature in moments, but this is not about parties in cornfields, it’s about the aftermath. I’m not recommending it, but many folks are listening to this band, and it’s worth paying attention to.
Austin
August 2, 2017 @ 8:16 am
Hey Trigger, I am 23 and a recent college grad, and right before I graduated and left my college town (one that is very focused on red dirt/texas coutnry), Koe wetzel was getting all the hype. So maybe I can provide some insight to why he maybe popular with my “age group.” A lot of it is party music, and idk how to say it without it sounding too cliche, but it more realistic party music than a lot of it you hear on the radio. While the line about getting someone to take his drunk ass to taco bell might seem just stupid, how long is the line at taco bell on a friday night in a college town at 2 am? All the way out of the parking lot. We listened to this song a couple times drunk in the taco bell drive thru. People that are still living out the Koe Wetzel songs are more bound to like it, it’s who it is made for. How many 18-25 y/o’s are actually partying with tailgates down in a field like you hear out of other country party music? Definitely less than ones that go to taco bell to end the night. Will I be blaring Feb 28th when I am 40…I hope not. Although, at a certain time and place, it was perfect. I do think his other “deeper” songs are pretty good too.
Trigger
August 2, 2017 @ 8:21 am
Good perspective Austin. I think I came to a similar conclusion when listen to this record. That’s why despite some of the shallowness of it, I think it is speaking to something deeper that most listeners are missing.
Austin
August 2, 2017 @ 8:26 am
I think so too. Kind of a follow up, but one thing I noticed about Koe Wetzel, is that many of my friends who had no interest in country music, liked his music. Which I think is good for people my age lol.
Ryan
August 2, 2017 @ 10:33 am
You also don’t see him running around proclaiming he’s something he’s not. The attitude of the young super fans that he’s some kind of Texas king is probably not his attitude. He’s got something authentic.
Cool Lester Smooth
August 2, 2017 @ 2:31 pm
Yeah, the specificity of lines like the one about Taco Bell show a certain specificity that belies any Nickelback comparisons.
Lance
August 2, 2017 @ 10:20 am
Just listened. Wish i hadnt.
Dustin Lynch sucks...Midland ROCKS!!!
August 2, 2017 @ 10:21 am
I don’t think his music is near good enough to keep him on the radar for his next release. He had his chance with his debut album to show what he could do, and more importantly couldn’t do…moving on
Teri
August 2, 2017 @ 10:26 am
I understand you believe that you’re doing your job, sir, and I have no intentions of dragging you through the mud because I am not that type of person, so if I come across that way, I apologize in advance. I do, however, have some questions for you.
1. You mentioned above in a reply to a comment that you spent months trying to figure out how you felt about “Noise Complaint.” Did you consider interviewing the band themselves? I don’t gather from anything you said in this article that you know much about who these guys actually are, and in my personal opinion, I believe an artist’s/band’s personality should be a vital part of an album review or any type of article associated with said artist/band.
2. What were you expecting from them, if anything? And if you had expectations, did you form them before or after analyzing the album?
3. Have you analyzed the crowd that is drawn to him to get a better idea of why they’re listening to him?
I’m not trying to prove you right or wrong, sir. I’m just trying to get a better understanding of what you’re trying to get across here.
Trigger
August 2, 2017 @ 12:00 pm
“I understand you believe that you’re doing your job, sir…”
No, I AM doing my job, which is to share my opinion unfettered or influenced by public opinion or popularity, regardless where the cards may fall.
1) I don’t not interview artists, at least not anymore, and for the express reason that I don’t want their thoughts or opinions on their own music clouding my own, or to feel like I have a friendship with them and am obligated to covering their music in a positive manner.
2) I don’t have any expectations on Koe Wetzel aside from being themselves, and releasing the best music they can.
3) I have, and in fact I mentioned that numerous times in this review, and it seems to have been glossed over by some Koe Wetzel fans.
From above:
“But you can’t fault Koe Wetzel for being himself, or themselves. It may be immature at times, but that doesn’t make it any less honest, or even enlightening in the way it speaks to a lifestyle and an era in life, and the joys and consequences thereof. 20-somethings in Texas music love this record for a reason.”
” Like most Americans (and Texans), the road through the early and mid 20’s is a rocky one, beset with temptations and wrong turns, still inferred by a religious and/or moral foundation that hopefully doesn’t get totally drowned out by debauchery, drugs, and alcohol, and eventually results in lessons learned, wisdom gained, and music that speaks to the deeper meanings and struggles of life when all those wild oats are sowed..”
Frankly, I think that some Koe Wetzel fans are going way overboard here. This was a positive review from someone who is known for being a very harsh critic. I tried to understand the appeal of the music beyond my own perspective, shared that with readers in defiance of people who are critical of the band, and said I expected good things from Koe in the future. Criticizing a band in the manner I did is a sign of respect. Many bands would kill to get a review like this, even with the negative stuff. I think y’all should step back, take a deep breath, and see that Koe is getting the attention of the bigger institutions in country.
Teri
August 2, 2017 @ 12:56 pm
Thank you for you insight. Again, I didn’t mean to ruffle your feathers. As I stated before, I didn’t understand what you were trying to get across so I thought it best to get clarification. I may still disagree with you on some things but I do respect your opinion. There’s nothing more to it than that.
Megan
August 2, 2017 @ 11:32 am
I don’t think I have ever been as intrigued to hear something after reading one of your reviews as I am now. I’ve heard all the back-and-forth about this guy, or this band, but never have I wanted to adopt a position all that much until I read this. I look forward to listening.
Trainwreck92
August 2, 2017 @ 2:27 pm
I’m kinda torn on this one. It sounds like a twangier version of a lot of the late 90s/ early 2000s radio rock that I used to listen to as a kid and young teenager, which gives me a sort of nostalgic feeling, but I don’t know if it’s actually any good. When it comes to most music, I either like it, dislike it, or it doesn’t evoke any response at all. But I can’t, for the life of me, figure out if I like the above song, or if I’m very turned off by it. Either way, I guess it’s stirring something in me.
Samuel Keys
August 2, 2017 @ 9:10 pm
Judging Koe’s music by the song linked at the bottom of this article is like telling someone to listen to Carney Man as a sterling example of Cody Canada’s songwriting aptitude, or to give Ringling Road (the song, not the album) a listen to see what William Clark Green is all about. It’s fun and it’s rowdy, but it is by no means his best work – Koe has proclaimed at shows that it’s the worst thing he’s ever written, but the crowds love it. This dude can write, this dude can sing, and he’s got a killer group of musicians sharing the ever-growing spotlight with him – they’ve got the ability to be a big part of the scene for a long time to come, and I hope like hell they do just that.
PS – get thee to a live show. It’ll all make a little more sense!
Cool Lester Smooth
August 3, 2017 @ 9:04 am
I was actually thinking that they sound like a worse version of William Clark Green!
(Which is a compliment, because I fucking love William Clark Green)
Wes Krug
August 3, 2017 @ 6:57 am
This album has resignated with me more than any other album in almost 5 years for the experiences I am currently going through in my life. I am 23 years old recently graduated college and have had to move twice across the country following starting positions for my career. I partied quite a bit in college and still do but have noticed it maybe more detrimental to me now then just for fun because my fiance of my age left me told me she didn’t love me anymore and ran off with a 44 year old. I say all these things cause I have been an emotional wreck but Koe’s lyrics have been fully understood by me. Tell it all town is almost exactly how I feel after my fiance left me. I tried to get her back and I cry to that song every time. February 23,2016 reminds me of all the crazy time with good friends in college where I literally did ask who is sober enough to take me to taco bell at least twice a month. Love is the song that makes me feel like its my ex fiance talking to me about being to selfish to but yourself fully into loving someone. Something to Talk about is rude and cruel and I let my fiance have it and was immature with anger and rage but it’s like you want to be crazy to be even be noticed by that other person. And be cruel to them cause if they are going to mess with you then you want to say well dammit watch me I will give you something to talk about. So yes is it more rock than real country yes but that has been in the Texas music scene before Cross Canadian Ragweed or Reckless Kelly. But I believe it may just be made for a younger set generation where you have your emotions on your sleeve and your immature but that does not mean you can not be deep and moving with your lyrics. I think Koe nails it here and its more of an 8 out of 10. The more I listen the more I have learned to love it.
Trigger
August 3, 2017 @ 7:10 am
Everyone who thinks that this review is way too favorable and Koe’s got nothing should read this comment. As I continue to say, there is something here, despite how poorly it may be represented.
Meg
August 3, 2017 @ 9:02 am
I’m a big fan of the Texas live music scene and have been to a few Koe Wetzel shows. I have to agree 100% with Trigger’s review. On average, I find Noise Complaint to be sub-par. The cover looks like a bad highschool band. The intro is a disservice to anything that comes after it. While I’ve listened to the whole thing, I find myself skipping through most of the songs when they come on shuffle. Noise Complaint alone, I never would’ve gone to a live show had other bands I liked not been playing. That being said, I also agree with Trigger that there is something to Koe’s writing that shows potential. There are a couple songs on Noise Complaint that hint at this (I’d agree with you that Love and Tell it All Town are two of the strongest), and more on Out on Parole, his album from Koe Wetzel & the Konvicts. I always say it’s a shame February 28, 2016 is the song that he got big on. I think it sets a precedent for the crowd that he draws. At the same time, he always introduces it as the worst song he’s ever written, as if even he wishes his fans knew more of his better writing.
I’ll add that the guy can put on a hell of a show. He’s a great performer and a talented musician. However, I can’t get on board with the comment above saying that Trigger would have a different opinion of Noise Complaint after a live show. Every show I’ve been to, I’ve left thinking Koe can perform, but I’m also too damn old for that shit. “Shit” here mostly being his fans. The number of disrespectful drunken assholes, girls so drunk they can barely walk, and fights at his shows is too high. This isn’t just “the scene” as it’s not happening at other shows here. I’ve also heard from a number of Koe fans that I just don’t get it; I’m clearly not from a small town and don’t understand taco bell at 3am. To that, I say it’s immature to think you know about someone just from their opinion of a song, but hell, immature seems to be the common denominator of most of his fans. Mostly though, it’s a damn shame they think February 28 is indicative of Koe’s music, voice, and direction. Out on Parole showed promise for a freshman album and instead of growing with the strong parts of that album, Noise Complaint capitalized on the immature party culture and seems to cater to the lowest common denominator.
There’s something to Koe. He definitely has talent and potential. It’s up to him what parts of that he decides to embrace, feed, and work to develop.
For the time being, I’m done with his shows unless the good Lord himself is opening or headlining, but I am interested in the direction of the next album.
RedDirtStartedInStilly
August 3, 2017 @ 8:06 am
I am also a recent college grad and got into Koe during college. There have been several comments and even the review itself calling the album immature. It is. But that is what it’s about. The trials and tribulations of love and life throughout the college years. It’s a generational album and he is a young singer/songwriter. The same people that show up to his shows are the same people that show up to RRB and Cody Johnson. A lot of people have had enough of the partying music and all of us have been sitting there at 2 in the morning questioning our lives and love. One of the biggest reasons I love the Texas music scene is that it’s open. People who want to express their music and their views are free to do so and they do not worry about getting a record deal or how many stadiums they can sell out. This album was refreshing for me with several songs that have described the feelings I felt throughout college. I understand that for the old fashioned “purists”, this album can be vulgar at times, but when you analyze the lyrics, keep in mind there is feeling behind them and not just F*** you or F***him. I encourage people to actually listen to the songs rather than just hate on Koe after this review.
Trigger
August 3, 2017 @ 8:17 am
Just as you feel that Koe Wetzel is being misunderstood here, I feel like this review is being misunderstood. First, this review ended up with a positive grade, so nobody can claim that it’s a negative, or even neutral review. Secondly, I went out of my way to attempt to explain the appeal of this album in a similar way that you did in your comment. But this seems to be getting glossed over by some Koe Wetzel fans as they link to this review via social media. This is unfortunate, because the attempt of my review was to resolve why so many find appeal to this music, while others hear it as hogwash.
Cool Lester Smooth
August 3, 2017 @ 12:05 pm
Yeah, there’s the same scoring gap between this and From A Room as between From A Room and The Nashville Sound, and it’s just a “1/4 gun” off the last Randy Rogers release.
This is a very positive review for a band that’s still figuring out it’s sound and voice.
Meg
August 3, 2017 @ 9:57 am
I think the problem with your comment is a similar problem with many Koe Wetzel fans I’ve heard defending the album- you say it’s immature and that immaturity is what it’s about, that it’s a generational album. At the same time, you’re asking people to analyze the lyrics and the feeling behind them. Fans can’t simultaneously say, “you just don’t get it because you’ve never had a small, town drunken night; you’re being too serious” and “you haven’t listened hard enough and analyzed the feeling and lyrics” (implying that there’s a lot of depth). These quotes aren’t from you, but they are the general comments I hear from Koe fans.
I assure you the crowds for Koe Wetzel, RRB, and CoJo are different. I also assure you vulgarity isn’t the problem country fans outside of the Texas college scene are having with this album. Country music has been vulgar for decades.
My guess (large emphasis on guess) has always been that Koe is a good and growing songwriter who fell into his current niche when February 28 blew up and drunken college kids across Texas started following him. He embraced that following either intentionally or unintentionally and that’s how we ended up with Noise Complaint. He puts on a good show, college kids tell their friends, the drunken college crowd grows and grows. They start listening for the party and for Feb 28, but they also find some insight and depth to his other songs. They think this means it’s a great album mostly because they’re not exposed to other non-mainstream albums (say what you want about RRB and CoJo, but they’re borderline mainstream these days).
I think Trigger hit the nail on the head when he said his estimation is “of a songwriter with some really involved insight and an ability to articulate it through verse that has fallen in with the idea that he needs to be rambunctious to to exude cool and youthful energy.”
The question for me has always been whether Noise Complaint, Feb 28, and the current crowd Koe draws is really aligned with what he wants to be (and who is is capable of being) as an artist, or if it’s more indicative of what he thinks he has to do to get and cater to the crowds.
Spoony
August 5, 2017 @ 1:08 am
I’m in the (barely) over 30 crowd but think this album is the best one of 2017 so far. There’s a lot of depth to a lot of the songs and it doesn’t bore me. I do wish I knew about it’s release back in March and not just getting it in April or May… I’ve listened to it all the way through most every day since. I recognize it for what it is and can relate to most of it.
Jon
August 7, 2017 @ 12:08 am
Fellow member of that crowd and I strongly disagree. I wouldn’t call myself a hell raiser by any means, but I closed down the bar more than my share of times in my younger years. There’s something in this record that speaks to whatever is left of that part of me, so I’m not ready to trash it. But at the same time you grow up a lot by 30, or at least should, and there’s a lot of it that sounds like punk kids trying too hard to sound cool.
This shit is hard for me to figure out. Put February 28, 2016 in the hands of someone like Josh Abbott and it’s at the bottom of the dumpster five minutes after it came out. But for some reason, in the hands of Koe Wetzel, I still am not exactly sure how I feel about it. I guess Trig is right. There is something there, even if we can’t articulate exactly what it is.
But no way is it album of the year.
Spoony
August 7, 2017 @ 12:38 am
I’m not listening to Dalton Damino or John Baumann’s latest tonight…I’m not listening to anything in particular, I’m set on random and Randy Rogers is on, I’d be honored to meet any of them. I hear plenty of coyotes too. I don’t mean Red Shayhan either (great song). This album means something to me.
Jon
August 7, 2017 @ 3:46 pm
And I’m not trying to take that away from you. There is something there, I think. I don’t know what it is, though. I am just speaking for myself in these posts, not what I think everyone else should think.
I just can’t put it up anywhere near the top of the year.
Lane
August 9, 2017 @ 1:20 pm
This dude doesn’t have a freaking clue. Whether you like him or not, he puts on a damn good concert. Badass songs and the band is just as good. I’m 22 and took my 50 year old parents to his concert and they loved it. Just because it’s not your typical Texas country doesn’t means it’s bad. Hell he doesn’t even classify himself as Texas country singer. There’s a reason everyone of his concerts sell out.
Jon
August 13, 2017 @ 2:11 am
There’s a reason no one really gives a shit what 22 year olds think. I’ll give you a hint: it’s because they don’t have a freaking clue, even though they think they do. As a someone who was formerly 22, I can personally vouch for it.
It’s fine that you like him, but “I’m drunk for some tacos” is stupid as fuck. You’ll figure that out in 5 or 6 years.
Mike
August 14, 2017 @ 5:32 am
Sorry, but when I heard Noise Complaint, all I heard was a rehashed version of Aldean’s “Flyiver States” with lyrics that talk about what happens after the fratbros and Panhellenics do when coming home after screwing on the tailgates after the bonfire.
Color me unimpressed.
One_Time
December 5, 2017 @ 10:47 am
I came here looking for something on Koe because I attended a Koe Wetzel show last week, so my comments are late to the party. I am only replying here in the case that someone else is seeking info like I was.
I’m 36 and this wasn’t my crowd at all. I had heard some not-so-good reviews concerning the band’s musicianship from a few Texas musicians that I like and respect. This is a party band. It is a jam band. They do have one good guitar player. Their rhythm section can be seen in any high school band. The guitars were too loud to actually hear any of the lyrics. I don’t mind loud if it is good, but it wasn’t. There was an odd break where they covered Georgia Satellites’ “Keep Your Hands to Yourself.” The bass player sang this song; it wasn’t a good cover and it didn’t fit the set.
The majority of those that were in attendance were what I would consider “frat boys.” It was really hard to enjoy the show because rather than drinking their beer, they decided to sling it all over the band and other onlookers. Personally, if it was my $10k+ in guitars, pedals, amp, mic, ect., I would have stopped the show and had their ass. It was only my face, jeans, and shirt having beer slung all over them that caused me to grab the asshole, who doused me with his beer, by his throat and let him know that was inappropriate. While standing in line to the restroom, I encountered a guy who had just taken a piss in the fire equipment closet. I guess I am now that old man that gets pissed off when people act like assholes in public.
I heard a comparison of what Koe’s band is doing with drawing crowds to what Cross Canadian Ragweed did once upon a time. I was there for CCR, knew the guys in the band, worked in the venues at the time, and there is no comparison. CCR made pretty damn good music and really was a driving force for the Texas/Red Dirt music scene that we see today. Although Koe is charismatic and does an amazing job of capturing the attention of his juvenile crowd, the music is sub-par at best, played by guys who are seeing barroom success and have not mastered their craft as musicians. I fear that their limited party band success will give them a false sense of success and they won’t ever be anything other than a party band. Personally, I won’t attend another show of theirs. I won’t be buying their music.
chelandrew
December 29, 2017 @ 4:15 pm
You all miss it. I’m in my 60’s, a musician myself, and this is some of the most refreshing, edgy music I’ve heard in a long, long time. Is it perfect? No. It’s a young band with a great singer/songwriter (yes, GREAT!), that will only get better with time and maturity. Seems anytime someone comes along that doesn’t fit into a narrow definition of a musical genre, that get chastised by the traditionalists. Remember, nearly all great music was hated at one time. Listen. listen, listen. A new sound takes time for your ear to adjust. Be patient and enjoy.
Austin
January 10, 2019 @ 8:53 am
sorry but this article is straight garbage. the author means well probably but should have a disclaimer that he has delicate sensibilities and the female anatomy where his male anatomy should be.
Koe wetzel is a good artist that can get deep or make a song that gets the crowd going. i listen to this album a lot. Koe wetzels old albums are just as good. “still all i see is you” “lonely as it gets” “wine glass”.
these people bitching probably like luke bryan and his “love who you wanna love” bleeding heart bullshit songs. “hunting fishing and loving everyday.. thats the american way. i wear camo i swear guys”
Kold Pretzel
July 30, 2019 @ 4:34 am
It’s like he didn’t even grow up here. In Stephenville, everyone knows that the Saturday night after party food drug of choice is an Allsup’s burrito, not anything from Taco Bell.
Koe
March 24, 2022 @ 1:48 pm
You’re a pussy
Mike Horton
September 27, 2022 @ 8:57 am
Hey how did all these terrible opinions age? Koe is out here doing it bigger than any of you thought he could.