Album Review – “Sinner” by Aaron Lewis
If you want your musical experience in life to be the most fulfilling and enjoyable, then you have to be without prejudice when approaching music. There are many reasons on paper that one might decide they would never like the country music of the Staind frontman turned occasional country crooner Aaron Lewis. His story is a classic case of the rock and roll frontman gone country. He’s from Massachusetts, which isn’t necessarily a hotbed for authentic country. He seems to have an attitude problem, and allows his words to get ahead of himself at times. And he’s signed now to Scott Borchetta’s Big Machine Records, making the release of this record feel like a dubious enterprise. Remember a while back when Lewis screwed up the words to the National Anthem? Even the most dyed-in-the-wool Staind fans have to admit that Aaron Lewis comes with baggage.
But its an imperative upon every true music fan to try and brush all of those ancillary concerns aside when you press play. The music should speak for itself. Any prejudice, aside from the artist being such a terrible person they probably deserve to be being bars, shouldn’t keep you from the music. Granted, this takes incredible discipline. But taking that open-minded approach, even from this specific sector of the internet that has been as staunch of a critic of Aaron Lewis’s country music endeavors as any, and if you’re truly a country music fan at heart, then you should, and likely will, find plenty of redeemable material on Lewis’s new record Sinner, if not ultimately come to a downright favorable determination of the effort.
The title is not just a marketing term for this record like the oft-used word ‘sinner’ can be—taking an accusation and utilizing it like a term of endearment. And this record is not just a collection of 11 random country songs—nine of which happen to be penned by Aaron Lewis himself. Sinner is not a concept record by any stretch, but Lewis spends the majority of the time delving into the dichotomy of how sin begets guilt, which often gives way to more sin to alleviate the burden of that guilt. Similarly, poor decisions can lend to a broken heart, which leads to the desire to make more poor decisions to alleviate the pain, and leading to more broken hearts. It’s this revolving door and endless cycle that so many get stuck with in life, leading to many of the characters found in lonesome country songs.
To carry along this theme, Aaron Lewis incorporates the song “Whiskey and You” that many will recognize from Chris Stapleton’s Traveller. He also pens originals like “Sunday Every Saturday Night,” “Story of My Life,” and “I Lost It All.” And throughout, everything is set in Outlaw-style half-time beats, droning steel-guitar, and telecaster accompaniment. This is by leaps and bounds the most country record Big Machine has ever released, and may hold that distinction till eternity. There is also more personal material on the record from Lewis, like “Mama” and “Stuck in The Shoes” that you don’t have to squint to see comes directly from Aaron’s personal life experience.
But since Aaron Lewis is such a polarizing character, unfortunately all of this thematic material that makes up the meat of Sinner is not what some will focus on. They’ll focus on the first single “That Ain’t Country,” and while many are singing the praises of the protest song, others decry it as hypocrisy coming from a rock star. Brushing aside all concerns about Aaron Lewis’s involvement in the song—which again, is what any true music listener should try to do—the song has a great message, it’s well-written, and despite being a ballad of protest (which have become so tiresome in recent years just from their sheer prevalence), it is more similar to Bob Seger’s “Old Time Rock n Roll” than it is Hank3’s “Dick in Dixie.” It’s just as much about nostalgia for the good ol’ days of country and paying tribute to the past greats as it is pissing and moaning.
No redeemable narrative exists though for the unfortunate and downright terrible “Northern Redneck.” Not to say that Aaron Lewis doesn’t have an important point to make in the song. This notion that only rednecks exist south of the Mason Dixon is so completely ridiculous and shallow-minded, it’s not even worth arguing. But devolving into the checklist/Bro-Country style of songwriting, and even affecting a Southern drawl all of a sudden that’s otherwise completely absent from this record is not just disappointing, it will be damning in the eyes and ears of many. Though the point is to plead his case as Massachusetts boy making country music, the result is the exact opposite. He comes across as a misguided interloper and tool, and the song is solely responsible for knocking off a couple of points on this project.
Something else worthy of criticism is that overall this album is very slow, just like his previous record The Road. Yes, the half-time beat is what is immediately indicative of authentic country music, but why not slip in an up-tempo tune, even if the theme is still dark, or a waltz beat? Not all authentic country has to be plodding and tired. The second half of this record is one droning song after another, with not much to break the monotony. In moments you think you could be listening to Jamey Johnson, which for many country fans is a high compliment, but like Johnson, Lewis may get too comfortable sitting down in the half-time tempo. Nonetheless, if you’re a Jamey Johnson fan that feels lost in the woods with no new releases to guide you, Sinner might actually be a pretty good option to tide you over.
Aaron Lewis continues to improve in his songwriting and approach to traditional country. It couldn’t have started off worse in 2010, but he stuck to it, continued to write, studied the music a little bit more beyond a copy of Hank Jr.’s Greatest Hits, and has put out a very solid authentic country record here, despite one blatant and inexcusable misstep. Even the cover of “Travelin’ Soldier” written by Bruce Robison and originally released by the Dixie Chicks shows an evolution of sorts. This was the single on the radio when the Dixie Chicks faced their now well-documented backlash. Lewis’s bellicose, über-patriotism has also been something that has won him criticism through the years. Cutting this song shows courage, and it’s a great rendition.
Many will think it’s country music treason to assert a favorable opinion of Sinner, while others see the exact opposite because of the message and authenticity Lewis evidences on this record. Ultimately it’s a judgement call for each listener. Some music just doesn’t appeal to certain people. But don’t let the thing that keeps you from this music be something that doesn’t have anything to do with the music itself. It’s not that it isn’t fair to Aaron Lewis. It’s not fair to yourself.
This is a good country record.
1 1/2 Guns Up (7/10)
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Mike W.
September 17, 2016 @ 8:45 am
Good review Trigger. I listened to a bit of the album yesterday and thought it was decent. Not great, but better than your average mainstream release. The only issue I have is one inherent in Lewis’ songwriting is that I often feel his ballads descend a little too far into self-pity kinda like his old Heavy Rock songs did with Staind. I’m not sure he has really nailed how to write a sad ballad without it coming off as self-pitying.
That critique might not make sense, but go listen to a John Moreland or Jason Isbell ballad and you can hear the subtle difference in the song-writing in that regard. Granted, Moreland and Isbell are two of the best songwriters alive to perhaps its unfair to compare Lewis with those guys and he is certainly better than most mainstream songwriters….but it is an annoying trend in his writing.
Trigger
September 17, 2016 @ 11:03 am
I understand what you’re saying. He’s almost reveling in his misery too much, like it’s a point of pride or a chip on his shoulder as opposed to a burden to bear. At the same time, I think he gets closer to the heart on the matter on this record. He’s improving.
Mike W.
September 18, 2016 @ 9:39 am
Yeah. I mean, I like my sad songs, I listen to those more than any love song I have ever heard, but there are a couple lines in “Lost and Lonely” that are a bit melodramatic. Like you said, he comes closer to nailing it with his writing on this record, but there are still hints of the dude who fronted a metal band that was aimed at angry, melodramatic teenagers so it’s not a surprise that occasionally seeps into his songwriting.
It will be interesting to watch Lewis over the next year or two. He seems fairly committed to the Country side of things with Staind being on a “break” and there is certainly nothing embarrassing like “Country Boy” on this record, but I haven’t been wowed by anything he has done either. I sort of feel like he wants to put his foot in both the Chris Stapleton audience and he Whitey Morgan audience and doesn’t nail either.
Mike
December 28, 2016 @ 9:54 am
I guess that would be the Stand style of writing still rearing it’s head. Which is fine, but all in moderation.
witness
September 17, 2016 @ 10:25 am
Who honestly cares that he was once in a rock band? Time to let that go
Trigger
September 17, 2016 @ 11:06 am
The problem is not just that Aaron Lewis was in a rock band. It’s that Darius Rucker, Steven Tyler, Brett Michaels, and many many others were as well, and this trend of them going country is dragging down the quality of today’s country. This is how prejudices get formed about these guys. But like I said in the review, ultimately it should come down to the music.
ElectricOutcast
September 17, 2016 @ 11:26 am
If I can be pragmatic about Darius Rucker, both he and his band Hootie and the Blowfish were pretty twangy for 90’s Rock Standards. Not trying to start any argument or nothing just saying.
Mark
September 17, 2016 @ 1:35 pm
“This trend of them going country is dragging down the quality of today’s country.”
Country artists are dragging down the quality of country music imao.
Acca Dacca
September 17, 2016 @ 5:13 pm
So, last week Hastings Entertainment slashed their prices down to 50%+ off on all items. I went to my local store to see if anything worth getting was still there — disturbingly for the chain, they had a LOT of crap left (probably because most of their stuff was overpriced to begin with and the sales just got a lot of it under market value). Still, in the new releases section, I found half a dozen copies of Steven Tyler’s new album left whilst almost everything else from the row had been pillaged. And that’s all we need to say about that…
Mike
September 28, 2016 @ 5:04 am
Sinner was his best country album so far and he will just get better don’t hate you all now it’s a good album
Scott S.
September 18, 2016 @ 7:13 am
I agree that it is time to accept Arron as a legitimate country musician. Unlike Steven Tyler and Brett Michaels who are simply making a country album to try and resurrect their careers and cash in on a few dollars, Aaron has made two solid country albums now. And unlike them, his career with Staind was still doing just fine. He doesn’t need the money or a career resurrection, he is doing country music because he wants too, not as a side project. If we are going to downgrade him because he was in a heavy metal band, you might as well apply that to Shooter Jennings, Kevin Fowler, Cody Jinks, and Whitey Morgan, all of whom started out their careers metal bands, and all considered respected country musicians. And the fact he is from Massachusetts doesn’t really make a difference either considering Whitey is from Flint Michigan. In fact Whitey’s connection to the Flint metal community got the 78s their first record deal with the metal label Small Stone right there in Flint where they recorded a cover of Van Halen’s Running With The Devil. One of my favorite Whitey songs by the way. Aaron Lewis has made a few miss steps, but overall is making solid country music. Time to put away the former metal singer clauses.
Thanks for the fair review on the music itself though.
Trigger
September 18, 2016 @ 8:00 am
I have reviewed and recommended country music from New York City, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, England, Germany, parts of eastern Europe, and who knows where else. I purposely seek out music from strange locales because you can find some diamonds in the rough there. That is where I found Tami Neilson and she is one of the hottest underground names going at the moment. Yes, geography does play into the history of country music, and can give an artist a certain amount of cred. But if you limit your musical experience to artists only from the Southm you’re missing out on a ton of great music.
Shawn
August 1, 2021 @ 6:23 pm
I dont want to let it go though lol. He is in my opinion great in band or solo. Just like Darius, who also has a “whiskey and you” which is pretty cool. I think its pretty incredible to be successful at multiple genres. Both Aaron and Darius remember where they came from too. I think its a good story. I hope Staind does albums just like Hootie. They don’t need to be gold records, it’s bigger than that.
Michael Reddy
September 17, 2016 @ 10:38 am
I liked this album. Personal I could care less what Aaron Lewis’s history is. Just give me an album that has good songwriter and at least try’s to sound country. This album fits that bill.
justin casey
September 17, 2016 @ 1:23 pm
picked up the album this morning it’s not album of the year but like mike said it’s better than your average mainstream release and i think better than his last album the road
justin casey
September 19, 2016 @ 1:16 pm
that being said after i heard northern redneck i laughed for a good minute straight
one of the worst examples of a mediocre list song i’ve heard, rest of the album is pretty solid though
Andrew
September 17, 2016 @ 1:25 pm
I think the Northern Redneck song will be a single. I think it’s on there for marketing and is a brilliant marketing plan; the song will probably be extremely popular in the north. Songs about “northern rednecks” are, at least in the mainstream, virtually non existent.
Nate
September 17, 2016 @ 3:00 pm
There’s so much wrong with today’s modern country that in order to move the genre forward in a positive direction, we need to celebrate when someone gets it right. Yes, Aaron Lewis is the cliche rock star-turned-country, but he’s (finally) doing it the right way, so let’s celebrate that. Of course we don’t want every former rocker transitioning to country just because they want a paycheck, but if they all come and put out music like this, is that the worst thing? I say no.
BwareDWare94
September 17, 2016 @ 3:46 pm
I’d like to hear Break the Cycle with country arrangements.
justin casey
September 17, 2016 @ 6:43 pm
i actually think epiphany would work with a country arrangement and maybe outside too if you turned down the guitars a bit
Six String Richie
September 19, 2016 @ 11:16 am
Though I don’t “want” more rock stars to go country, I wish the ones that do would cover their old songs. I’d love to hear “Let Her Cry” or “Drowning” or “Look Away” by Hootie done with a country arrangement.
A Darius sings Hootie country album or EP would be cool in my opinion.
justin casey
September 19, 2016 @ 1:11 pm
i truly believe if you released cracked rearview today and sold it to country radio it could be just as successful maybe not album sales wise but singles absolutely
Mark
September 17, 2016 @ 4:31 pm
Good review, except…. If we stopped listening to tunes by people that spent time behind bars, a lot of good music would be missed out on.
I listened to the song “that aint country”…. good tune.
But singing authentically in one or another of the styles of country music is really hard.
I actually think that where you come from has a lot to do with it.. I think it really is music of the American South. So coming from somewhere else is a problem if that’s what you want to do.
But he’s got a good voice, and he’s giving it a good try, just based on that one tune. And great players, whoever they are.
Thanks Trigger.
Tezca
September 17, 2016 @ 7:24 pm
In my opinion no its not, can I bring up Merle Haggard again? He was born in California, a state outside of the American south. He is also considered one of the greats of country music, a great songwriter and as I learn on SCM, the voice of the working man, So you’re telling that cause he isn’t from the South that him being a legendary country music singer is a problem? Or what about Terri Clark? A country singer from Canada who obviously is into country music cause she likes country music and respects it. She even a member of the Grand Old Opry. It shouldn’t matter what state or country you’re from, if one wants to sing country music and that’s their passion then they can be as real country singers as someone from the South.
I’m sure Nadia can make the same point more eloquently than I can lol
mark
September 18, 2016 @ 9:15 am
Merle’s parents and older siblings were from oklahoma; probably many of the people he knew as he grew up were dustbowl refugees and their children.
Tom Smith
September 17, 2016 @ 8:04 pm
The first five seconds of That Ain’t Country is 100 time more country than anything I ever hear on a modern country radio station.
Bill Goodman
September 17, 2016 @ 9:24 pm
I’m not sure I can get into it. I watched the video posted, it’s got an ok sound to it, it seems a bit too polished. Also the fact that it’s Aaron Lewis is a turn off because his constant crying in his Staind songs was just terrible. Skimming through a few of the comments I see that it is nearly the same with his country stuff. I think I’ll have to pass on this one.
Andrew
September 18, 2016 @ 4:53 pm
The album is great. I do agree it is a little bit overproduced, but you really need to get over the fact that Aaron was in Staind. Just because he sang in a rock band doesn’t mean he can’t sing country music now.
Arthur Jackson
December 27, 2016 @ 2:13 pm
I don’t think him being in Staind is the problem Bill has with this record. The problem his country singing has is the same problem his rock singing does – the constant crying. I totally get it and feel the same way. I don’t like Staind and I don’t like this. I am not saying this is bad because I don’t think that he is a carpet bagger like other washed up rock stars trying to go country. It feels and sounds sincere, just not a sound I care for.
Scott S.
September 18, 2016 @ 7:16 am
I like this album. Reminds me of a mix of Jamey Johnson and Frank Foster.
Truth5
September 18, 2016 @ 9:28 am
Surprisingly pretty good
hoptowntiger94
September 18, 2016 @ 3:37 pm
At outlaw fest waiting for Neil Young. Read you write up and will give this album a chance based on your opinion.
The Jamey Johnson comment made me laugh. We saw him at Farm Aid yesterday and he’s totally resigned to being a cover band with his girlfriend.
justin casey
September 18, 2016 @ 4:35 pm
wait is he dating alison krauss?
Trigger
September 18, 2016 @ 6:26 pm
Worst kept secret in country music. But Jamey Johnson is also the least covered beat in country. Partly because he’s not doing much more than singing cover songs these days.
justin casey
September 18, 2016 @ 6:33 pm
i had no idea i knew they’d sang together quite a bit but had no idea they were dating
i legitimately thought she was married to jerry douglas
Mitch
September 19, 2016 @ 6:10 am
We just saw Jamey in Selma NC and both my wife and I were shocked when Alison came out as a “surprise” guest and then proceeded to do the while show with him. Guess now we know why….
Joe
September 18, 2016 @ 4:28 pm
As a country fan who listens to almost any new music I can say I came without knowledge of Aaron Lewis or his baggage. That said I agree with the critic here as this is more country than almost 90% of what passes these days. I can hear Charlie Daniel’s, Montgomery Gentry type vocals with the old time tempo and steel guitars in background. Very enjoyable album for the most part.
sbach66
September 18, 2016 @ 6:54 pm
I was skeptical, but an old fraternity brother who works in the business in Nashville with close ties to the Lewis camp gave me the heads up a couple of months ago that I would like this.
He was right, I do. (With the exception of Northern Redneck, for all the reasons Trig notes above.) This and “Mud” owned the stereo on the truck this weekend.
Acca Dacca
September 18, 2016 @ 7:24 pm
Was skeptical about this when I heard about it, as many others were. I bought both of his prior releases — pandering or not, I thought the Town Line EP had some good moments and that The Road had some bad moments. Both were imminently listenable, but if I can’t say that I’d run for them if I were looking to get my country music OR Aaron Lewis fix (Staind is much better for the latter, obviously). Sinner is Lewis’ first record to fill either category for me, and I can’t tell you how surprised I was when the first few notes exited my car speakers. It’s not that his last album was un-country, but it sounded a little dead. Even if he keeps it around the same tempo for every song this album just sounds SO much more inspired to my ears. I even liked “That Ain’t Country” — which I didn’t listen to prior to release — and enjoyed the rather unexpected Willie Nelson cameo on the title track, even if Willie is sounding a little ragged these days (I was kind of surprised that the take on the album is the one they went with as he barely gets the first few words out). Can’t say that I’ve completely nailed down my feelings on the whole affair, but I know that it’s resolutely positive as opposed to indifferent amusement as with the last two efforts from Aaron.
Funny you should mention Jamey Johnson, as my only complaint is that he’s forcing the twang out in his vocals and on some tracks he manages to sound like Jamey (who is far from the worst vocalist someone can sound like, it just comes across as inauthentic). Oh well, I guess if Jamey’s never gonna give us another record we might as well have Aaron Lewis writing some decent songs and going his best impression (as you noted).
Thank you, Trigger, for the review (as always).
AC_86
September 19, 2016 @ 2:12 am
As always Trig, super review
Thanks
MAJOR
September 19, 2016 @ 6:07 am
I listened to the album this weekend and I thought it was really good. When you can listen to a country album from start to finish a not have to skip a song, that means its a really good album. I know everyone talks smack about the controversial Aaron Lewis, but honestly the fact that someone can put rock music on hold to focus on a solo country music career is awesome. The genre of music closest to rock is country because the lyrics pretty much talking about the same thing LIFE. Aaron Lewis can do anything musically I have heard him rap, sing rock, and R&B and he does a great job at singing all genres, its just a matter of time before he conquers country music. Trigger it is a fair assessment, I enjoyed the article thumbs up Bud!
JohnWayneTwitty
September 19, 2016 @ 6:25 am
Even though you try to give a barb that it’s “too slow” of an album, that is the selling point with me. So many 90s country albums could have been great if not for the up tempo fluff.
Stringbuzz
September 19, 2016 @ 7:22 am
I listened to this album several times over the last couple days.
I like the album and have enjoyed listening to it.
Pretty good review Trigger, I am aligned with you on this one.
I also think a couple of songs that originally didn’t hit me at first have become more enjoyable as I listened to the album as a whole (aint country, northern redneck(i’ll give it a pass))..
I think this will be an album that gets better with listens.. Which is a good thing.
I want to point out that the instrumentation on this album is so solid. I’ve seen him live a few times and his band has been outstanding. I haven’t looked to see if this is who he uses on the album.
Also, Travelin’ Soldier is sung by his 13 year old daughter Zoe. I thought that was pretty cool, because it is solid.
Also, I am proud to be from Massachusetts!
Crabb
September 19, 2016 @ 9:48 am
Since reading the stories leading up to Sinner, I had to go find this and of course Wal Mart had it for 10 dollars. I never was a big Staind fan and I knew Aaron Lewis can be a loose cannon but I’m surprised on how fairly good most of this album really is. It certainly sounds a lot more honest of a country record than Steven Tyler’s attempt, but I tend to think that Aaron just focused on keeping it country and not try to please each and everybody like Mr. Tyler. Certainly there are missteps, Northern Redneck is Lewis’ Bro Country song, plus a tenacity to fall into that slow outlaw mid tempo that tends to bore me. But at least Aaron got the good graces to get Buddy Cannon to produce this instead of Joey Moi, and getting Willie Nelson, Alison Krauss and Vince Gill to help out. The stunner might be Travenlin’ Soldier by Zoe, which sounds she might be a future country star in the making. Plus Sinner might have a better shelf life than say, Steven Tyler’s. I give it a solid B grade.
Rockies
September 19, 2016 @ 12:19 pm
Trig you have been very vocal in your criticism of Aaron Lewis.
You did a great job here balancing some person opinion vs the actual album and have written and fair and well written review.
Aaron Lewis has a lot of faults but he is making some decent country music. Of the big names that “have gone country” he is the only one who is even close to making country music.
You do go on some rants, but reviews like this show why SCM is the leading site for honest opinion on country music.
Parth Venkat
September 19, 2016 @ 4:17 pm
Spot on with the review of the review!
Trigger
September 19, 2016 @ 6:08 pm
Thanks Rockies.
OTorres
September 20, 2016 @ 7:50 am
I have been reading Trigs reviews on Aaron for a while now! I’m glad you gave him a fair shake! I just saw Aaron last night in Houston. Awesome review Trig! Btw this is my first comment in 2 years I have been lurking around here lol!
CCRR
September 20, 2016 @ 12:41 pm
I’m new to SCM, mostly I’ve looked through posts to see the exchange of opinions and to find out about artists I may not have known about previously – I love all music (I do mean all) but having grown up listening to country, I tend to lean towards this genre. I am having one hell of a time discovering exactly what the goal of SCM is. I can’t find any consistency in the critiques….does Trigger want to promote authenticity? If so, I don’t understand the positive review of this album. How is it good for country music? Still pandering! Just to a different crowd….so, is the goal a more “country sound”? Anyone can reproduce that….also don’t see how this will save a genre. A combo of sound and lyrics that somehow Trigger deems as “country” because he has decided to give himself the title of “critic worthy of deciding what is and isn’t country”? I just cannot figure this place out. I give Trigger credit, he is capable of well thought-out reviews that delve into the albums substance, I have seen them. Then he goes on rant-fueled rages filled with prepubescent-boy style shit and poo references. Is it the “let me criticize today’s most popular music to create a scene and get people talking about me” website?? I just don’t know! Sometimes this place acts exactly like the acts it criticizes. Which is completely counter productive to the movement…at least I think it is, but seeing as how I can’t figure out a clear direction, who knows. Seriously, someone explain to me what is going on here. I can’t help but feel like it’s just the new “hipster” thing to do….prove me wrong. I’m willing to listen.
Trigger
September 20, 2016 @ 10:19 pm
Not every subject, artist, or piece of music is black and white. Usually it is a shade of grey. In the case of Aaron Lewis, he is both a country music interloper carpetbagger, and someone who is actually putting out authentic country and deserves to be praised for it. Even though these things seem like polar opposites, and I can understand why some would find this frustrating, it’s just the case with Aaron. I have written multiple articles, and in just the last few weeks severely questioning the motives and merits of Aaron Lewis’s country career. But when it came to the album, I chose, as I always try to do, to focus on the music solely. For most artists, I would probably do all of this stuff in one article.
I hope this helps answer your question, which is a valid one.
CCRR
September 21, 2016 @ 7:58 am
Wow…first off thank you for personally and legitimately addressing this comment; I appreciate and respect that. Second, while I don’t feel it completely answers my question, I do believe I understand what you are trying to get at. I still feel like there is a lot of hypocrisy and unclear stance within SCM. But, that is my personal opinion and it could have more to do with the fact that I’m a bit more liberal with my take on the state of country music. I’ve been listening to country across three decades now, and I feel like this rhetoric is not new to the genre….it’s always going to be there, just like the music is always going to be changing; so with that said, I almost feel like it’s a lost cause. Anyways, what I’m getting at is that perhaps no matter how you put it, it’s just going to make sense to me because I’m not of the total SCM mindset. I do echo some of the sentiments shared here though; I do think a lot of mainstream country has become fluffy and watered down. However, I don’t think it is all bad, and I still admit to enjoying a good portion of what I hear (yes, even pop and bro country – not everything has to be so serious). I also have enjoyed hearing about artists I may not have known about previously; I read about Turnpike Troubadours here and checked them out – I liked it! I want to listen to Isbell next. And I CAN appreciate when you try to give honest album reviews. I don’t like the immature rants, and feel like it’s more of a “hey pay attention to me” stunt – but hey, it is what it is. You need to get noticed too, I suppose. Just wanted to share my two cents. I can’t deny I find this place interesting, despite my skepticism of what SCM truly is. I suppose it’s not all black and white on either side, right? And that’s a good thing.
dave
September 22, 2016 @ 11:47 pm
I could not agree with you more!!! I do enjoy this site! But it does get confusing I know a lot of readers that feel that way, tons of double talking going on, it was better a few years ago by far
Biscuit
September 21, 2016 @ 4:38 pm
I took a moment to listen to this online “That Ain’t Country (That I Want To Buy)”.
Smalley
September 24, 2016 @ 5:59 am
I took Trigger’s advice, cleared away all the baggage and just listened to the music. This is a very country album. Lewis is still learning, you can tell, but you have to respect the effort.
The Troubled Two
September 24, 2016 @ 3:50 pm
I was never a huge fan of Staid but this album impressed me. Anyone that can write deep songs like this is ok in my book, beats the hell out of any pop country on the radio.Between this and the new Cody Jinks album, both solid country albums.
Corey
September 26, 2016 @ 11:48 am
I checked out this album based on the review and the comment section for this website. I failed to enjoy any of it. Wait, I did enjoy the backing band. The music was good. Very good, in fact. The vocals, the lyrics and the inconsistency in singing style left a terrible taste in my mouth. If we’re all supposed to pat him on the back for making a solid effort but missing the mark entirely, then I guess it’s a participation reward. It sounds like he’s trying to sound country instead of simply playing country. The differing vocal styles on different tracks sounds pathetic and confused. It’s like he’s trying to replicate some of his favorite artists, rather than finding his own voice and standing behind it. Lyrically it’s another failed attempt at trying to sing about what he thinks country artists sing about. It’s a lot of derivative, generic, woe-is-me, self pity songs that never really address a topic or issue that’s making him sad or giving credit to the sad country song. There’s nothing about heartbreak, or loss of a loved one, or failed attempts or being broke or anything tangible or specific to relate to or empathize with. Just a bunch of I’m sad because my life isn’t exactly how I want it to be lyrics. Is country the only music genre that deems name dropping as perfectly acceptable in defining yourself as authentic? Aaron Lewis sure got that little tidbit covered as well. Any of country’s predecessors who helped shape and define the genre sure got mentioned in spades in ‘That Aint Country’. It must be genuinely authentic because look at all the names he mentioned! And the fake southern accent on the Northern Redneck song…really? This doesn’t come across as simply ridiculous to anyone? A lot of his wailing ballad sections also just sound like rock ballads with a country band playing in the background. I think he has potential and his heart may be in the right place but to praise this album as a good country album seems a little too eager and over zealous. Perhaps if he’d actually found his voice, polished these songs, had real issues or emotions to write about and pushed the release date back by another year or more he may have staked a spot in defining himself as a country artist. Otherwise it just seems like another Steven Tyler, Kiefer Sutherland, etc etc. Some of these critiques or complaints I mentioned have been mentioned by others as well, including Trigger but I have a hard time overlooking the collection of missteps on this album and genuinely recommending it as a good country album. I’m from Canada so I’m already apologizing for my opinion and saying thank you for a wonderful website.
WestTexasRain
September 28, 2016 @ 9:09 am
I like the song that ain’t country but….the fake southern accent at certain parts of it brings it down a bit but still a good song.