Details Revealed for New Cody Jinks Record “After The Fire”
As first reported by Saving Country Music in early June, a new album by Ft. Worth native and surging independent country traditionalist Cody Jinks called After The Fire will be released on October 11th. Now we have the album art and track listing to accompany the news. To be released on Cody’s own label, Late August Records, After The Fire will include 10 news songs, including a remake of a song called “Think Like You Think,” which appeared on a semi-obscure release from Jinks called Collector’s Item in 2008.
After releasing his first few records on his own, and receiving widespread critical acclaim and posting surprising numbers for his 2015 record Adobe Sessions, Jinks signed a deal with Thirty Tigers to release 2016’s I’m Not The Devil. The record became Cody’s breakout smash, selling over 70,000 copies at last count and racking up huge streaming numbers. This led to Cody Jinks signing with Rounder Records to release 2018’s Lifers. He’s decided to go it alone once again for After The Fire.
In late April, Cody Jinks shared numerous photos from the studio as he worked his way through recording new music. Once again Cody Jinks has chosen the Sonic Ranch complex out in West Texas near El Paso to record the new album. It is the same place Cody recorded Adobe Sessions, and the title is an homage to the secluded recording spot. Cody’s I’m Not The Devil and Lifers were recorded there as well. Jinks went back into the studio in June to finish the record up.
The Cody Jinks camp has also put fans on alert to “expect the unexpected” from the new release, and it might be tied to the new fan club. “Once the fan club is open for business, that’ll be the place to be if you want in on pre-sales. It’ll also be the place to be for a few surprises…” Cody Jinks says. And don’t worry, “expect the unexpected” is not some signal for a major shift in musical direction. Saving Country Music has been assured the new album is definitely country.
After The Fire Track List:
1. “After the Fire”
2. “Ain’t a Train”
3. “Yesterday Again”
4. “Tell Em What It’s Like”
5. “Think Like You Think”
6. “William and Wanda”
7. “One Good Decision”
8. “Dreamed With One”
9. “Someone to You”
10. “Tonedeaf Boogie”
August 12, 2019 @ 10:24 am
I’m one of the few who was let down by Lifers. I haven’t gone back to it in months. I hope he turns it around on this one (just my opinion).
Any word on why he decided to go back releasing it himself? I’ll say for being on a ‘real’ label, they didn’t give him much push to promote Lifers. Probably smarter to go it alone and reap the benefits himself.
August 12, 2019 @ 10:57 am
I haven’t heard anything specifically, but the timing may have been an issue on “Lifers.” Big labels sometimes need time to get all their ducks in a row to promote a record, and Jinks might have been antsy to get it out to the public. I liked “Lifers,” but I think a combination of things, including high expectations didn’t result in the huge boost some expected.
August 12, 2019 @ 12:26 pm
I know guys you worked that record from the label and I can’t get them to say a word about Jinks releasing this album independently. But, he still owes this album(s), right?
August 12, 2019 @ 1:04 pm
Not really sure if the record deal with Rounder was for multiple albums.
August 13, 2019 @ 3:06 pm
Less Wise is by far my fav!
August 13, 2019 @ 6:54 pm
Dude! Lifers is so good. Please give yourself another chance and go back to it. Adobe Sessikns and I’m Not the Devil are fucking killers but Lifers is on par in my opinion. Give it another shot. Or ten.
August 12, 2019 @ 10:29 am
Hmm, is that a stick figure standing tall after the fire, or a middle finger?
“Expect the unexpected”…maybe that’s just messing with our heads.
Regardless, it’s a project to keep tabs on. I wouldn’t even mind if it’s a lot like Lifers, and comes out of the gate with a rockin’ 4/4 beat. Nothing wrong with that album.
August 12, 2019 @ 10:38 am
It’s either a middle finger or an index finger pointing up at the sky. Based on Jinks’ teaser art on social media, I thought there’d be a wolf on the cover.
August 12, 2019 @ 2:49 pm
I think it’s an index finger pointed at the sky. Given Cody’s history of religious themes, I have a feeling “After the Fire” may have a Christian context.
Of course I could be dead wrong. That’s the beauty of it.
September 1, 2019 @ 6:37 am
I think it has multiple meanings. Finger pointing up to the heavens alone with the smoke going there, also it could be a cross still standing but scarred a little bit with the top leaning against the foundation part
August 12, 2019 @ 10:37 am
“Lifers” wasn’t his best work, but it wasn’t easy to come up with an encore after “Adobe Sessions” and “I’m Not The Devil.” He set the bar incredibly high. It should be a good sign that he’s away from record-label restraints here; Cody can do what he does best without having to worry about the commercial side of the music. May cost him some on the commercial side, but you get an even better raw, unfiltered Jinks in the process.
August 12, 2019 @ 11:01 am
I don’t get all the whining about lifers. It is a really good album. There isn’t a bad song on it.
Headcase is an incredible song.
I can’t wait to hear his next effort.
August 12, 2019 @ 11:07 am
“Big Last Name” is pretty bad.
August 12, 2019 @ 12:59 pm
Talk about the unexpected, “Big Last Name” certainly was on Lifers. I liked it for what it is.
August 12, 2019 @ 1:08 pm
I like “Big Last Name”, first ’cause it’s a fun high-energy song, and second because I’ve got family in northeast Texas and this song is uncanny in its depiction of “society” women there. I have one cousin in particular that could’ve been the inspiration for this song. Yes, she too was in the Rose Parade, broke a lot of hearts, and married for money. I find it pretty humorous.
The song I struggle with most on Lifers is “Desert Wind.” It’s a bit campy. Also, Jinks sings “where the federale roam” (singular) whereas it should be “federales” (plural).
Also, on “Colorado”, another song I don’t love, he sings about carving names in marble, on an aspen. So, did they carve their names in marble, or a tree?
Minor quibbles, but these sorts of little lapses in logic in song lyrics irk me.
August 12, 2019 @ 1:31 pm
As a fellow pedant, the federale is singular in the same way as ‘where the deer and the antelope play’
And ‘carved in marble’ is an expression, carved in an aspen is what they really did.
But I agree that logic quibbles can spoil a song. I still can’t listen to ‘knives of new Orleans’ because it keeps going from ‘no regrets’ to regretting everything and wanting sympathy.
August 12, 2019 @ 1:52 pm
Haha, alright. I’ll allow it.
August 12, 2019 @ 1:49 pm
Marble is a town in Colorado, but I hear ya sounds confusing
August 12, 2019 @ 4:42 pm
Marble is on my list of CO towns to visit this year. Hopefully I’ll make it. I like those qwerky (sp?) mountain towns.
August 12, 2019 @ 7:28 pm
Yes aspen is a tree but is also a town, Aspen, in Colorado.
August 12, 2019 @ 8:29 pm
I know. I’ve been to Aspen. “Aspen” in the song is obviously a tree, because Jinks says so in the next line.
I was confused by the reference to carving names in “marble.” It may have a double meaning referencing the town of Marble as well as a quote by a late 1800’s British Christian minister:
“A good character is the best tombstone. Those who loved you and were helped by you will remember you when forget-me-nots have withered. Carve your name on hearts, not on marble.”
In other words, having your name carved on a marble tombstone, after you’re dead, is meaningless compared to the impression you make on loved ones in life.
If this is actually what Jinks was referencing, it’s pretty damn clever. Even profound. He’s implying that the relationship he’s singing about was already dead (or dying) when they carved their names on the aspen tree.
August 12, 2019 @ 11:15 am
I’m excited for this one. Lifers was a great album, even if it wasn’t the best in his discography. I picked several tracks from it for my Jinks mixtape.
August 12, 2019 @ 1:09 pm
Cody is an amazing artist as well as his band!! He will be successful!! I am anticipating the release! It’s going to be awesome no matter what he does because he is just an awesome guy and song writer!!!
August 12, 2019 @ 1:27 pm
I like Lifers. But for some reason I never feel like listening to it and when I do I stop halfway. Its annoying.
Devil was the opposite, I thought it was a bit full of slow songs but every time i listened to it i couldn’t turn it off.
Music is strange, I’m glad I’m not Cody Jinks trying to keep a fanbase happy when you can’t guarantee the effect things will have on people.
August 12, 2019 @ 1:53 pm
Lifers had to grow on me. But all records do. I think it’s a really good record! We can all agree that the guy hasn’t put out a bad record. Lifers may not have been some folks favorite, but then again…no one will ever out do everyone’s favorite every single time they make a record. Just ain’t gonna happen. I’m excited to see what this one sounds like!
August 12, 2019 @ 2:24 pm
Think Like You think is an awesome song. I wouldnt mind him rerecording more of his oldies like Ms.Griffen
August 14, 2019 @ 2:42 pm
I’d kill for a rerecording of Lost Highway.
August 12, 2019 @ 3:47 pm
Looking forward to this one. Cody usually delivers the goods…. If I can bring myself to stop listening to Mike and the Moonpies new masterpiece, maybe I’ll have time to check this one out in October.
August 12, 2019 @ 3:52 pm
I hope “expect the unexpected” means that it’s going to be an epic concept album.
August 12, 2019 @ 4:00 pm
Don’t know A DAMN THING about recording records… I have seen him 2 times in 2019 and they were sold out shows and got to meet him after the first show..He was very humble and Polite the kind of guy that would fit in of our cookouts..HE is AlWAYS welcome at my fire.
August 12, 2019 @ 4:18 pm
Ok, I’m confused. Maybe somebody could help. Does he already have a fan club to sign up with? It’s just seems if he doesn’t have one yet, then he it’s getting close to due date.
August 12, 2019 @ 5:02 pm
Big Cody Jinks fan here. I’m also a Flocker! I’m proud to be a Cody Jinks fan and you can bet I’ll be buying this album when it comes out. I got to see Jinks play a small venue in Cleveland and have seen him twice at Stage AE in Pittsburgh. All were great shows but I loved the smaller honky tonk crwod of the first time I saw him play. I even got to hang with him after the gig and bought him a beer. Such a nice guy, too. The kind of guy you’d rub elbows with at the local pub and just sip mugs of beer and talk music and life. Cheers, Cody!
August 12, 2019 @ 5:35 pm
Cody is very easy to like and routinely makes good music covering a lot of ground while remaining very country, which is the type of music I like best. While I understand how some could feel like lifers wasn’t his best work, it had some undeniably very well written country songs included therein and the good ones are difficult not to respect. Expecting an album full of bangers from cover to cover was easy to do with Cody after the preceding couple albums but, that’s almost as unfair as the pressure these guys get to single handedly save the entire genre. As set in my ways as I am, even I feel like we gotta give these guys a couple songs to try some new things. What I appreciate is you don’t here Cody preaching we are just too dumb to get it when something doesn’t work. That said, he also doesn’t seem willing or able to change his sound to appeal to his growing audience as many claim is absolutely mandatory. Imho, he’s doing the country thing I love (writing, presentation, attitude, tribute, you name it) better than anyone else at the moment. Well, him and Tyler. I do find it interesting that criticism towards lifers isn’t met with hostility like criticism towards country Squire (for the record, I think both are very good but neither are the album I’d choose if I could only have one on my desert island. Ive just been paying more attention to what you guys believe and can’t always wrap my mind around it).
I wasn’t won over immediately by Cody (due partially to an Appalachian bias and a few other biases) but, he just kept writing good songs and eventually I had to concede his undeniable talent. He’s a great rebuttal to lots of the arguments in support of tolerating the negatives of many of our other favorite artists. I never use him as a rebuttal to those arguments because it’s not something he’d be likely to appreciate but, that doesn’t change the fact that I cannot find much to fault him for. I just think that his story is a good place to point out how fortunate we are to have a Cody jinks. I’d really like to see him thrive, not only for the quality of his music but, also for his attitude and the way he treats his fans. Doesn’t hurt to keep him in mind as someone we can count on we enter into the strange situation unfolding before us. Thanks Cody! Your “expect the unexpected” doesn’t concern me nearly as much.
August 12, 2019 @ 10:31 pm
Looking forward to the new one, Lifers was great, not as good as Adobe Sessions which is my favorite. If anybody has doubts about how great Cody is, go see him in concert. I think that would change your mind. Also, redoing Think Like You Think, man that made my day. That song brings chills to my spine. I can’t wait to hear it. Unbelievable music coming out for real country fans. Also, since there is no place on this site to comment, Randall King is the real deal folks, look this guy up!
August 13, 2019 @ 10:06 am
Does anybody else wish his band was better?
August 13, 2019 @ 4:58 pm
Agree. Saw him in March for 1st time, while Cody was great, I thought his band was just ok. I also thought they played many songs too fast. Wouldn’t hesitate to go see them again, though. Steel Woods opened, and thought they had opposite problem, great band, weak vocals.
August 16, 2019 @ 9:04 pm
Just one more time I’ll stick up for Wes and the Steel Woods as he/they sounded note for note crystal clear perfect tonight on a patio to a hundred of us on a puny P.A. system.
The band was hitting on all cylinders and tore it up. Jason’s leads were great too! I even high fived the sound guy! Thank you guys for coming, we appreciate it!
August 14, 2019 @ 1:31 pm
I think getting a new drummer, who is more versed in the subtleties of country drumming vs. being a rock drummer, would go a long way for his sound.
August 15, 2019 @ 10:00 am
I thought when I saw Ward Davis’ drummer…….If I was Cody I might grab that guy.
To BP: I saw Steel Woods headline a small club (Carol’s) and vocals were powerful, note for note perfect. Then I saw them open for Cody in Madison and I know as an opening act you don’t get the full P.A. system most of the time so he wasn’t as powerful or clear.
The Steel Woods are here tomorrow night for a patio party and Cody’s here next Thursday for his first Chicago show in 3 years. Squeeze in a Steel Blossoms show in Saturday and I have a great week ahead of me!!
August 13, 2019 @ 3:05 pm
Really? I think his guitarist is greatness as is the steel guitar. Curious, what don’t you like?
August 15, 2019 @ 6:17 pm
I agree. The heavy use of a baritone for cody’s Vocal range was very witty. Being in that same vocal range (only with far less talent), I’ve been looking into getting one for that reason. I typically like the steel parts a lot also. I can see how it’s not for some people but, i tend to agree with you in regards to those two players. Seems like I’ve seen a couple different bass players maybe.
August 14, 2019 @ 11:31 pm
Really looking forward to this album. It is interesting reading the comments regarding how Cody’s past albums either grow or go sort of sour on folks, when I first listened to I’m Not The Devil, I didn’t like it nearly as much as Adobe Sessions, now I can hardly stop listening to it. Lifers I enjoy but it is not as mindblowingly great as it’s predecessor. Still high quality, but it doesn’t have any that top Heavy Load, No Words, Give all you can, etc.
August 18, 2019 @ 7:18 am
I want to preorder it NOW
August 22, 2019 @ 11:30 pm
Cody was incredible tonight, I’m so proud of the Chicago crowd that actually sang along to the entire set word for word. Cody was in shock as were many of the noobs that were astonished at the song for song participation. When people are looking at each other and singing every word to “David” together or “Vampires” ya just know the camaraderie is dialed in. He opened with Must Be The Whiskey without singing a note and the crowd sang the entire first verse TO HIM while he stood there and smiled 🙂 For a song that’s had little or no airplay here it blows my mind. No new tunes but that’s ok he hasn’t been here in 3 years.
Sunny Sweeney opened and the crowd loved her as well as Cody came out and sang with her. The absolute perfect night of current Country at it’s best!