On This Surprise Zac Brown Solo Album, “The Controversy”
WARNING: Some Language
Well hello, and welcome to the review of Zac Brown’s new solo album, The Controversy. I know some of you have been waiting for me to square up in front of this thing and reef it straight in the nuts, saying things like how listening to it is similar to getting raped in the ears by an ogre with an impossibly large and serrated appendage, followed by other delicious bon mots for you to slap your knee to while the members of the Women Christians Volleyball League of Middle Tennessee are sent clutching their pearls from such scandalous illustrations. Well sorry to inform you, but I expended most all of my ammunition on the new Zac Brown Band album The Owl a couple of weeks ago, and frankly, am fuming mad I ever have to address this stupid record.
The worst part about Zac Brown’s The Controversy is that it was released on September 27th—one of these “Super Release Days” that we’ve been getting more and more of recently, where there are quite literally a dozen marquee albums being released simultaneously, and ones that are much more worthy of people’s attention than this. But instead focusing on these inspiring and quality works of actual country music, all anyone wants to talk about was how shitty this record is. “But Trig, then why are you talking about it now?!?” Because, even on my review for the incredible new album by Billy Strings—a performer poised to have an important impact on country and bluegrass music—the majority of the initial comments were about Zac Brown. This album must be addressed it to get it the hell out of the way and clear the decks for more important things.
For many, if Zac Brown Band’s The Owl wasn’t the final nail in the coffin for what used to be a high-flying popular country music franchise, then The Controversy most certainly is. But frankly, in my opinion, The Controversy is the superior product. That’s right. Why? Because it’s actually Zac Brown being himself, and doing what he wants to do. Look, Zac Brown has changed. He doesn’t give a shit anymore about the expectations people have for The Zac Brown Band. He could care less about the loyalty fans have shown to that franchise through both the good and bad times, including defending the band for releasing EDM songs like “Beautiful Drug” previously.
With The Owl, Zac Brown was still being disingenuous about his motivations by trying to fit his newfound passion for hip-hop and EDM into what many still consider a country project, and one still out there trying actively to court country radio and receive industry awards. This is where Zac Brown crosses the line to become a Cancer that doesn’t just affect the standing of the Zac Brown Band with their current fans, but country music at large.
Zac Brown doesn’t want to be Zac Brown anymore. He wants to screw off in the studio with a bunch of big-named EDM and hip-hop personalities and producers, and later go out to the cocaine club and get blowies from coeds. And if he wants to compartmentalize that in a side project—whether that’s The Controversy, or his previous side gig called Sir Rosevelt (I know it’s getting confusing keeping up with it all), then good for him. There’s nothing wrong with EDM or hip-hop as musical art forms on the surface, or even with artists exploring other passions. The issue is calling that stuff country, or using the infrastructure of the country music to broadcast it to the masses in lieu of actual country music.
With The Owl, you’re fair to judge it as an EDM record being offered as country. But when it comes to The Controversy, I don’t think that’s really fair at all. This is not to forgive Zac Brown for some of the trespasses of this record. The offensively-shallow perspective shared in the song “Time” about the trappings of commitment to a sexual partner is pretty gaggy, but is par for the course for this kind of thumpy club music, and usually finds just as much favor with the girls as it does the boys, if not more.
But is the music, and some of the later writing of The Controversy really that bad? Unfortunately, I’m not tooled to judge the quality or efficacy of EDM/pop/hip-hop hybrid records. But what I can tell you is the song “Always and Never” that concludes this record is way better than anything The Owl has to offer, and probably rivals some of the best songs Zac Brown has ever done. Hell, it even has a little steel guitar in it. “Dream Sellin'” is nothing that fits my particular style whatsoever, but dissecting the writing, Zac Brown is really hitting at something here that touches on the fear of commitment.
But what everybody is up in arms over is the song “Swayze.” When people scream how bad this record is, they’re actually talking about this song. They never made it to “Always and Never.” If you’re all cheesed off about the rank misogyny in this track, the jokes on you. You’re the foil. “Swayze” is so stupid, you can’t even take it seriously, while a sinking suspicion tells me Zac Brown is straight up trolling here, using the song to stir “controversy” in this CD to gin up interest, which he has done spectacularly. You’re playing right into Zac Brown’s marketing scheme. It’s like Shooter Jennings’ “Fuck You I’m Famous” from a few years back, or Florida Georgia Line’s “Sun Daze” … Oh wait, that track was actually supposed to be taken seriously, but you get my point.
“Swayze” is par for the course when it comes to today’s hip-hip. People love to rag on country for how it treats women, but in rap, “Swayze” is just another Wednesday. And if a black dude in a cowboy hat had released this song to country, we’d all be getting called racist Nazi’s for second guessing its place in the genre, and become victims of cancel culture. Lil Nas X’s “Old Town Road” is just as indolent, and darn near as objectifying. Don’t take this as apologizing for “Swayze” though. Serious or sarcastic, it’s pure shit, and is fair to rebuke as sexist. But folks should open their eyes to what’s really going on here.
Is all this to say that Zac Brown’s solo album The Controversy is actually a lot more quality than the critical consensus behind it has concluded, or to even assert that it’s some sort of quiet genius of a record? Oh God no. This is still pretty terrible, whether it’s a side project, or whether it falls into the jurisdiction of country. But honestly, I’ve heard way worse from Zac Brown, and others. And my guess is in that pop EDM world where it’s meant to reside, The Controversy is patently average. It’s still a disappointment coming from Zac Brown, but at least it’s a side project. And wouldn’t it be refreshing if more country artists relegated their hip-hop/EDM larks to the periphery as opposed to dragging their fan bases and country music proper through the weeds with them on their forays into electronic fancies?
The best thing to do with Zac Brown’s The Controversy is to forget it, focus on better music in country and elsewhere, and don’t play into his scheme by feeding the “controversy” he instilled in this record to get you to pay attention.
1 1/2 Guns DOWN (3.5/10)
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Dan
September 30, 2019 @ 11:35 am
I thought it was impossible to get worse than Jason Aldean, but Zac Brown somehow found a way. This idiot KNOWS a song like Swayze sucks, he just wants people to share it and talk about how bad that is, he wants to be on anybody’s mouth. This way more people will check the song out and maybe even some of the rest. It’s so contrived, but he wants to drag fans from other genres this way. You are right Trigg, let’s ignore this idiot. Let this garbage be screwed. Doesn’t deserve a single comment.
Sam Cody
September 30, 2019 @ 12:16 pm
A little off topic, but I lost my favorite Stetson to the snake river yesterday, went to a local farm and hardware store where I thought I might be able to get a new one … what … no … are you fucking kidding me? … all the hats (well enough to get me to leave the store) were JASON ALDEAN SIGNATURE HATS!!!!! Absolutely not. I’m seriously considering throwing myself into the snake river to either retrieve my Stetson or die trying…
karl
October 1, 2019 @ 11:20 am
When I was about 13 I lost my wallet in the snake river. Incredibly it was found a few days later way down stream by Melba and sent back to me. Crazy river, man.
JM
October 1, 2019 @ 2:10 pm
I hope you’re from Twin Falls, because that would make this the most Idaho story ever.
ChrisP
September 30, 2019 @ 12:47 pm
Let this be a warning… it can always get worse. I don’t know how that is possible with Jason Aldean and Luke Bryan out there touring. You have to try to be crappy on purpose to beat those two out.
Robert S. W.
September 30, 2019 @ 12:58 pm
spot on too much attention on this clown. Hell clay Walker put out two killer songs this year ‘she is easy to hold’ and ‘makes me want to stay’ nobodys talking bout them. ‘Id rather be lonely by the shootouts. Too much good music under the radar.
Pierre Brunelle
October 1, 2019 @ 7:29 am
Thanks for your sacrifice. I never had to listen to Zac Brown Ipad. I cannot imagine how bad your brain felt after listening to this crap.
I was however at a truck stop to fuel up and I over heard “don’t fall in love as she is walking away” from Zac Brown Band and Alan Jackson. Hard to believe we are talking about the same guy! I mean, it’s a brutal collapse to zero.
Brian
September 30, 2019 @ 11:39 am
I had the exact feeling about this. I did a quick listen yesterday and I thought the high moments on this album were much better than “The Owl” as far as good music goes, but there is that one song “Swayze” that I don’t know what to even think about it. When people said this album is much worse than “The Owl”, this song has to be what is pushing that, because the rest of the album is actually better than “The Owl”. It’s not country, but the songs are better.
FadedShadow
September 30, 2019 @ 12:01 pm
Sawayze isnt bad. All he says is ‘bitch’ over and over again. At least theres no accompanying repeated use of the F and N word like most rap songs.
Kevin Davis
September 30, 2019 @ 12:48 pm
“At least theres no accompanying repeated use of the F and N word like most rap songs.”
That’s a pretty low standard. And I don’t think the complaint, in this case, is about profanity. The criticism is that the lyrics are lazy, embarrassing, pandering, and more than a bit misogynistic — and I say that as someone who is wary of jumping too quickly to any identity-based criticism (e.g., racism, misogyny, homophobia, etc.). It’s just bad all around, and I don’t think Zac meant it for purposes of stirring up controversy/discussion. I actually think that he thinks it’s a good song, which says at lot about whatever weird space he is at in his personal life right now.
Kevin D
October 1, 2019 @ 10:28 am
Wait, is it not bad in general?
Or just when comparing it to other rap songs with repeated use of certain words?
Because it’s just bad, imo. I’m curious what other songs you think aren’t bad.
Heyday
September 30, 2019 @ 12:18 pm
General rule of thumb: Unless you’re Tom Petty, leave the top hat at home. And Tom Petty is dead.
63Guild
September 30, 2019 @ 12:44 pm
You also forgot to mention that Slash can pull of this as well
Kross
September 30, 2019 @ 12:24 pm
not for nothing, but I can no longer find this iTunes…not sure if it means anything. maybe just operator error on my part.
Trigger
September 30, 2019 @ 12:37 pm
Yeah, there’s something weird going on with the population of this album, but I’m not sure it’s a sign it’s being pulled. It’s still on Spotify (thought the first track is missing), and though some people are saying it was pulled from YouTube as well, I was able to pull it up just fine and embed the two above tracks. They may just be trying to resolve some metadata issues, but it would be strange to remove it on some formats and not others if he was trying to pull the plug on it. I’m monitoring it.
twostepcub
October 4, 2019 @ 10:16 am
I got the same with Amazon it took five tries to find it on the player and it’s not in the music store itself
David
September 30, 2019 @ 12:29 pm
I didn’t even realize he had solo record coming out…
ChrisP
September 30, 2019 @ 12:42 pm
The year was 2008. I was a senior in high school convinced that true country music was dead. I heard “Country Fried,” and I was convinced I had found the perfect country song (forgive my stupidity; I didn’t realize real country still existed outside mainstream radio). Needless to say, it was a breath of fresh air. The Foundation became one of my favorite albums. Every time I was forced to listen to a stupid Luke Bryan song I held out hope that somebody somewhere was making real country music.
Fast forward ten years or so, and the Zac Brown Band has become part of the problem with a “if you can’t beat em, join em mentality.” I feel betrayed; honestly, Zac Brown can do whatever he wants with his life, but he shouldn’t be surprised to have former fans (like me) never listen to any of his music again. Get this clown off radio.
Daniele
October 1, 2019 @ 1:49 am
Chrisp i share your pain but it was “chicken fried”.
Kevin Mayfield
September 30, 2019 @ 1:00 pm
New theory: Zac Brown’s strategy is to betray everything and release garbage albums to juice the sales and increase the celebration of his next return to true country.
He’ll have his big “come to Jesus” and apologize for what came before, and make a big to-do out of it.
Trigger
September 30, 2019 @ 1:23 pm
He already did that. The album was called “Welcome Home.” He’s blaming it now for his struggles at radio.
Therealbobcephus
September 30, 2019 @ 2:20 pm
I saw him last winter in New Orleans and I was struck that he didn’t play a single song from welcome home. Played at least one song from every other album (including like, 3 or all 4 from the grohl sessions)… It’s like he wants to erase that album from his mind.
Terry
September 30, 2019 @ 2:06 pm
Thats why I love this blog Trigger! You call ‘em as you see them and we know exactly how you feel!
Nothing wishy washy here.
Thanks for being honest and real! Our country and country music needs more doses of reality.
GuitarGirl
September 30, 2019 @ 2:21 pm
I don’t blame you for not wanting to review this. I can’t even bring myself to listen to it. And yes it’s the epitome of Zac’s arrogance to think enough people would even care enough about this to cause a “controversy”. As far as I’m concerned, as a former and once loyal fan, there’s no controversy about it… If ZBB would’ve released an album – I won’t even put the label “country” on it – but an album that was more consistent with their prior work that their core fan base enjoys, Zac’s solo album wouldn’t be such a thorn in everyone’s side. But the fact that they released two pop albums within days of each other makes it clear how little they appreciate the folks that spent their money to get them where they are today. And yes, we get it… you’re not “just a country band”, however they have greatly benefited from country radio and it’s safe to say the vast majority of their fan base are people who enjoy country music. But we got it ZBB, you’re coming across loud and clear. You want a more pop fan base, and you’re driving away from your “country” fan base quicker than a bank robber from the scene of the crime. It was fun while it lasted, guys. You use to put on great shows. We’ll see how many amphitheaters and arenas you’re able to sell out now. BTW one more side note, it looks like this is no longer available on iTunes. NOT that I was going to buy it, but I was just curious. It doesn’t look like it shows up anymore.
OlaR
September 30, 2019 @ 2:39 pm
Let’s hope he will not release more garbag…a new album every week.
Tracy
September 30, 2019 @ 3:58 pm
100% spot on review. ZB is so desperate he’s trying to stir up controversy. I will not listen to any of this record. I will not give him even one stream. Charley Crockett has my attention.
Jayson
September 30, 2019 @ 4:07 pm
Sturgill Simpson is who Zac Brown wishes he was. Say what you want about the genre shift, “Sound and Fury” is a contender for Album of the year. Executed with precision, and 0 shits given.
Kane Brown's number 1 fan
September 30, 2019 @ 4:30 pm
nah hes trolling, luke bryan really did piss this man off and he went overboard. This is obscene, holy shat……….
wayne
September 30, 2019 @ 5:56 pm
“He wants to screw off in the studio with a bunch of big-named EDM and hip-hop personalities and producers, and later go out to the cocaine club and get blowies from coeds.”
Truer words never spoken. You can also add, “While wife stays at home with his 25 kids.”
Mike
September 30, 2019 @ 5:59 pm
I am not sure how much weight this has on their music, but the band signed with Scooter Bruan a little while back. The move is really telling about where their heart is at right now. They are trying to chase commercial success over artist integrity. This direction feels cheap and inauthentic and fails at commercial success along the way.
David M.
September 30, 2019 @ 6:19 pm
WTF Zac?!?!?! I reviewed “The Owl” on Amazon, and made it through 5-6 songs, and had to shut it off. What absolute crap!! I’ll stick to the previous albums that i actually enjoy.. The Foundation, Uncaged, You Get What You Give. Homegrown, Jekyl + Hyde, Welcome Home arent as good, but still MUCH BETTER than this new SHIT, !
Keaton
September 30, 2019 @ 6:32 pm
I don’t like production, but I like message/ lyrics in swayze
scoutman144
September 30, 2019 @ 6:47 pm
It makes me sad to think the band that brought me back to country music has stayed so far from “The Foundation”. ZB is a joke and The ZBB is a sad shell of what it once was. I wonder if an intervention is in order but I don’t think there are enough people left in Nashville that care enough about ZB to pull it off.
Bill Goodman
September 30, 2019 @ 7:40 pm
Not sure why you even wasted your time with this dribble. Zac is a has-been and a never-will-be-again (not that he ever-was).
I’m not going to lie, I hit play on one of the videos. 10 seconds was as far as I could make it.
Peter D
September 30, 2019 @ 10:29 pm
Trigger, ZB isn’t self aware enough to be trolling on Swayze.
Daniele
October 1, 2019 @ 2:02 am
This guy is a total mess by now, it hurts just to look at him.
But Trig touched an important subject in this review and i would like to know your (as americans) opinion about it. Why do you think the whole hip-hop scene get a pass for mysoginy, blasphemy, cursing etc..and other genres don’t? Because it comes from the streets? c’mon so did blues, r’n’r and country.
OlaR
October 1, 2019 @ 3:19 am
What a shitty week even for “country” music & Nash-trash.
Source: Billboard Country Update 09/30
#1 Album: ZBB (106,000 equivalent album units – 99,000 in album sales + #2 on the Billboard 200)
#1 Airplay: Chris Lane (after 45 weeks)
#1 Sales: Blanco Clown (for 12 weeks now)
#1 Songwriter: Blanco Clown (#2 is the songwriting program on Ashley Gorleys laptop)
#1 Producer: Dan Huff (#2 Joey Moi, #4 Blanco Clown, #5 Ross Copperman &…#6 Marshmello)
A guy with the name Rayne Johnson is a re-entry on the airplay charts (#43), the King Callaway boygroup never made the Top 40 but the track is still on the charts after 24 weeks, a hipster called Filmore is around for 23 weeks now without making the Top 40 too & the next #1 will be a no-name called Matt Stell.
Ladies & Gentleman…the cold hatd truth.
Leslie
October 1, 2019 @ 4:07 am
Sad what has happened to ZBB but this new solo record was released as a “pop” record so at least he knows enough still to do that. Otherwise it makes me sad to see what this great country band has become.
Loretta Twitty
October 1, 2019 @ 5:21 am
Drugs & divorce were rough on the old boy. It’s like the lady I witnessed this past weekend. She was 50+ trying hard. Short dress, bleached out hair… dancing in front of the stage. Nobody paid her enough attention, so she climbed on the table & started dancing. Somebody needs to come get Zac Brown.
albert
October 1, 2019 @ 10:52 am
SOOOOOOOOOO funny .i see that lady ALL THE TIME !
SMarco
October 1, 2019 @ 5:46 am
Looks like I’ve found my Number 1 draft pick for Dead Pool 2020.
Ol’ Zac seems to be in the throes of something awful. My guess is drugs, but who knows? It could also be a brain tumor in the frontal lobe, early onset dementia or some other horrible malady.
Either way, this new brand of music he’s peddling is wretched and I doubt he’s long for this life.
James
October 1, 2019 @ 6:57 am
Sigh. At least we have “As She’s Walking Away”.
albert
October 1, 2019 @ 10:37 am
i’ll bet even AJ is thinking ” Zak who …?? ”
Di Harris
October 1, 2019 @ 7:08 am
Wow. What a prick.
If his Mom is still alive, she needs to walk on stage during one of his shows, and cuff the hell out of him, and tell him, We don’t talk like that.
Bless his heart …
Doyle Hargraves
October 1, 2019 @ 10:30 am
He’s having a damn crisis and I don’t care if he gets help cuz I never liked anything his fried chicken eating ass ever did.
albert
October 1, 2019 @ 10:36 am
haven’t listened to ZBB in a while and probably won’t based on his ‘ direction change ‘ several years back , since his semi-country ‘career ‘ and everything I read here and elsewhere .
this seems to be yet another illustration of how far off the rails things have gone since the gatekeepers were let go . love ’em or not , the policing they did kept us safe from most of the nonsense wasting our time on pop and country radio then AND now . ok …’blondie’ got past them ….but hell …it was debbie harry in the 80’s ..c’mon .
”i saw debbie harry and zak…you’re no debbie harry ”
anyway , the good news is that this ‘evolution’ has forced us to do our own digging and WOW ! ….we all know how much GREAT music awaits anyone inclined to do that .
for me , listening to mainstream radio must surely be akin to visiting the sideshows at a carnival in the 20’s …..bearded ladies , two headed dogs , tattooed torsos ( oh wait…..that’s adam levine ) …I JUST DON’T NEED TO SEE THAT STUFF and life is too short to listen , talk , read or write about it . ….so I’ll be stopping …..right about now .
SteveG
October 1, 2019 @ 1:11 pm
I do appreciate the more fiery/rant-y reviews of heaping piles of trash such as this, but I’m just waiting for the review of Whiskey Myers’ eponymous album! I’m enjoying it so much.
SteveG
October 1, 2019 @ 1:25 pm
Also, I legitimately consider “Colder Weather” to be one of the best songs played on “country” radio in the last 10 years. It’s hard to believe that the same person who co-wrote and sang that has devolved to the point of releasing tire fires like “Swayze.”
SteveG
October 1, 2019 @ 1:38 pm
I legitimately consider “Colder Weather” to be one of the best songs played on “country” radio in the last 10 years. It’s hard to believe that he’s since devolved so far and so fast that he’s releasing festering piles of feces ruminating in the bottom of an underfunded public pit toilet like “Swayze.” I would like to think it’s his nadir, but I thought that when he released “Beautiful Drug.” And this is much worse.
SteveG
October 1, 2019 @ 1:39 pm
Oops, didn’t mean to re-post. I guess I’m just that incredulous about how much he sucks now.
Bob
October 1, 2019 @ 4:17 pm
Zak
Saw you in AC 2 years back , a fight broke out in front of the stage .You stopped singing and yelled down at the people in the fight (are we not our brothers keeper) the fight stopped. Well with that phrase in mind . Don’t change at least not now we would like more of the zac we know and love. There will be time for you to do more later.
A Brother.
bret colsen
October 1, 2019 @ 6:04 pm
He was never country. Country needs to start realising that they are the high school girl that everybody fucks. And that’s ok. Everybody gets what they need at the time….
nzcountrymusic
October 1, 2019 @ 6:11 pm
Trigger my question is this, if these artists clearly aren’t making country music anymore then why does country music keep then under the genre? Why are they still being listed as country? Or marketed as country? Playing at country music festivals, awards shows etc or being played on country radio? I don’t get how country muisc has really allowed itself to become so un-country – and what I mean by that are country radio stations supporting what is clearly not country music? I mean the fans want to listen to good old fashioned country right, I mean for the most part, so why is there all this non-country that’s just everywhere?? It’s like you can’t get away from it. It’s sad too because there are so many really amazing country music artists working hard that deserve the support of country radio but they aren’t getting it.
estaban brown
October 1, 2019 @ 7:35 pm
He is going through a midlife crisis…and I am not going with him.
Atomic Zombie Redneck
October 2, 2019 @ 2:57 pm
I still can’t decide if Zac Brown’s current artistic trajectory is really funny or really sad. It’s definitely not any variety of good. What a waste.
Debra Q Denny
May 26, 2020 @ 4:34 pm
Did it ever occur to anyone that the band may have made this album for themselves and not to cater to anyone else? Individuals have a choice to buy or not buy a product. If you judge then fine, everyone has an opinion. That doesn’t mean that differing opinions are wrong. Let’s please reign it back and use civility. How about a simple, “If this is what they wished to produced and didn’t give a crap what anyone thought, despite knowing controversy if they didn’t follow the hit-making guidelines….” A simple “Good for you” would suffice. No argument intended. I was simply seeking the lyrics to Dream Sellin’ because it sounded deep and I tend to crave the deep meaning besides written words…I felt compelled to respond. Once again, not to offend. Just a different perspective.