Zac Brown Loses Himself (Again) With “Someone I Used To Know”
Boy, you thought witnessing the never-ending drama and identity crisis roiling The Band Perry was dizzying to the point of hilarity, and then began to feel downright sorry for them as matters got even worse as they grappled for mainstream relevancy. Well now Zac Brown has just said, “Hold my beer and watch this.”
The Zac Brown Band has gone from one of the most grassroots-supported and subsnative bands in all of mainstream country, to first dipping their toes in the EDM-style of music in the opening song of their 2015 record Jekyll+Hyde, to then Zac Brown quarantining his EDM obsession into the side project called Sir Rosevelt, to trying to get back to Zac Brown Band’s roots with their last record Welcome Home, to breaking the promise of Sir Rosevelt to not release EDM songs to country, to now reverting back to the original plan of making Zac Brown Band into an outlet for Zac Brown’s stupid EDM obsession because both the Zac Brown Band and Sir Rosevelt are failing to register with mainstream listeners.
Confused? So is Zac Brown apparently. He appears to have absolutely no idea what the hell he’s doing after losing grip on the great thing he had with the Zac Brown Band by chasing after even greener pastures, and now is offering yet another reinvention of himself in the effort to save face and stay relevant.
The Zac Brown Band just released a new single called “Someone I Used To Know” ahead of an upcoming tour, and once again it has most of Zac Brown Band’s previous fans covering their ears, and wondering what the hell happened to one of the coolest bands in country. Even the imagery of the cover art seems to symbolize the killing off of the old Zac Brown, which is eerily similar to all the seesawing reinventions by The Band Perry. The problem is in music, there is no reset button. Once you break that social pact with roots fans, it’s hard to get them back, especially when your “reinvention” involves drum machines, synthesizers, and EDM surges.
Just think, this was the guy who once called out Luke Bryan for not having enough substance. It’s not that “Someone I Used To Know” is not a decent song on some format. But that format is certainly not country, and this is not what people pipe up the Zac Brown Band on Spotify for. Zac probably had the right idea of compartmentalizing his weird EDM obsession into a side project. Every musical artist has a right to explore their passions. But that doesn’t mean they should expect their fans to follow along, especially when it’s so contradictory to what they’ve come to expect, and especially when what passes for “creative exploration” is really nothing more than homogenized radio hit chasing that has already proven to be a vacuous dead end both creatively and commercially.
The Zac Brown Band only released two singles from their last record, with the first stalling at #14 on radio, and the second at #36. Sir Rosevelt’s “country” single couldn’t even crack the Top 50. The Zac Brown Band has become like a football team with two quarterbacks. If you can’t focus on one thing, it’s often because both are bad, and neither will get you anywhere. Zac Brown has lost his compass and is searching for solid ground, while fans are stuck feeling like he’s someone they “used to know,” but don’t anymore.
Again, it’s not that “Someone That I Used To Know” is a terrible song necessarily. It seems to be about the passing of important people in someone’s life, and how that affects you moving forward. But the EDM flourish in the chorus is an immediate punch out for many country fans, including ones that are amiable to some technology in their country, but don’t want to feel like they just stepped into some urban dance club. For crying out loud, the Zac Brown Band is an incredible assemblage of musicians, and once again Zac has left most of them out in the studio waiting room as he noodles on a laptop with Shawn Mendes.
Bring back the beanie version of Zac Brown please, and posthaste.
MH
November 9, 2018 @ 11:56 am
Cowboy Jack Clement’s “Someone I Used to Know” > Zac Brown’s “Someone I Used to Know.”
By 10,000 years.
Bright shining as the sun.
albert
November 9, 2018 @ 12:21 pm
I’ll preface this by saying I’m mostly discussing long-term MAINSTREAM success WITH integrity .
I think that in these times of musical glut we live in , possibly the worst thing an act can do is to keep changing horses , to keep chasing trends and to expect listeners to buy into every sonic experiment or whim an artist may try to subject them to . I think its more important than ever to at least give your sound a thread of consistency , a definition which keeps it identifiable and sets it apart from the masses in a way that brings familiarity and even comfort to long time supporters and newer converts . Sure there’s 31 flavours at Baskin Robbins….. but are most people interested in more that 4 or 5 ?
Songs are not well crafted in a way they once were by PROFESSIONAL , skilled writers …they aren’t meant to last …they are mostly sonically trendy , lyrically vacuous and melodically challenged and a label’s sense of what would or wouldn’t make a solid single is shot in the dark at best . An act has to find a way to rise above those musical deficiencies and at least give its music character…a vibe which transcends eras , musical fashions , generic affectations and productions but always sounds timely and timeless .
Sure that’s a tall order …but still a necessary goal which , I believe , an artist MUST pursue if they are serious about success in the long term and being able to express thoughts and views in a lyric over the course of a musical life .
ZBB does indeed seem a long way from grasping and displaying an understanding of this, as do many other mainstream artists . There are many ways for an artist to achieve consistency of character in their sound while still allowing them to say what they feel they need to say as artists . Jumping from style to style , utilizing over-used pop sonics , exploiting your fans , former fans or potential fans by forcing them to acclimate to your latest ‘adventure ‘ is not a good strategy in the long run . In fact it borders on disrespectful to not only those fans but to your own ambitions when you should know better . It is the music BUSINESS …not the MUSIC business . You need to learn the difference , embrace it and challenge yourself to work within a framework which has established guidelines for long term success ( Tony Bennett , Elton John , George Strait , Chris Stapleton , Loretta etc… )
Saying all of that , I don’t think this is a terrible song by Zak….certainly not his worst . But it is dated almost immediately by its sound ( Maroon 5 anyone ..? )
Eduardo Vargas
November 9, 2018 @ 1:50 pm
Yep- you’re pretty much right. Looking at Tony Bennett in particular he’s an interesting case, since he came out relatively late into the game of recording jazz standards, yet kept it going even when Rock had taken over and Tin Pan Alley was a distant thing of the past. He’s now had an incredible career resurgence (in particular considering he’s in his 90’s) all because he stuck to his roots and sang songs that are timeless in appeal.
I wish more singers would stick to their guts nowadays- particularly in country music.
ScottG
November 9, 2018 @ 7:17 pm
What, are you trying to say this won’t be a timeless classic? 😝
albert
November 10, 2018 @ 2:00 am
I’m almost certain this will , indeed , be a timeless classic .
I was also certain we’d have walked on Neptune and eradicated head lice by now .
Cg
November 10, 2018 @ 3:31 pm
So its a parallel earth side by side rotatating in the same cycle. Why not be at the core of the apple. Instead of just looking at the red. Because no thought goes into looking when it comes to a yellow apple. I’m definitely sweeter and less abundant slower to grow but the wait weight is worth the pounds.
albert
November 11, 2018 @ 12:38 pm
didn’t I just say that Cg ..? is there an echo in here ..?…..sheesh
CBCS
November 9, 2018 @ 12:30 pm
This song sucks balls. End of story.
Kevin Davis
November 9, 2018 @ 12:31 pm
Yeah, I saw two new songs pop up this morning in my social media feeds: Zac Brown Band and William Michael Morgan. I listened to Zac’s first and was very disappointed but not in the least surprised. As you detailed, we’ve come to expect this from Zac Brown. And the fact that he co-wrote this with Shawn Mendes seems to me that he desperately wants to be a success in the larger pop landscape, not caring one wit about his fan base.
Thankfully, the William Michael Morgan song, “Talking to a Girl,” is good and follows the also good, “Brokenhearted,” which followed the very-not-good “Tonight Girl.” So, he’s 2 for 3, for this new album cycle. I’ll take it.
ScottG
November 9, 2018 @ 12:34 pm
The Zac Brown “Band.”
Jimmy's Carhartt
November 9, 2018 @ 12:38 pm
RIP Zac’s career. If you’re gonna sell out, at least make something that will actually, ya know, sell.
Warthog
November 9, 2018 @ 12:45 pm
Any word of this being from an upcoming album? I was under the impression that it was a one-off cash-in for the Shawn Mendes Crossroads episode.
TxMusic
November 9, 2018 @ 12:55 pm
He does what he wants and the fans keep showing up.
ScottG
November 9, 2018 @ 1:26 pm
So does Trigger
TxMusic
November 9, 2018 @ 1:55 pm
Then Trigger should be on board with Zac doing his thing.
ScottG
November 9, 2018 @ 2:04 pm
Unless his thing is not to be. Get it?
TxMusic
November 9, 2018 @ 2:33 pm
Just like Zac’s thing is to do whatever he wants without caring what Trigger thinks.
ScottG
November 9, 2018 @ 3:02 pm
I agree that Zac should do what he wants. That’s different than saying Trigger “should be on board.” Look at the name of this website that you voluntarily frequent, for further clarification on whether or not Trigger should be on board.
TxMusic
November 9, 2018 @ 3:15 pm
I thought you were trying to compare the two. You throwing trigger into the comments doesn’t make much sense.
Trigger
November 9, 2018 @ 1:41 pm
Are you sure about that? It wasn’t very hard at all to read into Zac Brown’s concession speech on his tour bus when he announced he was “returning to his roots” before the “Welcome Home” album as an acknowledgement that “Beautiful Drug” had gone too far. I think he made a diaspora of his fan base with that move. Even if it made him some new fans along the way, they were not nearly as loyal as the original ones. Zac Brown Band wasn’t just a musical act, they were a franchise and lifestyle brand that many had bought into, and then felt betrayed. Now I think a lot of those same fans just roll their eyes when they see this. They long stopped traveling two states over to see him play live.
TxMusic
November 9, 2018 @ 1:58 pm
General public sales for his 2019 tour start next week. If he sells as well as he did his last tour then I think we can better judge of how fans feel about the direction he’s going in.
Trigger
November 9, 2018 @ 2:03 pm
There are two types of fans: Passive fans and active fans. Hard ticket fans and soft ticket fans. Kip Moore talked about this a while back. You really want creative latitude? Develop grass roots so you don’t have to go chasing the whims of radio for relevancy. Zac Brown is a mess.
TxMusic
November 9, 2018 @ 2:31 pm
And Zac has a good mixture of fans that’s why he can blend genres or just make his own sound and he still sells.
albert
November 9, 2018 @ 5:08 pm
no …..apparently they don’t keep showing up
TxMusic
November 9, 2018 @ 8:27 pm
Really? Didn’t their tour sell extremely well this summer? I remember reading about them selling out Fenway Park again. Apparently they hold some the record there.
albert
November 10, 2018 @ 12:45 pm
dunno…what I DO know is that I rarely , if ever , hear zak brown on our local ‘country’ station ( vancouver ) any more . maybe he’s still big in Boston or wherever …..
Cool Lester Smooth
November 10, 2018 @ 2:02 pm
Fenway Park nearly always sells out, haha…and ZBB are the token “I don’t like country, but…” band up there.
Jimmy Row
November 9, 2018 @ 1:05 pm
Mall music.
Too much cocaine?
Musiccityman
November 9, 2018 @ 3:17 pm
Not enough hookers.
Pierre Brunelle
November 9, 2018 @ 1:06 pm
From Zac Brown Band to Zac Brown Ipad.
From real instruments to fake instruments.
ScottG
November 9, 2018 @ 1:13 pm
From a cold beer on a Friday night to MDMA on a Friday night
theres my kids n thats my wife but whose that Lil Dale runin my life
November 9, 2018 @ 1:11 pm
Bama has two quarterbacks and they kick everyone’s ass. Role Tide!
Bama -24
South Carolina +6.5
Georgia -14
Florida Cracker
November 9, 2018 @ 1:18 pm
What a disappointment. This sounds like something that failed to make the cut on U2’s last album.
With a band that actually has artists who are talented country musicians, what a waste to go in this direction. It’s time for the rest of the band to have an intervention with Zac. Might be too late though.
Derek Sullivan
November 9, 2018 @ 1:21 pm
it sounds like an Imagine Dragons rip-off.
Steve C
November 9, 2018 @ 1:37 pm
That’s exactly what I thought and was going to say.
However, Imagine Dragons has more passion and, uh, imagination. This sounds like they asked ID for a song and received a rejected track.
“Knooooooooooow?”
What? It should be “NOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!”
This is terrible.
ZBB produced one of my favorite mainstream country moment with Alan Jackson. “Walking Away” is a sonically beautiful record. The interplay of guitar and violin, the harmonies, it all just melds together.
Okay, if you held a gun to my head I’d rather hear this than “Shake It For Me” or some FGL garbage, but that’s about it.
Black Boots
November 9, 2018 @ 2:02 pm
This is pretty bad, but Imagine Dragons are just as bad, if not worse. That god awful band sounds like the CGI of Transformers movies looks. It’s Michael Bay pop. A big fat grey nothingburger with no defining characteristics at all.
ScottG
November 9, 2018 @ 4:07 pm
“No defining characteristics at all.” Except of course for being big, fat, grey, and nothing-like 🙂
Actually, agree with that analogy. Why watch a Michael Bay movie when you could watch one by Wim Wenders, Lars von Trier, Mike Leigh, etc. etc.
Saving movies.com
wayne
November 9, 2018 @ 1:34 pm
Maybe it is part of his mid-life crisis divorce thingy. Downhill to irrelevancy fast if not already happened.
JB-Chicago
November 9, 2018 @ 1:38 pm
Sounds like it would fit perfect on the new Kane Brown album I just listened to….lol A lot of hand clap/finger snap tracks on there too. They must be related? I actually think this Zac song is worse, if that’s possible. WTF could he be thinking? He should be embarrassed.
wayne
November 9, 2018 @ 1:42 pm
He will eventually appear with a younger trophy on his arm while his future ex-wife stays home to take care of the 20 kids he saddled her with. That will seal the deal on his self-destruction.
Zuma
November 9, 2018 @ 2:12 pm
No they’re gonna remain best friends and “co-parent”…
Bill
November 9, 2018 @ 2:20 pm
Not only is it a bad song it is not even a bad original song…reminds me too much of Someone I Used To Know by Goyte that was a big hit a few years back.
Sbach66
November 9, 2018 @ 2:41 pm
What garbage.
Jared S.
November 9, 2018 @ 2:57 pm
I guess I’m in the minority here. I don’t mind this song at all. Not one of his best, but better than most of what he’s put out recently.
The drums sound like a machine, but not like the stupid synthetic drum loops that are all over pop country. The “instrumental” sections after the choruses are weird. The vocals sound over-produced. And the finger snaps get really annoying.
But the strings sound real, and I kinda like the style of the song. More Imagine Dragons than country, but I don’t hate Imagine Dragons either. I’d give it a 5 out of 10.
Steven Gimmy
November 9, 2018 @ 3:36 pm
Maybe its an elaborate ploy to downgrade his his projected earnings in hopes of lowering that alimony and child support on all them kids.
Zac has real talent, that video of him onstage with Gregg Allman and Vince Gill doing Midnight Rider really shows what he’s made of. Nothing sadder then wasted talent.
Dirt Road Derek
November 9, 2018 @ 3:38 pm
Oh well, at least Welcome Home is good for repeat listens until he comes back around to his original bread and butter. If he comes back around…
Benny Lee
November 9, 2018 @ 4:03 pm
7 seconds was more than enough to know the song sucks.
The man can sing. The whole band is ridiculously talented. But the only record I’ve been able to stomach was The Foundation. And even that was lyrically shallow, though enjoyable. So when you strip out the awesome playing and jump off the proverbial musical spectrum cliff, don’t be surprised if many of us do not follow you and your laptop into the void.
Jimmy's Carhartt
November 9, 2018 @ 4:20 pm
My history as a Zac Brown Band fan might be instructive, as I’m sure it mirrors many others.
There was a point when they were my favorite musical act, bar none. I counted down the days till new releases. I had a poster on my wall (it was high school). When they released You Get What You Give, with the double whammy of As She’s Walking Away and Colder Weather as the first two singles, there was no one, NO ONE, better.
When they released Uncaged, I played it over and over. I loved the diversity of the styles and sounds. From beginning to end, every track is great. That CD is still in my car and I play it when my iphone dies.
When they released Jekyll and Hyde, I’d been counting down the days. With the first few notes of Beautiful Drug, I was shocked. But I told myself it was just one way the band was following their muse into a variety of new formats. I loved that album, at first. But it wore out quick for me, and there were only a couple songs that I kept listening to. I grew a little disenfranchised by Zac’s plans on musical world domination. I worried that they would sell out like so many others. And Beautiful Drug got old fast. I was no longer the die-hard fan I’d been, but I still looked forward to a return to their roots.
When they released My Old Man as a single, I was excited. They were saying all the right things, down to the album name (Welcome Home) and the promise to separate the EDM into a side project. But by the time the album came, I was underwhelmed. It’s fine. But it lacks the magic of their first three albums. It became increasingly clear Zac’s heart was not in it, and he wanted to chase the EDM thing. Which was fine, especially since he was keeping it separate from the Zac Brown Band.
But then he crossed the line by promoting a crappy Sir Roosevelt song as a country single instead of one the several quality songs from Welcome Home.
And now he’s doubled down on it with this garbage. Maybe it’s a fine song, I really couldn’t tell you. My ear isn’t trained to enjoy the style. All I can say is I’ve lost any and all the anticipation I once had for new ZBB music. I’ve given plenty of second chances, as a fan, but I’d say the last of their credibility is gone. They may well release some good music in the future. I hope so, and if it happens I’ll enjoy it. But I don’t expect it. And I certainly won’t throw money down to see a show.
It’s a real shame.
Blackh4t
November 9, 2018 @ 8:15 pm
Same same, but you forgot falling in love with ‘trying to drive’ on Pass The Jar and being let down on Welcome home. That really is a disappointing album
Paulie
November 9, 2018 @ 8:39 pm
Agree 100%
JF
November 9, 2018 @ 4:33 pm
Smothered in wrong sauce.
Lugnut
November 9, 2018 @ 4:43 pm
Divorce will drive one crazy. Mr. Brown is not immune to the impact. I am guessing the new girlfriend is wielding an out sized influence on his thinking.
ScottG
November 9, 2018 @ 5:10 pm
Are you seriously suggesting, that this is his girlfriend’s fault? Any evidence to support that?
North Woods Country
November 9, 2018 @ 5:57 pm
I hate to say it, but I’ll take this 10 times out of 10 over another annoying beach song. God, those were annoying.
King Honky Of Crackershire
November 9, 2018 @ 7:04 pm
Zac Brown has always been a crappy singer, who writes mediocre pop-“Country” songs, while wearing a toboggan in July. Piss on him.
The most disappointing thing about this article, is that it exists, that you actually gave a guy, who sings like Tweety Bird talks, the time of day.
Lucas Revens
November 10, 2018 @ 3:16 am
Piss on him!! Hahahahah!
Zac Brown was one of the first country acts I listened to, he was my gateway into country and I haven’t looked back since. That said, when Jekyll came out I was disappointed, very disappointed.
And this is no better, he’s going where the money is, not doing it for the love any more.
For shame Zachary for shame. And to think I was going to see you in Australia but instead decided to attend the birth of my first child.
It was stressful but worth it in the end. Unlike this song.
King Honky Of Crackershire
November 10, 2018 @ 9:01 am
“Zac Brown was one of the first country acts I listened to, he was my gateway into country”
That’s sounds like a you problem, and it doesn’t mean a hill of beans to someone like me, who’s gateway to C(c)ountry Music was my mother’s birth canal.
ScottG
November 10, 2018 @ 12:39 pm
For us plebeians, what’s it like to be you?
Thoughts on an autobiography?
King Honky Of Crackershire
November 10, 2018 @ 3:36 pm
As it relates to C(c)ountry Music specifically, It’s frustrating to be me.
ScottG
November 10, 2018 @ 3:53 pm
Touché…
Seth of Lampasas
November 10, 2018 @ 3:53 pm
I think SCM should amend it’s mission statement to include an agenda of getting Honk to like ONE new country artist. Do you like Tyler Childers, Honk? Oh and by the way the younger generations aren’t as educated as you when it comes to country music, so there is some value in Trig pointing out these atrocious wannabes for the kids to know what real country is. He’s not just writing for you sir.
ScottG
November 10, 2018 @ 4:03 pm
Any chance to squeeze in a new handle to the agenda? Actually I admire his passion for what he likes, but agree, I think he might benefit from broadening his horizons just a little, itty bit. Ooops, I think he can hear us…
Seth of Lampasas
November 10, 2018 @ 4:13 pm
I actually love his handle, Scott. It’s kind of like African-Americans appropriating the n-word and making it a term of endearment between each other. And it’s very clever imo.
ScottG
November 10, 2018 @ 4:50 pm
Will just have to disagree on that one.
Seth of Lampasas
November 10, 2018 @ 6:01 pm
Fair enough ☺
Seth of Lampasas
November 10, 2018 @ 3:32 pm
I seriously love reading your comments Honk, lol. All I can picture now is you yodeling during the crowning as a three piece hammers down your soundtrack in the delivery room. But still…you’re an asshole. Love ya you old fuck.
Seth of Lampasas
November 10, 2018 @ 4:21 pm
Honk, I really wanna know if you like Tyler!
King Honky Of Crackershire
November 10, 2018 @ 5:22 pm
Yes.
Seth of Lampasas
November 10, 2018 @ 6:11 pm
Yay! There is hope in this world after all! Thank you sir. You have even more respect from me now! Have a good night sir!
ScottG
November 10, 2018 @ 7:23 pm
Well I’ll be….
Summer Jam
November 10, 2018 @ 11:11 am
Yeah, this is the clown that called Luke Bryan’s “Thats My Kinda Night” the worst song hes ever heard. At least Luke’s song was country sounding!!!
Country Is Cool
November 13, 2018 @ 12:42 pm
Was it, though?
Laine
November 9, 2018 @ 7:08 pm
“Zac Brown has lost his compass and is searching for solid ground, while fans are stuck feeling like he’s someone they “used to know,” but don’t anymore.”
🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌
Mjk
November 9, 2018 @ 7:38 pm
What a shame
David
November 9, 2018 @ 11:36 pm
I’m sorry, the old Zac can’t come to the phone right now. Why? Oh! ‘Cause he’s dead!
Sorry, couldn’t resist.
Sara Ross
November 10, 2018 @ 6:57 am
I’m from NYC and like ZBB when they started. His band mates are so talented and I think ZB got a swelled head and thinks it’s all about him. Gained tattoos, lost wife who loved him before he became famous (do people really think that Jason Aldean’s #2 would have loved him before he became famous like wife #1 did? Nope. ZB needs to get back to the music that brought him to the party.
Woogeroo
November 10, 2018 @ 7:05 am
What in the fuck?
damn dude, just play to your fans… they loved what you did.
This is poopy pop mess, sounds like brit pop.
gem1030
November 10, 2018 @ 9:16 am
Im a passionate baker, I love to bake breads and pastries. I went to school for it and was a pastry chef for a short while. On the days I decide to grill a steak or roast a chicken am I a sell out?
Its just funny how this band has such talent and such passion but if they decide to make other genres of music they are sell outs or confused?? I am personally was not a huge country music fan until I heard of Zac Brown. I love live live his voice and the talent and sound of the whole band. I love that I can listen to a song that isnt twangy or whiney. He is voice is bold and powerful. He is the farthest from selling out or confused. He lives music and loves to play. I love that he breaks a mold that miserable people put him in. Get a life, enjoy the music. I feel terribly sorry for anyone who doesnt break the mold. Enjoy your boring life
Seth of Lampasas
November 10, 2018 @ 3:39 pm
“Im a passionate baker, I love to bake breads and pastries. I went to school for it and was a pastry chef for a short while. On the days I decide to grill a steak or roast a chicken am I a sell out?”
-Youre missing the point. Selling out isnt the accusation. Trying to pass off EDM as country is the accusation. You can be a baker and grill some steaks at the same time, but you can’t say you’re still baking when you grill those steaks. As, Trig said, in his opinion it’s not a horrible song, but it’s not country.
Benny Lee
November 12, 2018 @ 11:30 am
When you grill those steaks, are you grilling them while you’re working at the bakery?
Are you trying to sell those steaks as “pastries”?
This is what ZB is doing with this EDM garbage.
This is what Music Row is doing to Country Music.
This is what we are upset about.
In contrast, Sir Roosevelt was (at least initially) a side project.
I would have no problem with you, a baker, grilling a steak on your own time. It’s your life, do what you want with it. But the moment you step inside that bakery, you better be making pastries and stuff. Because that’s what I went to your bakery to get. If I wanted steak I’d have gone to a butcher’s.
A Country-Pop Fan
November 10, 2018 @ 10:06 am
this sounds like an imagine dragon’s song from their current edm-ish era. not really bad, but certainly doesn’t sound good either
Summer Jam
November 10, 2018 @ 11:08 am
Zac must be doing blow again. Or maybe one of his many hookers gave him a disease so bad that it fried his brain.
Liam
November 10, 2018 @ 12:04 pm
This song sucking is all the fault of Shawn Mendes who might be one of the worst songwriters of all time. He also co-wrote a song for the Backstreet Boys called “Chances” and it also sucks. Awkward lyrical pacing, no hooks and whiny ramblings. Zac needs to stay far away from him, along with John Mayer, Dave Grohl and any other artist who wants their career freed of his stench.
Bob
November 10, 2018 @ 12:38 pm
If he did not have the Band behind him…..he is nothing….the Band is what I went to see and hear…..he should rejoin the Band….
Spencer
November 10, 2018 @ 2:59 pm
Zac Brown Band’s been going downhill ever since they stopped writing with Wyatt Durrett.
Jason
November 10, 2018 @ 4:40 pm
Article is written by someone who has never been to a Zac Brown Concert. They are NOT just a country band. That, in fact, is exactly what Jekyl and Hyde Album was about.
Seth of Lampasas
November 10, 2018 @ 6:06 pm
” They are NOT just a country band.”
And that’s fine, but Zac is trying to say his music is country across the board, which is the problem.
Willie Potter
November 10, 2018 @ 4:58 pm
Pass The Jar………….
David
November 10, 2018 @ 11:12 pm
You’re all pretty brutal, call it different, call it unsual for them, don’t call it crap and the other array of derogatory comments on here. The man is going through a separation and quite obviously by the lyrics some mental health battles.
He’s decent enough to cowrite a song with a young guy like Shawn Mendes and release it knowing it will probably get torn apart by people like this.
Find me a band more versatile, that can play bluegrass as well as, rock, blues, pop, edm (with a fiddle player) and even beastie boys.
Just say it’s not for you and don’t be harsh works
Sandi
June 11, 2019 @ 10:25 am
Love ZBB they keep it real play incredible music with awesome instruments..songs touch your heart and soul they are all very talented and give a great show every time they even rock the covers they do…let’s give credit where it’s due please..nothing kind to say,keep it to yourself..concert in Syracuse this past Sunday was 🔥new songs were amazing 🙌spread love instead of hate!!!
Tara
November 11, 2018 @ 5:02 am
It must be exhausting to be so negative. I’ll pray for you.
Brett Watts Music
November 11, 2018 @ 7:56 am
I guess this is their “Chris Gaines” (Garth) BS attempt!
James
November 11, 2018 @ 9:33 am
Well fork me sideways!
Teddy Haines
November 11, 2018 @ 11:19 am
I suppose now he’s just a country star we used to know? I’ll see myself out.
Mike
November 11, 2018 @ 11:21 am
I’m listening to this song while staring at artwork. As the song progresses I imagine Zac’s head slowly submerging beneath the water and by the end of the song he’s gone forever (not dead just gone out of my life).
Jack
November 12, 2018 @ 7:37 am
There is so much bias in this post and most of the people who respond to it that none of these opinions cannot be trusted. These rednecks who want to “save country music” are ripping on artists like ZBB who are expanding their horizons, instead of being happy about the multitudes of great emerging grassroots and country singers you have to replace ZBB in that genre. Also, whether you like the more “pop” sounding music or not, which you probably don’t, its very small minded of anyone to chalk this transition in ZBBs sound down to Zac’s personal struggles or mental health.
ASC
November 15, 2018 @ 10:30 am
What I don’t get is all the EDM hate, i undrestand you might not like it but calling it garbage. There are great EDM artists, and honestly i think sir rosevelt album is really good. Its not full EDM, but its a nice mixture of instrumental music with a bit of electronic music.
Zues
November 12, 2018 @ 7:18 pm
Sounds like Zac’s been listening to his old Steven Curtis Chapman, Michael W. Smith, and Jars of Clay albums again.
Stop it.
thebugman10
November 13, 2018 @ 8:24 am
I had to go listen to “Natural Disaster” after listening to that so that I could remember when ZBB was good.
ManBearPig
November 14, 2018 @ 7:20 am
Remember when ZBB was known as a country-ish jam band that showcased the amazing talents of the players in the band? The version of ZBB that released the live album “Pass the Jar”. I could get down with that version of ZBB. This, not so much. Hot garbage.
Kevin H.
November 14, 2018 @ 4:15 pm
God that’s horrible but I could totally see it being played at the local corporate “country” bar where everyone wears ventilated fishing shirts with short shorts and their sunglasses on the back of their head.
stellanandstyx
November 21, 2018 @ 9:26 am
boy howdy…..someone I used to know is probably Shelly Browns thoughts about zb. Who is he really…. @familytable, sick of his i am so good vibe… hope she and her children have a blessed Thanksgiving
Matt
November 29, 2018 @ 11:08 am
Between the douchey new hat he wear, terrible tattoos, weird album covers, and terrible music its safe to say Zac got too far into drugs. He’s never coming back
Tmv
December 22, 2018 @ 7:18 pm
God… I’m off track again but… It was not impressing watching the sex scene before the video. Let alone calling her partner a hero for it. Very young teens watch this stuff. Guess nobody cares anymore today. just care about an audience that will buy their album… Nothing new historically.