To quote my friend John-Carter of Honky Tonk Traditions, Zach Top’s Ain’t In It For My Health is an album of vegetables — and I agree. Much like the broccoli on the corner of the dinner plate, Top’s album is good for the country music scene. It brings a range of healthier country themes and sounds to a group of fans who may prefer to consume the burgers and fries of Morgan Walmart and Jelly Roll.
But it’s not as interesting as I would have hoped. The songs are straightforward and clean, and in many cases feel like remakes of previously published hits, an allegation I’ve made in the past. Even those mindless Country Central's “Hot Takes” seem to agree with this critique.
While I like vegetables, I don’t want to eat them just because they are good for me. We deserve vegetables that are both yummy and healthy. (I’ve spent too much time convincing people to eat the green stuff on their plates recently.)
So here are four other albums out in the last two weeks that fit this bill:
Hard Headed Woman — Margo Price From top to bottom, this album intentionally advances the cause of true Outlaw country — both sonically and socially. Price shifted her approach on this album, forcing listeners to ask if this is modern, a throwback, or just plain old great country music. I’ll lean toward the latter. This album fits perfectly within the history of country music without making a facsimile of her influences. This is most impressively accomplished on the last song, “Kissing You Goodbye,” written by Waylon Jennings1. In a time where the boys are arguing about who’s more country than the other or who has more manure under their fingernails, it's refreshing to listen to someone with a perspective that is against the mainstream, pushing us to think differently. You know, an Outlaw.
Riding High In Texas — Asleep at the Wheel Ray Benson is a national treasure, and his latest effort brings a bit of funk, snark and good old-time fun to an album of Texas music. Put this on the radio — outside of Austin and San Antonio — and we might see nature heal itself. More seriously, this project provides an incredible window into the artistic vision of Benson and his latest set of players. With no skips, this album takes a very specific sub-genre of our beloved country music and brings it up to date — there is no cosplay. It’s real life. I made the mistake of once suggesting that Western Swing was a throwback or nostalgia play for those making it today — but that was wrong, and this album proves it.
Airline Highway — Rodney Crowell Thanks to for ensuring I didn’t miss this album. His review says it all — before there was anything like alt-country, Americana or whatever else we want to call this music, there was Rodney Crowell. And thankfully, he’s still here making complete albums filled with beautiful music. His work and the work he’s inspired have advanced our genres significantly.
haha, now I’m sad — Cooper Kenward While not a pure play country album — and what is these days — I connected with Kenward’s most recent collection of songs. His first full-length album after losing his home to the Eaton Fire, this album is more about time and space than anything else. The sadness, the hope, the community — there is something bigger on this record. And while we can debate all day about the definitions of country music, I believe that the best albums tell a story of a place and time — and haha, now I’m sad to tell this one very well.
And while Top’s album is good, well-produced and filled with fine musicians, it doesn’t advance the art, the craft or even the marketability of the music. Each of these other albums does these things and more, even as they easily could have slipped into a similar reductive space, as they each are influenced by specific periods of time and sub-genres of country music.
But they don’t, because they are grounded in the present. These albums are exercises in artistic expression, while Ain’t In It For My Health seems to be nothing more than a serving of what we should be eating for dinner.
Other Great Releases:
Dan Reeder — “Up on the roof” I feel like I’ve been let in on a secret with Dan Reeder. This song is tragically hopeful, and I felt comforted by its weirdness.
Jacob Weldon — “You Win Some, You Lose Some”Thanks to Emily Love for sending me this one. The simple truth of the title is a nice sleight of hand — there is a lot in this song and I like it even if Weldon is dressed as a clown on the cover art. (Srly, what gives, y’all?)
Logan Mize and Jenna Paulette — “Trucks To Drive”I shouldn’t like this song, but I do — a lot. It’s on the list because I was humming along after a single listen. The turn on a classic list song about trucks and stuff sometimes just works, and this is definitely one of those times for me.
Elle Jean Taylor — “Guitars, Cadillacs”Great cover of a great song.
Dallas Burrow and Kelly Willis — “Colorado Bound” Burrow and Willis make great music together. Burrow’s lyrical style makes you feel like you’ve witnessed the story and the place. It’s a great piece of songwriting, expertly performed and produced by Lloy Maines.
Sam Platts — “Hopeless”Thanks to your new best friend of the Boots and Saddle Show for this one — I’m very excited to hear what comes next on the album due out this fall.
Another Release I want to talk about more, but this is already too long, so I’ll address it on Friday
HARDY and ERNEST — “Bro Country”Yeah, this one hits all those outlaw notes that are focus group tested and suit-approved, and is part of your complete sugary cereal breakfast. (See, I brought it back to a balanced diet.)
Until next time, keep on listening to great country music.