Humphead Racords 3796370



Florida-born Easton Corbin is the antithesis of the Bro-country movement, being closer to the neo-traditionalistic country of Alan Jackson, George Strait and Mark Chesnutt. He bounded onto the country mainstream six years ago with his first two singles—A Little More Country Than That and Roll With It—both topping the charts. Since then he has continued to produce more top 10 hits whilst building a sizeable following right across America. This is his third album, and though it keeps very much to the same formula as his previous efforts, there’s no denying the quality of the song material and the straight country arrangements. Add that to Corbin’s relaxed way with a tune and you’ve got more than just a good country album—you’ve got one of the best ‘genuine’ country albums of the year.

Accompanied by the spirited interplay between Brent Mason’s electric guitar, Paul Franklin’s pedal steel, Larry Franklin’s fiddle and Gary Prim’s keyboards and supported by the tasteful percussion work of Eddie Bayers, tracks like Clockwork and Wild Women And Whiskey intimately connect Corbin’s own interests in traditional country music and his modern, yet rural approach to it all. He’s not a prolific songwriter, say like Alan Jackson, but he has co-written three of these dozen songs. The best is Damn Girl, one of the finest barroom pick-up songs I’ve heard in a while. Just Add Water, a co-write by David Lee and Tony Lane, combines an easy-going beat with a melody woven around a catchy motif that lends itself to a litany of images both rustic and romantic. The feeling is deep country on the Rhett Akins-penned title song, from the twang of the guitars to the raw appeal of Corbin’s vocals.

This isn’t an earth-shattering album; just solid, down-home country music that should push all the right buttons for those sick and tired of blasting electric guitars, bombastic drumming and throbbing electric bass. If you’re with me just say ‘Yup!’ the title of Easton Corbin’s third single to be lifted from this somewhat refreshing album. 

www.eastoncorbin.com

July 2015