(All rights to Mercury Nashville & Chris Stapleton)
1) "Traveller"
Starts with a guitar rift into. Features some moving lyrics; "My heartbeat's rhythm is a lonesome sound, just like the rubber on the ground, Always lost and nowhere bound". A powerful opening with a lot of metaphors and messaging. ( ✔ )
2) "Fire Away"
Slower paced song. Impressive lyrics; "your love might be my damnation, but I'll cry to my grave", it really brings out the meaning. The instrumentals fit the theme of this drawn out verbal fight with a significant other. ( ✔ )
3) "Tennessee Whiskey"
This is a cover of a country classic. Has a very bluesy feel to it. The track features flawless runs in the chorus from Stapleton. Its the kind of sound & male vocal that you don't really hear in the country industry usually, making it a breath of fresh air. ( ✔ )
4) "Parachute"
Has an Americana/rock feel. The lyrics metaphorically shows the regrets Chris has in a lost relationship; "There's a song that I remember, U never learned to play, And a lifetime of forgotten words, I never got to say". You can feel the longing in his vocals of wanting this relationship back. ( ✔ )
5) "Whiskey and You"
This song brings about more of a folk feel. Features a powerful chorus, comparing & contrasting a lost love & whiskey; "But one's a liar that helps to hide me from my pain, And one's the long gone bitter truth". ( ✔ )
6) "Nobody to Blame"
This has a similar feel to the title track. Stapleton finds a way to play around with the lyrics; "Turned my life into this country song". It may be a simple message, but its the driving beat and his gritty vocals that make the song. ( ✔ )
7) "More of You"
This track takes it back to a more old-school country theme. The duet in the chorus makes this ballad work. A sweet-sounding & pleasant love song, that with the instrumentals never really turns to sap. ( ✔ )
8) "When the Stars Come Out"
Another ballad with some solid lyrics; "You and I, we're gamblers holding cards that we can't see". It shows how life and relationships are a game. Overall, its a bit of a redundant song. (O)
9) "Daddy Doesn't Pray Anymore"
A very personal track, it describes a turning point with his father. He states that his father even used to pray for him during fights. The outro really hits it home, with his father's passing. ( ✔ )
10) "Might as Well Get Stoned"
Has a southern rock feel, with a grooving instrumental break. The track has a similar message to Carrie Underwood's "Smoke Break", needing time to lay back and forget about your cares. The guitar really lets loose towards the back-half. ( ✔ )
11) "Was it 26"
A cover of a Charlie Daniels song. There's a real presence here with Stapleton's vocals (he sounds like a legend here). The instrumentals fit in perfectly with the track. ( ✔ )
12) "The Devil Named Music"
Features a gritty into, which fits in with the message. Here, Stapleton is describing being on the road for his passion (music), yet being away from his family. It shows the difficulties of life on the road. This is just a great use of imagery; "The devil named music is taking my life". ( ✔ )
13) "Outlaw State of Mind"
At times, the instrumentals feel a little jarring going from the verse to the chorus. The back-half feels a bit empty, but the chorus really grooves. (O)
14) "Sometimes I Cry"
A half-time feel intro with a soul/r&b theme. Stapleton really seems to be singing from the soul. The track really shows what he's capable of vocally. ( ✔ )
Chris Stapleton really arrived with a vengeance with this first effort. This isn't just another country album. He expands what country music can be about (not just trucks and beer). There's some real soul & grit here. Its both rocking, moving, and a very personal album.
✔ = 85.7%
O = 14.3%
X = 0%
Raw = 185.7
Chris Stapleton: 185.7
Kendrick Lamar: 162.5
Alabama Shakes: 134
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