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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Van Zant's Kind of Country Still Rocks, October 14, 2007
Prime Cuts: That Scares Me, Goes Down Easy, Friend
Country music has come to Van Zant. With radio's recent proclivity towards raise-the-roof Southern rock thanks to Big and Rich, Montgomery Gentry, and Brooks and Dunn, country music has opened its doors to the likes of rock veterans Johnny (Lynyrd Skynyrd) and Donnie (.38 Special)Van Zant. Their debut for Columbia Nashville Records "Get Right with the Man" was 2005's success story garnering them two top 20 hits. So, it's no surprise that "My Kind of Country" adopts the same musical template as its predecessor with the abundance of wild rebellious roar as well as a few sensitive ballads thrown in. Produced by Justin Niebank (whose CV includes working with Vince Gill & Marty Stuart) and Mark Wright (Gretchen Wilson), "My Kind of Country" also boasts the best of Nashville's most sort after scribes including Rivers Rutherford, David Lee Murphy, Bob DiPero, and Jeffrey Steele, just to name drop a few.
Lead single "That Scares Me" is easily this album's best song. A change of pace from their rough and rowdy ways, "That Scares Me" is a mature ballad of a man coming of age confessing his fears of fatherhood especially when his son were to ask him about his "history, the things I don't want him to know/the sex, the drugs and the rock and roll." Despite their reputation as rockers, when these boys croon a ballad they are surprisingly splendid as evidenced by "Friend," a beautiful tribute to the protagonist's lady friend for her companionship and love over the years. Though more upbeat, "It's All About You" speaks of a much needed romantic R & R with a melodious Brooks and Dunn affinity that is just winsome.
Romance aside, Van Zant also deals with lofty subjects such as the transient nature of wealth on "It's Only Monday." Told within a narrative framework that recalls a Western movie, this Anthony Smith and David Lee Murphy composition is creative and refreshing. "This Colors Don't Run" is Van Zant's flag waver, although lyrically it's a little humdrum; it adds nothing new to the issue of patriotism. The title cut "My Kind of Country" and "Headed South" are rock anthems to the South. Surrounded with a wall of thunderous drums and screaming guitars, they are fun to listen to without being substantial. Much better is sophomore single "Goes Down Easy" with its pseudo-bar-like call and response chorus finds the boys desperately trying to soothe their broken hearts with whatever means they could get their hands on.
It is certainly country music's honor to have Van Zant on their airwaves. This is because these brothers are more than just average rock band. The years of singing have created a depth in their performances that is hard to find in younger acts. Also, few bands are able to let out their fangs and just let the music rip with a rocking abundance as these guys can. And when they croon a ballad, they can make the hardest of hearts melt. That's talent and that's the kind of country Van Zant brings.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great CD for country and non-country music fans, November 24, 2007
"My Kind of Country" is the fourth VanZant CD and well worth the wait. VanZant "Brother to Brother" and VanZant II haven't been mentioned in prior reviews and deserve their kudos. All have songs that will have you singing long after the CD is over. "Get Right with the Man" certainly deserves the spotlight it has drawn, but "My Kind of Country" is a CD that both country and non-country music lovers will be pleased to add to their collections. Both Johnny and Donnie have distinct, strong voices that make them the legends they are today. You can feel the pleasure they get from singing and sharing their talent with their listeners. Can't wait to hear the next CD they do together.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Perfect Merger, November 18, 2007
As one reviewer put it here, Van Zant didn't reinvent themselves, country music came to them. This is an amazing story of what one genre of music is willing to except and promote, versus the stale, often generic rock and pop world that would have put a band like Van Zant out to pasture years ago. In fact, AOR radio has done that to this duo, who are seperately part of southern rock royalty. And no wonder. They can sing, play and write. Admittedly there's some extra pedal steel, where in southern rock, it might only be present in B-side or a deep album cuts. Even more interesting is that Donnie Van Zant is allowed to sing! In .38 Special, Donnie was the John Oates of the band, getting the non-single album cuts. Donnie's voice fits quite well with brother Johnny who has the best laugh in recorded music history. One listen to "Goes Down Easy" and you'll get my point. "That Scares Me" is more traditional country with it's laments of parenthood without perspective. These boys are totally okay being every cliche of southern life. Football, Jesus, an occasional adult beverage, bass boats, patriotism, NASCAR and any other steroetype you can conjur up. The verdict is there's nothing inherently wrong with any of this. In fact, if you want to be from the south, you need to act like southerners. And Van Zant is firmly confident in their southernhood. What you'll also get on "My Kind of Country" is fine production value, twin lead guitars, killer drums and instrumental accents like banjos, steel guitar and layered acoustic guitars. You won't find a more polished piece of honky tonk than this project.
One final element that makes this project commendable is repentance. These boys now seem okay in their own skin, they understand where they've been and where their headed. Whether it be a non-stop tour bus, or a past filled with guilty pleasure, the Van Zant brothers know they need to make a clean break with their past and leave an example of changed lives in their wake. This is a great illustration of how decadence can be turned around for good. You can't deny the force this kind of music has compared to most of today's rock and half of today's country. Great production, great material and a soon to be platinum sophomore country album. Look for "Goes Down Easy" to become a bar classic.
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