The Foundation

By Adam Simon - July 3rd 2010 5:44 pm

Since it's US release in 2008, The Foundation has remained high on charts, top ten lists and playlists on country TV and radio and it's no wonder. The major label debut by The Zac Brown Band is one of the freshest and most infectious country albums released in the last decade.

The Zac Brown Band has earned a solid reputation as a hard working, hard rocking country band. This five piece band from Atlanta, GA, has been on the road for a long time working it's way towards the commercial success that they are now experiencing and this dedication to their craft is omnipresent throughout this album.

The albums lead single, "Chicken Fried" is full of country cliches that make the song instantly memorable - "cold beer on a Friday night, a pair of jeans that fit just right". Hearing this song made me cautious, as I hoped that this was not the only standout on the album, as can often be the case. Fortunately, there was plenty more to come when it came to great songs.

Highlights pop up a few times throughout The Foundation, whether it be in a simple love song like "Whatever It Takes", the road song tainted with heartbreak that is "Highway 20 Ride" or the slightly bluegrass tinged "Mary". Brown's voice is often the essential ingredient that makes these songs standout and his big voice soars in what I found to be the album's best track, "Free".

The Zac Brown Band has cut a fine major label debut album which showcases their musical talents and combines them with their true southern roots. Reviews of their live shows are also full of praise for this up and coming band, which will see the Australian release of their new live disc, Pass The Jar, later on this year, and fingers crossed that Zac and the boys make it to Australia soon.

Posted in: Reviews | Artist: Zac Brown Band | Subscribe

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