My Unbiased Review Of Zach Bryan's New Album, "The Great American Bar Scene"
Disclosure - I had been rushing to listen to albums as soon as they dropped so that I could be one of the first to chime in on it and drop a review. I realized this was not only counter productive because it often resulted in me rushing through listening to material rather than focusing on it and paying real attention to it, but I also didn't enjoy doing this at all. Being the first to weigh in on something doesn't make your opinion any better or more important than anybody else's. And I found myself doing a complete 180 a few weeks later on things I had loved/disliked prior too many times. So I gave myself some time with this new Zach Bryan album that dropped on July 4th. By "Unbiased Review" in the title, I don't mean you should expect me to slam it for the sake of slamming it. I just mean that I'm not going to sit here and suck his dick because that's the m.o. around here or because he's dating my friend. It just means I'm going to give it to you straight player.
Zach Bryan's All American Bar Scene stands as a testament to his remarkable journey from a Naval petty officer uploading phone videos to YouTube to a stadium-level star. This album encapsulates the essence of American life with raw honesty and deep emotional resonance, though it sometimes falls into the trap of predictability, relying on familiar themes and clichés.
The album features a remarkable collaboration with Bruce Springsteen on "Sandpaper," a love song echoing the yearning and refusal reminiscent of Springsteen’s “I’m on Fire.” (Both he and The Boss did a good job documenting the collaboration process)
(The two actually performed the song together back in March when Springsteen showed up at Bryan's show at Barclays in Brooklyn.)
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While this ambitious track feels more like a writing exercise in homage to Bruce, rather than a groundbreaking piece, Bryan’s ability to blend influences from legends like Johnny Cash and Tyler Childers with fresh voices like Noeline Hofmann showcases his dedication to community and musical cross-pollination
I'll do a track by track breakdown of my personal favorites and the standouts down below, but right off the bat, you can tell tracks like "Pink Skies" and "American Nights" reflect Bryan’s knack for capturing the spirit of small-town America, though they don’t bring anything particularly fresh to the table.
His lyrics, rich with references to his musical influences, enhance the authenticity and depth of his work, but the production, although intentionally raw to match Bryan's style, sometimes comes off as undercooked, lacking the polish that could elevate the songs.
The album’s pacing can be uneven, with some tracks dragging on longer than necessary, making the listening experience feel sluggish at times. "Boons," despite its heartfelt tribute, borders on being overly sentimental, and "Bathwater" feels like a missed opportunity to end the album on a stronger note.
Despite these flaws, All American Bar Scene is not just an album but an experience that reinforces the power of music to tell stories, evoke emotions, and connect people. Bryan's commitment to his roots and his ability to elevate the voices of his musical peers and idols make this album a standout in modern country music. While fans of his unfiltered style might find much to enjoy, others may feel that the album doesn’t quite reach the heights it aims for. Bryan's dedication to his musical community and his influences is evident, but the album doesn’t always capture the magic of his best work.
While the album has its highs and lows, several tracks stand out for their lyrical depth, musicality, and emotional resonance.
TRACKLIST -
1- Lucky Enough (Poem)
2- Mechanical Bull
3- The Great American Bar Scene - The title track kicks things off with that small-town feel we all know and love. Vivid imagery, relatable themes, and those pedal steel and fiddle tunes that just hit the nostalgia button hard.
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4- 28 - In 28, Bryan gets real about growing up. This track's got a Jason Isbell vibe with its chorus and some dramatic cello action. It’s a standout because it digs into the bittersweet nature of aging and memory like a pro.
5- American Nights - American Nights is Bryan at his introspective best. Touching on themes of dislocation and military service memories, it’s powerful. Bryan's background as a former Naval petty officer adds a layer of authenticity that hits home.
6- Oak Island
7- Purple Gas (featuring Noeline Hofmann) - Bryan teams up with Noeline Hofmann on this one, and it's pure magic. Purple Gas paints a vivid picture of working-class life. (VERY Springsteen-esque) The harmonies are on point, making it a highlight of the album. I think this is the best record on the album.
8- Boons
9- The Way Back
10- Memphis; The Blues (featuring John Moreland) - This track is beautifully crafted with fellow Oklahoman John Moreland. It’s got a subdued, acoustic feel and introspective lyrics. Their harmonies add depth, making it one of the album's more poignant tracks.
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11- Like Ida
12- Bass Boat - One of the things I really love about Zach Bryan is that despite achieving the level of uber-fame he has in the past couple of years, he hasn't hesitated to put on less-well-known acts. Sure he now enjoys the luxury of asking the greatest living songwriter to collaborate with him (Springsteen), and one of this generations best guitarists to lend his talents to a track, (Mayer), but Bryan also doesn't discriminate just because somebody isn't a household name. Take "Bass Boat" for example-
That's awesome.
13- Better Days (featuring John Mayer) - Better Days brings in John Mayer’s guitar work, adding some serious sophistication. It's a hopeful anthem about overcoming adversity. Mayer’s solos and Bryan’s heartfelt lyrics make this track uplifting and rich.
14- Towers
15- Sandpaper (featuring Bruce Springsteen) - The Boss himself shows up on Sandpaper, and it’s a bold move that pays off. The song echoes Springsteen’s “I’m on Fire,” blending their voices seamlessly. It’s nostalgic and fresh all at once. I really love this song. And not just because I love Bruce Springsteen. A+ track.
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16- Northern Thunder - This one is Bryan’s take on the tough life of a touring musician. The lyrics are candid and the emotion is raw, giving us a glimpse into his struggles and sacrifices.
17- Funny Man
18- Pink Skies - Pink Skies, which was the lead single, is a storytelling masterclass. Bryan’s sparse imagery about grief and family packs a punch, capturing the emotions of packing up a childhood home. It’s a highlight for its profound, evocative lyrics.
19- Bathwater
While the album has its ups and downs, the standout tracks prove Bryan’s ability to blend his musical influences with his unique voice. His die hard fans of his raw style will love it, and newcomers will appreciate the honest emotion and depth. Bryan’s commitment to his roots and his musical community shines through, making this album a significant addition to his discography. It's not his best, but it's far from bad. Overall, a very solid album.
I give it a Dante score of = 🤌🏽🤌🏽🤌🏽 and a half out of 5.