I don't think I can properly express how excited I am to be reviewing this. I'm been wanting this album for a while now and it's finally here. I'll be getting to the review shortly, but I wanted to take a second to announce that I'll be doing a giveaway over the next few weeks. I haven't done one in a while and it's safe to say that this'll be the biggest one I've ever done. I bring it up here because Feels Like Carolina is going to be one of the albums included. More details to come sometime over the next few days.
So. Feels Like Carolina. Right off the bat I give Parmalee credit for doing the bulk of the writing on the album and for cutting and/or writing songs with lesser known songwriters. I have absolutely nothing against all the popular songwriters out there, but it's great to see acts who are willing to give other people a shot. There's so many fantastic songwriters out there so I love seeing writers I've never heard of get cuts. The result is a collection of songs that take some familiar country themes and tweaks them. Not so much that they're not still familiar, but enough to make you see them in a different way.
Continuing with this idea, let's talk melodies and how great it is when people care about them. There's so many songs out there that sound exactly like other songs and it's one of my musical pet peeves. Another? When you know what the next line is going to do or be before it happens. I like when songs take me by surprise either lyrically or musically and the songs on this album do both.
Okay, Parmalee's doing good so far. Checking off some of the things I want in an album and here's another one: flow. As in, this album flows nicely from one song to the next. Another item to check off? Energy. As in, it can be found throughout. A lot of the reviews have been focusing primarily on the vocals. But I want to focus on something else first: Scott Thomas. You know, that dude on drums that no one ever seems to talk about? Sure, people talk about their incredible backstory and we praise them for never giving up and for not letting adversity stop them. As we should. But can we take a moment to appreciate Scott's skills as a drummer? So much of the energy comes from the drums and percussion. That's the heartbeat. It matters. And it's so present on this album. So let's give the drummer a bit of love, shall we? He's more than his backstory.
Now the vocals. Solid harmonies that never overpower the lead vocal? Check. In the same vein, harmonies that help showcase both the lead vocal and the lyrics? Check check. A lead singer who knows the proper way to deliver a lyric? Check. Staying on that path, a lead singer who makes you believe what he's singing? Check! People are focusing on Matt's vocals for a reason. His voice is a great mixture of warmth, grit and affability. Not to mention that I believe every word he sings.
So do I like this album? Eh, it's okay.
No, I don't actually like this album - I love this album! It's such a solid album and one that is worth every penny.
Let's take a peek at each song individually.
"Musta Had a Good Time". Great way to kick things off! I reviewed this back in 2012 and if you want, you can check out that review here. That opening line is still among the best opening lines I've heard - it certainly gets your attention!
"Day Drinkin'". This song has summer time hit written all over it. Great, infectious groove and nice and laid back. I think this song could do for them what "Barefoot Blue Jean Night" did for Jake Owen. I'll be surprised if this doesn't become a single. Really like this one.
"Move". The guys are just cooking on this track! Fantastic concert song. I love the way they play it and the way Matt sings it. His voice is so animated on this. Case in point: "Girls tanning on the bow, wow…" This might be the most out there of all the songs, but it works. It completely works.
"Close Your Eyes". I really like this one - it's so radio friendly it's ridiculous. There's other songs in this vein, but they give it a nice twist. I like this bit: "And just when you thought you'd really seen it all/ Well it turns out you don't have to see at all". It ties the verses and the chorus together nicely.
"Dance". So I really started following these guys in the last few months of last year and the first time I heard them do this, I was hoping that it'd make the album. I would've been so disappointed if it hadn't! I absolutely love this one. The words, the way it feels - it just feels good.
"Carolina" As I write this, "Carolina" is sitting pretty at the top of the charts. To say this song took off would be an understatement! People have really connected with this and it's easy to see why. Beautiful sentiment presented in a way that really highlights their strength as a band. Great sing-a-long chorus, strong harmonies - just an all around good song. You can check out my full review of it here.
"Think You Oughta Know That". One of my favorite songs on the album. I wish there were more songs like this! There's a depth to this that doesn't seem too common these days. Such a great vocal from Matt on this. Favorite part: "I ain't the kind to love just 'cause it's easy/ Run when it gets harder/ Stay because I'm lonely/ It kills me you don't know me/ If only you could see inside me". Love this one!
"Back in the Day". Remember what I said about them taking familiar themes and tweaking them? Perfect example. This could very have been just another song about the things people do in the country, but making those things nostalgic adds another layer. And it's so effective.
"My Montgomery". The first word that comes to mind when I listen to this is big. Like I can see this being a standout moment in their live show. It just sounds so good! Love the feeling of this.
"Already Callin' You Mine". I loved this song the first time I heard it. It's one of those that I just can't help singing along with. I seriously cannot help myself. It's just so infectious!
"I'll Bring the Music". These guys have described themselves on being on the country side of rock and here their more rocking side takes over. This song is a testament to the power of having the right voice deliver a song. That affability in Matt's voice I mentioned is why this works so well.
"Another Day Gone". Another favorite. What a great way to close out the album. It's really hard to pick out a standout lyric because, honestly, they all stand out. This is the strongest song, lyrically speaking. I mean, "Live like there's no tomorrow/ But looks like there's gonna be" and the whole verse that follows. The last half of that verse: "It's just a couple miles from my house/ But I don't go a lot/ 'Cause it's a million miles from the back row/ To that church parking lot". So good. So very good.
So. Feels Like Carolina. Right off the bat I give Parmalee credit for doing the bulk of the writing on the album and for cutting and/or writing songs with lesser known songwriters. I have absolutely nothing against all the popular songwriters out there, but it's great to see acts who are willing to give other people a shot. There's so many fantastic songwriters out there so I love seeing writers I've never heard of get cuts. The result is a collection of songs that take some familiar country themes and tweaks them. Not so much that they're not still familiar, but enough to make you see them in a different way.
Continuing with this idea, let's talk melodies and how great it is when people care about them. There's so many songs out there that sound exactly like other songs and it's one of my musical pet peeves. Another? When you know what the next line is going to do or be before it happens. I like when songs take me by surprise either lyrically or musically and the songs on this album do both.
Okay, Parmalee's doing good so far. Checking off some of the things I want in an album and here's another one: flow. As in, this album flows nicely from one song to the next. Another item to check off? Energy. As in, it can be found throughout. A lot of the reviews have been focusing primarily on the vocals. But I want to focus on something else first: Scott Thomas. You know, that dude on drums that no one ever seems to talk about? Sure, people talk about their incredible backstory and we praise them for never giving up and for not letting adversity stop them. As we should. But can we take a moment to appreciate Scott's skills as a drummer? So much of the energy comes from the drums and percussion. That's the heartbeat. It matters. And it's so present on this album. So let's give the drummer a bit of love, shall we? He's more than his backstory.
Now the vocals. Solid harmonies that never overpower the lead vocal? Check. In the same vein, harmonies that help showcase both the lead vocal and the lyrics? Check check. A lead singer who knows the proper way to deliver a lyric? Check. Staying on that path, a lead singer who makes you believe what he's singing? Check! People are focusing on Matt's vocals for a reason. His voice is a great mixture of warmth, grit and affability. Not to mention that I believe every word he sings.
So do I like this album? Eh, it's okay.
No, I don't actually like this album - I love this album! It's such a solid album and one that is worth every penny.
Let's take a peek at each song individually.
"Musta Had a Good Time". Great way to kick things off! I reviewed this back in 2012 and if you want, you can check out that review here. That opening line is still among the best opening lines I've heard - it certainly gets your attention!
"Day Drinkin'". This song has summer time hit written all over it. Great, infectious groove and nice and laid back. I think this song could do for them what "Barefoot Blue Jean Night" did for Jake Owen. I'll be surprised if this doesn't become a single. Really like this one.
"Move". The guys are just cooking on this track! Fantastic concert song. I love the way they play it and the way Matt sings it. His voice is so animated on this. Case in point: "Girls tanning on the bow, wow…" This might be the most out there of all the songs, but it works. It completely works.
"Close Your Eyes". I really like this one - it's so radio friendly it's ridiculous. There's other songs in this vein, but they give it a nice twist. I like this bit: "And just when you thought you'd really seen it all/ Well it turns out you don't have to see at all". It ties the verses and the chorus together nicely.
"Dance". So I really started following these guys in the last few months of last year and the first time I heard them do this, I was hoping that it'd make the album. I would've been so disappointed if it hadn't! I absolutely love this one. The words, the way it feels - it just feels good.
"Carolina" As I write this, "Carolina" is sitting pretty at the top of the charts. To say this song took off would be an understatement! People have really connected with this and it's easy to see why. Beautiful sentiment presented in a way that really highlights their strength as a band. Great sing-a-long chorus, strong harmonies - just an all around good song. You can check out my full review of it here.
"Think You Oughta Know That". One of my favorite songs on the album. I wish there were more songs like this! There's a depth to this that doesn't seem too common these days. Such a great vocal from Matt on this. Favorite part: "I ain't the kind to love just 'cause it's easy/ Run when it gets harder/ Stay because I'm lonely/ It kills me you don't know me/ If only you could see inside me". Love this one!
"Back in the Day". Remember what I said about them taking familiar themes and tweaking them? Perfect example. This could very have been just another song about the things people do in the country, but making those things nostalgic adds another layer. And it's so effective.
"My Montgomery". The first word that comes to mind when I listen to this is big. Like I can see this being a standout moment in their live show. It just sounds so good! Love the feeling of this.
"Already Callin' You Mine". I loved this song the first time I heard it. It's one of those that I just can't help singing along with. I seriously cannot help myself. It's just so infectious!
"I'll Bring the Music". These guys have described themselves on being on the country side of rock and here their more rocking side takes over. This song is a testament to the power of having the right voice deliver a song. That affability in Matt's voice I mentioned is why this works so well.
"Another Day Gone". Another favorite. What a great way to close out the album. It's really hard to pick out a standout lyric because, honestly, they all stand out. This is the strongest song, lyrically speaking. I mean, "Live like there's no tomorrow/ But looks like there's gonna be" and the whole verse that follows. The last half of that verse: "It's just a couple miles from my house/ But I don't go a lot/ 'Cause it's a million miles from the back row/ To that church parking lot". So good. So very good.
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