Who the hell is Frankie Ballard? It’s probably the second most popular question in mainstream country music after “Who the hell is Chris Stapleton?!?” Ever since Frankie scored his first No. 1 with “Helluva Life”, the guy has had two more No. 1 singles despite absolutely album sales. When it comes to Frankie’s music, I certainly wouldn’t call myself a huge fan, but I happen to think he’s got some good stuff. “Tell Me You Get Lonely” was one of my favorite songs of 2010, and I think he’s got some good album cuts like “Tip Jar” and “Rescue Me”. On the other hand, he’s also got some music that is pure schlock like the pandering “Helluva Life” and “Sunshine & Whiskey” (and how funny is it that THOSE songs were two of his No. 1’s?) Anyway, now he’s back with the first single from his yet to be named third studio album. So with that in mind, how is “It All Started With A Beer”?
Well, shockingly good, as this is easily the best song that Frankie has ever recorded. Between this song and Justin Moore’s new one it looks like we’re getting into that time of year when more serious and/or just better material has a fighting chance of doing well on the airplay charts. Hell, I’m all for it. What’s even better is that this could be the first song that truly gives Frankie some recognition other than just the guy with three vanilla No. 1 singles.
It’s not necessarily that the song is revolutionary or that deep or anything, it’s just that it’s easily one of the better singles in mainstream country music this year. Written by Jaren Johnston, Neil Mason, (2/3’s of the southern rock trio The Cadillac Three) and Jeremy Stover, the song begins with some light guitar play and remains relatively quiet throughout, which really helps the song stand out. The song tells of a man and a woman who reminisce on how they met and how they ended up where they are now. The night they met, the man was drinking a Bud-Lite and the woman was drinking a Corona. They immediately hit it off and apparently end up as an item, as the chorus is filled with the highs and lows they’ve been through along the way, and how it all started with a beer.
If there’s one complaint I have with the song, it’s that it could have been developed a little more. The idea is great, and the emotion is there, but I would have liked to have seen some filled gaps in between when the man and the woman first meet to where they are now (for example, what exactly were those highs and lows you were talking about Frankie?). But hey, this might just read as me being extra nitpicky. This might be a problem however who find quieter songs like “Burning House” and “The Driver” overrated, but that isn’t me.
The good thing about this song is that it sounds like a country song, and actually features a decent storyline with a heartfelt vocal delivery, and in mainstream country music these days that’s already a huge plus. Considering this is the lead single from a new album, I will definitely be interested to see where Frankie takes his music with this era. If it’s anything like “It All Started With A Beer” then I think we’ll have to stop making fun of him for being a nobody.
Grade: B+
Listen: “It All Started With A Beer”
Author: Zackary Kephart
Well, shockingly good, as this is easily the best song that Frankie has ever recorded. Between this song and Justin Moore’s new one it looks like we’re getting into that time of year when more serious and/or just better material has a fighting chance of doing well on the airplay charts. Hell, I’m all for it. What’s even better is that this could be the first song that truly gives Frankie some recognition other than just the guy with three vanilla No. 1 singles.
It’s not necessarily that the song is revolutionary or that deep or anything, it’s just that it’s easily one of the better singles in mainstream country music this year. Written by Jaren Johnston, Neil Mason, (2/3’s of the southern rock trio The Cadillac Three) and Jeremy Stover, the song begins with some light guitar play and remains relatively quiet throughout, which really helps the song stand out. The song tells of a man and a woman who reminisce on how they met and how they ended up where they are now. The night they met, the man was drinking a Bud-Lite and the woman was drinking a Corona. They immediately hit it off and apparently end up as an item, as the chorus is filled with the highs and lows they’ve been through along the way, and how it all started with a beer.
If there’s one complaint I have with the song, it’s that it could have been developed a little more. The idea is great, and the emotion is there, but I would have liked to have seen some filled gaps in between when the man and the woman first meet to where they are now (for example, what exactly were those highs and lows you were talking about Frankie?). But hey, this might just read as me being extra nitpicky. This might be a problem however who find quieter songs like “Burning House” and “The Driver” overrated, but that isn’t me.
The good thing about this song is that it sounds like a country song, and actually features a decent storyline with a heartfelt vocal delivery, and in mainstream country music these days that’s already a huge plus. Considering this is the lead single from a new album, I will definitely be interested to see where Frankie takes his music with this era. If it’s anything like “It All Started With A Beer” then I think we’ll have to stop making fun of him for being a nobody.
Grade: B+
Listen: “It All Started With A Beer”
Author: Zackary Kephart
