Is the AAA format becoming the new safe haven for country artists to release country songs? This is a question I pondered after seeing that both Jason Isbell and Chris Stapleton have released songs to this format. Jason’s “24 Frames” makes sense with its fantastic combination of country and rock, but I am a bit puzzled by the release of Chris’s, “Fire Away”, given that it is most certainly not rock, but instead seeped in traditional country goodness. However, regardless of where this song gets sent to, one thing is for sure is that this song is country gold, and certainly another winner from the man with one of the finest voices in country music.
As I stated above, this song is traditional gold, exemplifying an airy, smokey atmosphere that is perfect for the song. This heartbreak ballad suits Stapleton’s voice down to a T. The booming chorus showcases Stapleton’s powerful range quite nicely. It’s pretty short lyrically, but it more than makes up for that in content. The actual background is a bit mysterious, leaving the listener to draw their own interpretations which I find to be cool and unique. In this song, a male narrator is telling his lover to say the words to him that will hurt him the most, as he apparently deserves it from an implied past conflict. Some background would have been nice, but like I said, making your own interpretations can make a song good too.
Overall, this song is more of a vocal showcase for Stapleton than anything else, but still has a great theme to it, and features beautiful instrumentation and emotion as well. Folks, there’s a reason why this guy was just nominated as a CMA male vocalist of the year. Honestly, this song isn’t even near the best his debut album, Traveller had to offer, but the fact that I’m giving this song a high grade is evidence of the power of the album.
Grade: A-
Listen: “Fire Away”
Author: Zackary Kephart
As I stated above, this song is traditional gold, exemplifying an airy, smokey atmosphere that is perfect for the song. This heartbreak ballad suits Stapleton’s voice down to a T. The booming chorus showcases Stapleton’s powerful range quite nicely. It’s pretty short lyrically, but it more than makes up for that in content. The actual background is a bit mysterious, leaving the listener to draw their own interpretations which I find to be cool and unique. In this song, a male narrator is telling his lover to say the words to him that will hurt him the most, as he apparently deserves it from an implied past conflict. Some background would have been nice, but like I said, making your own interpretations can make a song good too.
Overall, this song is more of a vocal showcase for Stapleton than anything else, but still has a great theme to it, and features beautiful instrumentation and emotion as well. Folks, there’s a reason why this guy was just nominated as a CMA male vocalist of the year. Honestly, this song isn’t even near the best his debut album, Traveller had to offer, but the fact that I’m giving this song a high grade is evidence of the power of the album.
Grade: A-
Listen: “Fire Away”
Author: Zackary Kephart
