Brian Kelley – Tennessee Truth (Deluxe)

Big Machine Label Group

Release Date: August 2nd 2024

Reviewed by: Joshua Andre

Brian Kelley– Tennessee Truth (Deluxe) (Amazon mp3/iTunes)

Track Listing:

  1. Acres
  2. How We Livin’
  3. King Ranch
  4. Trucks, Ducks, Bucks and Beer
  5. Goin’ Places
  6. Barefeet Or Boots
  7. Dirt Road Date Night
  8. 10 O’Clock On The Dock
  9. See You Next Summer
  10. Doin’ Nothin’
  11. Dirt Cheap
  12. Kiss My Boots
  13. American Spirit
  14. Make America Great Again

With FGL ‘parting ways’ so that both members can go solo, but with the band theoretically and technically not breaking up, one could have said that Life Rolls On marks the end of one chapter and the beginning of another. There’s no denying the passion here as Tyler and Brian as a duo are one of today’s most ingenious and enthusiastic groups… yet their potential is yet again not realised here. Life Rolls On is good- but it’s not great. On the other hand, despite the countless water references all throughout Sunshine State Of Mind (could this album be considered beach music instead of country music?), Brian’s album is overall a breath of fresh air overall, especially “Sunday Service In The Sand”, “Don’t Take Much”, “Boat Names” and “By Boat”. The 17-track listing is daunting, and might’ve been better split up as two more EP’s (with 4 songs released already!); but that nitpick is neither here nor there, with these songs are all so catchy and laid back, relaxing and soothing for the soul. As for Tyler Hubbard… well is the solo project going to shed his party boy image? I’ll reserve judgement… but for now let’s just say that Brian Kelley surprised me in a good way, and I hope he takes more reins of the vocals in FGL if they ever should record another album someday.

After I reviewed Brian Kelley’s debut solo album three years ago, I was quietly confident that he could forge a highly successful and respected career as a country solo artist. After all, he had the fan base already there with existing FGL fans. And then as we heard new stand alone singles in 2022 and 2023, our hopes were continually dashed and slashed. And now, seeing as it’s 2025 and a couple of new Brian Kelley albums have eventuated since Sunshine State Of Mind; let me just say that even though the third album Ed And Mary Margaret’s Son is somewhat of a musical masterpiece, which we will review later on; there is such a thing as a sophomore slump, and Tennessee Truth is a project that I’d say all of you should skip if possible.

Gone are the beach references, and present are nondescript melodies that are somewhat catchy, but instantly forgettable afterwards. “Acres” is a horribly painful opener where Brian reiterates against some intense guitar that he loves to show his partner his land in the middle of the country as he thinks it will impress her- and it’s a song that reminds us of the value of success and land and wealth in America, as men still find their acceptance and identity in what they own and possess. Lyrically, when you look deeper, “Acres” has something impacting and inspiring to chew over, but melodically and vocally it isn’t good, and I can’t just find something redeemable about this- and the heartfelt lyrics really needed to be better.

“How We Livin’” is basically a 3 minute ad for country living, as Brian tells us all how he lives out in the middle of nowhere and why he’s proud of being a country boy (again, could’ve been great, but not executed well!); while “King Ranch” has Brian admiring his truck, and letting us know the best part of his truck is his partner when she sits in it. “Trucks, Ducks, Bucks and Beers” is an unnecessary song that is exactly a carbon copy of “How We Livin’”; and “Goin’ Places” is an incredible snoozefest- a song that tries to be sassy and flirty, but comes across all kinds of wrong. “Barefeet Or Boots” contains lots of city/town and truck references and has Brian attempting to rap… but is probably one of the most tired and meandering songs I’ve heard recently as he sings about loving his girl yet again, with unimaginative metaphors and other lyrics. “Dirt Road Date Night” is unfortunately the same thematically and somewhat musically to “Barefoot Or Boots”; yet surprisingly “10 O’Clock On The Dock” is one of the few brightest spots here, as this song bares a slight resemblance to the sound of Brian’s 2021 debut album.

“See You Next Summer”, a bonafide summer hit, is catchy but a track that doesn’t really say that much instead of one person trying to forget a summer fling and also hoping for the same fling to start back up the same time the year after. “Doin’ Nothin’” unfortunately or fortunately (depending on which way you look at it!), has Brian championing taking a day or week off just to do nothing and to recharge the batteries; while “Dirt Cheap” is probably the most reflective and inspiring melody on the album- and this isn’t saying much as the song is still repetitve and lazy writing, but at least Brian sings about the future and putting down some roots in his hometown for his children and spouse. Unfortunately, “Kiss My Boots”, while musically and vocally impressive, is about Brian’s split with Tyler from FGL, and about how both of them aren’t on speaking terms for one reason or another.

With Brian ending this sophomore project with a couple of patriotic songs about America and how he’s proud to be an American; Tennessee Truth is a mixed bag. There’s some good songs here, but there’s a whole lot of indifferent melodies too. Perhaps bro-country isn’t what I resonate with, and maybe you all might love this album a whole lot more than me. But whatever the case, Brian’s prowess as a singer and as a songwriter cannot be denied. As a solo artist, he is here to stay; so let’s take the good with the bad, and let’s move onto hearing him deliver more hits and shine in the spotlight! Well done Brian for even continuing your solo efforts, and here’s hoping that I resonate with and am impacted by the next album, whenever it may be. A Christmas album in the future?

3 songs to listen to: 10 O’Clock On The Dock, Dirt Cheap, Kiss My Boots

Score: 2.5/5

RIYL: Tim McGraw, Thomas Rhett, Brad Paisley, Eric Church, Rascal Flatts, Russell Dickerson, Brett Eldredge

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