Album Review: Blackberry Smoke – ‘The Whippoorwill’
If you haven’t heard of Blackberry Smoke yet, you are really missing out on prime musicianship. The Georgia based band was added to Zac Brown’s Southern Ground Artists label back in 2010, shortly after their second album was released. And it’s not hard to see why Zac Brown wanted them on his label. Just like Zac Brown Band, Blackberry Smoke demonstrates quality craftsmanship on every song from start to finish — from the lyrics to the melody to the production. The group, which has been together for more than a decade, is the epitome of southern rock. Blackberry Smoke’s bio says that they mix “elements of gospel, bluegrass, arena rock, soul, and more than a touch of country.” It’s this mixture of sounds that they effortlessly and flawlessly sew together on their latest thirteen track album, The Whippoorwill.
The album kicks off with the rockin’ “Six Ways To Sunday” which instantly reminds the listener of classic Lynyrd Skynyrd. The guitar licks, paired with the piano, show off the style of Blackberry Smoke that their fans have grown to love. “Pretty Little Lie” tells the tale of a relationship that has one too many people involved in it. The guy is willing to let her indiscretion be “water under the bridge” as the tune plays out a vivid story. The band follows that slow rolling tune of infidelity with one about the effect of that special girl in someone’s life. “Everybody Knows She’s Mine” makes listeners want to dance and groove right along with lead singer, Charlie Starr. What girl wouldn’t want to hear “She look good when she wake up in the morning, even better than she did last night?”
A standout track on the album is “One Horse Town,” the relatable tale of how life in a small town is just like history — it tends to repeat itself. The same families are there for generations, people are known by the reputation of their last name, and people dream of getting out of town but rarely accomplish that dream. Vocally, the best track on the album is probably the title track, “The Whippoorwill.” The slow, swampy groove paired with the palpable anguish of Starr’s voice allows the listener to feel his loss and connect with the song, which is a tribute to his grandmother. Stories about loss and surviving through tough times are always popular themes in country music. “Lucky Seven” and “Shaking Hands With The Holy Ghost” preach about lessons like the popular quote “no one said it would be easy, they just promised it would be worth it.”
One of the things that fans of Blackberry Smoke like best is their live show. The way they get on stage, rock out, draw you in, and just have fun. That being said, “Leave A Scar” is bound to be a favorite track for concert goers. With its rebel rocker qualities and brilliant hook — “I may not change the world but I’m gonna leave a scar” — it’s sure to have fans singing along. “Sleeping Dogs” is another one of those songs that is going to be great when experienced in person. The song is a warning that you “best let a sleeping dog lie” or you’ll experience the bite.
Blackberry Smoke rounds out the album with “Up The Road.” One of the few songs that Blackberry Smoke has that doesn’t have a positive outlook. This story of a relationship that has reached its end is a reminder that “the grass isn’t always greener on the other side”, and urges listeners to appreciate what they have while they have it.
It’s obvious that Blackberry Smoke appreciates what they have accomplished. The Whippoorwill, from beginning to end, weaves together the perfect balance of ballads and uptempo rockers, with a mixture of their eclectic sound that includes hints of so many different genres. Their growing fan base, that mainly up to this point has been by word of mouth or catching them as an opener for acts such as Zac Brown Band and The Marshall Tucker Band, should get exponentially bigger if people are willing to give them a chance. You’re not going to hear these guys on country radio just yet as they’re not blatantly singing about trucks, mama, or girls in sun dresses and as fans know, country radio isn’t very accepting to newcomers who don’t fit into the mainstream, but these guys deserve to be heard.
Other Notable Tracks:
Ain’t Got The Blues: This bluegrass influenced tune sounds like you should be on the porch on a Sunday afternoon in a rocking chair with a glass of sweet tea. Sounds perfect!
Overall Rating: 4/5
- Jayme Ottersburg, CMIL Contributor
Click HERE to purchase The Whippoorwill on Amazon and HERE to purchase on iTunes.
