You know that old saying about not judging a book by its cover? I think that term would definitely apply to Brantley Gilbert. It’s easy to label Gilbert as an edgy Southern Rocker, with all of his tattoos and chains, and never get to the true heart of who he is. If you do so, you are making a serious mistake.
While his first album in three years does include several songs that go along with his image, don’t take that for anything more than Gilbert being true to his roots. Material such as “You Could Be That Girl” and “It’s About To Get Dirty” will no doubt find a willing ear from its audience, but it’s a slice of life that Gilbert knows a lot about. You see, in Jefferson, Georgia (population 9,432), people really do cruise around town and have their parties out in the field. There are also several rebels in Jackson County looking for the girl that turns them around, as the former of those two songs illustrates. This is real life, and Gilbert can attest to that.
The thing that has always been the most appealing about Brantley Gilbert to me is the that there are no pre-tenses in his writing. That trait continues on this disc, with many of these songs being both heartfelt and straight to the point. “The Ones That Like Me” is a perfect example of this. Yes, on the surface, it appears that Gilbert is flexing his “bad boy” Hank Williams, Jr-ish muscle of saying he doesn’t care what one thinks in the lyrics. But, a closer listen reveals that if you get inside that inner sanctum, you’ve got a friend for life – and someone who will be there no matter the odds. “Outlaw In Me” is another song that deserves more than just a casual listen. On one hand, you might just think this is another ode to the good-hearted woman who loves her bad boy, but the lyrics show a man who is fighting against himself to open up as he’s never done before.
There are plenty of opportunities that Gilbert takes to show his attitude here, but even those are a little different than fans are used to. In “Bullet In A Bonfire,” his anger at his target is more than warranted, and “Bro Code” is a friendly warning to a pal that he might just be in danger of losing his girl if he doesn’t take care of business. Even in those moments, however, he does stretch some. “The Weekend” is about as adventurous as he’s ever gotten from a production standpoint, and “In My Head” is pure ear candy with its’ seductive melody.
Taking three years between albums allowed Gilbert to strengthen himself as a songwriter. The title cut, about a man trying to stay one step ahead of temptation, is proof of this. “We’re Gonna Ride Again” is a heartfelt tribute to a fallen friend which will move many of his fans, and the closing “Three Feet Of Water” is going to surprise many who think they know Brantley Gilbert. Trust me, the surprise is worth it.
I’ve said it many times, and I’ll say it again. I probably don’t fit into what the target demographic is for a Brantley fan. That doesn’t matter, however. This music is just like the man himself – real (tattoos or not!).
