Album Review: Colt Ford – ‘Declaration of Independence’
Colt Ford has released four albums in four years. That is an astounding accomplishment. Most of the time, fans have to wait close to two years in between albums from their favorite artist. I think Colt has the ability to release an album every year because he knows exactly who he is as an individual and as an artist. Now, that’s not saying that each album hasn’t evolved and grown, but Ford never wavers in the type of music he makes. It’s redneck, it’s sometimes outspoken, it’s country and it’s rap, and it’s unique. It only takes one listen to know why his fourth album is titled Declaration of Independence.
Colt kicks off the album with “Answer To No One,” which is a testament to the album title Declaration of Independence. He urges you to “hate [him] if you want, love [him] if you can” and reminds listeners that “except for the good Lord up above, [he answers] to no one.” The fiddle paired with the “We Will Rock You” stomp makes this song a great anthem for the rebel inside of everyone. Ford also reminds us exactly who he is on “Ain’t Out Of The Woods Yet.” Montgomery Gentry joins him on this fun track about how you can take the boy out of the country, but that doesn’t mean you can ever take the country out of the boy. Once again, Colt Ford provides vivid lyrical imagery that lets the listener picture him as he sings “I sight my bow on a styrofoam doe by the hole of the eighteenth green.”
Perhaps the most ‘traditional country’ sounding song on the album is “All In,” where Ford gets help on from one of his all-time favorites heroes, Kix Brooks. It sounds like something you would hear at an old fashioned honky-tonk as they sing about raising their glasses, two-stepping to the the fiddle, and partying until they hit the floor. The party continues with LoCash Cowboys & Redneck Social Club on “Dancing While Intoxicated.” Ford says this song “isn’t made for radio, it’s made for fun. And that’s all right.” The song will not be seeing airplay anytime soon as it’s laden with a club beat and a hint of autotune but it’s a fun song to dance to. With references to Taylor Swift, Brantley Gilbert, and Jake Owen, the lyrics are sexy and will most likely be someone’s guilty pleasure song. Another up-and-coming underground artist and skilled songwriter, Corey Smith, co-wrote “Room At The Bar” with Colt. The song is almost like a dose of 90’s rap with it’s rolling story telling (for some reason it reminds me of Will Smith’s ‘Fresh Prince of Bel-Air’). The tale of acceptance of any size, race, gender, and age is a reminder that there’s always “plenty of room at the bar” at the end of the day.
Declaration of Independence isn’t all about partying though. He’s also known for his songs about rural USA and reminiscing of the good ol’ days. Jason Aldean joins Colt on “Driving Around Song,” which Ford says is reminiscent of “Dirt Road Anthem,” but surprisingly he did not have a hand in writing it. And Ford is right, this song is the perfect backroads track to roll your windows down, turn your speakers up, and cruise through a small town or park and enjoy a starry sky. Colt reflects on his past and his future on “Back,” his latest release with Jake Owen. Owen’s sound is heartfelt as he sings of memories with his family, and even Colt’s tone is more endearing as he talks of his childhood best friend and the Texaco station that has closed down. The little details of the song is what make it standout. There is so much that people can relate to in the lyrics regardless of what size their hometown population is.
Obviously, as the previous songs listed show, Colt Ford is known for his collaborations. But perhaps one of the most surprising guest artist on this album is Wanya Morris of Boyz II Men. Listeners won’t be able to deny the authentic R&B voice of Morris on the chorus of “Happy In Hell.” It’s so smooth it sucks you in and transports you right into the song. You can also feel the growing panic in Ford’s lyrics as he contemplates what to do about being torn between two loves. “Happy In Hell” is definitely one of the most unique songs on the album as the two artists combine their styles so effortlessly. The other surprising guest artist is Lamar Williams Jr., son of The Allman Brothers Band’s Lamar Wiliams, on the closing track “Angels & Demons.” Ford says this is the first gospel-type song he’s ever written but fans won’t be able to tell as it’s done so beautifully. Co-written with Craig Wiseman, the song tells the old tale of good versus evil but in a new light because in the middle Ford has what he calls a “personal conversation with God.” What also makes this song stand out is that it is so believable as Ford ponders “how far I’d wander off that narrow road I went down.” Every listener won’t be able directly relate to chasing “six-string dreams,” but listeners will be able to relate in their own way. Between Colt’s lyrics such as “I’m lookin’ round for something I can still believe in, I’m dreamin’ of angels but livin’ with demons”, and Williams’ soulful chorus, the message and melody of this song is one that is almost haunting, but in a really good way.
Colt’s music has not been shoved down listener’s throats on country radio for the last four years but it’s this quality that really makes him stand out and have such a strong underground following. Fans of Colt aren’t just semi-fans, they’re hardcore, diehard fans and their numbers are growing. They love him for being who he is and not changing it regardless of how much success he garners. This album could go platinum and there’s no doubt that Colt Ford will still be that good ol’ country boy who likes riding around in his truck and campaigning for the acceptance of his style of ‘country rap.’ This album is pure Colt Ford, plain and simple, and it’s worth a listen. Anyone with an open mind who is willing to accept that the boundaries of all genres of music are constantly being expanded will be drawn in by Colt Ford. Don’t fight it, just listen.
Other notable tracks:
“Lucky” feat. Jonathan Singleton: An uptempo song about living the way you want to live, not how everyone else says you should. “I’d rather be lucky than good.”
“Way Too Early” feat. Darius Rucker: A song about missed opportunities, Colt said that he thinks this song will probably be cut by a ‘real singer’ at some point, but the point of the song is a good one and is worth listening to now.
Overall rating : 4/5
- Jayme O., CMIL Contributor
Declaration of Independence is available on both Amazon and iTunes.
