Good country to me can also tend to be incredibly cheesy - never bothered me after I started listening to country regularly but I could completely see how an observer could hear a song and just be sickened at the simplicity of the message, lyrics, and content. "Chicken Fried" is most certainly one of those songs. Zac Brown's pro-America for reasons Russians liked us back in the early 80's is embarrassing at best but catchy as hell. Sure, my jeans wearing, loud radio listening, beer drinking self loves hearing this song when I'm out and although it doesn't bring a tinge of American pride to me, I could see how Johnny America could feel good hearing it. Plus, there are some good lyrics hidden in the song and you can't hate him for that. After getting his new album I would be lying if I said I didn't put it in with some trepidation as to the content of the rest of the album.
Starting off with "Toes", his ode to loving his Mexican vacation, just not as much as he loves having his "ass in a lawn chair, toes in the clay, a PBR on the way," Brown sets the stage for an album that is half novelty, half comic genius, and overall really quite listenable. "Where the boat leaves from" is another old Alan Jackson/Kenny Chesney ditty about sitting on the beach drinking beer, the difference is that Brown's music is actually much more pleasant to listen to in general. "Mary" on the other hand is more bluegrass than anything else. "It's Not Okay" is a faux Johnny Cash-ish (or the rare funny Charlie Daniels) style song which just puts a smile on your face. The interesting choice of covering Ray LaMontagne's "Jolene" is intriguing but pales in comparison to the original.
The highlight to the album though is most definitely the love (and cheese) filled "Whatever it is". Definitely the sweetest love song that was put out last year, "Whatever it is" showcases his voice as well as his heartfelt songwriting. Although I may not be able to say I love this entire album, these few songs alone make it a worthwhile purchase and as long as he doesn't go the way of novelty act, Zac Brown could really end up releasing a good amount of great music in his career.