Zac Brown Band's "The Foundation" *Revised*

The first studio album by Zac Brown Band, “The Foundation,” was aptly titled as it provided their mainstream introduction to the public, thrusting them into fame. “Chicken Fried” and “Toes” were the hit singles off of this album, both being nominated for the single of the year in 2009 and 2010 respectively. This album introduced the band’s signature eclectic style, featuring instruments such as the fiddle, banjo, and ukulele. The sound of the tracks on “The Foundation” do not seem to follow a certain style, instead mixing soft and slow singer/songwriter type tracks together with upbeat, catchy ones that were written to be number-one hits played on the radio. However the album does seem to follow an overall theme of good ol’ southern living. One major concept in this album is the South being of this “other” identity from the rest of America. There are many stereotypes that come to mind when one thinks of a traditional Southerner. Some of these are negative, such as the idea of how hillbillies and rednecks act, but likewise there are many positive ones such as how Southerners have the tendency to act more hospitable and friendly. Southerners also have their own specific customs that are not present in the rest of the United States, such as the food that is eaten here, and specific phrases that are commonly said. Zac Brown Band writing about this Southern identity is rightly so, considering the band is based in Atlanta, Georgia. Southern culture and life is a common theme throughout many country albums, but Zac Brown Band adds their own spin to it based on their personal experiences growing up in the South. That is why this album became so popular, going triple-platinum, since many people can relate to this way of life; and even if they can’t, they’re able to get a pretty good understanding on what it means to be a Southerner.

                “Toes” starts of the album with an island-y feel, interspersed with Spanish lyrics. It describes a man going on vacation with his, “toes in the water, ass in the sand,” until he has to go back home where he is still able to put his “ass in a lawn chair, toes in the clay.” This track lays out the idea that even though it is nice to get away from what can become the monotony of everyday life, it is good to have a nice, familiar place to come home to. Southerners are known for having a slower pace of life. This includes the common image of a southerner sitting out on their front porch, not in much of a hurry. In an article that I read by Orville Burton, a professor of history, he mentions how when he tells stories to his northern friends they want him to get to the point more quickly. Whereas southerners like to tell long, drawn-out stories and overall take everyday tasks slower. “Toes” is a slower-paced song that mirrors this type of southern living. It mainly features guitars and banjos until it reaches the chorus, in which it sounds more like a typical mariachi band. This track seems at first like a typical feel-good summer song, but the Hispanic twist allows cultures to be merged together to give this track a refreshing feel, since it is something that would not be normally expected out of a typical country song.

                “Free” is a smooth, slow, and steady track about two lovers with all the freedom they could ever want, traveling across America. It resonates with the American identity of living in a free land and having all the opportunities one can dream of. The acoustic guitar and violin are the most prominent in this track, keeping with the peaceful vibe. Americans in general are very proud of their culture and the land they live on, and Southerners are no different. Actually, Southerners are known for being exceptionally patriotic. This is especially true in the area of military support, in which Southerners tend to be behind to a great extent, so that this freedom that we appreciate so much may continue to remain ours. “Free” also follows the theme presented in “Toes” of feeling at home in backwoods areas of the South. In the song the two people, “drive until the city lights dissolve into a country sky,” where they “lay underneath the harvest moon.” In these areas of the country, one can feel at ease and calm away from the rush of the city life. There’s just something about a warm summer night in the South that provides ease from the sweltering heat, making it a peaceful, calming experience Southerners understand well.

                Then there’s “Chicken Fried,” an upbeat and traditionally country song about the everyday necessities of southern living. “Cold beer on a Friday night, a pair of jeans that fit just right, and the radio on,” for example. The banjo being primarily featured add to the country feel. “Chicken Fried” is a toe-tapping song that you basically have to sing along to when it comes on. Even though it may seem a bit unoriginal, it is catchy, and that is what it was meant to be. Honestly, I do not believe that there is a song that is more country or includes more of southern values that this one does. I mean come on, it mentions traditional southern comfort food, hospitality and family, and even throws in a salute to the military at the end. This song is impossible not to love. The “other” southern identity is described here in that southerners overall seem friendlier, more willing to help out those in need, or just more likely  strike up a conversation with neighbors. Zac Brown Band mentions this when talking about a house that is, “filled with love that's grown in southern ground.” Family is another essential part of Southern living, when especially in rural areas, families will grow up in very close proximity to each other. Getting together for a Southern cooked dinner filled with comfort food is a must with the family. “Chicken Fried” is the song that you would put on during one of these cook-outs. Its theme of country living is very relatable and includes everything near and dear to the heart of us Southerners.

                “Different Kind of Fine” is a track that talks about a girl who is not the traditional beauty queen type. Instead, she is a country girl that is a, “lawyer's queen, a trucker's dream [with] a baseball hat fit for a queen.” Southern culture has changed historically in that the traditional southern belle was required to fit the part when seen out in public, and act in a mannerly and obedient way. Now, country songs commonly talk about girls that are free-spirited with a wild side. As this one states, “she make 'em wonder which way to go, make a man change his mind.” Not even that long ago in the South women were not supposed to question their man’s decisions. Southerners hold traditional values near and dear to their hearts, but some of these very much need to be challenged. Feminism is a movement that has been mentioned more and more in country music, and now it is seen as an attractive attribute for a Southern woman to be strong-willed and able to hold her own.

                “The Foundation” ends on a fun and humorous song, “Sic ‘Em on a Chicken.” It’s basically about chicken hunting with the family dog. It’s a silly song, and not supposed to be serious, but it does seem to paint southerners as hillbillies. This is presented especially at the beginning when there is a man’s voice “hee-hawing” throughout the introduction. Southerners are stereotyped a lot of times as being dumb rednecks, and this song perpetrates this idea. However, Zac Brown Band is from the South themselves, so I do not believe they are purposely trying to put Southerners down. It’s more of just a joke, and the song overall is meant to be laughed at. The band is basically taking the Southern “other” identity to an extreme to parody it. 

The South as being this “other” identity is presented throughout “The Foundation.” Southern culture and its practices go back hundreds of years. However, many aspects of it have changed greatly since, and Zac Brown Band incorporates this idea throughout the album. The fact that the band grew up in Georgia allowed them to pull from their own personal experiences to create a genuine sounding album filled with aspects of Southern living. The sonic elements of their album also represent this by the heavy use of the acoustic guitar, banjo, and fiddle. Their country accents add a legitimacy to their tracks such as “Chicken Fried” in which Southern customs are the major theme. “The Foundation” set the stage for their later work, while introducing them to the mainstream. They are now a very popular band with their own unique sound that can be easily recognized. Southern culture remains a major part of their identity, and is integrated in some way throughout all of their albums. It is obvious that the Zac Brown Band appreciates their roots and good ol’ Southern living in general. This allows them to put their own spin on country music so that they are able to carve out a unique space in this vast musical genre.

Brad Paisley's "American Saturday Night" *Revised*

American Saturday Night is an album filled with cultural references, and Brad Paisley’s take on how things should be. Themes presented include women’s rights, racial issues, and depression. At first glance it may just seem like any other country album that is not necessarily trying to make you think, or give you insight on the culture we live in. However, when one takes a closer look at the lyrics and music videos that go along with the tracks, Paisley’s true intentions are shown. He is saying a lot not only about how things are today, but how they need to change in the future. He also looks into the past to reflect on his experiences that were affected by the prominent culture then. This album mainly discusses American culture, and many times specifically southern culture.

                The album is named after the first track, “American Saturday Night.” This track is a feel-good song that you would hear at a summer barbeque. It is upbeat and simple, relying heavily on the electric guitar. It discusses how international cultures have become an integral part of American culture itself. In this track, a girl is going to a fair in her local town in which she will experience all sorts of different cultures without going far at all. The chorus which states, “It's a French kiss, Italian ice, Spanish moss in the moonlight. Just another American Saturday night,” provides a positive view on the coming together of cultures. This is a nice thing to hear due to many people, especially in the south, being against immigrants coming in to America. Paisley even mentions in this song how a relative of his immigrated to America, and how much things have changed since then. Now we live in a world full of opportunity and freedom that anyone can take advantage of.

                Next comes a broken-hearted ballad called “Everybody’s Here.” Paisley is lamenting a lost girlfriend, which is a theme that goes along with the slow and mournful sound of the track which only seems to build at the chorus. It has a very personal feel which is emphasized by his softer vocals and emotional lyrics. In the track he is trying to get over her by going out with some friends. He feels like he has to act like nothing is wrong so that he does not ruin the party. Even though he is hurting inside, he smiles and laughs. In our culture men are not encouraged to express their feelings. When they get out of a relationship they are not supposed to cry or want to stay in when their friends are going out. However, this is completely fine for women, and even encouraged. This song also alludes to depression, and how it can easily be hidden from society. Even Paisley’s friends have no idea how he is actually feeling. Depression can be a deadly disease especially when someone does not have a close friend to discuss it with. A sociological experiment I recently studied stated that while the number of “close” friends one person has, has decreased, while diagnoses of depression have increased in today’s society. Paisley is exemplifying this issue and how it relates to him in “Everybody’s Here.”

                Following this track is “Welcome to the Future,” sounds pretty cheesy in my opinion. I believe it is supposed to be a powerful and meaningful track, but it comes off almost as trying too hard. In the music video children express what they want to be when they grow up, and there are clips of new technology and various cultures. It is just all too much paired with the uplifting sound and soaring vocals, and takes away from the meaning that Paisley is attempting to convey. Nevertheless, it still is discussing prevalent cultural issues. One more powerful line on the track is, “I had a friend in school, running-back on a football team, they burned a cross in his front yard for asking out the home-coming queen.” He discusses how racial tensions have changed from punishing a black kid that asked out a white girl to today in which people have become more accepting. He also mentions how so much has changed in his life since he was a child, like the technology that is so common today that could not even be imagined back then.  

                “She’s Her Own Woman” and “Pants” are interesting because they both discuss how women are the more powerful ones in a relationship, and how they can easily stand on their own. Both of these tracks are presented with a slower vibe, and sound like Paisley is speaking of someone that he loves. This idea diverges from the typical southern view that men control the women. “Pants” even makes fun of men that believe that they are the “head of the household.” Paisley argues that, “It’s not who wears the pants, it’s who wears the skirt.”  I really like that Paisley has expressed his viewpoint on this idea because women can still be seen as inferior in today’s culture.

                “No,” the tenth track on the album, kind of reverts back to the typical southern culture in that religion is a major theme. It is a slow song that shows how young Paisley was taught a lesson in unanswered prayers. In the end Paisley’s grandfather died and he feels betrayed by God for having ignored his wishes to keep his grandfather alive. However, he realizes that all things happen for a reason, and finally is able to accept it. This theme of religion is very common in country songs, and on a wider scale in the south in general. I have grown up in a small southern town and I know how prevalent churches are with one being on practically every street corner.

                
Paisley goes beyond what is typically expected out of a country album to create something original and unique. He discusses important topics such as feminism, new technology, and immigration to reify the traditional values of country music.  American Saturday Night is a progressive album that calls for acceptance for all people no matter their background, gender, or race. Paisley does not shy away from cultural issues, and instead discusses them while adding his own input. This album provides a great deal of information about the society, specifically in the south, that we live in and how it has changed.