Midland - Let It Roll | Album Review
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 25 ก.ค. 2024
- Midland is back with a new album, and it's partly amazing, partly disappointing, and fully interesting! I'm glad these guys are a part of country music. What do you think?
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Who would have thought you could make a country album without driving down a dirt road and singing rap lyrics?
Michael Nylen and snap tracks
Midland is a hit making machine in the style of the 90’s......they aren’t gonna transform anything, but it’s quite refreshing for today. I’m all in.
Late 70's early 80's is more like their style
@@joshkeim606 90s still had many of those elements.
Hey dude! IRT YOUR NEGATIVE THOUGHTS.... Don't care what you think!!!! Midland is an awesome group....music, vocals, harmony, they have it all!!
As a European listening to Midland (you could say from an outsider’s point of view), I’m not really bothered by the fact how polished or marketed this band is… Or how "authentic" their background is. They’re just a really good band with a strong team behind them. For me, it’s exactly what country should sound like, and I wish there were more new country artists that sounded like them. Can’t wait to see them play in Amsterdam in a few months!
Exactly. As someone being from Kentucky it's nice to hear people like Stapleton, Sturgill, and Childers, who you know are authentic and have the sound to match, but that doesnt mean you can't like midland who are just making good music. Good music is good music.
Logan Smith well said
I agree with you. I'm European too and maybe that's why I have no problem with the marketing aspect. For me, the important is that's a really good album, excellently produced. It sounds amazing and it's one of the best albums released this year, undoubtedly. And the most important: it's traditional country!
@@countrymusicfrance I absolutly agree, but after a few min listening to the album i still wish i was playing the old one. The old one is golden and im not even 2% tired of it :)
What an amazing band and the sound. This is why i started loving Country.
Ward yes! You totally get it man
Not sure all songs have to have that "real feeling" that you feel connected to. Cheating Songs and 14 Gears are actually good lyrically and like you said great to listen to it.
I agree!
Fourteen Gears and Drinkin Problem are their best songs
@@arizona_ranger__804 make sure you've heard the old version of 14 gears. It has some more twang to it but less overall instrumentation.
J Fisch where can I find it?
The older version of 14 gears is much better in my opinion.
Hooked on Midland since i first found them!
I think this is exactly what a mainstream country record should sound like.
Don't know if anyone said it but cam sang lost in the night. Not Jess.... Jess sang roll away
IK THAT BOTHERED ME
Those two are my favorite songs of the album not hatin on mark tho
always love your opinions, but man i loved both cameron duddy and jess carson’s songs and their voices.
I feel like Jess Carson is the secret mastermind of Midland. Seems like a really gifted songwriter and his singing is underrated!
@@wewantyourblo0d Agreed. Jess is the genius. His songwriting is special, 'gettin the feel' is all his own work.
For me personally, I never got the vibe that they were trying to come across as some little band from Texas, just guys who love country music and wanna give their go at it so I’ve never really cared all that much if they’re “fabricated” nor do I understand why people get so upset about it. Good music is good music, but that’s just the way I feel
14 gears is one of my favorite songs. This will be one album i will pick up.
Comander Mcgarrett that song has been out for a couple years now.
@@young_sinatra2183 i know. I love the original and i still like the studio one. I can finally have an album with it on it.
I think you're stuck on the whole the pandering thing but at the end of the day, Midland formed in a perfect storm. They decided that they liked their sound and wanted to do that style. The imagery had to fit. The fact that they put other successful careers on hold to give this a go is worth noting as a risk and not a negative. The harmonizing aspect definitely depends on Mark. Jess and Cam don't sound bad but Mark definitely pulls it all together. I recommend checking them out and seeing them live. It is amazing how good they sound. Production is a good factor to consider since you're analyzing the work as art but for fans and the entertainment perspective the performance and live sound is what gives Midland a cult following who call themselves, "Midlaneros". They always put on a good show no matter what. I saw them the day Cam's first child was born so he was doing the good thing, even then they were amazing. They could've backed out but they performed anyways (not to mention it was a fundraiser for families of first responders).
Big fan, been watching for a while and listen to the podcast when driving. Keep on truckin' Grady!!
I agree!
I saw them live at a festival when I really only knew one of their songs and I wasn’t overly thrilled to see them at the time, but I was open minded. They killed it! Probably the best performance of the entire weekend festival in my opinion. 😁👍🏼
they just telling a story not about there life.... you think Folsom Prison Blues is about cash no it’s just a story
That's one of the things that people don't think about enough. Not every song has to be personal! Sometimes the "I" in a song is just the narrator, not the actual person singing. How many books have you read where the narrator was a character and not just the actual author talking? How is music any different? Some of my favorite music outside of the country realm is EXTREMELY impersonal and just telling stories -- Steely Dan has some seriously dark character story songs, but you never for a minute assume that the singer Donald Fagen is actually telling an authentic story about his own personal life, they're just songs.
Midland is the best thing that has happened to country music in a very long time. I absolutely love them. I've met them a couple of times and they are great fun guys. Their music is fantastic to me.
I got Urban Cowboy vibes from this album, loved the overall sound they went for.
Cameron Duddy sings "Lost in the Night", Jess Carson sings "Roll Away"
No sophomore jinx here, this album is outstanding!
Midland is my favorite country artist/band in a VERY long time. From about the age of 8 until I was 18 or so, radio country was the only music I listened to, period. I was all in. George Strait is my all time, no doubt about it favorite country artist ever and even he was starting to veer off from the traditional sound a bit around 2001. I could sense a big change in the genre and I didn't like it at all (the beginning of bro country) so I gave up on country music almost completely until a year or 2 ago, and I'm slowly getting back into it.
I am big on "indie country," if you know what I mean (Jason Isbell, Bonnie "Prince" Billy, M. Ward, etc) and I listened to a lot of that after 2001. Brad Paisley is my favorite "radio country" artist since King George and is about the only mainstream guy I kept up with during my time in the country music wilderness (Bible reference: check).
I say all that to show just how much I love Midland's music. The first song of their's I ever heard was "Drinking Problem," and I absolutely loved it. I'm a sucker for clever wordplay and the sound was more old school. I did some research into them because that's just how I am (I love to know as much about a band that I like as possible. I've been told I'm like a music trivia almanac), and I found it refreshing that they laid out their individual backgrounds up front. I took it as kind of like how Eminem's character in 8 Mile basically "dissed" (not a word I ever use; I hate that word, but it's the best I can think of to mean what I mean right now) himself by saying how poor he was, how he lived in a trailer with his mom, etc. during that freestyle battle at the end so his opponent couldn't get the maximum effect out of using it against him later. Does that make sense? It's hard to get across. That's what I think Midland did though; they revealed everything up front so you can't really throw it into their faces later.
I listened to their first album and loved almost every song. The only 2 songs I skip are "Electric Rodeo" and "Check Cashin' Country." "More Than A Fever" is my favorite from that album.
Spotify released 4 songs from their new album before the album and I listened to them all. "Put The Hurt On Me" hooked me right from the start. The sound is so smooth and the melody is infectious. Melody is easily my favorite part of music (that's why The Beatles are my favorite band ever, by a LONG shot). Then "Cheatin' Songs" came out and I like that one even more! The wordplay is incredible ("She's lyin' with him and she's lyin' to me" - absolutely amazing!). I haven't listened to any of the other songs on the album yet, but I Iove their sound and think they are the best country act I've heard in a long time. To be fair, I also am a really big fan of Kacey Musgraves' music, but Midland sounds "country-er" to me.
If you made it this far, thanks for reading. Take it easy and keep up the great work! Peace and love, everyone!
Agree with the Brad Paisley comment. One more for old school Waylon Sounds, Whitey Morgan. He is very outlaw sounding.
Pretty much my story, exactly lol. From taking about a decade outside of country George Strait, keeping up with Brad Paisley, love for the Beatles and loving Midland... kind of crazy
i read the whole thing lol ! we both share a love for midland ,, they are truly an amazing band
Let It Roll feels like an album I would play while having a few drinks. The sound is absolutely 10/10, and when I'm drinking I'm not paying too much attention to lyrics anyway. I'll make Every Song's a Drinkin' Song the exception to that rule.
The PTA moms are the most fun... that’s why he sings about them :)
First of all, though Jess Carson did write Lost in the Night, he did not sing lead on it. That was Cameron Duddy. Also I believe if you would go to 1 concert and experienced the Midland magic, you would understand what they are about. They do not claim to be the people they sing about, they claim to be lovers of old country music and want to honor their heroes of this genre. I am 61 years old. I have loved country music all my life. I respect these boys as genuine lovers of the same sound I do. I also believe they are sounding more country than many in the business today. Enough so that at my age, I have become a Midland groupie and have seen them live 14 times since 2017 and have traveled 1100 miles to do so. I am not the only one either. So Let It Roll Grady! Long live the blues!!
Carol Patrick man, you’re a veteran of the genre, ever hear of Marvin Jackson?
eric harveyyy no I can’t say I have.
Wow, 14?!! I've half that many shows under my belt with another in OKC coming up next week. But I live in Kansas and don't have a lot of money. Also, I won't buy tickets with an assigned seat. I want to really experience it, as up close and personal as I can get! It'll be a sad day for me when these guys get so big that my only chances to see them could be in a large arena setting.
Thank you for clearing up the "Lost In The Night" error. That was bothersome. And as much as I adore Mark Wystrach's "golden voice", I think Jess Carson and Cameron Duddy carry their lead tunes very well and am glad to hear them do so on the album (I've heard them both sing lead at the live shows).
And as far as authenticity, these guys (including Robbie & Luke) are as authentic as they come. They genuinely love to make music, work their asses off, care about their fans, give it all they've got night after night, and through social media, have no problem sharing their world through their eyes with anyone that cares to see. It's obvious to me that they have nothing to hide. If it takes Nashville engineering to get their music out to the masses, then so be it. That's the way the country music landscape operates in the world today. So it is what it is. And as someone who lives a fairly sheltered life, I'm quite thankful for the opportunity to have discovered this amazing music!! Keep up the good work, "boys"!! Much love and best wishes to you all, from this Kansas girl at least!!
youre so right ! ive seen them live twice and they are amazing ! you can tell they love what they do and it definitely felt magical !
I hope to go to a Midland concert some day!
Bye bro country, welcome back steel and fiddle. Thank god. Old enough to know country (and really all music) goes through cycles, I am ready for the bounce back and I really love this new album.
have you never lived in upper class suburbs? cause you just described all the moms... minus the pills
I almost fainted dead away when I heard a pedal steel guitar on country radio. 10/10 on this album for that reason alone!
I don't disagree with you often but I have to here. This was a great, not good, album. Produced to sonic perfection like you said. But lyrically I found it highly relatable. Cheatin' Songs, I Love You Goodbye, you mentioned Lost In The Night. I mean, what guy hasn't felt all those things on some level? All while keeping their style in the same vein of their last record with things like At Least You Cried and Nothin' New Under The Neon. It seems like you give Luke Combs credit for his relatableness but not Midland. I do understand the incongruity you're pointing out in Midland in actuality and Midland the band they're representing themselves as but I don't find it inauthentic as you do.
Great video Grady and loving the podcasts.
Appreciate the thoughtful pushback! I listened like 5 times, each time hoping I'd FEEL more of the album, but there were a lotta songs that didn't take me there. But yeah, about half the album did! I actually think Midland, with their whole "it's been a while since country music loved a fool" perspective, maybe WANTED this to be a little more broad and silly and even sleazy. And who knows, maybe it'll grow on me!
@@GradySmith Well, I don't think you're alone in what you've noticed. A lot of people can't get past that incongruity you pointed out, or even their inauthenticity on some level. But I love your content nonetheless and your willingness to take stances on things.
Definitely love the album. Not as good as their first. Playboys is the best track. Can't get enough of that song.
I'd agree not as good as the 1st but still a great album. Playboys is great but man Fast Hearts and Slow Towns is my jam!
Spotify reminded me that I need to listen to the whole album and I really enjoyed it. The thing that I love the most about Midland is that they do love some word play in their lyrics. I think they're headed in a good direction and honestly, I was skeptical at first if they'll manage to make another big hit like Drinkin' Problem and I think they have several amazing songs on this album. I don't know how to describe it exactly, but for me their music is really catchy and addictive and I keep mentioning to people to listen to some of their songs.
My favorite is "Gettin' The Feel".
This was a great review I had no idea midland had hate to them for there background it kinda does sound fabricated but even if it was it freaking works and they are a fun band to listen to and tap your foot !! Haha great review man
I love Midland so much
The only complaint I have is how Mark so heavily emphasizes his “southern” accent. Words like “me” and “make” become “Mmmuuhy” and “Mike” respectively.
Like how he says “me” in “put the hurt on me” becomes very noticeable
i love them too but i have noticed that enunciatiom thing. but ive been to two live shows and can tell you they sing so amazing !! its so natural and pure
I wonder if people realize that the "underwear model" actually grew up on a ranch in Southern Arizona?
Are you gonna talk about Vince Gill’s new album “Okie”?
Okie is an amazing album, probably the best of Vince Gill's career.
The way tour channel is going it's extremely good. I hope you'll get famous
I actually love that you dive in and have actual thoughts and opinions on specific details, lyrics and feelings about the music you're reviewing.
Whether we agree or not, it gets us thinking about how we listen to music.
One of the best albums I’ve heard in a while. Yes there are some issues with the lyrics not feeling authentic at times, but I’ll forgive that in exchange for a great listening experience. And on the 2nd listen to the album I was pretty much singing along with every song. At the end of the day I will choose quality music over authentic lyrics 9 times out of 10.
Keep up the great work Grady! I love your content
Honestly Grady I was beginning to lose hope that someone in the world enjoyed country music as much as I did, you have restored my hope. You got yourself a lifetime sub right here brother! Great video dude.
This is a great album... every song is mellow and not too overpowering. I love it
This is an excellent review! You've not left out the background and the history of the band. That's why you're partly disappointed and I can understand that. But as you say, it's an amazing album. Here, in France, where nobody knows about this background (and about country music...), I just know that if I want to share good and traditional country music, Midland will always be there!
This by far is my favorite band right now and this album solidifies my position
14 Gears is a great song. Glad to see it on this record, although a bit overproduced compared to their TH-cam version (original)
Are you talking about the acoustic/slow version of Fourteen Gears? If so, the slow one was the first version I heard and I liked that one much better, as it portrays the emotion of the song much deeper.
love them! so fantastic to hear real country making a comeback finally
Can’t wait to see these guys tonight! So pumped
I love that you can dance to these songs!! 😃
You hit this review spot on in my opinion. I really did like their ability to shift from upbeat to relaxed songs and (almost) always incorporating the steel. Midland is money fueled country band, but for some reason, I believe the sound and use of instruments is intoxicating. Even if they sell out, they undeniably can make great music
Nothin like a grady video after an all night concert
Thanks again for a insightful review Grady. Now i must go listening to the album!
I really liked this album. I saved a few on to my playlist. Looking forward to seeing them live one day.
I'm gonna go see them in December in Amsterdam, Netherlands
I like the original version of 14 gears better actually a lot better I give this record a "9" the first album a "10"
Love the album but yea you're right the original version of 14 gears was much better.
Midland work really hard at their craft. Nobody puts as much in, plays as many shows without clearly loving what they do. And their shows are great. I think this is a nice 2nd album, a great follow up to on the rocks with some real fun tracks. I hope that they continue to grow. I am all in on these guys.
I thought the album was great, it’s a lot different from their debut album which I absolutely l loved. As a fellow Austinite, yes I was a bit confused about their background and authenticity but good music is good music at the end of the day. My favorite song is “fast hearts and slow towns.” Reminds me of my past relationship and living in a small town a couple years ago with my ex.
Grady, great review of this album. I love it! However, these guys really do live hard. I saw them live in Athens, Ga and they literally got drunk and high on stage during the concert. I really think they are singing about the life that they live. I don't feel as though it is fake at all. Otherwise, you are right. The album sounds amazing and the cover art is possibly the best album cover in history!
You picked the exact same songs that are my favorite. Honestly, I listen to Put the hurt on me,over and over. It truly is a beautiful song,the lyrics in that song make you melt.
I love Cheatin' Songs in this album, it's highly relatable even though I'm a teenager I've still seen the images that they sang
I’ve never paid attention to the actual lives of the members, so I’ve LOVED this album. Never thought of the band from this point of view.
Everyone has their preferences! I can certainly understand your feeling about the lyrics, and you make a fair point. Mark Wystrach is just kind of a chill guy who’s fiancé is expecting, I hardly believe their on the bus snorting a line, but at the same time the music and sound of this album just overrides all that ingenuity to me, especially on the love songs like 14 gears, I love you goodbye, put the hurt on me, and Lost in the night. Just beautiful sounding love songs
Just to clear some things up, Lost in the Night is co-written and sung by Camerony Duddy and not Jess Carson. Jess co-wrote and sang Roll Away. And they both sound great on lead. They don't sound country, true, but they sound really good. Also the stories they tell don't always have to be their own stories, they love writing character stories if you read their interviews. Its a great record. It simply is.
George Straight didn't write 90% of his music!!! How do we think his music is authentic?
Great point!!
Lmao!
Actors don't write their own scripts either. It's his delivery and choice of quality songs that make his music authentic. He didn't sell out for the pop and hip hop infused crap they disingenuously call country.
"It's like when T Swift raps." haha you're killin it my dude
You mean when Taylor Swift sings period. I think they are both Big Machine Records. That name says slot, the lable shows a hot rod, but it's real machine (corporate) produced music. Hollywood comes to Nashville.
Just saw these guys in Boston Friday night. Our 4th time, they killed it, great harmonies, band is in the pocket all night. Love these guys.
This record (it's sound and lyrics) harken back to a time before everyone was so damn sensitive. I am all in and dig it completely, whether or not they live the life makes no difference to me. I never read about The Eagles or Dwight Yoakam to see if they lived the life they sang about but I love their music. As for the women they write about... who doesn't know women like this? They're just saying stuff that everyone is too scared to say anymore.
Grady I like your shirt. Plain black but still looks good on you.
just saw them live on Cape cod last night. Awesome show love them.
Midland to me is about how it makes me feel. I feel good when I listen to their songs. Lyrics are secondary for me. I listen for the steel guitar, Cam's timely bass notes and of course the guitar licks and solos from Luke, and all supplemented with keyboards, mandolin etc. Over produced? Taylor Swift is as well, but the style of music does nothing for me. Midland still sounds great to me when just the 3 go acoustic. What hooked me on this band was the acoustic version of Make a Little. My favorite song is Check Cashin' Country which I believe was written by Jess. My 2 cents. Good review though from someone who isn't a hardcore fan.
LOST IN THE NIGHT IS SUCH A BEAUTIFUL SONG!!!!!
I know Taylor Swift isn’t country at all anymore, but as someone who appreciates sonwritinging/songwriters, please do a review! Everyone appreciates a good metaphor 😜 also, good video! Will be listening to more of this album this week.
It's maaaaaaybe already been shot. 😜
Love the channel Grady! Can you do a review on Thomas Rhett's new album Center Point Road?
It was covered in a video a few months ago called Album Roundup. I think the thumbnail has both Luke Combs and Thomas Rhett in it.
Lost in the Night is sang by Cameron Duddy who is the bassist for Midland who was the director for Bruno Mars , not Jess Carson, Jess Carson sings Roll Away on the Let it Roll album
A very thought out review, thank you Grady.
Midland is the most underrated band in country radio. They’re legit.
This album is freaking amazing. It’s been my favorite album since it came out. Absolutely love every part about it. Not a single bad song in this album I can’t skip a single song because it’s really amazing. That’s my opinion drop yours under.
Can't wait to listen to the whole thing.
You nailed on the head exactly what I was thinking listening to this: in that the execution and atmosphere of each song sounds great, but there's also a disconnect emotionally and personally.
In a way, the songwriting reminds me of Carrie Underwood in most of her discography when she tries branching away from the sassy arena rockers and attempts to go for vulnerability, but it can't help but sound "off" in that the writing either feels too focus group-written and Hallmark card platitude-heavy.
From here on out, I can definitely see Midland maintain a passionate cult fanbase along the lines of The Mavericks, but I don't see them having much radio success either. I for one still appreciate that they're here despite the authenticity issues.
I love both albums. I think they are awesome and love the sound and lyrics. I saw them live and they are awesome! Well done Gator Boys!!!!
I had such a love/hate relationship with Midland to start with. I felt like they were kind of mocking country music at first but dang the music is good. Mr. Lonely made me let go of the animosity and just enjoy the music. Emily Noel mentioned your channel in one of her videos and omg I am sooooo glad I checked your channel out. I have binging it all day. Lol
im sorrt but how did you feel they were mocking ? from the start their songs were so good and had a twist of old and new country. it was so refreshing ! (im not trying to argue lol im just gemuinely curious)
I just got into Midland and I love them!!
Their vocal harmonies are what got me hooked on them about 15 months ago; continues to be one of the strongest elements of them
I forgot to say I am a huge fan of their first album so I was a bit hesitant when this one came out. But after listening to it a few times I am so in love with it. Right now my favorite song is Gettin the Feeling.
Great review Grady! Voting for a Justin Moore or a Tracy Lawrence album review next!
Covered Justin a few vids back!
I love the line you said, “It’s one of the year’s best albums, yet one of the most disappointing.” Perfect description. I agree.
I really love the vocals on Gettin the Feel
Anything midland I love
THICKET
I think all of Midland’s work so far have been so damn powerful. these boys can crank tunes out with revival of the old school
This line, “I would've bribed God just to hold back the dawn” out of Lost in the Night, while not very well delivered is right up there with “Whiskey kills the man you turned me into,” and “Every day is a lifetime without you.” Those kind of lines that aren’t part of the chorus but have a strong punch to them.
First time I heard Midland was live. And boy howdy did they rock! Their energy was off the charts and I became an instant fan! I agree with you that this album is super polished, but lacking in the lyrics! Their first album was better in the nitty-gritty of it! Over all a killer band and killer music! This is country music🤘🏼
FYI... Cam is the lead singer on Lost in the Night, not Jess, Jess is the lead singer on Roll Away
That random scream by Tyler Childers was hilarious
THICKET
Lost in the Night is Cameron Duddy. Jess Carson sings on Roll Away
Absolutely love this album!
Saw them last night in Fort Worth...it was awesome
can you review billy strings new album “home” when it comes out
I have such mixed feelings about Midland. You nailed it, the sound is amazing and I even really like their singers voice quite a lot; but the lyrics are so unreal and like you said, too perfect. No ups and downs of life more just sleezy playboys and thats not something I think country music fans really relate to
I will say this, I stopped listening to country music in the early 2000's and recently started listening again. What brought me back, Midland.
I’m not sure if you seen them live, but I did in Vegas these boys party hard asf. Cameron was so blitz he gave away his guitar mid way through the concert. Security had to go and retrieve it and they put Cam on drums. I got videos of the concert if you need proof.
Didn't know that about the guys in the band, nor do I even care. I'm a trucker who loves music that resignates with me and brings me to moments I had and will have. Johnny, Willie, Merle made story telling songs that doesn't mean that every story was based off there life but it connected to millions who have lived it. Even if they are a fabricated band they did a hell of a job making music that's sounds good.
Their debut album was so great. But their sophomore is good, but not as great as their debut album.
I’m from Australia and have not long discovered Midland. I don’t care about their ‘authenticity’ or lack of. Good songs and good singing are exactly that. I love them. And they’re easy on the eye as well. All singers these days market themselves. Good on them, I like their look. Especially Mark in a tight pair of jeans!
Funny you should mention Brooks and Dunn with them, they did Boot Scootin’ Boogie together on CMT’s crossroads
solid assessment to a stellar band