Ok Cathy Fantastic, so you want ZBB’s “Biggest Fan” as you call me to review “Uncaged”. First I’ll give you a little background on me. I started listening to the band in 2007 when I was lucky enough that my wife stumbled upon their CD “The Foundation”. This was before radio new anything about this awesome group of musicians. I gave the CD to our boss DJ Stout (Program Director) who called Jeff Solima at Bigger Picture Group and told him if he didn’t sign these guys he was an idiot! To make a long story longer Jeff now credits DJ for getting them signed. Wait!  Does that mean I discovered the Zac Brown Band? Nah….I think they would have made it without me! J

I’ve attended 21 ZBB Concerts and that number will be at 25 by the end of the year. I’ve been fortunate enough to meet the guys several times at Eat N Greets, on the bus, etc. They put on shows like no other band I’ve ever seen. Their passionate about music, family, food and life! I enjoy their music very much and I’m excited to have a new album to play until my ears bleed, so let’s talk about “UNCAGED”!

Track 1: “Jump Right In” makes you want to do just that! One of the lyrics is “Jump Right In, Let the Music Pull you In” and it does just that! It’s a fun summer song you can’t help sing along with and wish you were on the water sipping on your favorite cocktail.

Track 2: “Uncaged” which is the album title reminds me of “Who Knows” where you can tell they just have a blast playing this and can turn it into a 10 minute jam session at any time. This is Rock & Roll!

Track 3: “Good Bye In Her Eyes” is beautifully written song about losing the one you love to another. I love the harmonies on this track. It has a crisp sound, you can hear every cord strung on the guitar.

Track 4: “The Wind” is Zac’s pickin and grinnin song that makes you want to dance around a fire with a group of friends and jam out! It’s got a bluegrass feel that lets the band take turns s Zac says showing off a bit on each of their instruments. Zac has said he’s glad he only has to play this song once a night because it takes so much out of everyone. They put it all out there on this one!

Track 5: “Island Song” has a great Reggae feel to it. My favorite line in this one is “Walkin with the beach to my left, the sea to my right and I’m gonna get faded at the Tiki bar tonight” Sounds like my last vacation! The band has so many

Track 6: “Sweet Annie” is one they’ve been playing at Live shows this past year. It’s about getting that love back that you let go a long time ago and realizing what’s really important in life.

Track 7: “Natural Disaster” is so descriptive you really have to listen to the words to this song. It baffles me how they come up with these lyrics. “She’s like rain when she rolls in, but there’s sunshine in her thunder”, “She’s comin around the bend, she’s holding lighting in both hands”. WOW, are they talking about Catherine Lane after Tanner make her mad?

Track 8: “Overnight” This is ZBB’s R & B song. We haven’t heard anything like this from the guys before. Zac said you might want to stop in the middle of this cd and make a baby, I’m guessing this is what he was referring too! It’s a very cool song that will surprise some country fans, but this band has so many different influences they can take you all over the place.

Track 9: “Lance’s Song” This is a tribute to a friend and fellow musician Lance Tilton who died in a car accident in 2010. It talks about not knowing what you have till it’s gone. I’m sure this was a tough song to write and perform. What a great tribute to their friend.

Track 10: “Day That I Die” ZBB welcomes Amos Lee on this track. If you’re not familiar with Amos Lee you’re in for a treat! Like Zac he has a unique soulful voice. He and Zac sound great together!

Track 11: Last But Not Least” We can all relate to this song. It’s about putting are loved ones last in our lives. Clay Cook has a great solo on this one! Clay has been a great addition since he joined the band. He really nails the vocals in this one.

I hope you enjoyed my little review. I enjoyed writing it. Do yourself a favor and buy this album and don’t forget to see them October 25^th at VWA.

Love, Peace and Chicken Grease!!!!