Tuesday, October 1, 2013

Album Review - Before The Sun Comes Up

John David Kent Has That "Country Twang"



We previewed John David Kent's new album last week and blogged about its release yesterday but today we're giving it a full top to bottom review.  If this album gets picked up by country radio, it's sure to get JDK noticed on the national level as he puts out a solid mix of down tempo and upbeat songs all of which are very well produced.  Listening to this album in full was a treat as it had consistent feel without being too repetitive or having the songs sound too similar.  This is an absolute must buy for those who need a new album to cruise around to with the windows down.

Song By Song Breakdown


Country Twang
With a badass electric guitar and a foot stomping beat, Country Twang is a bound to be a favorite on the album for those who enjoy Toby Keith.  This hard-nosed first song sets the tone for the album which is markedly more rugged than his previous work.

Before The Sun Comes Up
The message of this one is similar to that of Kip Moore's "Up All Night" in its 'young and on the run all night' type feel.  Young country fans will take a particular liking to this one as it provides the perfect background anthem to free living during high school and collegiate summers.

Fight For You
The third track on this album gives us a different lyrical feel while keeping the overall theme of the album intact.  Fight For You is a song about young love and the tests and trials that it entails.  We love this one for its unique meshing of uptempo beat and emotionally engaging lyrics.

Little Less Lonely
Continuing the trend towards JDK's softer side, Little Less Lonely gives us some nice slow and simple artistry that is always refreshing to hear in contemporary country.  This one is definitely the kind of song that will put you in a calmer mood and let you sink into a more comfortable state of mind.

Leaving Without You
This uniquely rhythmic country tune is one that brings the tempo of the album back up while maintaining the calm and soothing mood set by Fight For You and Little Less Lonely.  With an awesome electric guitar solo towards the middle of the song, Leaving Without You is a solid simplistic country song with rock elements that really gives you an appreciation for JDK's musical talent.

Last Call
Last Call is the kind of song you jack up the volume to on a saturday night to set the mood for a good old fashioned country party.  With a shredding guitar and a pounding beat, Last Call cranks the tempo of the album back up to ten and gets the blood pumping.  Look for this to be a future feature on our Party Pick for the Weekend segment.

Struck a Nerve
If you want a sample of Kent's vocal aptitude check out Struck a Nerve.  His transfer from a rugged verse to a chorus that requires remarkable vocal range is flawless and at 2:09 JDK hits a note that we didn't know we had in him.  All together this one is a simple musical song that outlines Kent's remarkable vocals.

Should've Let Me Go
This song is for the country fan that loves a marriage of straightforward acoustic guitar and smooth melodic electric guitar.  Kent spins a story of a destructive love over a relaxing guitar medley and simple beat that really puts his artistry on display.

Free to Drive
Free to Drive is a song that operates on a simple formula: Freedom, young love and driving on the highway.  This is a must add to your "driving around" playlist as it sends off the perfect vibes for a summer cruise on the open road. 

Until We Turn Around - 13 Bars Pick of the Album



Until We Turn Around ends this album on the perfect note as it embodies the overall theme of his album.  JDK preaches "Laughing and loving and living right now" over a cool laid back instrumental and it makes for song that's both refreshing to country purists and appealing country radio stations.  This meshing is not easy to come by these days and it will almost certainly provide John David Kent with the widespread notoriety that he undoubtedly deserves.

Check it out on iTunes Here

Follow him on Twitter Here

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