There has been a plethora of rockers making the move to country music – Darius Rucker did it with acclaimed success. Steven Tyler is trying to make his break. And Brett Michaels…… well, his attempt didn’t fair too well. Now Sister Hazel, the alternative-rock band who found success in the late 1990’s with their hit “All For You,” is releasing a country album. Based out of Gainesville, Florida, the five friends (Andrew Copeland, Ken Block, Ryan Newell, Jett Beres and Mark Trojanowski) who have been together for over two decades, decided to look to their southern musical roots for inspiration for Lighter In The Dark, their first album in six years.
Lighter In The Dark, the band’s 13th studio album, was recorded in Nashville at Tin Ear Studio and produced by the renowned Chip Matthews, covering a broad spectrum of the bands interests and influences – from toe-tapping country, blues, folk, emotional ballads, and southern rock tunes, including the first track, “Fall Off the Map,” the 14-track album encompasses a plethora of musical greatness.
Like any good country album, songwriting is an important element of Lighter In the Dark – most of the band members had a part in writing a majority of the songs while several well-known and respected songwriters also lent their talents. Co-written by bandmates Copeland and Block, along with Grammy-winner Tim Nichols, “Fall Off the Map” is an up-tempo song about being with someone and just wanting to disappear. It’s a great kick-off track with plenty of steel guitar slides and guitar solos to give it that southern rock essence along with an infectious beat and chorus. Other examples: “That Kind of Beautiful” was penned by the power trio of Hillary Lindsey, Gordie Sampson and Luke Laird. The lead single, “We Got It All Tonight” was written by Chris Destefano, Ashley Gorley and Rodney Clawson. “Back to Me” features the lyrical work of Matt Nolen and Rose Falcon.
Sister Hazel’s introduction to country music wouldn’t feel complete without the inclusion of a fellow 90’s pop-rock icon that already made the successful transition – “Karaoke Song” features none other than Darius Rucker lending his vocals on the tune. Written by Copeland, Rucker and Barry Dean, “Karaoke Song” addresses the point that everyone needs a go-to karaoke song to sing one’s heart out to on stage to release your stress and worries. It’s fun, catchy and like any good karaoke song, great to sing along with.
The title of the album can be found in the wonderfully written “Something to Believe In” (I’m just a kid from Gainesville watching Petty with my lighter in the dark). The song is inspiring as it focuses on having faith and being grateful for what you have. It also has a bit of a Tim McGraw feel, which isn’t all that surprising as Copeland co-wrote the track with Tom Douglas (who has written several of McGraw’s hits). Also following the inspirational theme is “Danger Is Real” – along with a very happy, Folky sound, complete with tambourine and hands clapping the beat, the lyrics are very empowering in a Carpe Diem way:
If your heart has a dream, don’t bury it / ‘Cause the best things in life are the scariest / Girls and boys – danger is real / But fear is a choice….
“Kiss Me Without Whiskey” is a toe-tapping, guitar jamming, country with blues song about a girl in a bar who appears to only like the guy after throwing a few back (“Could you kiss me without whiskey? Would you miss me without wine?”). Written and sung by Block, his scruffy (and slightly Bob Dylan-esque) vocals with the energetic keys and guitar picking solos add to the honky-tonk-ness of the song.
Half-way into the record is the heartbreaking “Almost Broken,” about a couple who have done practically everything to save their relationship, but still have a little bit of fight left to keep going. Another co-write of Copeland and Dean, the ballad is beautifully played on piano with an elegant violin in the background. And while simple in composition, the instrumentation adds to the chemistry of the duet between Block and up-and-coming singer/songwriter Jillian Jacqueline (her single “Overdue” featured a duet with Vince Gill). Block’s somber vocals in unison with the delicacy of Jacqueline’s bring the sorrow of the lyrics to life:
I’m almost broken / Barely keep this love alive / Going through the motions / Running out of things to try / Don’t want to surrender / Don’t want goodbye / But I’m missing that light in your eyes / I’m not done hopin’ / Baby I’m almost broken
Copeland teamed up with Billy Montana for a few songs on the album, including two tracks that sound like classic throwbacks. “Take It With Me” talks about the items and moments that you would want to take with you when you arrive at the pearly gates: a favorite truck, father’s guitar, friends. Filled with twangy guitar and several “Ohh Ohh Oohh’s” that are fun to sing along with, it’s clear that this song will be a crowd favorite at their live shows. “Prettiest Girl at the Dance” is one of those “what if” songs of regret for allowing the chance to be with the right person to pass by:
But I’m sitting here tonight / Looking at my life / Wishing I held you tight when I had the chance / Guess I got what I deserved / Truth is you always were / The prettiest girl at the dance
Copeland and Montana wrote along with Steve Dean for “Run Highway Run.” It’s a great traveling song about the woes of the road and needing to get back home to his lady who is waiting. And while listening, one can hear within the southern rock piece influence of The Eagles mixed in.
“We Got It All Tonight,” written by Destefano, Gorley and Clawson, is the obvious choice for the lead single. The brilliant harmonies between Copeland and Block with a beat, vocal inflection and character that echo Florida Georgia Line (all three writers have written songs with FGL), “We Got It All Tonight” easily fits with what is being played on the radio right now.
“Thoroughbred Heart” and “Ten Candle Days” are two emotionally deep solos by bandmates Newell and Beres, respectively. “Thoroughbred Heart” is an acoustic ballad written from the perspective of someone who realizes that while he hasn’t been open in the relationship, there is work that needs to be done on both sides, and he won’t let his heart get broken. Beres’ “Ten Candle Days” tells the story of a miner’s life, family, work and his wishes when he leaves this world. Both are phenomenal pieces of singer/songwriter Americana.
The many aspects and influences of Sister Hazel are perfectly represented with Lighter In the Dark. Those five friends from Gainesville, Florida have put together one hell of an album for their introduction into country music.
Lighter In The Dark will be released on February 19, and is currently available for Pre-Order oniTunes (receive “Karaoke Song” & “We Got It All Tonight” instantly with pre-order).
Lighter In The Dark Track List & Credits:
1. Fall off the Map (Andrew Copeland, Ken Block, Tim Nichols)
2. That Kind Of Beautiful (Hillary Lindsey, Gordie Sampson, Luke Laird)
3. Karaoke Song (featuring Darius Rucker) (Andrew Copeland, Darius Rucker, Barry Dean)
4. Something to Believe In (Andrew Copeland,Tom Douglas)
5. Kiss Me Without Whiskey (Ken Block)
6. Almost Broken (featuring Jillian Jacqueline) (Andrew Copeland, Barry Dean)
7. Take it With Me (Andrew Copeland, Billy Montana)
8. We Got It All Tonight ( Chris Destefano, Ashley Gorley, Rodney Clawson)
9. Danger is Real (Andrew Copeland, Walker Hayes)
10. Prettiest Girl at the Dance (Andrew Copeland, Billy Montana)
11. Thoroughbred Heart (Ryan Newell)
12. Run Highway Run (Andrew Copeland, Billy Montana, Steve Dean)
13. Back To Me (Matt Nolen, Rose Falcon)
14. Ten Candle Days (Jett Beres)