Starting out with Whatcha Got in that Cup, this new country artist, the son of 90s country chart-topper Rhett Akins, comes off sounding like a young John Hiatt. Plenty of attitude and swagger follow on tracks Get Me Some of That, Sorry for Partyin’, All-American Middle Class White Boy and In a Minute. The production is bold and bright, with plenty of clean guitar sounds and a real kick from the drum and bass mix. The song-writing mirrors the current trend in new country artists to visit the ‘boy chases girl’ formula (Call Me Up and Make Me Wanna) and detours into a country-rap workout on Front Porch Junkies.
The future direction of country music continues to expand into other music genres and we have a commercial rock element at play (In a Minute and Take You Home). However, we also have the mandatory dip into self -reflection and clean living on the stand-out Beer with Jesus; “have you been there from the start; How’d ya’ change a sinner’s heart..”
The son of Rhett Atkins has hit the fast lane on this debut and it is an enjoyable way to spend 40 minutes of your time.