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"People talking about what is and what ain't country," sings Luke Bryan at the opening of What Makes You Country. He poses this at a time when the contours of mainstream country are shifting, a change that coincides with Bryan turning from an upstart into a veteran. During his decade of dominance, the sound of mainstream modern country was largely the sound of Luke Bryan: cheerful odes to country, drinking, and love. Other bro-country acts had a rowdier edge, but Bryan's ace in the hole was his friendliness. It not only made him seem like the guy next door, it also disguised how he slyly followed fashion, incorporating bits of current trends into his singles. On What Makes You Country, he's not quite so slick. Covered in a shiny electronic gloss, the album flits between slow-burners and mellow pop. While he takes the occasional detour for a song that could be strummed on a front porch -- "Most People Are Good" could fit on any of his records -- the cumulative effect of all the rhythmic loops and electronic flair on the album is that Bryan seems consumed with retaining his status as a hitmaker. Matters aren't helped by the fact that he doesn't seem particularly interested in the party songs; he wanders through the amiable "Drinking Again" as if he doesn't want another beer, and doesn't seem much interested in what makes you country or not. When it comes to the ballads, though, or the numerous laid-back pop numbers, Bryan demonstrates that familiar, friendly charm, and that helps sell productions that are otherwise trying a little too hard to make him sound a little less cozy.
© Stephen Thomas Erlewine /TiVo
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Jeff Stevens, Producer - Ashley Gorley, ComposerLyricist - Jimmie Lee Sloas, AssociatedPerformer, Bass (Vocal) - Kenny Greenberg, Electric Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - JT Corenflos, Electric Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Derek Bason, Mixer, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Greg Morrow, Drums, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - Luke Bryan, MainArtist, ComposerLyricist - Dallas Davidson, ComposerLyricist - Mike Rojas, Keyboards, Unknown, Other, AssociatedPerformer - Perry Coleman, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Danny Rader, Banjo, Acoustic Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Jody Stevens, Producer, Programming, AssociatedPerformer - Chris Small, Assistant Mixer, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2017 UMG Recordings, Inc.
Jeff Stevens, Producer - Ashley Gorley, ComposerLyricist - Jimmie Lee Sloas, AssociatedPerformer, Bass (Vocal) - Kenny Greenberg, Electric Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - JT Corenflos, Electric Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Derek Bason, Mixer, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Greg Morrow, Drums, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - Luke Bryan, MainArtist, ComposerLyricist - Dallas Davidson, ComposerLyricist - Mike Rojas, Synthesizer, Hammond B3, AssociatedPerformer - Perry Coleman, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Danny Rader, Banjo, Acoustic Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Jody Stevens, Producer, Programming, AssociatedPerformer - Chris Small, Assistant Mixer, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2017 UMG Recordings, Inc.
Jeff Stevens, Producer - Jimmie Lee Sloas, AssociatedPerformer, Bass (Vocal) - Kenny Greenberg, Electric Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - JT Corenflos, Electric Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Derek Bason, Mixer, Editor, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Greg Morrow, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Luke Bryan, MainArtist, ComposerLyricist - Mike Rojas, Keyboards, AssociatedPerformer - Perry Coleman, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Danny Rader, Bouzouki, Acoustic Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Brad Tursi, ComposerLyricist - Jody Stevens, Producer, Editor, Engineer, Programming, AssociatedPerformer, StudioPersonnel - Chris Small, Editor, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2017 UMG Recordings, Inc.
Jeff Stevens, Producer - David Frasier, ComposerLyricist - Ed Hill, ComposerLyricist - Josh Kear, ComposerLyricist - Jimmie Lee Sloas, AssociatedPerformer, Bass (Vocal) - Kenny Greenberg, Electric Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - JT Corenflos, Electric Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Derek Bason, Mixer, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Greg Morrow, Drums, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - Luke Bryan, MainArtist - Mike Rojas, Keyboards, AssociatedPerformer - Perry Coleman, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Danny Rader, Bouzouki, Acoustic Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Jody Stevens, Producer, Programming, AssociatedPerformer - Chris Small, Assistant Mixer, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2017 UMG Recordings, Inc.
Jeff Stevens, Producer - Jimmie Lee Sloas, AssociatedPerformer, Bass (Vocal) - Kenny Greenberg, Electric Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - JT Corenflos, Electric Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Derek Bason, Mixer, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Greg Morrow, Drums, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - Luke Bryan, MainArtist - Mike Rojas, Hammond B3, Unknown, Other, AssociatedPerformer - Perry Coleman, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Danny Rader, Banjo, Acoustic Guitar, Mandolin, AssociatedPerformer - Zach Crowell, ComposerLyricist - Ryan Hurd, ComposerLyricist - Jody Stevens, Producer, Programming, AssociatedPerformer - Chris Small, Assistant Mixer, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Richard Chase McGill, ComposerLyricist
℗ 2017 UMG Recordings, Inc.
Jeff Stevens, Producer - Jimmie Lee Sloas, AssociatedPerformer, Bass (Vocal) - Kenny Greenberg, Electric Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - JT Corenflos, Electric Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Derek Bason, Mixer, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Luke Bryan, MainArtist - Dallas Davidson, ComposerLyricist - Mike Rojas, Piano, Synthesizer, AssociatedPerformer - Perry Coleman, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Danny Rader, Acoustic Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Justin Wilson, ComposerLyricist - Jody Stevens, Producer, Programming, AssociatedPerformer - Chris Small, Assistant Mixer, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Kyle Fishman, ComposerLyricist
℗ 2017 UMG Recordings, Inc.
Jeff Stevens, Producer - David Lee Murphy, ComposerLyricist - Jimmie Lee Sloas, AssociatedPerformer, Bass (Vocal) - Kenny Greenberg, Electric Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - JT Corenflos, Electric Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Derek Bason, Mixer, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Greg Morrow, Drums, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - Luke Bryan, MainArtist - Perry Coleman, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Danny Rader, Acoustic Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Jody Stevens, Producer, Programming, AssociatedPerformer - Brett Daniel Warren, ComposerLyricist - Brad Douglas Warren, ComposerLyricist - Chris Small, Assistant Mixer, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2017 UMG Recordings, Inc.
Jeff Stevens, Producer, ComposerLyricist - Jimmie Lee Sloas, AssociatedPerformer, Bass (Vocal) - Kenny Greenberg, Electric Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - JT Corenflos, Electric Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Derek Bason, Mixer, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Greg Morrow, Drums, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - Luke Bryan, MainArtist, ComposerLyricist - Mike Rojas, Piano, Hammond B3, AssociatedPerformer - Perry Coleman, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Danny Rader, Bouzouki, Acoustic Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Jody Stevens, Producer, Programming, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Chris Small, Assistant Mixer, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2017 UMG Recordings, Inc.
Jeff Stevens, Producer - Ashley Gorley, ComposerLyricist - Michael Carter, ComposerLyricist - Jimmie Lee Sloas, AssociatedPerformer, Bass (Vocal) - Kenny Greenberg, Electric Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - JT Corenflos, Electric Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Derek Bason, Mixer, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Greg Morrow, Drums, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - Luke Bryan, MainArtist, ComposerLyricist - Mike Rojas, Keyboards, Synthesizer, Unknown, Other, AssociatedPerformer - Perry Coleman, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Danny Rader, Bouzouki, Acoustic Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Jody Stevens, Producer - Chris Small, Assistant Mixer, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2017 UMG Recordings, Inc.
Jeff Stevens, Producer - David Lee Murphy, ComposerLyricist - Jimmie Lee Sloas, AssociatedPerformer, Bass (Vocal) - Kenny Greenberg, Electric Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - JT Corenflos, Electric Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Derek Bason, Mixer, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Greg Morrow, Drums, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - Luke Bryan, MainArtist, ComposerLyricist - Dallas Davidson, ComposerLyricist - Mike Rojas, Synthesizer, Hammond B3, AssociatedPerformer - Perry Coleman, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Danny Rader, Banjo, Acoustic Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Jody Stevens, Producer - Chris Small, Assistant Mixer, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2017 UMG Recordings, Inc.
Jeff Stevens, Producer - Michael Carter, ComposerLyricist - Jimmie Lee Sloas, AssociatedPerformer, Bass (Vocal) - Kenny Greenberg, Electric Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - JT Corenflos, Electric Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Derek Bason, Mixer, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Greg Morrow, Drums, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - Luke Bryan, MainArtist - Mike Rojas, Hammond B3, AssociatedPerformer - Perry Coleman, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Danny Rader, Acoustic Guitar, Mandolin, AssociatedPerformer - Jody Stevens, Producer, Electric Guitar, Programming, AssociatedPerformer - Chris Small, Assistant Mixer, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Richard Chase McGill, ComposerLyricist
℗ 2017 UMG Recordings, Inc.
Jeff Stevens, Producer - Rodney Clawson, ComposerLyricist - Josh Kear, ComposerLyricist - Chris Tompkins, ComposerLyricist - Jimmie Lee Sloas, AssociatedPerformer, Bass (Vocal) - Kenny Greenberg, Electric Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - JT Corenflos, Electric Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Derek Bason, Mixer, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Greg Morrow, Drums, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - Luke Bryan, MainArtist - Mike Rojas, Synthesizer, Hammond B3, AssociatedPerformer - Perry Coleman, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Danny Rader, Acoustic Guitar, Piano, Unknown, Other, AssociatedPerformer - Jody Stevens, Producer, Programming, AssociatedPerformer - Emily Weisband, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Chris Small, Assistant Mixer, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2017 UMG Recordings, Inc.
Jeff Stevens, Producer - Rodney Clawson, ComposerLyricist - Jimmie Lee Sloas, AssociatedPerformer, Bass (Vocal) - Kenny Greenberg, Electric Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - JT Corenflos, Electric Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Derek Bason, Mixer, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Greg Morrow, Drums, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - Luke Bryan, MainArtist, ComposerLyricist - Mike Rojas, Synthesizer, Unknown, Other, AssociatedPerformer - Perry Coleman, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Danny Rader, Bouzouki, Acoustic Guitar, Unknown, Other, AssociatedPerformer - Jody Stevens, Producer, Programming, AssociatedPerformer - Matt Dragstrem, ComposerLyricist - Chris Small, Assistant Mixer, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2017 UMG Recordings, Inc.
Jeff Stevens, Producer - Rhett Akins, ComposerLyricist - Ben Hayslip, ComposerLyricist - Jimmie Lee Sloas, AssociatedPerformer, Bass (Vocal) - Kenny Greenberg, Electric Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - JT Corenflos, Electric Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Derek Bason, Mixer, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Greg Morrow, Drums, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - Luke Bryan, MainArtist - Mike Rojas, Keyboards, Synthesizer, Hammond B3, AssociatedPerformer - Perry Coleman, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Danny Rader, Banjo, Acoustic Guitar, Unknown, Other, AssociatedPerformer - Jody Stevens, Producer, Electric Guitar, Programming, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Chris Small, Assistant Mixer, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2017 UMG Recordings, Inc.
Jeff Stevens, Producer - Rodney Clawson, ComposerLyricist - Ross Copperman, ComposerLyricist - Jimmie Lee Sloas, AssociatedPerformer, Bass (Vocal) - Kenny Greenberg, Electric Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - JT Corenflos, Electric Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Derek Bason, Mixer, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Greg Morrow, Drums, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - Luke Bryan, MainArtist - Mike Rojas, Synthesizer, Mellotron, AssociatedPerformer - Perry Coleman, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Danny Rader, Acoustic Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Nicolle Galyon, ComposerLyricist - Jody Stevens, Producer, Programming, AssociatedPerformer - Chris Small, Assistant Mixer, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2017 UMG Recordings, Inc.
Album review
"People talking about what is and what ain't country," sings Luke Bryan at the opening of What Makes You Country. He poses this at a time when the contours of mainstream country are shifting, a change that coincides with Bryan turning from an upstart into a veteran. During his decade of dominance, the sound of mainstream modern country was largely the sound of Luke Bryan: cheerful odes to country, drinking, and love. Other bro-country acts had a rowdier edge, but Bryan's ace in the hole was his friendliness. It not only made him seem like the guy next door, it also disguised how he slyly followed fashion, incorporating bits of current trends into his singles. On What Makes You Country, he's not quite so slick. Covered in a shiny electronic gloss, the album flits between slow-burners and mellow pop. While he takes the occasional detour for a song that could be strummed on a front porch -- "Most People Are Good" could fit on any of his records -- the cumulative effect of all the rhythmic loops and electronic flair on the album is that Bryan seems consumed with retaining his status as a hitmaker. Matters aren't helped by the fact that he doesn't seem particularly interested in the party songs; he wanders through the amiable "Drinking Again" as if he doesn't want another beer, and doesn't seem much interested in what makes you country or not. When it comes to the ballads, though, or the numerous laid-back pop numbers, Bryan demonstrates that familiar, friendly charm, and that helps sell productions that are otherwise trying a little too hard to make him sound a little less cozy.
© Stephen Thomas Erlewine /TiVo
About the album
- 1 disc(s) - 15 track(s)
- Total length: 00:51:32
- Main artists: Luke Bryan
- Composer: Various Composers
- Label: Capitol Records Nashville
- Genre: Country
© 2017 UMG Recordings, Inc. ℗ 2017 UMG Recordings, Inc.
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