The Van Zant brothers have done it again. This time, their new album is country. It was released on May 10th, and I haven't been able to to stop listening to it since. The moment I got it, I listened to it three times in a row. Although this is their debut at country, it's not a far cry from anything they've already been doing. In fact, most or all of the songs could just as easily be on a Lynyrd Skynyrd or .38 Special album. I love these guys, and I hope it's not their last venture together. They've put out two other albums together, Brother to Brother and Van Zant II, and although I love those too, Get Right With the Man is the best one yet.

"Extolling blue collar values such as ethics and the importance of family and friends, Get Right With the Man is - in its own way - an inspirational album."
"'All of these are songs that we either lived ourselves or watched somebody else do it,' Donnie notes. 'They're true songs, and it's all about truth and honesty.'"

Some of the lyrics (not just on this album) also show what faithful Christians the Van Zants are, and I really respect that.

Although it's hard to choose, "Takin' Up Space", "Help Somebody", and "I'm Doin' Alright" have got to be my favorite songs on here. "Takin' Up Space" is totally kickass, and most certainly influenced by the awesome new Skynyrd and 38 sounds. "...Life's too short to live in caution, life's too long not to live at all. If you're gonna go, go all the way. If you're gonna stay, stand your ground. If you can't run with the big dogs, big dog let me walk you out. If you can't lead, let me by you, if you won't follow, get out the way - you're takin' up space."

"Help Somebody" is a beautiful song with a great message, and is currently #24 on the country charts, (I believe with bullet). Watch the music video here, it's very well done. It even has kind of a gospel-y twist at the end.

As for "I'm Doin' Alright", the lyrics speak for themselves. It's about having a nice, simple little place in the country. "...I'm doin' alright, livin' my life, you've got yours and I've got mine. Yeah, it may not look like much to you, but it's simple and it suits me fine. The sound of the rain and a lonely old train, listen to that engine whine. 'Cause I am what I am, and I sleep good at night, and I'm doin' alright."

I think my favorite line is "...I got a nice little garden of weeds, tucked back up in the woods..." Heh, that reminds me of this cute little old-fashioned tin sign I've seen at Target, "FREE WEEDS! All you can take." .........but anyway.

Another song starts out, "I was a freckle-faced kid with a buck-toothed grin..."

I recently found out the brothers are going on tour and will be doing a concert in their hometown of Jacksonville, FL, this December. We're definitely going up there to see them, unless we can find a confirmed show that's closer to us before then.

Listen to song samples and buy the album at Amazon.com, and be sure to visit their official website for info, biographies, pictures, and even a couple wallpapers made by somebody you might know of.