Welcome Home (Zac Brown Band album)

Last updated
Welcome Home
ZBB welcome home.jpg
Studio album by
ReleasedMay 12, 2017 (2017-05-12)
RecordedJanuary 3–9, 2017
Genre Country [1]
Length38:42
Label Elektra, Southern Ground
Producer
[2]
Zac Brown Band chronology
Jekyll + Hyde
(2015)
Welcome Home
(2017)
The Owl
(2019)
Singles from Welcome Home
  1. "My Old Man"
    Released: February 3, 2017
  2. "Roots"
    Released: August 7, 2017

Welcome Home is the fifth studio album by American country music band Zac Brown Band. It was released on May 12, 2017, via Elektra Records. The album features the singles "My Old Man" and "Roots" which charted on Hot Country Songs and Country Airplay. Dave Cobb is the album's producer.

Contents

Content

Before the album, Zac Brown worked with producer Dave Cobb on a track for the multi-artist album Southern Family in 2016. Cobb also serves as producer on Welcome Home. [3]

Taste of Country describes the album as "a more mature album, aimed at the group's older fans" and notes that "One mostly finds Brown showing appreciation for loved ones". The track "Trying to Drive" is a re-recording of a song that first appeared on the band's 2010 live album Pass the Jar: Zac Brown Band and Friends Live from the Fabulous Fox Theatre in Atlanta , featuring co-writer Aslyn on guest vocals. [4]

Critical reception

Stephen Thomas Erlewine of AllMusic rated the album 3 out of 5 stars, saying that "While the constant parade of country homilies gets a bit weary, the sound of Welcome Home is a warm, comfortable bath. Brown still has a way with a honeyed melody and his band is just as supple, meaning this album is the very definition of music as comfort food." [1] Jonathan Bernstein of Rolling Stone gave it 2.5 out of 5 stars, praising the sound of "Roots" and "Her Majesty" but adding that "it's hard not to hear Welcome Home as an anxious defense of fame and fortune, a reactionary right-turn in response to the mixed reviews the band received for their most recent global pop-grab... A decade after 'Chicken Fried', Zac Brown is laboring strenuously to ensure everyone that he still drinks cold beer on a Friday night, apologizing for a musical adventurousness that he'd be better off simply embracing." [3] Rating it "C+", Chuck Yarborough of The Plain Dealer felt that "My Old Man", "Trying to Drive", and "Family Table" were the album's strongest songs, but criticized "Start Over" as derivative of "Toes". He also felt that the album overall lacked songs as strong as the singles from Jekyll + Hyde . [5] Slant Magazine reviewer Jeremy Winograd also rated it 2.5 out of 5 stars, saying in his review that "Zac Brown's constant reassurances throughout Welcome Home that he's still just a regular dude, set to 40 minutes of aggressively bland Americana, give off the stench of overcompensation" for the "crossover pop" sounds of the previous album. He overall panned many of the songs' lyrics and sounds, saying that "Far worse is the cynical nature of the album's roosty overtures. If Brown's lyrics weren't so painfully on the nose, it might not be so obvious that he's deliberately attempting to parlay Cobb's style and reputation into perceived authenticity", while citing "Trying to Drive" as the strongest track. [6]

Commercial performance

The album debuted at number two on the Billboard 200 and number one on the Top Country Albums chart with 146,000 equivalent album units, of which 139,000 are traditional album sales. [7] In the following week, it sold 23,100 copies. [8] The album has sold 308,600 copies in the US as of September 2018. [9] Welcome Home was the band's first album not to top the Billboard 200.

Track listing

All tracks are written by Zac Brown, Niko Moon, and Ben Simonetti except where noted

No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Roots" Coy Bowles, Brown, Moon, Simonetti3:51
2."Real Thing" 3:50
3."Long Haul" 3:32
4."2 Places at 1 Time" 3:40
5."Family Table" 3:31
6."My Old Man" 3:47
7."Start Over"Brown, Moon, Simonetti, Pharrell Williams 4:13
8."Your Majesty"Brown, Moon, Simonetti, Kenny Habul3:42
9."Trying to Drive" (featuring Aslyn)Brown, Moon, Simonetti, Aslyn4:26
10."All the Best" (featuring Kacey Musgraves) John Prine 4:11

Personnel

Adapted from Welcome Home liner notes. [10]

Zac Brown Band

Additional Musicians

Charts

Related Research Articles

<i>Jekyll + Hyde</i> 2015 studio album by Zac Brown Band

Jekyll + Hyde is the fourth studio album by American country music group Zac Brown Band. It was released on April 28, 2015. The album's lead single, "Homegrown", was released on January 12, 2015. "Heavy Is the Head", featuring Chris Cornell, was released two months later to the rock format. "Loving You Easy" is the album's second release to country, and third single overall.

<i>34 Number Ones</i> 2010 greatest hits album by Alan Jackson

34 Number Ones is the seventh greatest hits compilation album by American country artist Alan Jackson. It was released in the United States on November 23, 2010 through Arista Nashville. The release celebrates Jackson's 20-year anniversary since the release of his debut album. As of the chart dated February 26, 2011, the album has sold 200,131 copies in the US.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Zac Brown Band discography</span>

American country music band Zac Brown Band has released seven studio albums, two extended plays, two live albums, and twenty-nine singles. Fourteen of those singles reached number one on either the US Billboard Hot Country Songs or Country Airplay chart, while one reached number one on the Billboard Mainstream Rock chart.

<i>We Are Tonight</i> 2013 studio album by Billy Currington

We Are Tonight is the fifth studio album by American country music singer Billy Currington. It was released on September 17, 2013 via Mercury Nashville. The album includes the singles "Hey Girl" and "We Are Tonight".

<i>Eric Paslay</i> (album) 2014 studio album by Eric Paslay

Eric Paslay is the debut studio album by American country music artist Eric Paslay. It was released on February 4, 2014 by Capitol Records Nashville. The album includes the singles "Never Really Wanted", "Friday Night", "Song About a Girl" and "She Don't Love You".

<i>The Grohl Sessions, Vol. 1</i> 2013 EP by Zac Brown Band

The Grohl Sessions, Vol. 1 is an extended play which was released by the Zac Brown Band on December 10, 2013. Originally released only to digital retailers, it was physically released on May 19, 2014. The physical release includes a 45-minute DVD on the creation of the album. Included on the album is the single "All Alright", which was sent to radio on April 28, 2014.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Homegrown (song)</span> 2015 single by Zac Brown Band

"Homegrown" is a song recorded by American country music group Zac Brown Band. It was released on January 12, 2015 and is the first single from the band's fourth studio album Jekyll + Hyde, released on April 28, 2015. The song was written by Zac Brown, Wyatt Durrette and Niko Moon.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Loving You Easy</span> 2015 single by Zac Brown Band

"Loving You Easy" is a song recorded by American country music group Zac Brown Band. It was released as the third single from the band's fourth studio album, Jekyll + Hyde, on May 4, 2015. The song was written by Zac Brown, Al Anderson and Niko Moon.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Beautiful Drug</span> 2015 single by Zac Brown Band

"Beautiful Drug" is a song recorded by American country music group Zac Brown Band. It was released as the fourth single from the band's fourth studio album, Jekyll + Hyde, on September 21, 2015. The song was written by Zac Brown and Niko Moon.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Castaway (Zac Brown Band song)</span> 2016 single by Zac Brown Band

"Castaway" is a song recorded by American country music group Zac Brown Band. It was released as the sixth single from the band's fourth studio album, Jekyll + Hyde, on April 25, 2016. The song was written by Zac Brown, Coy Bowles, John Driskell Hopkins, Wyatt Durrette and Niko Moon.

<i>Southernality</i> 2015 studio album by A Thousand Horses

Southernality is the debut studio album by American country music band A Thousand Horses. It was released on June 9, 2015 via Republic Nashville. The album includes their debut single "Smoke", which reached number 1 on Country Airplay.

<i>Illinois</i> (Brett Eldredge album) Album by Brett Eldredge

Illinois is the second studio album by American country music artist Brett Eldredge. It was released on September 11, 2015 via Atlantic Records Nashville. Its lead single, "Lose My Mind", was released to country radio on May 4, 2015. The album's second single, "Drunk on Your Love" was released to country radio on November 9, 2015. The album's third single, "Wanna Be That Song" released to country radio on May 23, 2016. Eldredge co-wrote every song, and produced the album with Ross Copperman and Brad Crisler.

<i>Fighter</i> (David Nail album) 2016 studio album by David Nail

Fighter is the fourth studio album by American country music artist David Nail. It was released on July 15, 2016, via MCA Nashville. It includes the singles "Night's on Fire" and "Good at Tonight", a duet with Brothers Osborne.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">My Old Man (Zac Brown Band song)</span> 2017 single by Zac Brown Band

"My Old Man" is a song by American country music band Zac Brown Band. The song is the lead single to their fifth major-label studio album, Welcome Home. The song was written by Zac Brown, Niko Moon and Ben Simonetti.

<i>Somethings Going On</i> (Trace Adkins album) 2017 studio album by Trace Adkins

Something's Going On is the sixteenth studio album by American country music artist Trace Adkins. It was released on March 31, 2017 via Wheelhouse Records.

<i>Brett Eldredge</i> (album) 2017 studio album by Brett Eldredge

Brett Eldredge is the fourth studio album by American country music artist of the same name. It was released on August 4, 2017 by Atlantic Records.

<i>Every Little Thing</i> (album) 2017 studio album by Carly Pearce

Every Little Thing is the debut studio album by American country music artist Carly Pearce. It was released on October 13, 2017.

<i>Texoma Shore</i> Album by Blake Shelton

Texoma Shore is the eleventh studio album by American country music singer Blake Shelton. The album was released on November 3, 2017 by Warner Bros. Records. Its lead single is "I'll Name the Dogs". As with his previous several albums, Scott Hendricks served as producer.

<i>Lee Brice</i> (album) 2017 studio album by Lee Brice

Lee Brice is the fourth studio album by American country music artist of the same name. It was released on November 3, 2017 by Curb Records. The album's lead single is "Boy".

<i>The Owl</i> (album) 2019 studio album by Zac Brown Band

The Owl is the sixth studio album by American country music band Zac Brown Band. It was released on September 20, 2019, through Wheelhouse Records.

References

  1. 1 2 "Welcome Home". AllMusic . Retrieved May 13, 2017.
  2. "Zac Brown Band Earns Ninth GRAMMY Nomination". 29 November 2017.
  3. 1 2 Bernstein, Jonathan (May 12, 2017). "Review: Zac Brown Band Anxiously Return to Their Roots on 'Welcome Home'". Rolling Stone . Retrieved May 13, 2017.
  4. Dukes, Billy (May 12, 2017). "Album Spotlight: Zac Brown Band, 'Welcome Home'". Taste of Country . Retrieved May 13, 2017.
  5. Yarborough, Chuck (May 17, 2017). "Zac Brown Band is a few streets off in 'Welcome Home' (CD review)". The Plain Dealer. Retrieved May 19, 2017.
  6. Winograd, Jeremy (May 17, 2017). "Zac Brown Band: Welcome Home". Slant Magazine. Retrieved May 19, 2017.
  7. 1 2 Caulfield, Keith (May 21, 2017). "Harry Styles Debuts at No. 1 on Billboard 200 Albums Chart". Billboard. Retrieved May 22, 2017.
  8. Bjorke, Matt (May 20, 2017). "Top 10 Country Albums Chart: May 30, 2017". Roughstock.
  9. Bjorke, Matt (September 4, 2018). "Top 10 Country Albums Sales Chart: September 4, 2018". Roughstock. Retrieved September 12, 2018.
  10. Welcome Home (CD booklet). Zac Brown Band. Southern Ground/Elektra Records. 2017. 559611-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  11. "ARIA Australian Top 50 Albums". Australian Recording Industry Association. May 22, 2017. Retrieved May 20, 2017.
  12. "Ultratop.be – Zac Brown Band – Welcome Home" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved May 20, 2017.
  13. "On The Charts: May 22, 2017". FYIMusicNews. Retrieved May 23, 2017.
  14. "NZ Heatseekers Albums Chart". Recorded Music NZ. May 22, 2017. Retrieved May 19, 2017.
  15. "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved May 20, 2017.
  16. "Swisscharts.com – Zac Brown Band – Welcome Home". Hung Medien. Retrieved May 24, 2017.
  17. "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved May 20, 2017.
  18. "Billboard Country Update" (PDF). Billboard. Retrieved May 23, 2017.
  19. "Top Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 2017". Billboard. Retrieved July 20, 2020.
  20. "Top Country Albums – Year-End 2017". Billboard. Retrieved July 20, 2020.