Reacting to Zach Bryan's Self-Titled Album

[@GradySmith]

I forgot how long this format takes. But enjoy it folks! Sincerely, A Mere "Ticking" Stan

[@NolanHall09]

Ticking is fire!

[@idunnowhatimdoin]

Thank you for taking the time to do this!! Loved the analysis & the reflections El "do-ray-doe" tho? 🤣 Do kinda wish that had been addressed, like, is that an Oklahoma thing?

[@tattoofthesun]

You ever listen to Ticking by Elton John?? Love the Inside Llwyn Davis ref!

[@russellcavender352]

Johnny Lee ? review

[@benwagnermusic]

Grady “happiness isn’t for me” Smith enjoying Egyptian licorice tea in his beloved blue chair on a rainy LED-lit Sunday night listening to one of his favorite artists. Ya love to see it.

[@GradySmith]

I feel seen by this.

[@donteverfckwithmyvibe]

It's a vibe☺️

[@CaptainTalion]

Hey Driver was my favorite off this album. Really connected to it.

[@cpnorthernoutdoors3554]

Same

[@austincosman2907]

So catchy too, easy to just get drunk and sing along to

[@baconfootball3995]

Same

[@tylerturner9671]

Me too, reminds me of Zac brown band a little bit, so it’s a little nostalgic song for me

[@thomaswilliamson625]

Haha my favorite as well. He didn’t seem to like it that much.

[@lylebonney3081]

Ticking is my repeat jam right now. Such a smooth grace and heaviness to the lyrics that bring a tear to your eye

[@jasonfuller7093]

The way he sings the word TICKING is amazing. Probably my favorite part

[@trenton9827]

My personal favorite is Oklahoma son

[@danielcrawford9290]

East side of sorrow is getting under rated

[@izzardcoteel5539]

Its definitely a top 5 Zach song

[@RoadBoss117]

Literally the best one

[@bookish_rhi]

Tourniquet is my absolute favourite from this album! His music has grown on me over time and this album has sealed the deal for me

[@theeverything9768]

Couldn’t have picked a better format for this album review Grady. Thanks for the hard work to get it out to us

[@Allie.S]

that trumpet solo slayed

[@Cdyoung15]

Grady is somehow living out Kenny Chesney’s song “Old Blue Chair”

[@killakurt6211]

Jakes Piano/Long Island is my new all time fav Zach song. So beautiful

[@DreamWeaver24]

I love how his raw emotion shines through in that one. It really is beautiful

[@killakurt6211]

@@DreamWeaver24 its a fantastic song. As someone going through a breakup right now the rawness really resonates with me

[@davidgarton3168]

I noticed on Jake’s piano the lyric changes from “Heard your father got sick OF Long Island” to “Heard your father got sick ON Long Island”. Just thought that was interesting

[@883eilla883]

The zach bryan translator I needed! Love your background knowledge (having followed him for so long). Adds so much.

[@zacharyboyanton5819]

Grady, my thoughts exactly, when this album dropped, I was excited to hear it, but just as excited to hear your take on it. Keep it up man!

[@habsfan4ever67]

Spotless sounds so much like a Lumineers song in the best way.

[@TioMogi]

I love the piano hits when Wesley sings, so classical Lumineers. Really feels like a true feature, not just a guest singing a couple lines

[@Bailskywalker]

A fellow "Ticking" enjoyer, good man

[@spencerhague2413]

The trumpet on these tracks is giving me hope for a trumpet solo during the revival encore

[@jacksonlyon2800]

QUITTIN time live w trumpet is unreal

[@taylorzellefrow3764]

⁠@@jacksonlyon2800the red rocks version of quittin time is unreal

[@mrmike9803]

These reviews are truly pieces of art themselves. Never been more excited to watch a review.

[@rjsfarm2534]

Turnpike Troubadours are opening for ZB on a couple stadium shows next summer. Ya, ZB and TT now doing stadiums.

[@ComedyBros5]

It’s really surreal to me to see TT opening for Zach. What a wild time.

[@williamfiesser]

Add Billy MF Strings in Ohio

[@OsuFootball28]

Absolutely wild that the boys are running stadiums now

[@benjaminwhedbee580]

And Jason Isbell at a few of the shows as well

[@Thatfireguy13]

Going to see Turnpike in December with Ian Munsick opening. Gonna be awesome

[@ryanfitz2214]

Am I the only one that hears the beginning of the National anthem in the beginning guitar of Overtime??

[@dasboot4216]

Nope, it’s so good though

[@loganbradd9472]

No you aren't. That's the first thing I thought.

[@hudsonmann8509]

One of my favorite videos you've done. Not just the content but the setting, the feel of it, the way its filmed, and your honest venerable genuine commentary.

[@Watermelon74]

My top 3: 1. El Dorado 2. Hey Driver 3. Jake's Piano Long Island But I've been obsessed with 'I Remember Everything' after hearing the news that it might be going #1. It will be the 4th country song in a row that goes #1 😱 has never happened before in Hot 100 history.

[@Mavro-jq5pz]

We gotta get it there 🫡🫡🫡

[@thatoneguy9582]

and the only remotely good one out of the four!

[@galfor54]

I’m in love with this album. Best thing Zach has done. Playing this in the car transports you to another place. 💙🩵

[@josieevans2521]

JAKE’S PIANO IS SOOO UNDERRATED, every time I listen to it, it’s hits harder

[@DreamWeaver24]

Ticking is one of my all time favorite songs, really touches me.

[@silasdriver3437]

I proposed to my fiancé on this album’s debut day. She’s a small town girl, keen to smaller acts. Zac is our favorite

[@tirosanova]

this is it!

[@Mavro-jq5pz]

Amazing!!!

[@Mr.DerekReese]

So? She said she'll consider, or what?

[@idonotknow9212]

@@Mr.DerekReeseI mean if it was his fiancé then it was a yes

[@Mr.DerekReese]

@@idonotknow9212 Context clues??? 🧐 Of course... Well played, you sneaky son of bitch! 😏 🙂‍↔️ 🤝

[@josephduffy6795]

It took me 10 listens to realize that El Dorado is about a Marine that committed suic**. I cant listen to it the same way anymore.

[@GradySmith]

Yeah, I didn't know what it meant that he was on a sign on this first listen. But that makes sense. Tbh, and this is embarrassing now, I was like I guess he became a lawyer or a real estate agent that advertises on billboards?

[@josephduffy6795]

@@GradySmith and when he says that “ his favorite old devil dog had finally headed home.” That made it click. I could finally put the rest of the puzzle together.

[@owenhall08]

After seeing this comment I am just realizing the meaning behind the song.

[@JD200_]

Nooooo I always assumed he just passed away

[@millissiatomlinson5832]

Never been so excited for an album or a video! I was PUMPED when the lyrics popped up on spotify for me today, so I could really dig in

[@AnonymousScout1]

It gets better with every listen. And the writing is some of his best work ever so it’s just unpacking new lines every time. Collabs were really well done. Just an absolute beautiful album. Tourniquet has so so many good lines. I remember everything and East Side of Sorrow are just so good. Fear and Fridays is gonna rip at shows (and in car rides). Summertimes Close is beautiful sadness. Jake’s Piano is raw in the best ways. Guess I’ll stop here lol

[@AnonymousScout1]

Also Grady, you say everything I’m thinking in such an astute way, especially for a first listen through.

[@ComedyBros5]

I’m right there with you. I could go on for days about this album

[@Mavro-jq5pz]

🔥

[@ComedyBros5]

Fantastic break down. This is the most creative and unique piece of musical work I’ve ever heard. It's the perfect example when an artist claims an album is a "passion project" for them. You can tell Zach poured his heart and soul into this one as it features some of his greatest lyrics and instrumental melodies yet!

[@mikeshannon1452]

It’s a good album but I can name 15 more creative and unique albums off the top of my head.

[@ComedyBros5]

@@mikeshannon1452 Go for it. I don’t care. For me, it’s the most creative and unique one I’ve heard.

[@cbgardner123]

Love this format. Best Grady video in a while.

[@dillonkimbrell1441]

I soooooooo wanted more of I Remember Everything

[@dustinwhitfield16]

Thanks to Grady, I've been on this journey with Zach almost from the beginning and I've enjoyed every step. This album is amazing, the more i listen to this album, the more i love it. Tourniquet & East Side of Sorrow have fastly become two of my favorites since the first time i heard clips of them on TikTok. That being said, any one of Spotless, Overtime, or Ticking could also be my favorite on any given day. I puck up on something new with each listen. As expected, Zach carried us through an emotional gauntlet with this one, i still haven't fully emotionally recovered from Jake's Piano. I could say something about almost every track. At the end of the day, Zach made another great album, his way & his songs, the way he wanted & I'm thankful to be here to enjoy every line.

[@brendensmithmusic278]

I found it the opposite. Not holding a candle to his other albums. Heavy eyes, mine again, happy instead, cold damn vampires, tishomingo, sun to me, okla city, poems and closing time, open the gate,no cure, someday,good ill do, ninth cloud,right now the best, something in the orange, from austin on american hearbreak. Thej everything single song was a banger on summertime blues. Elisabeth every single song was a banger. Deann every single song was a banger. This album: no bangers. Tradesmen is ok. Ticking. Jakes piano has some good parts. Hey driver was alright before war and treaty. Smaller acts but without the production on it. Summer close is alright. Very sad this album doesnt hold a candle to the others. There wasnt a single song on it that could hold a candle to a single song off any of his other albums. Much less a top tier song like sun to me, heavy eyes, happy instead, tishomingo, from austin something in the orange etc.

[@justtryme2020]

Spotless and I Remember Everything are my two favorites currently but, just like his other albums, that will no doubt change as I listen to it more. Zach Bryan writes songs that make me feel things no other artist has before.

[@waynebretski5]

Hey Driver, El Dorado, Spotless, & Tourniquet are all in constant rotation right now. I love how El Dorado is about a town where I've spent some in near my home in Kansas.

[@katyp.4615]

“Let it be and then just think about it forever”-never related more. Thanks for fixing that lyric 😂

[@mrminiguns]

The violin/guitar duet and lyrics of El Dorado makes it my favorite of this new album

[@jonbolin344]

Always been a huge Kacey fan, i was blown away by I Remember Everything. Great vid Grady!

[@CyrusWaugh]

OMFG GRADY DOING A VIDEO IN THE BLUE CHAIR MY LIFE IS COMPLEEEEEEEETE

[@GradySmith]

Cyrus, this is not the same blue chair as your favorite.

[@CyrusWaugh]

@@GradySmithI’ll take my victories as small as they are

[@Cougs4Life02]

Yes! Love this format! We can totally see how your brain works! And I died at that line "Your songs sound the same, you'll never make a name for yourself"

[@mikenicholson2672]

As always, killer content for people that are music/lyric obsessed. 2 things to add: the organ on Oklahoman Son reminds me so much of Derry Deborja from isbell and the 400 unit. When I hear Ticking, it also sounds like the ticking of wheels on the road. sort of like the tour bus ticking (chugging) along.

[@The_holy_stromboli]

Did anyone else pickup on the easter egg in the beginning of Overtime? There’s a viral video of a drunk guy saying “they’re going fast and real left son. They’re going fast and left” thought it was funny that Zach included that in there

[@Myrtlecrack]

When you have some spare time, I'd love to see a video about Sierra Ferrell! I discovered her through Zach's album, and she has been on my mind ever since!

[@21lynnlee]

Great freakin album. I feel like Zach’s best friend when I listen.

[@mmrw]

That feeling of “I get it but I don’t really get it” is definitely something I got out of this album too. Definitely an amazing, no skips album but something that I have to reflect a lot more on too

[@johnherman9599]

Loved the impromptu trumpet solo

[@the.pmmusic]

i’ve been listening to the album since friday nonstop and watching your video kinda gives me a new perspective on it but in a great refreshing way that makes it possible to not get tired of it after a week. god bless you Grady 🤙🏻

[@Blakelyboy21392]

I heard I Remember Everything for the first time today on the radio. It’s real pretty.

[@shanethomas6208]

I am one of those dudes that got inspired by Zach Bryan. Just bought a guitar about 6 months ago, and started writing. It's so therapeutic. Love this guy

[@karma201]

Thanks Grady! I really enjoyed your thoughts in this release. I felt the same way listening to this the first time.

[@iSlayKrakens]

Hey Driver has been stuck in my head since release.

[@kagb86]

SAME. I wake up with it in my head 😂

[@canon_m9686]

Dude I was there when he sang El Dorado live at red rocks before this dropped and WOW. It was great live but wow he kinda buchured it live cuz it was improv. Goes to show how great of a recording artist he can be. Also, my hometown is close to El Dorado so I'd drive through there a lot, so it paints a very vivid picture in my mind. Common zach bryan W

[@officialmickeymiller]

Ticking was my fave, too. I can relate to your point about 'romanticizing your pain.' Also have trouble not romantizing my own pain and not letting things go. That's something I love about Zach's music and his energetic take on pain. It's a subtle, energy vibe--he manages to both celebrate pain but also not become it. 'Let it be then let it go' sums it up so nicely. How to describe this exactly? Even 'I Remember Everything' doesn't have like a 'whiny' vibe as in some country songs - (think like Jon Pardi Mr. Saturday Night type vibe) - that's got more of a tragic down on my luck feel. Zach's music somehow transends the pain and rises above it, while respecting it.

[@trentonblair]

Overtime is my favorite it’s relatable and it really hits home

[@waynecaswell5727]

Great new album. I do miss some of his mostly acoustic guitar songs. But, this album shows his diversity as a musician and song writer. I read he is donating every cent from the song El Dorado to football player Christian McCaffrey's 22 and Troops foundation to help service members who struggle every day with PTSD and other issues. Zack is putting his voice and money to help others. A great service.

[@hullabaloo488]

There's such a solace with some of his songs it's just so beautiful

[@harrisontrice3658]

Love seeing you fan girl. Shoulda been in the zwiftie shirt you wore to the zach bryan show last year

[@williamscott7844]

Been waiting for this one😏

[@codyreed3421]

Been waiting on this for days!

[@juniorfelix6776]

I’m watching it now! Loving the whole thing, keep doing these reactions! And the My Chemical Romance ref, I’m here for it! 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

[@nasanoir310]

Amazing video, this format is great! I love this album soooooo much. I think it is amazing how Zach was able to blend the country rock americana sound he usually brings to the table with some interesting indie-folk and indie-pop. The use of trumpets, electric piano, and even organ surprised me, and the songwriting was consistently good. I thought the production was pretty good too (with the exception of Spotless). It was a good length, too. It's no American Heartbreak, but I think it is easily my number 2 Zach album to date. Favorites are Torniquet, Jakes Piano-Long Island, Overtime, and Hey Driver. (Also, Brennan is amazing, so glad to see him mentioned!)

[@XavierV37]

If I had any musical talent I’d love to record “El Dorado” and pronounce it like the place in Cali not Kansas 😂

[@GradySmith]

hahahah that def threw me off!

[@Kat22Kit]

Wait till you get to Texas I’ve heard it “El Da-Ray-da” !

[@nashstevens6399]

We have a “Miami” in Oklahoma but it’s pronounced “My-am-uh”.

[@Milewski23]

Grady If you don’t like the painted chair, there’s actually seat covers you can buy specifically for recliners. They fit similar to bed sheets. Highly recommend

[@jacobhatton2759]

I fucking love this album so much it’s all I can listen to and I’m right with you on Ticking that song hit me in the chest the first time I heard it.

[@ostapkucherha5856]

Really like this format, keep up the good work.

[@joshvalentine5326]

You are goated brother 🫡 been with ya since the ZB interview. Keep doing your thing 🙏

[@joshdudash1418]

I play trumpet too and i am hyped about the trumpet in the next tour. Overtime and East Side of Sorrow also resonate with me

[@marie52345]

Ticking immediately stood out to me, banger

[@nicholasi3535]

I really liked the back half of the album more than the front half although a couple early ones are also good. Strangely my favorites are all his collaborations with Kacey, the Lumineers, and War & Treaty. They just breathe some new life into the album

[@cupidandthecowboy]

RED CLAY STRAYS!! RED CLAY STRAYS!!

[@killakurt6211]

The opening guitar or Fear and Fridays poem is (I think) from another Zach song but I can't put my finger on which one. Its been bugging me so if anyone knows that would be great

[@dasboot4216]

Pretty sure it’s someday

[@idunnowhatimdoin]

whip-smart as always, entertaining & so damn profound.. but also, swifty decoding was the thoght-provoking surprise I didn't know I needed

[@MBustos828]

One of my friends was at his concert Friday in AZ. She said he quickly went through a lot of his older stuff with the goal of getting to the new stuff because he's so used to people singing along to every word he wanted to play stuff people can't sing along to yet. My guess is he has about a week of that before everyone is belting every line of this new album.

[@maxhutchison1121]

Absolutely yes to live performances.

[@miss.kimpossible]

Already got the album, but was waiting to listen to the whole thing all at once. Glad it was with you! You’re hilarious (even though I’m not totally onboard with the Swifty comparisons. LOL) Thanks Man! ❤ I wish I could watch Zach, watching this video! 😂 P.S. just caught his concert in Bakersfield….UNBELIEVABLE! Never seen anything like it!

[@mrmike9803]

Best review ever

[@erinburkard988]

Loved listening to your review quickly, and I can't wait to come back and actually listen to it more in depth later and listen to the interview with him too. It may be my own biases being someone from the midwest living in a big city now, but my take on Oklahoman Son was a reflection on how we can all run away from where we're from and it'll still always be a part of us whether or not we've always liked that. The Seattle times article announcing the ticket presale mentioned ZB had lived out here at some point when in the Navy, and that along with the lyrics makes me wonder if the song may be a self reflection on parts of his own past / personal growth and the changes in his relationship to home as he's been away.

[@nathandelaney2027]

Zach Bryan songs changes based on what is happening in your life.

[@vikingsoup7531]

How did I not know you were a swifte?! Love that and love Zach’s music too!

[@vintagekaitlyn]

Obsessed with this album. Probably the first time ever I can’t pick a definitive favorite. I have several faves lol

[@KellyBorders-k8k]

Love the G Love shout out!

[@TalkingSlowking]

Can’t wait to see Grady playing the trumpet with Zach Bryan during revival

[@stevenparks4523]

In Tradesman, when he says “while they’re smoking big cigars” I thought it was a pretty cool reference to Johnny Cash

[@James_rec]

Holly Roller and Hey Driver

[@macylightfoot]

The melody on I Remember Everything reminds me of Stable Song by Gregory Alan Isakov a lot. Like so much i had to press pause on it until i could figure out exactly what song i was hearing in it.

[@someidiot4570]

i don't listen to country at all. im a hip hop head mostly, and yet this was my favorite album that came out all year. there was some absolutely incredible songwriting on this thing.

[@averydtv]

Ticking was my favorite from the first listen and now I can’t get it out of my head

[@aaronmclaren2030]

I remember hearing a snipit of it on TikTok now hearing the whole has my heart

[@habsfan4ever67]

ZWIFTIES UNITE

[@Watermelon74]

ZWIFTIEZ

[@PatrickBowmanRuns]

The trumpet cut😂😂

[@TVandManga]

I really love Tourniquet, I Remember Everything and East Side of Sorrow.

[@bretsutton1295]

I love this album. I'm so glad that spotless and hey driver are released officially. I wish Dawns, burn burn burn, and starved were on it. What do you think of the Brett young, Tim McGraw, and Morgan Wade albums

[@dillonkimbrell1441]

think they were gonna be on another album.

[@johnbrouwer3]

El Dorado is my favorite off this album. And every time at the end, I still keep expecting another big drop into the chorus again. But the more I think about it, I think that's the point. The song makes you want more of the song in the same way Zach wanted more time with his lost friend. It's art and it's so freakin' good.

[@christophersean3766]

I don't know I think I like Oklahoman Son the best and I really like the duet with Kacey Musgraves. The whole thing is pretty good.

[@jerrpie]

“i’m more like.. let it be and then think about it forever” glad to know someone else gets it 😂👏🏻

[@dylanlowers5236]

I’m surprised at your Hey Driver take. That was my favorite song I think. The dude from War and Treaty sounds just like someone else I can’t pin it though. An older soul/r&b singer

[@michaelmonthey5974]

I like the idea of posting Brennon Edwards’ chair session on KZbin.

[@nickmeekhof]

That flow/rhythm Grady mentions in “Spotless” is the exact same as Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s “Song of Hiawatha”: “By the shore of Gitche-Gumee, by the shining big-sea water, at the doorway of his wigwam, in the pleasant summer morning, Hiawatha stood & waited…”

[@dasboot4216]

El Dorado gotta be my favorite song on the album

[@Boohooooo]

Zach Bryan spits facts!!

[@thomasdrakes3875]

For somw reason ticking and jakes piano are my two favourite from this album. Jakes piano, i close my eyes and kist dont think, i feel.

[@VinceBo]

Grady that is a comically large mug for your tea