Artist: Florida Georgia Line
Release Date: October 2014
Label: Big Loud Mountain / Republic Nashville
Producer: Joey Moi
Kitch's Rating: 9.5/10
Talk about making an instant impact. Florida Georgia Line did that two years ago with the release of their debut album Here's To The Good Times and the subsequent Here's To The Good Times...This Is How We Roll re-release with five new songs (including a monster #1 hit duet with Georgian superstar Luke Bryan, 'This Is How We Roll').
It was country music like it had rarely been heard before, infused with rock and rap elements, furthering the so-called 'bro country' sub-genre of country music - beer, dirt roads, swimming holes, tanned girls, lift kids and more - and, though derided by some, the album chock-full of feelgood party tunes clicked with millions of people the world over.
The duo of Brian Kelley (from Ormond Beach, Florida) and Tyler Hubbard (from Monroe, Georgia) exploded out of the blocks, scoring hit after single hit. First it was the ridiculously successful "Cruise" which remains the highest-selling country download ever, then "Get Your Shine On", "Round Here", "Stay" and the previously-mentioned collaboration with Luke Bryan.
Naturally, topping such first-up success was always going to be difficult, especially with the dreaded sophomore slump hanging over them, but Anything Goes isn't going to do anything other than send Florida Georgia Line's star shooting higher and further into the stratosphere of country music. If they weren't already legitimate superstars of the genre, they will be on the heels of their second album.
Anything Goes is, like it's predecessor, a party album. It's made for being pumped long and loud on summer nights, when you're working your way through a case of beer - or perhaps something stronger - and enjoying being alive.
Then there's "Dirt", the lead single that probably changed a lot of people's opinions of the party-hearty duo. Bursting onto the charts in a similar vein to "Cruise" - though not quite as historically, of course - the song felt more like something Garth Brooks or Tim McGraw might've recorded, for there's hardly a mention of beer, hot country girls or tailgate parties contained within. Instead, it's an epic and introspective tale of a man, his wife and the unavoidable circle of life. Brilliant stuff. No wonder it was one of the most-requested songs on country radio this year.
"Dirt" is certainly the exception to the rule on this album. Everything else is about having a good time, which is exactly what those of us who love this duo - and that's a lot of us, despite the critics, because the album debuted #1 on the Billboard charts upon release in America - expect. The title track "Anything Goes" is all about wild Friday nights, and the catchy "Sun Daze" is something of an ode to sitting back wearing your favourite shades and getting high.
There's no song on the album that really reaches out and grabs you like "Cruise" did, but that was a once-in-a-lifetime song, and lightning rarely strikes twice. That said, there are a lot of good tracks, from the best of the alleged bro country genre writers. In fact, there wasn't one song I didn't enjoy.
Yeah, every track barring "Dirt" is thematically the same, but presented with enough variety that you don't feel like you're hearing the same song again and again, even though you actually kinda are. Everything you didn't hear BK and Tyler sing about in "Dirt" - that is, tailgating, drinking, girls, cutoffs and sunsets - you can hear in just about every other song.
Anything Goes is a good listen. Florida Georgia Line are going to be around for a while!
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