Drake White - "Spark"

[:) KUFan]

Artist: Drake White

Label: Dot Records

Release Date: 8/19/16

Album: Spark

Tracklist

1. “Heartbeat” (Drake White, Ross Copperman, Jason Sellers)

2. “Story” (Drake White, Mark Irwin, Tommy Lee James)

3. “Makin’ Me Look Good Again” (Drake White, Monty Criswell, Shane Minor)

4. “It Feels Good” (Drake White, Derek George, Philip Pence)

5. “Livin’ the Dream” (Tom Douglas, Jaren Johnston, Luke Laird)

6. “I Need Real” (Drake White, Ross Copperman, Jon Nite)

7. “Back to Free” (Drake White, Randy Montana, Philip Pence)

8. “Equator” (Drake White, Matt Jenkins, Trevor Rosen)

9. “Live Some” (Ross Copperman, Shane McAnally, Josh Osborne)

10. “Waitin’ on the Whiskey to Work” (Drake White, Tony Lane, Philip Pence)

11. “Elvis” (Drake White, Jeremy Spillman, Ryan Tyndell)

12. “Take Me as I Am” (Drake White, Phil Barton, Lindsay Jack Rimes)

[dm2081]

Well his album is exactly what I was expecting - a weird, eccentric mix of country music. In my opinion, this guy pushes country in the right unique direction, not just trying to make Pop/R&B leaning music. He's like a cross of Eric Church, Zac Brown Band, and his own festival music kind of style.

"Story" and "Waitin' On The Whiskey To Work" are the two standouts IMO. I think they should only consider "Story" or "Elvis" for the next single. Those sound like they have the right kind of blend of dynamic uniqueness mixed with modern sound to get played on radio these days.

Curious to see what sabre14, robenglund, and @nickv1025 think of this (tagged you 3 because I feel this would be your style of music).

[sabre14]

I haven't heard the whole album yet but I have heard "Story" and that sounds like a good single choice. I have also heard "Makin' Me Look Good Again" and considering The Highway has jumped on that song (spinning it on their "Horizon" show) it might be an indication they'll try that one at terrestrial radio; it's a memorable vocal performance from Drake for sure.

Will listen when I have more free time and give more thoughts. I have liked what I've heard so far, so thanks for the tag dm2081. :)

[robenglund]

Yes I agree thanks for the tag dm2081. To be honest I don't know much about Drake White. His music doesn't bother me at all. I like his style. But since I don't know much about him that's why I wouldn't say I love his music. But I definitely like his singles from this album. It's good music. His style is definitely very unique. Totally hear some Eric Church is his production like you said. His music reminds me of the classic rock my dad got me into that I grew up on. I've been into country for 5 years or so and I was born in 1992. You do the math. His music reminds me of Neil Young but with more country instrumentation. I'll listen more when I have some free time but upon first judgment and the iTunes previews, it's definitely something right up my alley. I like what I'm hearing. Not traditional country by any means but with a sound deviation more towards classic rock and not current trends which is totally fine with me :) .

[LBTrocks]

I became a fan of Drake White's after seeing him open for LBT 3 times last year. He has a killer voice and his stage presence and energy was off the charts. Definitely a natural born performer. This is a good album and I like it, but I was hoping to like it better than I do at the moment. My biggest issue is the vocal processing... too 'echo-y' on many of the songs.

"Makin' Me Look Good Again" is a fantastic song and of all the tunes he played live, this was my favorite. I do prefer the live and acoustic versions, but the studio of this didn’t disappoint! Vocally, this is an exquisite song and so very country. I love the instrumentation on this one as well. Just an all-around excellent song. I still consider this my favorite song of his. Would this work as a single? I would love for this to be a single lol.

"Equator" was also quite enjoyable and was a personal standout for me. "It Feels Good" and "Livin' The Dream" are also two of the best the album has to offer, IMO. "Story" is a very good song, but again, those echo-y vocals. I don't know why that's a thing. Little Big Town has been doing the same thing since the Tornado album and I don't get the appeal. It dumbs the vocals down. "Heartbeat" has a great chorus, but that verse is borderline unbearable.

The rest of the songs I'll need to listen to more. Overall, the album just didn't 'wow' me like I was hoping it would. That said, these are just my initial thoughts and its definitely not a bad album. There's a fairy good chance that it'll continue to grow on me going forward.

[Deleted]

Thanks dm2081. Drake is one of my new favorites. A very unique sound. I liked "It Feels Good", but it wasn't until I saw him open for ZBB when I learned that a new guy had the stones to use a fiddle...that's when I became a little more interested. (I love "The Simple Life").

This CD sounds very polished. It's a hell of a lot better than half the crap out there today. I think if Drake catches on, he could make a big stylistic impact on the genre. My one beef with the songs is that I get too much of a, I don't know, Jason Mraz vibe? I definitely like the music, but not as much as say, Pardi or Pitney.

[Deleted]

The album is great! Love most songs, and really like the rest. The only complaint would be that, after hearing the live version of Story in his EP, the studio version sounds very weak in comparison :( I don't know, but this album might be in the running for one of my favorite albums this year. So good!

[George Strait Junkie]

Not a bad album. Still wished someway somehow "Simple Life" woulda been on here. But, I know that couldn't happen. But, It's still my favorite of his.

here are my rankings of the tracks on the album

1. Waitin' On The Whiskey To Work
2. Story
3. Back To Free
4. Live Some
5. Livin' The Dream
6. Makin' Me Look Good Again
7. It Feels Good
8. Heartbeat
9. Equator
10. I Need Real
11. Elvis
12. Take Me As I Am

[onebuffalo]

#4 country, #34 top 200 album with 11,000 sold. Congratulations, Drake White!

[robenglund]

Drake doesn't officially have a Top 20 hit yet since the chart gets finalized tomorrow. Yet another major label debut album from an artist without a big hit that outsold Chris Lane  . Dylan Scott's major label debut even outsold Chris Lane and "Crazy Over Me" peaked in the 30s. 

[.indulgecountry]

Aug 20, 2016 5:15:42 GMT -5 @nickv1025 said:

My one beef with the songs is that I get too much of a, I don't know, Jason Mraz vibe? I definitely like the music, but not as much as say, Pardi or Pitney.

Literally my first thought. This sounds exactly like if Jason Mraz made a country music record to me. I'm not crazy about his voice (probably because he reminds me of Jason Mraz to me, who I'm not particularly fond of either), but the album isn't half bad. Some songs are definitely stronger than others, and I definitely think the production is probably the most interesting thing it has going for it. I just wish I enjoyed his voice more, but I just can't really get into it.