It’s been about three years since there’s been new music from Zac Brow.  In that time he’s banged out five breathtaking country songs that all went to number one.   He’s won a New Artist Grammy and most importantly he’s still selling a ton of copies of the Foundation.  In a market where album sales keep shrinking Zac Brown (with Taylor Swift and Lady Antebellum) is about the only one in country selling anything.

This week  Zac Brown (he’s adamant about wanting the Band part in there) The Zac Brown Band releases it’s second studio album called “You Get What You Give” – named after one of Zac’s tattoos – not a song title.

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
1.	“Let It Go”	Zac Brown, Wyatt Durrette	4:37
2.	“Knee Deep” (featuring Jimmy Buffett)		3:23
3.	“No Hurry”		3:46
4.	“I Play the Road”		4:19
5.	“Cold Hearted”		3:47
6.	“Whiskey’s Gone”	Brown, Durrette	2:46
7.	“Quiet Your Mind”		3:40
8.	“Colder Weather”	Brown, Durrette	4:33
9.	“Settle Me Down”		3:21
10.	“As She’s Walking Away” with Alan Jackson	Coy Bowles, Brown, Durrette, Levi Lowery	3:43
11.	“Keep Me In Mind”		3:34
12.	“Who Knows”	Brown, Joel Williams	10:02
13.	“Martin”		5:06
14.	“Make This Day”	Brown, Nic Cowan, Durrette, Cee-Lo Green	4:02

The new songs are another blend of songs that remind some of Garth Brook’s soaring lyrics and hard core regular guy-ness.  It’s worth the price of the cd just to hear him change lines on the fun “Knee Deep” with Jimmy Buffett or with felow Georgia hero Alan Jackson on the hit lead single “As She’s Walking Away” – a slam dunk at country radio where it may just revive Jackson’s fading stature.

In the past months Brown has touted the thisnks the new collection is even BETTER thann the Foundation – a tall order – but at first listen he may be right.

“You Get What You Give” is sure to satisfy fans that have been starving for something NEW from the newest of the music superstars and this album gives them lots to chew on.  Expect jaw dropping first week sales number achieved the old fasion way.

Lets just hope we don’thave to wait another three years for more.

Grade: A

Download: I Play The Road – a raucos yet bittersweet

Link to Zac on iTunes

Zac Brown has had an explosive debut with “The Foundattion” and that’s an interesting fact because he’s about to pair up with a musical legend that hasn’t really had the same radio success.

Jimmy Buffett and the Zac Brown Band are the next pairing on CMT Crossroads. The special will tape before an invitation-only audience next month in Nashville, to premiere in March 2010.

Zac Brown

Brown has been compared to a mash-up of Buffett and James Taylor… so this could shape up to be the most compelling (thanks Zac) and most mass appeal (Buffett) crossroads yet. Way to go CMT.

Past Crossroads specials included Taylor Swift with Def Leppard and John Mellencamp and Kenny Chesney.