Jacob Bryant – Through The Windshield

Jacob Bryant – Through The Windshield – EP Review

First thing I’ll say is that what I’m about to say…well…I’m not sure if I’ve ever felt there was a time that applied to what I’ll say next…

…and that is…

Jacob Bryant, sir, if you’ll please indulge me…what I need you to do right now is go and find your management team and give them a HUGE high-five from me. My readership…all five people…are no doubt shocked beyond belief right now…I kinda am myself…I really don’t know if I’ve congratulated a management team in print before…

But let me tell you WHY I want those guys, whomever they may be, to receive your palm d’or up-high my friend…it’s because these guys have BALLS. I’d be the last to say that country-music is unwelcome on our pages, it’s just more of an anomaly; living in Vancouver doesn’t really lend itself to coming by the Nashville twang all too often – know what I mean? But Jacob…as you know…you’ve managed to grace these pages already once before when we reviewed your last, self-titled EP.

You know WHY these guys keep sending your music out to a place that usually phrases ‘country’ with ‘fried-something’ rather than what may be a more typical home for your music? Because they know they literally cannot fail with you sir…and like the Grinch’s heart who grew ten-or-whatever sizes more, so too do the nuts of your management team swell with the blood of confidence. They should be brother…but you MUST know that as well…you sound on record like you were born for music – and you’ve clearly done it again on this new effort, the Through The Windshield EP.

Starting with this epic title-track, “Through The Windshield” will make you appreciate that Mr. Bryant has GOT to be able to catch some of the wind heading into the sails of Zac Brown Band…I mean…right? There’s enough of a similar vibe…and certainly enough skill in performance and song-writing to support that isn’t there? Someone out there in country-land might have to back me up on all this…but it seems to me that this has that Blake Shelton magic as well…that ability to write massive country that sits right on the borders of the genre. Bryant opens this new EP with what I can only refer to as a natural hit-single within modern country-music today; a smart rock-country tune that’s sly enough to pull in non-country fans…like myself…

Jacob Bryant…what am I supposed to do with you? If I keep listening I’m afraid I might just have to admit I’m a country-fan for life at this point…

AHA! I’ve got you now! That’s right Mr. Perfection…I’ve got a major word-bullet in my chamber for you when it comes to the second track, “Holding On To Home!” I’ve gotta crack a smile here for the record…there’s ZERO part of me that wants Jacob Bryant to fail or misstep even slightly in his career…the guy is truly superb…

…BUT…”Holding On To Home,” is all the proof I need now to support my theory that Nickelback is a half-assed country-band. I only say this because here in this song, Jacob Bryant has stepped in to show them how “Rockstar” really should have been written…country-style. Even with the sweet intro on this track, which I absolutely love…that’s a tough melody to forget…even when slowed down I suppose. Doesn’t help I’m sitting here just outside of Chad Kroeger & Co.’s old hometown…still all too fresh in my mind. Again…it’s NOT the exact same song…but if Sam Smith is getting sued by a nice guy like Tom Petty…well…just imagine what a dickhead like Kroeger might try to go for! Just sending out the warning Bryant…cause I love ya buddy.

I still can’t fault him for any kind of ‘mistake’ per-say…part of me doubts that I ever will. Coming that close to “Rockstar” isn’t the worst musical-atrocity I’ll even come across TODAY I’m sure…believe me when I say, as positive of an attitude as I maintain, there’s still a lot to question out there sometimes…

He does a much better job of heading in his own direction for the following track “Save My Soul.” Though he brings much more of an authentic country-twang to his voice than almost any other out there right now…you can hear just how massive this song could make a singer/song-writer like Bryant become out there in the world. Similar in power to Daughtry’s “Home” with its massive emotional delivery; this is Bryant at his powerful and genuine best right here in the middle of this EP. Completely unafraid to bring out the rock-side of himself even further into his country-music, Bryant takes “Save My Soul” to epic heights both through his incredible vocals and also with the intense musicianship found at the end of this hot-hot track.

Jacob croons it out on the following song, “Just Enough Jesus,” which is a lot more of the typical country-sound that you might expect from the days of old…it’s got a classic sway to the lyrics and music…and one short-but-sweet solo that I can’t seem to get enough of. It’s a wide-open spread for the atmosphere of this song…kind of ticks along like the clock you’ve come to rely on most. Bryant proves once again through a precision perfect performance once again that he’s always on-beat & always on time.

What can I say…he’s gone and done it again! Not only have I enjoyed my entire time listening to the new EP – but Bryant saves one huge punch for last with the up-tempo and completely catchy final cut, “Where Has The Time Gone.” I’d have to read over my last review on his previous EP to know if I felt like he had this intense amount of crossover appeal before…I know I liked it before…but this…well…THIS is music I can support from this genre. I actually think I love the music of Jacob Bryant. Happy now? I said it and unless the internet censors all my thoughts on country-music one day…I can’t take it back.

Nor would I want to. Jacob Bryant is a complete gem of the genre and absolutely should be recognized for the incredible music he makes. Song after song – this guy puts out a winning sound every time with real authenticity and genuine heart that can’t help but appeal to a very wide array of people from all over the world.

Find out more about him from his official page: http://jacobbryantmusic.com/

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