Album Reviews

Florida Georgia Line’s Anything Goes Review!

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As is fitting of the title of Florida Georgia Line’s new album, you start to think anything goes when listening to it. Their first album “Here’s To The Good Times,” with the smash “Cruise,” dug the duo of Tyler Hubbard and Brian Kelly a nice little spot in-between the pop and country markets, and they don’t look to be leaving that spot anytime soon.

The album kicks off with the title track “Anything Goes,” which is about as country you could imagine with the opening lyrics of “Alabama on the boom box baby, about to get a little boondocks-crazy.” It’s everything you would expect from FGL – a country summer party anthem.

“Sun Daze” is next, which throws in references to marijuana along with drinking. With that looking set to be the second single, it will be interesting to see what they do with that reference for the radio edit – regardless, the reference fits in with the reggae-hints in the song. It’s nearly impossible to not dance along to this one.

“Good Good” sounds like a carbon copy of something that would have been found on “Here’s To The Good Times” but there’s really nothing wrong with that – it’s still a good song, and quite catchy.

The lead single “Dirt” is up next, and is one of the biggest departures from FGL’s normal sound that’s on the album. It’s less in your face, it’s not happy and it’s not a party song – it’s got meaning and depth, and is a good way for the duo to break from their norm. I wasn’t a huge fan the first few times I heard it, but the more I listen to it the better it seems.

It picks back up again with banjos and “Smile.” It’s a little slower, but just makes you want to sway along. “Sippin’ On Fire,” the next track, is stylistically very reminiscent of “Tell Me How You Like It” from “Here’s To The Good Times.”

“Smoke” is up next, with brings in something a little different from the norm for the duo again – it starts with female vocals. “Bumpin’ The Night” is after that. These two are personally my least favorites from the album, but even they are still worth a listen and make me want to dance.

FGL gets cheesy with “Angel,” asking “did it hurt when you fell from the sky” but despite the slightly over dramatic lyrics, it’s quite hard to dislike.

“Confession” is a fantastic song, especially lyrically. It’s one of my tops from the whole album, and while it’s not quite as party as other parts of the album it’s still upbeat and it’s substance definitely makes up for it.

The album wraps up well, with “Like You Ain’t Even Gone,” another of my favorites from the album that shows depth while also remains fit for a party setting, and “Every Night,” an upbeat fast-paced jam.

Now I’m no country girl by any stretch of the word, but it’s hard not to like the stuff FGL comes up with. To me, it perfectly embodies the image of hanging around a bonfire in the country with a few drinks and good company. This album also helps to show that the duo is more than just a party band, though – it helps show that they do have the potential for depth and substance with their music, even if they typically prefer the party style. It’s a perfect accompaniment to the end of summer and beginning of fall, and I definitely suggest you give it a listen.