On Friday, September 16th, Aaron Lewis and Big Machine Records released Aaron’s long awaited album, ‘Sinner,’ delighting eager fans across the country. The follow up to his solo debut ‘The Road,’ it had been nearly four years since any new music had come out of the former Staind frontman, and we at New England Country Music were just as anxious for the release of ‘Sinner‘ as anybody.
1.) ‘Sinner’ (feat. Willie Nelson) – Written by Aaron Lewis.
Impression: The bluesy steel guitar and gritty harmonica that begin this song seem to set the stage for what’s to come: a no-nonsense, ‘in your face style’ of country music that has been MIA in years past. The title track is a crowd pleaser, and in case you didn’t realize the sort of album you are about to take in, Willie Nelson reminds you that outlaw country is alive and well with his appearance shortly after the two-minute mark.
Favorite Lyrics: My eyes are open, Now I can see, all the damage brought on by me, I’m a sinner to my core, I ask forgiveness, nothing more…
2.) ‘That Ain’t Country’ – Written by Aaron Lewis.
Impression: The first and only single to be released prior to the album’s launch is a nod to the outlaws of country music’s past. Country music is not meant to be about ‘good times and happiness’, declares Lewis, and regardless of how valid you believe that statement to be, the catchy rhythm and guitar picking will have you tapping your toes before you know it.
Favorite Lyrics: John and June are goin’ back and forth again, David Allan Coe is singin’ ’bout his kin, Haggard sings the songs that’ll save your soul, Willie sings the songs about the hearts he stole…
3.) ‘Whiskey and You’ – Written by Thomas Miller and Chris Stapleton.
Impression: With how blisteringly hot Chris Stapleton currently is, not many singers can record a version of one of his songs and pull it off, but the veteran makes this song his own. A dark song about the loneliness one might feel about losing a significant other, and the impact of a liquid bandage, whiskey in this case, this song will be sure to hit home in many hearts across the country.
Favorite Lyrics: I’ve got a problem but it ain’t like what you think, I drink because I’m lonesome, and I’m lonesome ’cause I drink…
4.) ‘Northern Redneck’ – Written by Aaron Lewis.
Impression: This song has had a special place in many hearts throughout New England and across the northern US since 2014 when it first started popping up at live shows, and many made it a point to purchase the album because of this song here. ‘Northern Redneck’ is an anthem to the rednecks, the hillbillys, the blue collar, third shift working, deer hunting, Chippewa wearing, snowmobile jumping, hard working Americans that feel alienated listening to country songs about red dirt and Dixieland.
Favorite Lyrics: I’ve got a shotgun fill it with shells, you’ve got a bible but I’ll see you in Hell, Ain’t much difference between you and me trying to make it in the land of the free…
5.) ‘Mama’ – Written by Aaron Lewis.
Impression: When an album seems to slow down, one might be quick to fast forward to later tracks, but before you miss one of the best songs on the album, don’t you dare touch that skip button. ‘Mama’ has so many musical highlights that it’s hard to keep track, crying steel guitars, blistering guitar licks, and a powerful chorus that will leave you wondering where the last five minutes went, and frantically pushing the repeat button.
Favorite Lyrics: I said yeah, you’re right, I’ll probably go to Hell, but goddamn all the stories I can tell…
6.) ‘Sunday Every Saturday Night’ – Written by Aaron Lewis and Ira Dean.
Impression: Aaron Lewis or Merle Haggard? That’s what one is thinking the entire way through the sixth track on the album, ‘Sunday Every Saturday Night.’ The slide guitar takes the wheel on this one, an ode to the whiskey drinkers, looking to ease life’s grip on them with a night of debauchery, liquor, and women, all under the glow of a neon light.
Favorite Lyrics: Now the bar stools are lined up like church pews, and the preacher just yelled last call…
7.) ‘Lost and Lonely’ – Written by Aaron Lewis.
Impression: A song about life on the road, the slide guitar stays behind the wheel throughout the song, and when paired by an impressive final chorus for Lewis, it really makes this song stick out as you get to the latter half of the album
Favorite Lyrics: I’ve been careless and selfish, got no self respect, I’m an albatross hanging around my own neck…
8. ‘Story of My Life’ – Written by Aaron Lewis.
Impression: An incredibly deep song lyrically, paired with more bluesy harmonica and a catchy guitar performance sets this song up for success. A dark song, about looking for purpose in life, but presented in an optimistic rhythm leaves this as another song that will wear a needle thin in no time.
Favorite Lyrics: I’m haunted by the words you said, prayin’ that there’s any hope for me, this holy war inside my head is probably not the safest place to be…
9.) ‘Stuck In These Shoes’ – Written by Aaron Lewis.
Impression: Aaron Lewis has never been one to sugar coat it, and that continues here in the ninth track of the album. ‘Stuck In These Shoes’ is written to tell his listeners that he is by no means a hero or a role model, but just a guitar picker doing what it takes to get by.
Favorite Lyrics: I ain’t a savior, and I ain’t here to save ya, ’cause I’m not very good at savin’ myself…
10.) ‘I Lost It All’ – Written by Aaron Lewis.
Impression: This song could go many ways- loss of family, loss of a significant other- but one common denominator is that this song is destined for success. ‘I Lost It All’ is another dark song, describing depression and self hate, but Lewis was able to blend that with an optimistic tempo and the use of cannabidiol oil, chalking this up as another home run on an already bullet proof album.
Favorite Lyrics: I’ve walked straight through the valley, full of shadows and of death, I’ve learned a lot of lessons they haven’t killed me yet…
11.) ‘Travelin’ Soldier’ – Written by Bruce Robinson.
Impression: Blown away is the only phrase that comes to mind. Aaron’s daughter Zoe takes the reigns for this Bruce Robinson, and Dixie Chicks classic, and doesn’t disappoint. There will clearly be another musician in the family if this song is any indication, and until then we’ll have this playing on a loop.
Favorite Lyrics: A man said folks would you bow your head for the list of local soldier’s dead, crying all alone under the stands was the piccolo player in the marching band, one name read and nobody really cared but the pretty little girl with a bow in her hair….
‘Sinner,’ Debuting at an impressive #4 on Billboard’s Top 200 Albums list, also reached number one on their Top Country Albums chart selling an impressive 40,000 copies in it’s debut week. This album was long anticipated, but after the first listen through, decidedly well worth the wait, coming to the same conclusion after the tenth, twentieth, and thirtieth listen. ‘Sinner‘ is a grand slam for lovers of songwriting, hard rock, and outlaw country across the globe, and we see nothing stopping this veteran anytime soon. Recently announced, Aaron will take the stage to headline Boston’s House of Blues in February 2017 on his national Sinner Tour in support of the album, and It’ll be a safe bet that you’ll find us in the front row.
You can purchase ‘Sinner‘ on iTunes here.
You can purchase tickets for Aaron’s show at the House of Blues in Boston here.