In his fourth studio album, ‘The Devil Don’t Sleep,’ Brantley Gilbert brings us 16 brand new songs along with five demos songs and five live performed songs of his old classics on the deluxe version of the album. Brantley truly does it again and brings us another badass album with tons of versatility. He shows off his songwriting skills with this album as he is the main writer on four songs out of the primary 16 and is the co-writer of all the others. His voice is showcased perfectly from his soft and sweet songs to his country rocker side. Any BG fan, and new fan, will be beyond pleased with this album.
1.) ‘Rockin’ Chairs’ – Written by Brantley Gilbert.
Impression: With a major southern drawl and banjo opening, the lead to the album sets the tone, literally. The song describes how life goes by within the blink of an eye, and how each day brings something new. At the end of it all, he wants to be able to sit down with his love in their rocking chairs.
Favorite Lyrics: These are the nights, yeah the good times we let the wild side out to play…
2.) ‘The Ones Like Me’ – Written by Brantley Gilbert, Blake Chaffin, and Bobby Pinson.
Impression: With a strong guitar and tambourine intro, ‘The Ones Like Me’ displays Gilbert’s raspy voice in the best way possible. This song is about a certain type of person, possibly Gilbert describing himself. It’s about that one person you can lean on, trust and believe in. If you dislike this person, then odds are you don’t know them well enough. There’s no such thing as a perfect person in this world, and Gilbert admits to that.
Favorite Lyrics: The ones that hate me don’t know me, and the ones who don’t trust anybody trust me. Yeah, the ones who like me love me…
3.) ‘The Weekend’ – Written by Brantley Gilbert and Andrew DeRoberts.
Impression: With this popular radio single, this song is surely the one to fire up when you’re chillin’ with the boys or getting ready to start your weekend off right. The chorus is undeniably catchy and irresistibly singable. This song is the perfect anthem for throwing it down and having fun. I think everyone can attest to jamming out to this song at least once when hearing it.
Favorite Lyrics: Live it up for the weekend, pour it up have the time of your life. Take a shot for the regrets…
4.) ‘You Could Be That Girl’ – Written by Brantley Gilbert, Tony Martin, and Neil Thrasher.
Impression: The fourth song is another upbeat tempo with an entirely rocker feel. Gilbert describes that this candidate could be “that girl.” He likes the fact that she has a good girl exterior with a wild side interior. Again, this is another great song to blast and rock out to. It’ll have you hooked by the first chorus.
Favorite Lyrics: And I can see that good girl gone wild…
5.) ‘Smokin’ Gun’ – Written by Brantley Gilbert, Brian Davis, and Derek George.
Impression: Gilbert displays his softer, more seductive voice in this song in the beginning but then turns it up halfway through to turn into the country rocker that he is. Naturally, the song is about the recurring hookup that happens with that one girl you like and you can’t seem to get enough of. She’s always gone by morning, but somehow he wants more, even though she isn’t good for him. Despite wanting her, she’s ‘too hard to hold’ because she’s a ‘smokin’ gun.’
Favorite Lyrics: Heart beating like a bullet into my chest, biting my lip and wrecking my bed…
6.) ‘Bro Code’ – Written by Brantley Gilbert.
Impression: The sixth song is quite possibly one of my favorites of the album. Another beyond catchy hook and melody. The lyrics depict a situation where a friend’s girlfriend shows a flirtatious side to you. You want to do the right the thing, but at the same time it is tempting. However, you have to stick to bro code and help your friend out in this situation, no matter what. Gilbert shows that girls can be dangerous and not fall for their traps.
Favorite Lyrics: She only drinks when she’s lonely, she only gets stoned when you ain’t home…
7.) ‘It’s About To Get Dirty’ – Written by Brantley Gilbert and Brian Davis.
Impression: ‘It’s About To Get Dirty’ resembles his former hits ‘Country Must Be Country Wide’ and ‘Take It Outside.’ With its loud steel guitars and hard hits, it’s definitely the definition of country rock – in typical Brantley Gilbert fashion. Country folk like nothing more than a little bit of mud and throwing it down in it. Rain can’t stop them from having a good time, in fact it’s a better of a time for them.
Favorite Lyrics: It’s about to get dirty, in the dirty south, bout’ to show you what it’s all about…
8.) ‘Tried To Tell Ya’ – Written by Brantley Gilbert, Rhett Atkins and Ben Hayslip.
Impression: This is another favorites of mine on the album. It shows a little versatility from the hard hitting songs previously with tamed intros and instrumentals. Gilbert’s voice in the eighth song is deep and hypnotizing. It’s super easy to listen to and relate. BG represents the bad boys of country and most girls find themselves attracted to the wild side. However, a girl can save a bad boy’s life – which is what Gilbert is explaining in this song.
Favorite Lyrics: I tried to tell ya I was crazy, tried to tell ya I was outta’ my mind, tried to tell you I was nothin’ but trouble. But baby you saved my life…
9.) ‘In My Head’ – Written by Brantley Gilbert, Brian Davis and Justin Weaver.
Impression: With slow guitars and soft beats, Gilbert turns it down a couple notches in a good way. The song is basically about when you find that one girl and everything she says and does stays in your head, replaying over and over. You love thinking about her and the idea of an ‘us.’ The beat is catchy and has the potential to be a possible radio release in the future!
Favorite Lyrics: And I’m in love with you all over me in every way, and I wouldn’t be saying this if you were away…
10.) ‘Way Back’ – Written by Brantley Gilbert and Andrew DeRoberts.
Impression: The tenth song of the album is a relatable one. Life has a funny way of doing things – sometimes it’s bringing love back to someone when they see their old love. People have histories, and sometimes you can’t escape them. Gilbert talks about being in love with same girl and that they go way back. The memories flood back to him when he sees her again and realizes that the spark for her is still lit.
Favorite Lyrics: Me and you and this town we’ve been through it, you could say that. I’m still the same old boy in love with the same old flame…
11.) ‘Baby Be Crazy’ – Written by Brantley Gilbert and Brett James.
Impression: In a similar theme and cross between his former hits ‘You Don’t Know Her Like I Do’ and ‘Saving Amy,’ this song is about a boy begging a girl to love him despite the fact that he may be a little too much to handle. The only thing that can save him is the girl. He wants her to be crazy and love him like he knows she can. The song is super relatable and another possible future release.
Favorite Lyrics: You have to be crazy to love me, oh but I wish you would. You have to be out of your damn mind, but deep inside I think you could. Be the only chance in hell to save me from myself…
12.) ‘Outlaw In Me’ – Written by Brantley Gilbert.
Impression: ‘Outlaw In Me’ reflects his familiar song ‘My Kinda Crazy’ from the tone of the melody and the theme of the lyrics. Gilbert shows that girls can fall in love with the outlaw side of a guy, too. She knows what kind of person he is and she doesn’t try to change it. She loves him for him. Gilbert does it again with powerful guitars and vocals.
Favorite Lyrics: I just thank god she loves me, even when I don’t know how…
13.) ‘Bullet In A Bonfire’ – Written by Brantley Gilbert, Rhett Atkins and Ben Hayslip.
Impression: The rocker and grit of Brantley Gilbert comes out to play in this song. This song depicts the wild side he has when pushed a little too far. He is warning that you don’t want to cross that line and what will happen if you do. This is another song guys can jam out to with their buddies and will surely get the crowd hyped up during a concert.
Favorite Lyrics: I’m a shot in the dark, a bullet in a bonfire.
14.) ‘The Devil Don’t Sleep’ – Written by Brantley Gilbert.
Impression: To begin the title track, Gilbert comes in with some solo guitar and just his voice. This song adds on to the anthems of bad boys, but with a rocker-metal twist. He says that the Devil doesn’t sleep, and that the Lord knows he doesn’t sleep. Temptations and sins are the underlying problems within this song, and praying to the Lord will hopefully save him from them.
Favorite Lyrics: Heaven knows, he’s hell-bent on me. Shackles and chains, thank god they can break me free…
15.) ‘We’re Gonna Ride Again’ – Written by Brantley Gilbert, Mike Dekle and Jess Franklin.
Impression: In a completely stripped down song with a guitar and his voice, Gilbert goes with a slower tempo and a real topic. It’s talks about the loss of a loved one and all the things you miss out on when they’re gone. However, there is hope in seeing them again and when you do, you’ll pick up right where you left off.
Favorite Lyrics: Did God get on you, did he take your wings? He better get em’ back fore’ I get in, cause brother we’re gonna ride again…
16.) ‘Three Feet Of Water’ – Written by Brantley Gilbert, Jeremy Bussey, Jayce Hein and Barry Poole.
Impression: To close out this jammed packed album, Gilbert chose ‘Three Feet Of Water’ and rightfully so! It’s quite possibly the best song on the album that features Brantley’s voice and versatility. With a soft piano harmony in the background, Brantley’s voice is brought to the forefront. In a song that can be interpreted in any way the listener wants to it be, he describes that the Lord saved him from whatever he was suffering from. His darker days are behind him now and he thanks God for that.
Favorite Lyrics: And that sun is shining down, and oh my darker days, they’re comin’ to me now…
Gilbert truly out did himself with this album providing a whopping 26 songs, 21 of them being entirely brand new. Be sure to catch him on his The Devil Don’t Sleep Tour which kicks off this February and will stop in Portland, Maine on February 4th. The album is out now and can be purchased on iTunes here. This is a must purchase and a must add to your playlists.