Friday, August 5th, was a day long circled on many calendars by fans of The Cadillac Three, not only across the country, but across the Atlantic as well. After years of extensive touring, both in the US, and in UK as well, the band’s sophomore album, ‘Bury Me In My Boots’ was finally hitting shelves. The follow up to the band’s self-titled debut released back in 2012, brings a blend of country and southern-rock that hasn’t been matched since the glory days of Lynyrd Skynyrd and the Charlie Daniels Band.
1.) ‘Bury Me In My Boots’ – Written by Kelby Ray Caldwell, Jaren Johnston, and Neil Mason.
Impression: The album begins its journey in the most perfect way, a track described by the band as a nod to southern-rock anthems of the past, bringing together a blend of powerful guitar riffs and a catchy chorus that you can immediately picture being sung in arenas across the globe. Instantly a fan favorite of the album, it prepares you for the musical journey about to take place.
Favorite Lyrics: When I’m walkin’ into Heaven I just wanna look down, and see a hell of a party down south…
2.) ‘Slide’ – Written by Jaren Johnston, Neil Mason, and Lindsay Rimes.
Impression: A fast-paced song from start to finish, this song brings back memories of the first album, and a chorus that will instantly be stuck in the listeners’ head for days to come. The lyrics depict a wild night of bar bands, women, and whiskey, a song that will be at the top of party play lists for years to come. Lead Singer/Guitarist Jaren Johnston also gets to showcase his incredible talent with a screaming guitar solo that leaves you yearning for more.
Favorite Lyrics: The band’s kickin’ ass, she’s shakin’ hers, and the beer’s flowing like water…
3.) ‘Drunk Like You’ – Written by Jaren Johnston, Neil Mason, and Jesse Frasure.
Impression: This slowed-down track delivers one of the more powerful choruses of the entire album. The calmer verses that the song begins with quickly fade, and sounds layered on top of one another form a roller coaster of tempos that will have the listener bobbing their head and pushing the repeat button over and over.
Favorite Lyrics: That black label lipstick, 90 proof hits quick, top shelf tingle in my veins…
4.) ‘Graffiti’ – Written by Neil Mason, Corey Crowder, and Luke Dick.
Impression: A seemingly new sound for the band does not disappoint, a tale of a young group in their hometown leaving their mark the best way they know, through the nozzle of a spray paint can. Kelby Caldwell’s intense slide guitar performance shines through another catchy chorus, and along with the echoing background vocals should keep fans expecting the see this in live setlists for years to come.
Favorite Lyrics: Long live the kings and queens of this city, small town famous, our names in graffiti…
5.) ‘Buzzin’ – Written by Jaren Johnston and Luke Laird.
Impression: Another slowed down track paints a picture comparing love to the feeling of a night spent drinking catching a warm buzz. Another song that will leave it’s chorus running through your head all day, the tuned-down guitar and the slide guitar licks join together to form a song that has already created a ‘buzz’ amongst fans as a crowd favorite.
Favorite Lyrics: What you’re doin’ to me baby is like Ole Smokey moonshine…
6.) ‘Party Like You’ – Written by Jaren Johnston, Jon Nite, and Jimmy Robbins.
Impression: A song previously released as a digital single in the US in 2013 has been a fan favorite since, and one of the most anticipated in live performances over the past few years. Another tale depicting a wild night, this song has it all. Powerful drums, screaming guitar licks, and background vocals that will have even the most casual fan stomping their feet and singing along.
Favorite Lyrics: Shootin’ tequila with a hottie, while they’re just over there shootin’ pool…
7.) ‘Ship Faced’ – Written by Jaren Johnston, Brent Anderson, and Jerrod Niemann.
Impression: Written along with buddy Jerrod Niemann, a brand new sound from The Cadillac Three falls somewhere between Jimmy Buffet and their 2016 tourmates, Florida-Georgia Line. An album favorite from the second that it hit shelves, the perfect summer song will have the listener envisioning palm trees and an island breeze even in the coldest months.
Favorite Lyrics: Got a little Bimmy Juffet on the radio waves, I’m getting’ sunburnt and ship faced…
8.) ‘Soundtrack To A Six Pack’ – Written by Jaren Johnston, Neil Mason, and Benjamin Cashatt.
Impression: A personal favorite on the album, this song is sure to please the diehard southern-rock junkies in the crowd. Depicting life in the south, it highlights everything from skinny dipping to sipping moonshine, giving shoutouts to Charlie Daniels, Willie Nelson, and ZZ Top frontman Billy Gibbons along the way. The slide and guitar picking intro will have the listener hooked instantly, this song is packed with sounds and lyrics sure to please everybody within earshot.
Favorite Lyrics: Next day we got lawn seats to Willie gonna smoke a little silly, look over to my left there’s Gibbons yeah Billy…
9.) ‘White Lightning’ – Written by Jaren Johnston
Impression: A powerful ballad is the only way words can describe this song. Written for his wife, Jaren Johnston is the lone writer, and he hits it out of the park. Jaren showcases his incredible songwriting talent here, every verse better than the prior. Released as a digital single in 2015, this song slows everything down describing the feelings that love can bring somebody, and will remain a fan favorite for decades to come.
Favorite Lyrics: Faster than Elvis could shake, rattle, roll, faster than a skirt flying up on Monroe, ooh, I saw white lightning…
10.) ‘The South’ – Written by Jaren Johnston.
Impression: This song was the first digital single that the band released, and has been turning up radios ever since. Bringing in friends Florida-Georgia Line, Dierks Bentley, and Mike Eli (of the Eli Young Band), this has been the conclusion of every live show over the past few years. An ode to Dixieland, this song is a celebration of life in the south. The final few moments are where this song shines brighter than the rest, a chorus line sung by all the featured artists, drum beats, and guitar solos sure to leave you begging for more.
Favorite Lyrics: From Daddy’s Don Williams, to Momma’s Patsy Cline, We’re walking after midnight, singing Tulsa Time…
11.) ‘This Accent’ – Written by Jaren Johnston, Neil Mason, and Jimmy Robbins.
Impression: As the album heads towards the final few songs, there is no shortage of slowing down. The message in this song is simple: no matter how hard somebody may try, they can’t take what’s truly important to somebody- in this case it’s their family pride and their southern drawl.
Favorite Lyrics: Well this is real hand-me-down from my Papaw, it’s a sweet slow rollin’ southern drawl…
12.) ‘Peace, Love, and Dixie’ – Written by Jaren Johnston, Neil Mason, and Ryan Hurd.
Impression: Another personal favorite, this track bore the name of the 2015 EP released exclusively in the UK, and has been wildly successful since, keeping fans in the US on their toes waiting its arrival stateside. Letting their long hair show, the guitar riffs in this song could rival those of a Black Sabbath album, but still showcasing their southern roots.
Favorite Lyrics: With hotties in tow, speakers ‘bout to blow, throw some TC3 out your radio…
13.) ‘Hot Damn’ – Written by Kelby Ray Caldwell, Jaren Johnston, Neil Mason, and Andrew Dorff.
Impression: Another track from the 2015 UK released EP, the chorus lines of this song immediately shine. A lyrically fun song about what seeing a woman does to a man, the band still makes sure to include catchy verses, and rocking guitar solos that have become the band’s signature over the years.
Favorite Lyrics: You put the bad in badder, put the swag in swagger, put the Jag in Jagger, put the Hag in Haggard…
14.) ‘Runnin Red Lights’ – Written by Jaren Johnston and Neil Mason.
Impression: The most enjoyable moment of the album occurs here as the album comes to a conclusion, not with another high flying party anthem, but an emotional ballad. This song has popped up on setlists over the past year, with the internet raving about it every time, and for good reason. Neil Mason shines along with Johnston, but this time for his lyrical ability and not his drum work, as this song is just vocals and a guitar, about the feeling of missing a loved one while on the road.
Favorite Lyrics: Three weeks two days, shakin’ hands, kissin’ babies, when my baby’s at home just missin’ on me…
This album seemed to highlight the different stages of a band, tracks that highlight the growth of a band, bar room anthems from the early days, all the way to potential arena anthems of the future. The great songwriting talent by all three members, Jaren Johnston, Kelby Ray Caldwell, and Neil Mason are spotlighted throughout the album, without any weak links the entire way through. No doubt this album should be a platform of many incredible things to come for this trio in the future.
You can purchase ‘Bury Me In My Boots’ on iTunes here.