David Nail released "Night's on Fire" as a single all the way back on July 20th of 2015. It was almost an entire year before Nail's fourth album Fighter was released on July 15th of 2016. After a handful of listens, it's safe to say that the wait was worth it, and that David Nail represents something that mainstream country radio is in danger of losing--substance.
Don't get the wrong idea about Fighter, though. Not every song is deep, dark, and emotional. Substance doesn't necessarily signify deep and dark material--upbeat and joyful music can be substantial if composed with care and respect for the art form, which is something David Nail has always been able to do.
The album kicks off with three catchy, upbeat songs. "Good at Tonight" is a great collaboration with Brothers Osborne, who lend vocals and guitar to the song. "Night's On Fire" is the lead single that has been hanging around the charts for over a year now. It's a lot like "Whatever She's Got" from I'm a Fire. It doesn't necessarily sound like the rest of the album, but it fits in nicely and does its job, giving Nail a lead single that eventually allowed Fighter to be released in the first place. "Ease Your Pain" is interesting but not all that deep, and I'd probably call it the weakest track on the album. I don't skip it but I don't get lost in it, either.
"Home" is where Fighter begins to leave its mark. Co-writer Lori McKenna lends her vocals to this song, and her voice helps the song reach its potential. "Home" is the best tribute to a hometown that I've ever heard, and it takes the listener back in time from the first verse. The chorus begins with the lines "It's where you're from/it's your oldest friend/you think it will forget you when you go but you know it'll take you back in." Lyrics have always been the strength of David Nail's songwriting, and with "Home" being his first co-write on the album, it's no surprise that it establishes itself as a standout track after one listen.
"Lie With Me" follows and is a song first recorded by Lady Antebellum. It's not exceptional but it's catchy and could potentially be another single, so it serves its purpose. "I Won't Let You Go" comes next at track 6 and is another collaboration. Vince Gill lends harmonies and his incredible guitar work to the song, especially in the gripping guitar intro. Gill's guitar and Nail's vocals have a nice little interplay going on in the verses as Nail describes the fighting between a husband and wife, before leaving no doubt about his devotion to the marriage in the chorus. Perhaps the most interesting part of this song is how the subject matter and instrumental arrangement clash, in a way. I assume it's meant to portray that, in a relationship, there are always two sides, there are always peaks and valleys. Needless to say, "I Won't Let You Go" is another standout.
Next is my favorite song on the album, and perhaps my favorite David Nail song to date. "Fighter" takes a look at Nail's struggles with depression and the support of his wife through those struggles. Lyrically, "Fighter" is introspective and aware, steering away from the narrator's battle and giving appreciation for the devotion of the other character. The song opens with the line, "Don't think that I don't see the way you struggle/watching me struggle," which sums up the song perfectly. Rather than selfishly stating, "I'm hurting," Nail says, "I know that it's hard on you, too." The choruses in the song end with the line "I never knew I had a fighter." "Fighter" is uplifting and open, but also a testament to the kind of love and support it takes to make any relationship work.
Next is "Babies" at track 8. Nail and his wife welcomed a set of twins to the world in December of 2015. The song touches on the surreal feeling of the event, along the time they'd spent beforehand, trying to conceive. "Babies" is another standout and, paired with "Fighter," marks the strongest point of the album, centering around two tangible songs that many people will relate to. These two songs will be very therapeutic for listeners, and could easily be the two most important non-singles of Nail's career. After the release of Fighter, many fans will go to Nail's performances hoping to hear "Fighter" and "Babies," and I will certainly be a part of that group.
"Got Me Gone" delivers a much-needed break from highly emotional songs, detailing how quickly a person can be smitten through fierce attraction. "Champagne Promise" follows and, along with a great chorus, has wonderful harmonies courtesy of the immensely talented Logan Brill.
The album closes out with "Old Man's Symphony," which is another collaboration. Bo and Bear Rhinehart of NEEDTOBREATHE lend their talents to this excellent tribute to Nail's father. It's one more deep and emotional song on an album full of substantial material just waiting to thrill listeners and make them think about their own lives.
Overall, Fighter is without a doubt the best album of David Nail's career and will hopefully play an important role in bringing substance back to mainstream country. 9/10
The album kicks off with three catchy, upbeat songs. "Good at Tonight" is a great collaboration with Brothers Osborne, who lend vocals and guitar to the song. "Night's On Fire" is the lead single that has been hanging around the charts for over a year now. It's a lot like "Whatever She's Got" from I'm a Fire. It doesn't necessarily sound like the rest of the album, but it fits in nicely and does its job, giving Nail a lead single that eventually allowed Fighter to be released in the first place. "Ease Your Pain" is interesting but not all that deep, and I'd probably call it the weakest track on the album. I don't skip it but I don't get lost in it, either.
"Home" is where Fighter begins to leave its mark. Co-writer Lori McKenna lends her vocals to this song, and her voice helps the song reach its potential. "Home" is the best tribute to a hometown that I've ever heard, and it takes the listener back in time from the first verse. The chorus begins with the lines "It's where you're from/it's your oldest friend/you think it will forget you when you go but you know it'll take you back in." Lyrics have always been the strength of David Nail's songwriting, and with "Home" being his first co-write on the album, it's no surprise that it establishes itself as a standout track after one listen.
"Lie With Me" follows and is a song first recorded by Lady Antebellum. It's not exceptional but it's catchy and could potentially be another single, so it serves its purpose. "I Won't Let You Go" comes next at track 6 and is another collaboration. Vince Gill lends harmonies and his incredible guitar work to the song, especially in the gripping guitar intro. Gill's guitar and Nail's vocals have a nice little interplay going on in the verses as Nail describes the fighting between a husband and wife, before leaving no doubt about his devotion to the marriage in the chorus. Perhaps the most interesting part of this song is how the subject matter and instrumental arrangement clash, in a way. I assume it's meant to portray that, in a relationship, there are always two sides, there are always peaks and valleys. Needless to say, "I Won't Let You Go" is another standout.
Next is my favorite song on the album, and perhaps my favorite David Nail song to date. "Fighter" takes a look at Nail's struggles with depression and the support of his wife through those struggles. Lyrically, "Fighter" is introspective and aware, steering away from the narrator's battle and giving appreciation for the devotion of the other character. The song opens with the line, "Don't think that I don't see the way you struggle/watching me struggle," which sums up the song perfectly. Rather than selfishly stating, "I'm hurting," Nail says, "I know that it's hard on you, too." The choruses in the song end with the line "I never knew I had a fighter." "Fighter" is uplifting and open, but also a testament to the kind of love and support it takes to make any relationship work.
Next is "Babies" at track 8. Nail and his wife welcomed a set of twins to the world in December of 2015. The song touches on the surreal feeling of the event, along the time they'd spent beforehand, trying to conceive. "Babies" is another standout and, paired with "Fighter," marks the strongest point of the album, centering around two tangible songs that many people will relate to. These two songs will be very therapeutic for listeners, and could easily be the two most important non-singles of Nail's career. After the release of Fighter, many fans will go to Nail's performances hoping to hear "Fighter" and "Babies," and I will certainly be a part of that group.
"Got Me Gone" delivers a much-needed break from highly emotional songs, detailing how quickly a person can be smitten through fierce attraction. "Champagne Promise" follows and, along with a great chorus, has wonderful harmonies courtesy of the immensely talented Logan Brill.
The album closes out with "Old Man's Symphony," which is another collaboration. Bo and Bear Rhinehart of NEEDTOBREATHE lend their talents to this excellent tribute to Nail's father. It's one more deep and emotional song on an album full of substantial material just waiting to thrill listeners and make them think about their own lives.
Overall, Fighter is without a doubt the best album of David Nail's career and will hopefully play an important role in bringing substance back to mainstream country. 9/10
You described each song from the album perfectly. After giving the album a few listens and then re-reading your review, it was spot on. On songs I thought the guitar parts were outstanding, you also had mentioned it in the review.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite from the album is "I Won't Let You Go" and "Home"