Zane Lewis Album Review

Zane Lewis Album Review
Submitted By Preshias
Apr 15, 2008

“ZANE LEWIS”
Zane Lewis (Slant Records)

CD Review by Preshias

CLICK HERE to purchase album

WOW, WOW, WEEE* I didn't expect to hear a star in the first 5 bars. Producers singer/songwriter Brett James and Lex Lipsitz (Shooter Jennings, Jessi Colter,) have brought you one of the freshest faces I have seen in country music in a long time. Zane's energy and talent smacks you in the face the moment you hit 'play.” The Dynamic duo’s production brings out the best in the extraordinary songs that Zane personally selected or co-wrote for this project. I loved the whole CD. All twelve! I had never heard of this talented boy until I received the CD to review. Now I am going to tell everybody! I have decided to spotlight some of the songs, just to let you know you are in for a treat!

Out of the gate cut number one 'Welcome to the Southland' doesn't give a second guess of this kid's southern roots. This 3:48 up-tempo welcomes the southern rockin' country music lovers with open ears, from the LORD to NASCAR references. Makes you want to plan a trip to the Southland. Zane makes his invitation perfectly clear! What a powerful start to this incredible second CD from Zane. Excellent songwriting that shines through the every cut!

One of my favorite songs is 'She's Got It Goin' On,' a tribute to the girl who talks with her body language, and the boys who can read sign language based on body parts! The back-up singers lead a perfect blend of downright Memphis soul feel to complement Zane’s edgy and true grit vocals. On 'Everything I Want' Zane moves his tough guy approach to what she is doing to his heart with the slick talking of what she wants to hear to make her give her heart to this 'deep in his soul' sexy boy. These two cuts will rock the ladies’ worlds... from their hearts to their heels!

On cut three and the CD's first single, 'Come With Me,' Zane brings his vocals to the level of mid-tempo, love-in-the-making lyric with an easy confidence that's as appealing as his bad boy good looks. Anybody who talks about my man ELVIS in a song gets my vote! On another mid-tempo, 'This'll Be A Memory,' the production is impeccable. It takes you visually through the song with an unforgettable chorus and a lyric that tells the story of a man taking note of the 'little' things that fill our hearts long after love has gone. You can see why country radio loves this one.

As for ballads, (slower tempos cuts) the highlights on the CD, are not your 'normal go the next song on the CD player” cuts. 'Leavin'' is a story of the girl leaving You can actually see yourself in HER rearview mirror. This truly shows his rich, traditional style with a twist of the past and present music inspirations. The last cut 'Even A Leaf' is one of the most amazing ballads I have heard from an 'indie' artist. They call them that because the release is on an indie label. His label Slant Records, has them a major star on the rise! This is fresh new ballad with a classic feel.

Another favorite that shines is 'Fly.' It’s a heartfelt testament to the freedom found in following your dreams. 'I believe living with a free-spirit is the essence of life,' Zane says. 'But those of us who live for the day are often misunderstood. We're all just experiencing what life brings, and loving the moment ... we've learned to fly.'

'Off The Record' is a dynamic showing of Zane's distinctive vocals and reminds of the early nineties when the airwaves were playing Strait, Jackson and Brooks. This boy brings forth the sincerity of his love for his music and puts him in 'this' class of entertainers. I know am I going out on a limb. If you listened to the CD, you see why I placed him there.

I know I mention 'My' favorites. I am sure when you hit play, your list will grow as the songs play on. Zane brings the impression that he is more rock than country but he does it with such musical genius that you don't realize because THIS BOY CAN SING !!!

With a twirl of past and present, his inspirations bring you through A to Z in the Southern rock and country genres of who's who. He left us wanting more. I heard he has that reputation! I guess I better take it out of the CD Player so I can put it in my car for another 3 hours! I hit repeat more times, than I have in several weeks. It's a fine follow up to Zane's previous CD, the Texas-only issue, THIS TOWN, which generated three Texas Music chart hits ('This Town,' 'Beer Drinkin' Women,' 'I Hate To See Her Go').

Zane Lewis may have taken the long way 'around the barn' to reach this point in his music career, but one listen to his sophomore release, ZANE LEWIS, leaves no doubt that this boy is exactly where he's meant to be. A sixth-generation Texan, Lewis was born in the West Texas town of Lubbock and raised just north of Austin in the town of Round Rock. From Buddy Holly to Waylon Jennings and Ronnie Dunn, the region has given us some of Texas' most influential artists. With a pure country voice as big as the Lone Star sky and a stage show that gives new meaning to the term 'wild west,' Lewis is already falling naturally into that prestigious country lineage.

NOTE: Zane's been flying high on the Texas honky-tonk circuit with 'Bad Ass Country Band,' a song he is a co-writer on with Greg Crowe and Lex Lipsitz. This is the 'Zane Lewis' story - and kicks some serious a** in the process. 'Rocking out live is what drives me,' he says. 'Getting the crowd jacked up is why I make music. I set out to write a fuel-injected anthem that embodies our stage spectacle. And now I'm pimpin' the country one show at a time!'

Zane's info at www.myspace.com/zanelewis & www.zanelewismusic.com