Chris Collins reviews Chris Stapleton's Higher on vinyl. Stapleton blends country, blues, R&B, rock, and gospel into something that resists easy labels. The title track was written in 2001 and pushed into release by his wife Morgan Stapleton, who co-produced the album.
December 3, 2023
2001
10 out of 10
Welcome to the Syndicate X Library. Today we're going to talk about the new Chris Stapleton album, Higher. I waited to listen to this album until I got the vinyl so that I just really wanted to experience it for the first time this way. Chris Stapleton is one of those artists that I think is misunderstood. But there is a desire that we have to. To put artists in categories we want to say. Chris Stapleton is country music. I disagree with that. The fairest way to categorize Chris Stapleton is that he's kind of in his own category because there's blues in there, you got R and B in there, you've got rock and roll, and then you got gospel. The storytelling part of the music maybe is the closest to country, but this is another album that I can put on for people that believe they don't listen country, and they will be Stapleton fans very soon after. The album From Beginning to End is a home run. It feels very authentic, like it is a complete package and work of art. My favorite song on the album has changed so many times. I don't think I have a favorite song. Some highlights for me, the base on I Think I'm In Love with you and on South Dakota. Well, on the album as a whole, the bass playing is the glue between the guitar and the drums and the vocals. But, man, you could balance a quarter on the groove for I Think I'm In Love with youh. Also, the orchestra on I Think I'm In Love with youh and the little, like, orchestra hits and pops, you don't expect them, but it really elevates that song. Also, I saw a little bit of an interview where Stapleton was talking about his song Higher on Here, which is a vocal workshop. He's had that song. He wrote that song in 2001 and always backed away from it. His wife, Morgan, who co produces this and sings back up, encouraged him. And his voice reminded me a little bit of Chris Cornell from Soundgarden and just how unique and powerful his voices. He's kind of like a male version of Adele. The album feels like he's writing a lot of these songs about her, but in a very honest way. Him and Morgan's songwriting and harmonies and musicianship, you feel like they really have something to admire. For me, Chris stapleton is a 10 out of 10. This album does not disappoint. It will be in heavy rotation around here. And check it out, if you haven't already.
