Where I’m from in Northeast Ohio, country music is not uncommon. However, it’s not my go-to genre and I’m unfamiliar with a lot of the artists being nominated at the Country Music Awards.
Luke Combs is a name I’ve heard of from time to time, but that’s far from how his fans would describe him. With the success of studio albums This One’s for You and What You See Is What You Get under his belt, the 30-year-old singer and guitarist is just getting started.
Over two years after its initial release, Combs’ debut studio album This One’s For You set 44 weeks as the record for the longest stay at number 1 on Billboard’s Top Country Albums chart in August 2019. Today, it’s the Nov. 8, 2019 release of What You See Is What You Get that still has people talking.
On Oct. 23, 2020, Combs released a deluxe version of his second studio album called What You See Ain’t Always What You Get with five new songs. Among the new tracks was his May single, Six Feet Apart, which describes the new challenges of life with the COVID-19 pandemic. Also in 2020, Combs was nominated for Best Country/Duo Group Performance for the song, “Brand New Man” with Brooks & Dunn at the Grammys and was nominated in three categories at the Academy of Country Music Awards and walked away with the award for both Male Artist of the Year and Album of the Year.
While it’s clear why Combs has gained such a profound fanbase, here’s what my family — who had never heard of Luke Combs until I asked them to listen to his latest album — had to say about What You See Is What You Get:
Mom: Country music is not usually my thing. To me it all sounds like the same music with different lyrics, regardless of the artist. But I liked this album — good storytelling, kind of catchy, expected number of sad songs, “1, 2, Many” could be a Court Street anthem (I, too, am a Bobcat). It was a great diversion for election night. Solid 8 out of 10.
Dad: As far as country goes, I guess it’s not a bad album. Country is not my go to music by a long shot, and I disagree with the wife a bit, as my opinion is that the lyrics are the same, and there’s just different riffs. Regardless, “WYSIWYG” is probably a fair representation of me, and the “1, 2, Many” would be a good drinking song anywhere, let alone let’s say, a Court Street watering hole. I’m giving it an 8 out of 10 as the score this week. Solid B music.
Evan: Favorite song of the album is “What You See Is What You Get.” “Does to Me” is also good. Could see myself listening to him at the lake on the pontoon or while working in the shed or something. Overall I would say he is pretty good. Would be good to listen to while on the canoe. 7 out of 10.
Tate Raub is a freshman studying strategic communication at Ohio University. Please note that the views and opinions of the columnists do not reflect those of The Post. Want to talk to Tate? Tweet her @tatertot1310.
Opinion Editor
