Lost And Found: Southbound

Steve Eaton

GRADE:  B+

  • Album:  Lost And Found
  • Artist:  Southbound
  • Label:  New Day
  • Style:  Modern Country; Progressive
  • Producer(s):  Clint Brown; Barry Weeks
  • Release Date:  02/17/23
  • Streaming:  Yes
  • Running Time:  48 Minutes

SYNOPSIS:

It’s time to get my 2023 album reviews done before the year ends on me.  Today we take a look at the latest album from Southbound; Lost And Found.

Lost And Found is the sophomore album release for Southbound.  The group builds on their debut album and provide listeners a better listening experience than that debut effort.  Southbound give listeners a modern country sound with progressive Southern Gospel music thrown in the mix. 

The trio is composed of Clint Brown (lead), Jody Braselton (tenor/harmony) and Seth Elbe (baritone/harmony).

HIGHLIGHTS:

  • Southbound excel at a modern country sound that sometimes gives me shades of an 80’s pop sound (think Chicago).  Not only did lead vocalist, Clint Brown co-produce Lost and Found but also contributed to 10 of the 12 songs on the album.
  • One of the best recorded songs of 2023 is the title track, “Lost And Found”.  Clint Brown wrote this hit, which became the group’s first #1 song.  This is a must listen!
  • Clint wrote a couple reflective ballads that deserve a listen.  The strongest is the Seth Elbe feature, “Time And Jesus”.  Many of you heard the statement, ‘time will heal all wounds’.  As the song states, only time and Jesus.
  • That is followed by the Jody Braselton feature, “Morning Mercies”.  This ballad would make a strong radio single choice.
  • Speaking of radio singles, the latest from the album is “Somebody Testify”.  This is one of two songs that wasn’t written by group member, Clint Brown.  This is the type song listeners have come to expect from Southbound.
  • Strongest songs included in order: “Lost And Found”; “Nothing He Can’t Do”; “Time And Jesus”; “Somebody Testify”; “Morning Mercies”; “His Love” and “Yes He Can”.
 
CRITIQUE:
 
  • While I liked the song, “His Love” rolled out many country music tropes by talking about peaches in Georgia and the Mississippi river.
  • Weakest songs included in order: “It Was You” and “You Are God”.

WRAP UP:

Southbound has a distinct sound, anchored by lead vocalist Clint brown, that is easily identifiable.  Lost And Found is the best album released by the trio thus far.  It will easily make my year end best album’s list.

SONG (tempo)/Featured Vocalist – Songwriter:  1. “Life Worth Living” (Mid)/Seth; Ensemble – Jody Braselton, Clinton Brown, Seth Elbe  2. “Lost And Found” (Mid)/Clint – Clinton Brown  3. “Middle Of Nowhere” (Mid/Slow)/Clint – Clint Brown  4. “Yes He Can” (Mid)/Jody – Logan Cain, Madison Jonson, Taylor Matz, Jeff Pardo  5. “His Love” (Mid)/Ensemble – Clint Brown  6. “Time And Jesus” (Slow)/Seth – Clint Brown  7. “Morning Mercies” (Slow)/Jody – Jody Braselton, Clint Brown  8. “Somebody Testify” (Mid/Slow)/Jody; Clint; Ensemble – Ryan Edgar, Mia Fields, Bede Korporall  9. “Nothing He Can’t Do” (Mid/Fast)/Clint – Clint Brown  10. “Yesterday” (Mid)/Clint; Jody – Clint Brown  11. “It Was You” (Mid)/Clint; Ensemble – Clint Brown  12. “You Are God” (Slow)/Clint – Clint Brown

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