Country artist Cody Jinks keeps things traditional throughout the course of his eighth album, ‘Lifers.’ The results are consistent and utterly incredible.

Like many genres, country music has experienced its fair share of an identity crisis.  Many artists have opted for more contemporary flair, incorporating elements of pop, R&B, and electronic music.  Sometimes it works, other times, not so much – just saying. The most successful modern country artists – the Chris Stapleton(s), Sturgill Simpson(s), and Cody Jinks – have embraced the past, incorporating vintage country and rock.  Jinks excels at bringing the past to the present on his eighth album, Lifers.

“Holy Water”

Cody Jinks kicks off Lifers with “Holy Water,” asserting, “Maybe it ain’t the bottle that I need.” Essentially, he’s been a ‘bad, bad boy’ and he needs to atone with the spiritual as opposed to whiskey. It’s a solid start, balancing rock and country favoring the 70s as opposed to 10s. Love the prominence of the guitars.  Too bad the holy water doesn’t have a lasting effect… “Too much is not enough; it’s not the love, it’s not the lust that grips me / It must be the whiskey.”  Sure enough, Jinks blames the whiskey for his “head and heart” being “at least a million miles apart” on the stellar “Must Be the Whiskey”. The chorus is ‘tried and true,’ yet highly effective.  “I’ve been drinkin’ to remember and drinkin’ to forget,” he sings, continuing, “I got ‘I love you’ on my mind, I got Jim Beam on my breath.” As the whiskey continues to be the culprit, he reflects on his mistakes and regrets, specifically regarding love.

“Somewhere Between I Love You and I’m Leavin’”

“Here with you or out there tearin’ down some road / Nowhere is home.” It’s not every day that an eight-word song title enters into your life.  That’s the case with the incredibly honest ballad “Somewhere Between I Love You and I’m Leavin’.”  Clearly, Cody Jinks is experiencing conflicted feelings about the state of the relationship. Sometimes he’s all in, and at others, he’s ready to call it quits.  His vocals are nuanced, rich, and chocked-full of sincerity.  Title track “Lifers” follows in a minor key, seamlessly blending the grit of rock and traditional, totally ‘anti-pop’ country music.  Often, it is country-pop that’s viewed as possessing the most crossover appeal, but there’s something truly organic about the retro approach that Jinks employs. Four songs in, there’s plenty to fan-boy and fan-girl over regarding Lifers.

“Big Last Name” is more optimistic, not to mention even more retro. Jinks trades the minor key for major, and more serious subject matter for the tongue in cheek.  If there’s been more ‘rock’ incorporated throughout Lifers, “Big Last Name” is more countrified, including some good ole Honky-tonk cues. “Desert Wind” slackens the tempo pronouncedly and dims the mood. Jinks’ pipes remain expressive and powerful, as he imparts a dramatic tale of traveling through the desert.  Ultimately, the song is addressed to “the only friend / That I’ll ever call,” after that desert wind blows him “home again.”

“Colorado”

Jinks offers yet another song about “Colorado,” following the ‘high’ experience provided by Florida Georgia Line earlier in 2018.  On this ballad, he descriptively reminisces back to the relationship him and her (whoever she is) once had, specifically their experiences in Colorado. “Don’t think that I don’t think about Colorado / It’s about the only thing I ever do,” he sings on gorgeous, memorable the chorus. Fittingly, the rhythmic “Can’t Quit Enough” kicks up the tempo, and brings back the Honky-tonk, amplified by brilliant use of the piano.

“7^th Floor”

“From the seventh-floor window sometimes I swear I see it all / From which way the wind blows to how we’re all bound to fall.” “7^th Floor” continues Jinks’ incredible knack at contrasting slow and fast; dark and happy. All traces of Honky-tonk happiness are erased with the foreboding organ that commences the record.  Furthermore, chilling backing vocals add to the mood, as Jinks is clearly and crazily willing to do whatever, “To get to you.” 

Those expecting more tempo on the penultimate record “Stranger” will be disappointed.  “Stranger” does benefit from its major key, despite how deliberate and unhurried the pace is.  Slow it may be, musically, it’s as compelling as everything else on Lifers. Closer “Head Case” is a breath of fresh air, beginning much lighter than the majority of the album.  Eventually, the production becomes fuller, but still maintains a freer, looser quality.  Jinks isn’t loose per se, as he reflects on what makes him a ‘head case,’ but his struggles are our listening pleasure. Sick schadenfreude?

Final Thoughts 

Ladies and gentlemen, it is these types of country albums that make me truly appreciate country music. Cody Jinks plays it traditional on Lifers and it works out superbly.  Throughout the album, he sounds incredibly authentic and confident, making you believe each and every word that he says.  Picking favorite songs is tough – there are no misses whatsoever.

Gems: “Holy Water,” “Must Be the Whiskey,” “Somewhere Between I Love You and I’m Leavin’,” “Lifers,” “Can’t Quit Enough” & “Head Case.”

Cody Jinks • Lifers • Rounder • Release: 7.27.18

Photo Credit: Rounder