Luke Bryan, Born Here Live Here Die Here | Album Review 💿

On his seventh studio album, Born Here Live Here Die Here, Luke Bryan delivers a respectable if safe and un-innovative effort.

Sometimes, it seems like only yesterday that Luke Bryan was a “Country Man”.  However, yesterday wasn’t 2007, so Mr. Bryan has been in the game as a solo artist for more than a decade.  At this point, Luke has been a chameleon. At times, he’s trod more traditionally, while at other times, he’s embraced more of a modern, crossover sound.  Thank goodness, bro-country faded out – he did that too.  Now, at this point, Bryan is too old to be that frat country bro, so, what does a new LB album sound like? I suppose it sounds like his delayed seventh (proper) studio album, Born Here Live Here Die Here.  Born Here Live Here Die Here keeps things quite short – 34 minutes – but also, safe.  No feathers are really ruffled with this project. 

“Knockin’ Boots”

“Yeah, birds need bees and ice needs whiskey / Boys like me need girls like you to kiss me… / Boots need knockin’, knockin’ boots / Knockin’ boots, me and you, oh.” Luke Bryan effectively, if utterly cornily, ‘makes love’ in a country sort of way on ✓ “Knockin’ Boots”, a single that dates back to 2019. Bryan doesn’t get too modern regarding the sound. It’s not the most traditional country cut, but it also doesn’t force the modern pop hand. He’s able to incorporate the usual country clichés – his truck (“This truck needs a half tank / These wheels need a two-lane”), drinking (“Cheap drinks need a-slingin’”), and of course, ‘making love’ without crossing the line (“That dress needs to slip off” and “And backseats need I want you so bad”). The crème de la crème is the chorus, excerpted at the top in all its vanilla, sensual glory.

“She gets what she wants / And I get to be what she wants tonight.” Sounds ideal! “What She Wants Tonight” feels like a fitting follow-up to “Knockin’ Boots.” Sure, what ‘she wants’ is probably best executed in the hands of a woman, but Bryan successfully paints a picture of a woman whose an absolute badass.  And, to be fair, Hillary Lindsey is a co-writer. Basically, this girl is in charge and Bryan is all-in.

“Born Here Live Here Die Here”

✓ “Born Here Live Here Die Here” is the type of record that Luke Bryan tends to eat up; quite reminiscent in tone. Bryan brings those reminiscent lyrics to life beautifully as he expresses pride for his hometown.  It’s nothing new in country music – hometowns are a common topic – but hey, Luke sells it compellingly. One of the biggest selling points is the chorus, which sums up the sentiment. Besides those hometown-proud lyrics, Bryan delivers well-rounded vocals.  Sure, the twang is heavy, but it’s characteristic of both the genre and singer.  The production suits Bryan too. This record definitely plays to his strengths.

“Lettin’ go a little, little by little / Sippin’ on a frozen drink.” Luke Bryan is no stranger to singing about, or partaking in, alcoholic consumption. ✓ “One Margarita”, the fourth single from Born Here, Live Here, Die Here, is no exception.  Rather than sing about beer, he opts for margarita(s). The production is high budget and with the pop-crossover more minimal, “One Margarita” is idiomatic of country more so than not.  The sound is guitar-heavy, with banjo, dashes of organ, and pummeling drums. Bryan is true to self, thematically and vocally. If you’re a fan of his ‘good ole southern boy’ charm and voice, well, you’ll be onboard with “One Margarita.”  He does nothing drastically different, which is the story of this album. Basically, this is your beached-out, spring break joint from a man approaching his mid-40s.

“One margarita, two margarita, three margarita, shot
Don’t worry ‘bout tomorrow
Leave all your sorrow out here on the floatin’ dock
When that sun lays down, we’ll be on our way
One more barefoot round, one more last chance to say
Hey Señorita, don’t you think we need a salt and a Marley song?
One margarita, two margarita, three margarita
We’ll be gone
We’ll be gone.”

“Too Drunk to Drive”

It makes sequential sense that Luke Bryan is drunk following “One Margarita.” That said, he’s not drunk off of margaritas on “Too Drunk to Drive.” For as much alcohol as Bryan has sung about in his career, the man is NOT even drunk off of beers! Guess what he’s drunk off of? Her, whoever she may be. “You pour ‘em tall when you start whispering my name,” he sings on the second verse, continuing, “Ain’t no blue light, line walkin’ happening tonight.” 

✓ “Build Me a Daddy” was one of the later singles to materialize from Born Here Live Here Die Here.  Luke enjoys providing a ‘deeper,’ more thoughtful ballad on many of his latest albums.  On What Makes You Country (2017), well, “Most People Are Good.” Here, it’s “Build Me a Daddy,” where a child goes into a toy store and asks the toymaker to “build him a daddy.” It’s a sentimental record that comes for a good place, even if it’s ultimately unrealistic.  Still, I appreciate the fact that it captures the innocence of a young child, something that only lasts so long, and is highlighted far too seldom.

“Little Less Broken”

“Little Less Broken” has a beautiful melody and harmonic progression that bode well in its favor.  It’s a prime example where Luke Bryan delivers quite an alluring vocal.  The subject of heartbreak is relatable by all means.  I’d say the desire for “An old flat bottom and an Evinrude” isn’t quite as relatable, but if you’re as country as Bryan, then “For a Boat” should tickle your fancy at least to some degree.  For us city boys and girls, just think of something else that was too expensive to have as a child that you wanted but didn’t really need and you were blessed, nonetheless. “I grew up pretty luck as far as lucky goes / Too broke for a boat.” 

From a fishing boat, Luke Bryan returns back to matters of the heart on the penultimate cut, “Where Are We Goin’.” On this mid-tempo record, Bryan, backed by Chancie Neal, thinks about the possibilities of love: “Where are we going? If this is love / …Where it’s going, I don’t know, but let’s keep following our hearts.” “Down to One” concludes Born Here Live Here Die Here with slightly more modern country-pop cues he’s explored since Crash My Party (2013). Still, it’s not overindulgence into pop. The guitars remain fully engaged, and this record is still more idiomatic of country than not.  As he has throughout, Bryan sings well, and the melody continues to be a strong suit.

Final Thoughts 

All said and done, Luke Bryan delivers a respectable, enjoyable country album that doesn’t move the needle.  The brevity of Born Here Live Here Die Here is a pro – there’s just enough album at 34 minutes.  The main rub is that at this point, Bryan does nothing particularly innovative – he settles for tried and true.  There’s nothing wrong with tried and true, but arguably, it doesn’t make Born Here Live Here Die Here the best or most rousing album in his discography.  Again respectable, but nothing earth shattering.   

✓ Gems: “Knockin’ Boots,” “Born Here Live Here Die Here,” “One Margarita” & “Build Me a Daddy”

Luke Bryan • Born Here Live Here Die Here • Capitol Nashville • Release: 8.7.20

Photo Credit: Capitol Nashville