Will Brantley Gilbert do the Billboard-Hattrick after his last two albums topped the US Billboard Charts? I was really looking forward to Fire & Brimstone, Gilbert’s fifth studio album, which has been released on 4th October 2019.
Brantley Gilbert – About the Artist
Brantley Kieth Gilbert, born in 1985 in Jefferson, Georgia is a country music singer and songwriter. He is an active musician since 2005. After regional gigs, he released his debut album Modern Day Prodigal Son in 2009, which made it to the top 60 of the charts. The 2010 Halfway to Heaven already made it very good, but the 2014 Just As I Am was the first one to top the country charts. The album was also very popular among the non-country listeners. The last album Gilbert released in January 2017, The Devil Don’t sleep, had equivalent chart entries. Three of his songs made it to the top of the US Country Song and US Country airplay charts in parallel: the 2011 ones Country Must Be Country Wide and You Don’t Know Her Like I Do and the 2014 One Hell of an Amen. He is married to Georgia schoolteacher Amber Cochran, after he split up with Jana Kramer (see the report from her fan party in Nashville 2019).
Brantley Gilbert – Fire & Brimstone – Track by Track
Fire & Brimstone is a fifteen track album. The total duration is 51 minutes.
1. Fire’t Up
The first track on the album feels like a “reduced” version of Gilbert to me. Fire’t Up is somehow rocking, somehow catching and somehow a nice song. It just does not touch too much.
2. Not Like Us
Not Like Us has definitely more guitars, more rock and thus more catching elements than Fire’t Up. Really like the song!
3. Welcome to Hazeville (feat. Colt Ford & Lukas Nelson & Willie Nelson)
What a lineup for this song, having Gilbert with Colt Ford and both Nelson generations in one song. Welcome to Hazeville does not have span in its melody, so that it feels a bit like a “Country Rap” at the beginning, before there are in fact rap elements later. Well produced, interesting, something different – it is hard for me to get a grip on that song even after listening to it multiple times – but I definitely cannot say it is a bad one.
4. What Happens in a Small Town (feat. Lindsay Ell)
The first song released from this album – and already somehow a classic. I was surprised to see that What Happens in a Small Town just barely made it to the Top 10 airplays. A lovely duet, nice song.
5. She Ain’t Home
She Ain’t Home is a quite melodic track again. Like to listen to this one!
6. Lost Soul’s Prayer
Before I lay my head down I pray the Lord my soul to keep
I got the Devil on me so Lord I’m prayin’ now you forgive me for my sins
Knowin’ good and well I’ll probably do it again
And be with the people lookin’ down on me
But Lord don’t ever let ’em put their hands on me
I turn them lights out, don’t know if you can hear me up there
It’s just another lost soul’s prayer
Spritual lyrics combined with with country rock – really cool track
7. Tough Town
Another country rock track. Very catchy, good to listen to and full of power.
8. Fire & Brimstone (feat. Jamey Johnson & Alison Krauss)
The title track of the album, Fire & Brimstone, is a lovely ballad. I feel that Gilbert sounds great in this one – lovely song!
9. Laid Back Ride
On the ninth track, Gilbert is taking us on a Laid Back Ride. A very melodic track.
10. Bad Boy
Bad Boy was one of the tracks which has been released before the album. While there is a lot of rocking music on the album, Gilbert proofs that he can do it on the softer side as well. Great song reminding that you also should travel the tougher roads together.
11. New Money
The guitars are going heavier again on this one. Gilbert just makes me listen – and enjoy – his stories, again and again.
12. Breaks Down
I honestly did not find the right words to describe Breaks Down, apart from that I felt that it is one of the best tracks of the album – so I simply share it with you:
13. Man of Steel
I would describe the Man of Steel is a country rock ballad: very soft and ballad-alike verses with more guitar play in the chorus. Nice song.
14. Never Gonna Be Alone
Never Gonna Be Alone is a great love song, stating that his wife is never alone, even if he is far away, for the rest of his life. Nice songwriting and storytelling and good production.
15. Man That Hung The Moon
You’re gonna think I hung the moon
You’re gonna think I made the sky
That the sun rises
And sets inside of my eyes
And it won’t be long
‘Til I hear “Daddy’s home” and
Footsteps running to
The man that hung the moon
The last song is some sort of love letter to his son and his daughter, who will be born soon. Lovely finish of the album.
Brantley Gilbert – Fire & Brimstone – Spotify
The Spotify widget allows you to listen to the full album:
Brantley Gilbert – Fire & Brimstone – My View
I started the review with the question, whether Gilbert will do the Billboard-hattrick with that album. I feel, he would definitely deserve it! It is great to listen to music, nice songwriting and lyrics and has also some very surprising elements, which adds a lot of variety. Finally, it has all the ingredients for a great album – and this meal is also perfectly cooked. No question mark here, this is a Top Pick!
Flyctory.com Country Music Reviews
Here are reviews of all country music albums and EPs I reviewed earlier on the website:

Brent Cobb – Southern Star

Dan + Shay – Bigger Houses

Coffey Anderson – Tailgates and Heartbreaks

The Paper Kites – At The Roadhouse

Melanie Wiegmann & Carl Carlton – Glory of Love



Gregor McEwan – Going Solo


Adam Wendler – Living the Dream


Morgan Wade – Psychopath


Turnpike Troubadours – A Cat In The Rain


Tim McGraw – Standing Room Only



TracieLynn – More Than a Bad Habit EP


Ryan Bingham – Watch Out For The Wolf EP


Joe Lasher – Vol. 1 EP



Molly Tuttle and Golden Highway – City of Gold



Lori McKenna – 1988


Kezia Gill – Misfit



Tom Astor – Wieder da!



Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real – Sticks and Stones



Sean Patrick McGraw – Hillbilly Hippie



Sylvia Aimee – Identity EP



Lucinda Williams – Stories From A Rock N Roll Heart


Hannah Aldridge – Dream of America


Son Volt – Day of the Doug



Deer Tick – Emotional Contracts


Kimberly Perry – Bloom EP


Brittany Warthan – No Vacancy



Tanya Tucker – Sweet Western Sound



Brandy Clark – Brandy Clark


Daisy Briggs – Nice Knowing You EP



Anna Demetriou – More To This


Parker Millsap – Wilderness Within You


Rodney Crowell – The Chicago Sessions



Philip Bradatsch – Philip Bradatsch



Dave Hause – Drive It Like It’s Stolen



Esther Rose – Safe To Run



Texas Hippie Coalition – The Name Lives On



Brian Falduto – Gay Country



Drayton Farley- Twenty on High



Dierks Bentley – Gravel & Gold


Lucero – Should’ve Learned by Now


Cort Carpenter – All In


Chase Rice – I Hate Cowboys & All Dogs Go To Hell


Shania Twain – Queen of Me


Vic Allen – Some Place I’d Rather Be



Joe Henry – All The Eye Can See



Laura Cox – Head Above Water



Richard Lynch – Radio Friend


Margo Price – Strays



Adam Warner – What We’re Known For


Madeline Consoer – Little Miss EP



Poppy Fardell – Back On My Feet


Melissa Carper – Ramblin’ Soul


Billy Strings – Me/And/Dad



Live Forever: A Tribute To Billy Joe Shaver (Various Artists)



Stephanie Quayle – On The Edge


Tiffany Johnson – Over Emotional EP


Emily Nenni – On The Ranch



Russell Dickerson – Russell Dickerson


Trampled by Turtles – Alpenglow


Lainey Wilson – Bell Bottom Country



Kenny Foster – Somewhere in Middle America



Alex Williams – Waging Peace


Logan Mize – Prairie Tapes, Vol. 1 EP


Callista Clark – Real To Me: The Way I Feel


Avery Anna – Mood Swings EP



Ashley McBryde – Lindeville



Richard Marx – Songwriter



Dr. John – Things Happen That Way


Sunny Sweeney – Married Alone



Kelsea Ballerini – Subject To Change


Nikki Lane – Denim & Diamonds



Kane Brown – Different Man



Charley Crockett – The Man From Waco


Jolina Carl – Hallo, ich bin Jolina Carl



Jon Pardi – Mr. Saturday Night


Ingrid Andress – Good Person



Watkins Family Hour – Vol. 2


Sykamore – Pinto


Kelsey Waldon – No Regular Dog



Wade Bowen – Somewhere Between The Secret and The Truth



Pete Wolf Band – Crosswalk To Nowhere EP



Brooke Eden – Choosing You EP



Whiskey Myers – Tornillo


Kaylee Rose – Hot Minute EP


The Local Honeys – The Local Honeys



More Than Words – Today (Make Today Be the Best Day of Your Life)


Kimberly Kelly – I’ll Tell You What’s Gonna Happen



Jonny Houlihan – Coffee and Jesus



Kylie Morgan – P.S. EP


Chris Colter – Nice To Be Back To Be Back Nice



Luke Combs – Growin’ Up



The Cumberland River Project – A Smell of Gravy


Rachel LaRen – Cowboys Don’t Change EP



Brett Eldredge – Songs About You



Carrie Underwood – Denim & Rhinestones



Kyle Daniel – Following the Rain


Jillian Jacqueline – Honestly


Christa Fartek – Nashville and Me


Harper Grae – Confessions of a Good Southern Lady EP


49 Winchester – Fortune Favors The Bold


Aaron Raitiere – Single Wide Dreamer


Ryan Sheridan – Americana


Midland – The Last Resort: Greetings From


Tino Z – Highwayman


Charley Crockett – Lil’ G.L. Presents: Jukebox Charley


Tenille Townes – Masquerades EP



Old Crow Medicine Show – Paint This Town



Joshua Hedley – Neon Blue


Chayce Beckham – Doin’ It Right EP



Cole Swindell – Stereotype


Mrs. Greenbird – Love You To The Bone


Caitlyn Smith – High


Paul Cauthen – Country Coming Down



Ann Doka – House of Change



Ian Noe – River Fools & Mountain Saints


Maren Morris – Humble Quest



Tiffany Woys – All About Love EP



Doug Adkins – A Cowboys’ Life


The Shires – The 10 Year Plan


Dolly Parton – Run, Rose, Run


Jackie Bristow – Outsider


Danny McMahon – Senses EP


Jördis Tielsch – New Mornings



Klaus Lage – Je wahrer die Liebe


Sarah Shook & The Disarmers – Nightroamer


Priscilla Block – Welcome To The Block Party


Dustin Lynch – Blue In The Sky


Jeffrey Mitchell Ross – Waited A Long Time



Erin Rae – Lighten Up


Muscadine Bloodline – Dispatch to 16th Ave.


Brent Cobb – And Now, Let’s Turn The Page



Katie Henry – On My Way


Lata Gouveia – Stay The Same


Greensky Bluegrass – Stress Dreams


Kiefer Sutherland – Bloor Street



Conner Smith – Didn’t Go Too Far EP



Noah Guthrie – Blue Wall


Jamestown Revival – Young Man



Jacob Bryant – Bar Stool Preacher


Ryan Montgomery – Chasing Sunsets EP



Rachel Bradshaw – Rachel Bradshaw EP


Matt Moeller – Where We Used To Be EP


Rockmann – One Guitar Hit EP



Carolyn Miller – Thank You EP



Nick Walker – It’s All South From Here EP



Lucinda Williams – Have Yourself A Rockin’ Little Christmas (Lu’s Jukebox Vol. 5)



Wade Bowen – Where Phones Don’t Work EP


Alena Neubert – A Life That’s Good


Armanda Shires – For Christmas


Jason Aldean – Macon


Billy Bragg – The Million Things That Never Happened


Dennis Adamus – Right For You


Brett Eldredge – Mr. Christmas


Tenille Arts – Girl To Girl


SixForty1 – Started Right Here EP


Det Haggard – Teamwork 2.0



Ryan Hurd – Pelago


Cassadee Pope – Thrive



Toby Keith – Peso In My Pocket


Josh Turner – King Size Manger


Crystal Leigh – Trading Skylines EP


Jesse Cole – SAND (Some Are Never Done)


Miko Marks & The Resurrectors – Race Records EP


Brandi Carlile – In These Silent Days



Logan Mize – Welcome To Prairieville



Billy Strings – Renewal



Mickey Guyton – Remember Her Name


Taylor McCall – Black Powder Soul



Charley Crockett – Music City USA



Peter Maffay – So Weit


Mitchell Tenpenny – Midtown Diaries EP



Riddy Arman – Riddy Arman



Ashland Craft – Travelin’ Kind


King Calaway – Midnight EP


Ashley Cooke – Already Drank That Beer Side A


Kalie Shorr – I Got Here By Accident EP



Jayne Denham – Wanted


Dan + Shay – Good Things



Clare Dunn – In This Kind Of Light EP


Emily Rose – Wings EP



Chris Young – Famous Friends



Laci Kaye Booth – Laci Kaye Booth


Leah Blevins – First Time Feeling



Jim Lauderdale – Hope


Son Volt – Electro Melodier



Ryan Kinder – Room To Dream



Clay Walker – Texas To Tennessee



Los Lobos – Native Sons



Jolina Carl – Mexican Overdrive


Rodney Crowell – Triage


Charlie Worsham – Sugarcane EP


Alee – Feels Like This


Midland – The Last Resort EP


Lucinda Williams – Lu’s Jukebox Vol. 2 – Southern Soul: From Memphis To Muscle Shoals


Callie Twisselman – Closure EP


Tigirlily – Tigirlily EP


The Flatlanders – Treasure Of Love



Lauren Jenkins – Miles On Me, Part 1 EP



The Wallflowers – Exit Wounds



LANCO – Honky-Tonk Hippies EP



Riley Green – Behind The Bar EP


Brent Moyer – Song Rider


The Heels – I Am


Vincent Neil Emerson – Vincent Neil Emerson



Gary Allan – Ruthless



Meghan Patrick – Heart On My Glass


Amythyst Kiah – Wary + Strange



pez – All Lowercase EP


Richie Necker – New Songs and Untold Stories



Kylie Morgan – Love, Kylie EP



Lukas Nelson & Promise Of The Real – A Few Stars Apart


Walker Hayes – Country Stuff EP


Brett Young – Weekends Look A Little Different These Days


Andrew Jannakos – Gone Too Soon EP



Black River Delta – Shakin’


Brynn Cartelli – Based On A True Story EP


Southerland – Boot Up EP


Lori Rayne – 1926 EP



Blackberry Smoke – You Hear Georgia


John Hiatt With The Jerry Douglas Band – Leftover Feelings


Alexander Ludwig – Alexander Ludwig EP


Jordan Davis – Buy Dirt EP



Blake Shelton – Body Laguage


Oliver Wood – Always Smilin’



Jesse Keith Whitley – Breakin’ Ground



Dillon Carmichael – Hot Beer EP


Alan Jackson – Where Have You Gone



The Steel Woods – All Of Your Stones



Emma Moore – the table EP


Travis Tritt – Set In Stone


Matt Castillo – How The River Flows EP



Thomas Rhett – Country Again: Side A



Priscilla Block – Priscilla Block EP


Ronnie Milsap – A Better Word For Love


Todd Snider – First Agnostic Church of Hope And Wonder



Elvie Shane – County Roads EP


Adam Douglas – Better Angels


Justin Moore – Straight Outta The Country


Carver Louis – Take Off EP



Eric Church – Soul



Eric Church – &



Eric Church – Heart



Brett Kissel – What Is Life?


Charlotte Young – Coffee and Conversations EP


Fancy Hagood – Southern Curiosity



Rev. Peyton’s Big Damn Band – Dance Songs For The Hard Times



Jon Randall – Neon Texas EP



Canaan Smith – High Country Sound


Leslie Jordan – Company’s Comin’


Truck Stop – Liebe, Lust und Laster



Tyler Braden – What Do They Know EP


Carrie Underwood – My Savior


Esther Rose – How Many Times


Sara Watkins – Under The Pepper Tree


Timo Scharf – Everything Ever Always Is All Forgotten EP


Kora Naughton – Nineteen


Midland – The Sonic Ranch


Loretta Lynn – Still Woman Enough


Morgan Wade – Reckless


Joey Hendricks – Between The Clouds EP


Alyssa Trahan – Baby Blues & Stilettos


Christina Taylor – Covers Vol. 1 EP


Jimbo Mathus & Andrew Bird – These 13


Track 45 – Big Dreams EP


Adam Warner – Big Storm



Kaylee Bell – The Red EP (EP)



Hayden Joseph – Different



Willie Nelson – That’s Life


Adam Hambrick – The Flipsides EP


Jess Moskaluke – The Demos



Carly Pearce – 29 EP


Jack McBannon – True Stories



Lainey Wilson – Sayin’ What I’m Thinkin’


Callista Clark – Real To Me EP


Haley Mae Campbell – Growing Up EP



Tobacco Rd Band – Worth Fighting For


Florida Georgia Line – Life Rolls On


Dustin Bird – Unscripted


Colton Chapman – Can’t Hide The Truth EP


Alex Hall – Six Strings EP


Ben Ransom – Brave New World


Daniel Holmes – Dead End Town


Lucero – When You Found Me



Jake Hoot – Love Out Of Time EP


Langhorne Slim – Strawberry Mansion


Logan Mize – Still That Kid


Matt Wynn – Matt Wynn EP


Tebey – The Good Ones



Jimmy Weber – Black & Blue Heart



Willie Jones – Right Now



Chelsea Berman – Can You Just Not EP


Kerri Watt – Neptune’s Daughter



Petric – Flashbacks


Devin Dawson – The Pink Slip EP


Whitney Duncan – Heartbreaker EP


Morgan Wallen – Dangerous – The Double Album


Colby Keeling – Catch Me If You Can EP



Aaron Watson – American Soul


Barry Gibb & Friends – Greenfields – The Gibb Brothers’ Songbook Vol. 1


Tanner Sparks – Living A Nightmare



Steve Earle & The Dukes – J.T.


Bret Mullins – Kiss The Girl


Halle Kearns – Finally EP


Lexie Hayden – You Heard Right EP



Cody Weaver – Southern Noise EP



Russell Dickerson – Southern Symphony


Brian Callihan – Brian Callihan


The Highway Women – The Highway EP



Granger Smith – Country Things, Vol. 2


Garth Brooks – Fun


Clayton Smalley – Dirt Road Therapy EP



Ward Davis – Black Cats and Crows


Lee Brice – Hey World


Roman Alexander – Between You & Me


Shenandoah – Every Road



Kameron Marlowe – EP



Chris Stapleton – Starting Over


Easton Corbin – Didn’t Miss A Beat EP


Caitlyn Shadbolt – Stages


Eric Ethridge – Good With Me


Emily Rose: The Heart EP


Charlotte Ave – Women of Country


The Cadillac Three – Tabasco and Sweet Tea


DanaMaria – Desert Diamond


Runaway June – When I Think About Christmas


Matt Stell – Better Than That EP



Mira Goto – Nobody Warned Me EP



Trace Adkins – Ain’t That Kind Of Cowboy EP


Austin Michael – Austin Michael


Melinda Schneider – Be Gentle On Yourself EP


Ward Thomas – Invitation


Brothers Osborne – Skeletons


Drew Haley – Wildflower EP


Jordan Brooker – The Young Troubadour’s Almanac



Jason Nix – Money on You EP


Bon Jovi – Bon Jovi 2020



Dolly Parton – A Holly Dolly Christmas


Brent Cobb – Keep ’em on They Toes



Terri Clark – It’s Christmas … Cheers!


Carrie Underwood – My Gift


Diana DeMuth – Misadventure


Granger Smith – Country Things, Vol. 1


Yonder Boys – Acid Folk


Tommy Atkins – Kiss Me, Cowboy EP


Smith & Wesley – Greetings From The Land of Y’All


Tori Martin – Lucky


Keith Urban – The Speed of Now Part I


Elizabeth Cook – Aftermath


Mickey Guyton – Bridges EP



Van de Forst – Unconditional



Hardy – A Rock



Lauren Alaina – Getting Over Him EP



Tennessee Jet – The Country


The Tuten Brothers – Radio Plays EP


Ryan Griffin – Name On It EP


Tiffany Johnson – Tiffany Johnson EP


Molly Tuttle – … but I’d rather be with you


Ruston Kelly – Shape & Destroy


Courtney Cole – Earthquake EP


Tucker Beathard – King


Kree Harrison – Chosen Family Tree



Josh Turner – Country State of Mind


Tim McGraw – Here on Earth


Caylee Hammack – If It Wasn’t For You


Mo Pitney – Ain’t Lookin’ Back


Eric Paslay – Nice Guy


RaeLynn – Baytown EP



Lindsay Ell – Heart Theory


Mary Chapin Carpenter – The Dirt and The Stars


Cory Marks – Who I Am


Cassadee Pope – Rise and Shine


Luke Bryan – Born Here, Live Here, Die Here


Charley Crockett – Welcome To Hard Times


Chris Tomlin – Chris Tomlin & Friends


Rascal Flatts – How They Remember You EP



Lori McKenna – The Balladeer


Canaan Cox – Stilettos EP


Emilia Quinn – Firecracker EP


The Reklaws – Where I’m From (Deluxe) EP


Dixie Chicks / The Chicks – Gaslighter



Olivia Lane – “Living Instead” Podcast about Artists’ Life and More


Lakeview – She Drove Me To The Bar EP


Jimmie Allen – Bettie James EP


Brett Eldredge – Sunday Drive



Jonny Houlihan – Hey Girl EP


Jody Direen – Smokin’ Ashes


Willie Nelson – First Rose of Spring



Eric Paslay – Heartbeat Higher EP



Kyle Nix – Lightning On The Mountain & Other Little Stories


Tenille Townes – The Lemonade Stand


John Gurney – Remind You EP



Gabby Barrett – Goldmine


Gone West – Canyons


Hannah White and The Nordic Connections (Album)


Matt Lang – More


Tyler Farr – Only Truck in Town EP



Kip Moore – Wild World



Jaime Wyatt – Neon Cross


Chris Bandi – Chris Bandi EP


Craig Morgan – God, Family, Country


High Valley – Grew Up On That EP



Florida Georgia Line – 6-Pack EP



Steve Earle & The Dukes – Ghosts of West Virginia


Jordan Davis – Jordan Davis EP


Chase Rice – The Album Part II EP


Ilse DeLange – Changes



Travis Denning – Beer’s Better Cold EP


Sara Evans – Copy That



Randy Rogers & Wade Bowen – Hold My Beer, Vol. 2


Jack Curley – Tomorrow EP


CJ Solar – Coming My Way EP



Kenny Chesney – Here and Now



Hot Country Knights – The K Is Silent



Tim Dugger – Signs Of A Good Time EP



Drake White – Stars EP


Upchurch – Everlasting Country



The Washboard Union – Everbound


Lena Stone – Princess EP


Lucinda Williams – Good Souls Better Angels


Bob Fitzgerald – Another Highway EP


Bree Doster – Bree Doster EP



Twinnie – Hollywood Gypsy


Liv Austen – popsicle EP



Julia Cole – Honey Child EP



Maddie & Tae – The Way It Feels



Sykamore – California King EP


Ruthie Collins – Cold Comfort


Sam Hunt – Southside



Ashley McBryde – Never Will



Brett James – I am Now EP


Jim Lauderdale – When Carolina Comes Home Again


Ingrid Andress – Lady Like


Dan Smalley – If I’m being honest EP



Delta Rae – The Light



Kelsea Ballerini – Kelsea



The Shires – Good Years


Rachel Reinert – Into The Blue


Brandy Clark – Your Life is a Record



Lauren Alaina – Getting Good EP


The Secret Sisters – Saturn Return



The Cumberland River Project – The Cumberland River Project (Album Review)


Hailey Whitters – The Dream


Henriette – Henriette EP



Carly Pearce – Carly Pearce


William Prince – Reliever


John Moreland – LP 5



The Cadillac Three – Country Fuzz



Richard Marx – Limitless

