Well, it almost is.
It's funny, because usually when an artist or a band sells out, there's hints of it beforehand. It doesn't happen so wholesale. I still liked most of 10,000 Towns. And maybe there were some minor hints in there of a slightly new direction - a little less Texas Country and a little bit more Nashville Country, but I thought it was still pretty solid overall.
The difference between that album and this EP is so remarkable that it's hard to believe that it's the same band. This sounds like the metro-politan (thanks for that term Trigger) garbage that Sam Hunt puts out. Unlike Sam Hunt, I'm going to admit that I actually like the music on this EP, at least in terms of pure music. Sure some of it is repetitive, but somewhere deep in there, I hear at least some hints of what Eli Young Band used to be and could still be if they righted the ship before getting too far off course. And I like the sound of it, again, in terms of pure music. If these songs weren't being marketed as country, I'd probably even be able to give this album a stronger more favorable review.
But this EP is devoid of almost any country elements. Again, maybe a few linger deep within the farthest reaches of a couple of the songs (minus the 100% horrendous "Drink You Up"). It lacks what always made me like Eli Young Band.
This band is at a cross-roads. They've started to take a wrong turn. In a way, the fact that this is just an EP and not a full album gives me at least some hope that maybe they're just testing this path, seeing where it leads. I'm hoping they'll realize that it's nowhere good, turn back and head back down the right path, a little bit wiser, but not too much worse for wear.
Please guys, I'm begging you. Turn it around and realize that you are capable of so much better than this.