Thanks so much for taking the time to review the album, Grady. I’m a big fan, and I always appreciate your thoughtfulness and insight. You’ve got something really special with this channel, and I’m grateful for your work! An honor to have you listen and give your thoughts. Of course, I see the songs like In Vain (that are more directed at the Church) differently. I have a lot of family and friends who remain committed Christians, and some of the talented folks who worked on the album are also Christians, and I love and respect them all. But, I think many Christians (often the loudest ones) have aligned themselves with ideologies that are difficult to reconcile with the words of Jesus. As someone who has stepped away from the faith, these incongruities become easier to see. And, for the millions of us out there who are reevaluating our understanding of God, this prioritization of political ideology over the teachings of Jesus that is permeating the Evangelical church is upsetting (and causing millions to walk away). To be clear, that’s not why I walked away. I tell my story elsewhere in detail online but I don’t expect anyone to listen unless they are genuinely interested and have two hours to spare 😊 Like “Believe Me” says, I’m not asking anyone to agree. I spent a lot of time trying to get people to agree with me as a full-time missionary in my 20s, and, at this point, I'm much more interested in people understanding one another than agreeing. All I'm asking is for people to take me at my word and seek to understand what I’m saying before putting me in the “angry ex-Christian” box. Doing that makes it easier to dismiss my criticisms of the Church and also effectively sells short the experiences of so many disaffected and disillusioned Christians who are trying to piece together a shattered faith. Again, thanks for taking the time to review Human Overboard! Much love, Rhett
Beauty of your album is it's v hard to put in a box, Mr. Rhett. And for the record, as someone that doesn't know your full story, I think the anger seems to be an asset to your art. (And it doesn't mean your just a raving angry ex-Christian.) Cheers, from one RU-vidr to another. Grady
@James and the Shame I know how you feel. In the evangelical community it can feel hard to find satisfactory answers to the harder questions. I apologize if I’m overstepping my bounds, but I’d really recommend looking into Catholic theology and teaching. I know as a former Atheist /Protestant that Catholicism gets a bad rep, but please hear me out. With almost 2000 years of theologians, church doctors, and other thinkers who’ve pondered the same questions, Catholicism has amassed a massive wealth in teaching. There aren’t any questions that haven’t gotten some response, and I’ve found more truth in it’s teachings that anywhere else.
@@buckarooben7635 I was also raised catholic and I do think that the catholic church does answer a lot of those questions better than the evangelical or other protestant churches do there are still a lot of big ones that (at least for me) are not fully answered. I’m not trying to speak for Rhett here, I’m just sharing my experience as it relates.
Honestly I think Rhett and Link are the standard for how Internet personalities can successfully do other media. I wasn’t really a fan of them (not that I disliked them, just never had been on my radar) until I binged them during 2020 but I think they both put a lot of love into any of the books, music, etc they produce outside of what they may be best known for.
listen to their song Family Man. its extremely funny. the music video which is basically a clip from their show Rhett and Links Buddy System is pretty good as well
It's interesting how you and others take "In Vain" as a condemnation of Christianity as a whole when it's not. It's directed at the branch of Christianity that Rhett grew up in, believed in, and was a staff member of a ministry spreading that kind of Christianity (Campus Crusade for Christ, if you didn't know). He knows exactly what dogmas and doctrines of that type of Christianity is, because he was deep in it himself (as was I). He's heard the "what about ____", "you're painting with the broad brush", and "you're just bitter and have a chip on your shoulder" before and probably said it himself to others when he was in it. All this is from listening to the podcast, and my own similar life experience. I understand that when the foundation of your life and religious belief is challenged, it's easiest to wave it away with cliches like "he was never actually Christian" or "he's a California liberal now". This not someone who was faking all his life, and he went through all this before moving to California. He came to these conclusions (and unresolved questions) while still in the bubble of American Evangelical Christianity. Ain't nothing wrong with being skeptical of him or disagreeing with his points, but to confidently say he's ignorant, lying, or whatever is pretty arrogant (not that you did any of that, Grady).
This is what bugged me about this review. I feel like a lot of Christians get their hackles up whenever someone questions their religion at all, even if it's not directly about them or their particular sect or Christianity as a whole. I see a lot of comments about how Rhett doesn't know what he's talking about when that is super far from the truth because he was deep in it until fairly recently!
Thank you for pointing this out!!! God forbid somebody question any sort of Christianity in the country scene though. I love country music, but being atheist sometimes makes it hard to be a part of the Fandom and actually have a voice.
Nope. I'm discussing literal problems I have had discussing country music with people once they find out I'm neither Christian nor conservative. I'm not insecure about either of those things.
@@suzzanahbessette6989 As someone who's both Christian and Conservative, I feel like country music is one of the only spaces in media that we have that is not-liberal, and often pro-Christian. I think that's why we country fans who are religious and conservative get defensive about this sort of thing. I hope you can understand that perspective, and how genuinenly alienating/difficult it can sometimes be to be a conservative Christian in alot of modern America. Essentially how you may feel in the country fandom (without a voice, not taken seriously) is pretty much how we are in all of society. I hope you can still enjoy country despite all that though
Respectfully, you must not have grown up in an Evangelical Christian household. You wouldn't be questioning his lyrics on "In Vain" if you had grown up in the churches we did, or in the communities we did. It's not all Christians, or all sects of Christianity, but it is DEEPLY imbedded in the Evangelical church. He is right on point with his lyrics. And for anyone that grew up in that space, and has also deconstructed, it's so affirming to have someone write out in a song what we feel. And if we sound a little bitter.. it's because we are. We were taught about love, and yet we've seen so much hate. It's hard to reconcile after spending your entire life enmeshed in it.
Respectfully, not seeing things the same way as you doesn't mean someone didn't have the same experiences you did. Otherwise you wouldn't have all of those old evangelicals to use as your example. If you're looking for affirmation, this song is a decade, or more, late to the punch.
@@chipputer so do you personally know Grady and his upbringing and beliefs? But, respectfully, if you grew up in the churches and area I did AND deconstructed, then yes, you would feel the same about these topics ✌️
@@chipputer so do you personally know Grady and his upbringing and beliefs? But, respectfully, if you grew up in the churches and areas I did, AND deconstructed, then yes, you would feel the same way ✌️
Deconstruction just means you don’t want to believe anymore because you’ve adopted the beliefs of the day, and you feel bad because homosexuality is a sin. Also, you don’t even know what love is.
The project really hits on the feelings that I think I, and a lot of Rhett & Link viewers, can relate to. People all around the world watch them, but there is a unique connection with those who’ve grown up in the extreme conservative Christian south but who don’t share those views. Many of us have felt lost and between a rock and a hard place when it comes to family. The guilt associated with leaving the church is such a hard thing to escape, and it helps so much to see someone who is from where you’re from, successful, and generally promotes a message of love and kindness.
I'm glad that, despite living in the South, I was not raised in such a way that "leaving the Church" was difficult or was considered shameful. In fact, the way I was raised in conjunction with what the Church taught, it was EASIER to leave the Church. Once I started questioning faith (which happened fairly early on, like 10 or 12) I started catching hints of things I didn't like. Just a gut feeling that there was something rotten. A few years later though (around 14), I learned what the horrible gut feeling was. I figured out that I was into dudes and that that gut feeling was from the dissonance between me learning about myself and being taught that what I felt was wrong since it was to be "man and woman". We had stopped going before I made that connection though... otherwise, I would have become very argumentative in Sunday School (which I honestly which would've happened, because confronting them about outdated values like that would have brought some sort of catharsis). Apparently the reason why we stopped going in the first place was because one of the couples who attended church there (one of whom was a Sunday School teacher) became pregnant... and they weren't married. And because we're living in the distant past apparently, that was a big no-no. Sorry for the mini-rant. I have a lot of unresolved frustration for the church and the South in general.
Worth noting that a lot of Rhett and Link's early works involved writing songs, be that for advertisements or RU-vid skits. They didn't write serious albums like this, and I don't know how much if any of that was country. But it's not like Rhett woke up one day and decided to be a musician. It's always been a crucial part of his repertoire. I think that's part of why this transition has been successful, compared to RU-vidrs who really don't have a musical background but try to carve that path for themselves anyway.
The boat in the far right corner of the album art kinda looks like Noah's arc as well. Pretty interesting especially with the spiritual deconstruction themes and putting into perspective that Noah's arc had to do with a flood that was used to punish sin.
WHOH WHOH WHOH what’s with the last minute Steve Martin disrespect?! Dude is a legit banjo picker who makes seriously good music and does a lot to promote bluegrass!
I find the way this is causing a lot of people to reveal their biases and lack of knowledge kinda funny. All the people going "Oh, finally country music for people who aren't conservative," just highlights the reductionist view popular culture has given young people of an entire music genre. Anybody who thought country music was just for conservatives has a way too political and divisive view of reality for my taste. Also, I'm saying this as a person who is not some religious conservative but has always been a country music fan.
If you live in the Bible belt it's easy to only ever be exposed to highly conservative country music. If you're from Tennessee and aren't right leaning, like me, you likely hate country cuz all you've heard is Nashville pop country.
@@garf117 aside from the post 9/11 reactionary stuff, modern country has really turned up the "don't look over that hill, where you're at is great" mentality and cultivated a nostalgia of idyllic rural life that wasn't as good as or how they remember it. yeah, i have nostalgia for 30 years ago but i don't romanticize it. that world had issues just like today, way more in many ways. it would give people a song to cry in there beer to but never offer solutions besides keep your head down and push forward like a man. it's kinda defeatist and hurts the working class.
I think you are confusing country with Gospel. As a Christian conservative nobody I am around in those circles ever thought country was only for Christian conservatives - just the opposite in fact. There is certainly a lot of country music that glorifies sin. It is almost a rarity these days where a country song comes along that has anything to do with God or even recognizes his existence. But hey erecting strawmen to knock down is fun!
I think it's a very artful album that really nails someone processing religious trauma. I do think he is reducing Christians a little but his frustration and opinions are his own and I love how honest he is with presenting it. I will say I am not a fan of dividing country into liberal and conservative country. In a way it seems were making two camps in our genre.
@@GradySmith Came here to say the same thing. It’s happening in every way and beyond country music. The good news though is that I think the silent (large) majority understands nuance and is much closer to the middle than the loudest voices make it seem.
I don't know if it reduces Christians. It's more of a story to me about encountering misguided/dishonest Christians and developing a warped view of Christianity because of it. That doesn't mean the music is bad. I don't really know all the details on what the trauma involved is/was. I love GMM and the music is at worth checking out.
@@kellendobmeier9876 I agree. I'm from the south and most Christians here are very judgmental and instead of worshipping god, they worship a former president. Those people have really turned me away from christianity and this album really speaks to me. I think it's an amazing album and I'm looking forward to hearing more.
To your point at 6:40, I do think Rhett has a chip on his shoulder, but I think he isolates Christianity because that's his experience to speak to since he grew up in that religion. I agree with you, Grady, about a broader human condition toward violence. It's not just one religion. I really enjoyed this album as someone going through what Rhett experienced and a country fan.
I don’t think he has a chip on his shoulder. I think he is talking about his experience and when he was deconstructing seeing others be ok with hate towards certain groups but not ok to others. I think he is focusing mostly on evangelism since that was his life experience.
@@tamraparrish3526 You can listen to Rhett discuss the situation, himself, on the podcast he and Link share. He makes it very clear that he does, in fact, have a chip on his shoulder. Not just toward Christians, but his whole outlook on the world is centered on love coming from a very cynical realist who very much enjoys being correct but is having a rough time figuring out what actually is correct after walking away from everything he thought he knew. There's nothing wrong with having a chip on your shoulder. It's not an inherently negative thing. Major things, in history, have been changed, for better and for worse, by people with a chip on their shoulder.
I feel like the indie dream country feel has been pioneered by Lord Huron for a while now! They have a good mix of highly dedicated fans between the country crowd and indie crowd respectfully.
This guy crawled right into my soul and put its contents in an album. It’s been on repeat since I watched this video and I never would’ve known it existed if it weren’t for you!!
Such a great, thorough review. I love how you always approach an artist or album from a neutral stance and then break it down in all direction. You do your job well! Dream Country is just the vibe I need right now. Thank you, always, for such great recommendations of artists to check out!
LOL Secularism and humanism have NOTHING to do with why it was the bloodiest century in history. That's actually pretty SQUARELY on religion, in the form of Nazis being a bunch of nutjob cultists and literally waging a genocidal war against Jews. Nazi leadership and propaganda hated Christianity, and instead used Norse and Roman pagan religious elements. Nevertheless, the bulk of Nazis were OVERWHELMINGLY Christian. (97.5% of Nazi-era Germans were Christian) World War 2 as a whole wasn't an ordinary religious war, but the Holocaust was overwhelmingly Christians committing genocide against Jews. Which was all simply WILDLY exacerbated by figurative AND literal EXPLOSIVE advances in weapons technology, combined with the start of colossal growth in the global population (and the sudden development of transportation technologies needed to move them) simply leading to more people than ever being involved, and thereby far faaaaaaaaar more deaths. Secularism has been on the rise since AFTER World War 2, and it has been the LEAST bloody period in history. First we returned to a period of regular bloodshed in the non-religiously involved Korean, Vietnam, and Cold Wars.....and in that time secularism kept growing. Starting in 1989, global deaths from wars have dropped off an absolute cliff. The sudden meteoric rise in religious unaffiliation in the US begins in 1988. And just a few years later the Cold War ended. It's hard to find global statistics for secularism, but many First World countries are on a similar track, with many parts of Europe achieving freedom from religion MUCH faster than the US, while some European countries are lagging behind. All the while (Putin's dumb bullshit notwithstanding) the world continues to be more and more peaceful than literally ever in history. But yea, Christianity has an EXTREMELY violent and bloody history, and it is FAAAAAR from exempt in the blame for World War 2 ( - the reason this is called the "bloodiest century", despite that it was really mostly just those 6 years that were particularly insane). Those Germans buying into the antisemitic propaganda and executing the genocidal will of the Nazis WERE virtually ALL Christians.
It’s disappointing to see you draw a false parallel between the rise of secularism and the violence of the last 100 years. The vast majority of the violence was committed by fascist religious fanatics. If there is a rise in violence correlated with a rise in secularism, it’s because we’re seeing religion and fascism refusing to give up the ghost and using violence to do that.
Hey, this is a great review! I wanted to tell you that as far as the album cover goes, in the original deconstruction podcast they posted, Rhett said that leaving Christianity was scary because he wasn’t just doing it alone, he was “jumping off a ship, and taking my wife and kids with me.” He said later that he thought that was a bit of a dramatic comparison, but I think that’s where the album art and title come from. (I’d recommend Rhett’s deconstruction episode and the one year later-Rhett’s deconstruction podcast as the citation for this.) He hasn’t confirmed that that’s what it is but I think it’s clear there’s a connection there!
I really liked this album, and it's in regular rotation for me. My stand out tracks are Give a Damn, and Creek and Back. I also think the album has those bitter moments, but also those loving moments, making it, as you say, "messy," but people are messy. I like that there are people out there willing to say "I'm messy" rather than pretending they're not. It makes those contradictions feel authentic and honest, and ultimately whether one likes the album or not, I don't think anyone can say it's not heartfelt and honest.
When you said “dream country” it’s like a lock got picked in my brain. I was like wait yeah that sounds like Kacey Musgraves’ kind of sound! Very interesting look at this, and thanks as always!
Grady- You really gotta check out Ashley McBride Presents: Lindeville. It’s like John Prine did a concept album take on Lake Wobegone Days. Ashley McBride has a hit with this one FOR SURE!
You literally have to have the context of his deconstruction to even know what group of Christians he's talking about. Saying he's talking about, "Christians," is 100% fair.
You are very well spoken. It is a trend that follows through your videos that has consistently brought me back to your content. You manage a very wise and clear critique of both the superficial and the profound topics that is very refreshing to consume. It is both enjoyable and professional and you should be proud of your work. Keep it up.
I hate that certain "Christians" show hatred and behave in such a way to push others away or make them question Christianity as a whole, even if the majority don't behave that way. Although when I think about it I've done/said things that aren't what a Christian should do either. I'm not perfect, as no one is. Every day we should strive to be better though. I hope he finds the answers he's looking for, and maybe music can help guide him through this process. I've been a fan of Rhett and Link since their early beginnings and still occasionally watch one of their uploads if it piques my interest. I respect Rhett's differing opinions and as long as he doesn't cross the line into disrespect (I don't see that happening) I'll keep watching.
i agree with how he feels about alot of christians, like somebody said one time and is true, christians will go to the bar saturday night and spread and talk hate about certain people and groups, then the next day praise god on sunday and go on about how they should love everybody and everybody's equal
So... human beings are flawed and hypocritical. Got it. I'd take that criticism more seriously if the same people using it weren't the exact same as those Christians, just about different subjects.
Dream Pop is a sub-genre of music that includes In the Valley Below, Flora Cash, and, of course, Lana Del Rey. Calling a sub-genre of Country music that has a similar feel "Dream Country" seems very appropriate
Just in the cover art….I believe it’s related to a metaphor in Christianity that religion is a ship in a ocean and giving up your faith is like jumping overboard, hence the name of the album
Speaking to the faith he grew up in and left is the point of the album so why you take it as isolating Christianities flaws when Christianity is the subject of the album not to isolate but because it's the only religion he could even write this album about
Considering that Rhett and Link has made amazing music for years as a joke that was actually really good I think his country album would absolutely be amazing
I’ve heard Sturgill and Kacey described as cosmic country before. That’s what I thought of the first time I heard Orville peck and Believe Me. Dream/Space country seems pretty accurate.
I absolutely loved this album. If your someone in the same situation it’s the most refreshing thing to listen to. I completely understand it’s not for everyone, but for someone like me, it’s the album of a lifetime. Love it. Thanks for checking it out!
Listening to the podcast episode - my deconstruction story 1 year on (which happened throughout 2020), really puts in to perspective how he feels towards people in the evangelical church he came from. In surveys they were the biggest trump supporters, most critical of BLM and the group of people most likely not to wear masks in the pandemic - Rhett quite rightly can not understand how the people with these beliefs, can also be the same people who believe in the word of god. I am a big Rhett and Link fan but not a country fan, however having listened to the album podcast - I was pleasantly surprised!
Supporting Trump doesn't mean you support hate. None of the apocalyptic scenarios that people predicted would happen did. At all. Like, not even close. Disliking BLM, as an organization, doesn't mean you hate black people. Their entire organization is under scrutiny from people of all walks of life, including black folk, as I type this. Data regarding the unnamed disease of an unknown origin has proven that any stance you take on it is pointless. Everyone, on both sides, was lied to by the people they listened to. It was a real disease that did kill people but it wasn't a pandemic of world ending proportions and Joe Schmoe not wearing a mask, more than likely, didn't affect you one single bit (and I don't see people who support vaccines and mask wearing making the same fuss over the flu every year, despite it being nearly as bad, and sometimes worse, for those the aforementioned pandemic would have most affected). There's far more nuance than, "oh gosh, oh gee, those legal gun toting evangelicals must just simply hate black people and want to infect everyone to death," and none of these issues somehow exclude said evangelicals from loving everyone around them.
The 20th century has been the least violent century in recorded history. Sure more people died because the population is much higher now. But the past was much more bloody, we live in the safest, most peaceful time in human history
I was such a huge fan of Sam Outlaw’s earlier album, Angeleno. Tons of steel, great songs. His recent album isn’t bad, but that “California” country sound is a bit hard to swallow sometimes.
Having listened to the deconstruction podcasts they did gives helpful background knowledge for this - like the artwork representing the metaphor Rhett used of throwing himself off the stable ship of faith (that meant he was safe and saved) and into the stormy uncertain waters of unknowing. I think those of us who have listened to him talk about the album know that the more political songs like 'In Vain' and 'Fruit' aren't meant to be about all Christians, more just certain issues with elements of the Evangelical Church. People were always going to feel defensive about those, but I know they resonated with a lot of deconstructed fans of his at least. The personal ones like 'Sorry'' to his parents and 'Creek and Back' to his sons really should be moving to everyone tho I think.
I actually find that this whole album would be more moving if it was released before, or closer to, his deconstruction story. It just doesn't hit the same when I can go to any comment section, on any website, discussing these issues and find nearly everyone saying the same things he is.
Grady, speaking of Dream Country, I think you should check out Mandy Moore's (yes, that Mandy Moore) albums Silver Landings and In Real Life. I think you'd really like them.
More people have died in the name of god than any other way. Play your games with word tricks and historical inaccuracies, it's the gods' honest truth.
I think its a little snap tracky at times, but I really like it. Its honest and real. Its kind of crazy hearing one of your internet dads from your childhood sing about this stuff.
All your 'Dream Country' examples brought Charley Crockett to my mind. To me it's almost like the artists are recreating listening to old country on the radio, rather than just imitating the artists they used to hear.
As far as the cover, he talked about how he was on a boat of religion and jumped off into the unknown and brought his family with him. I think that's more of what it's about it was on ear biscuits
There’s a big part of me that wishes I wasn’t familiar with Rhett’s vocals, because every time I listen to his music, I can’t help but remember the silly songs he produced with Link, both for their original channel and for GMM.
In an EarBiscuits podcast, Rhett mentioned that making the decision to leave Christianity was like jumping off a boat where there was community and familiarity into a rough ocean of uncertainty. Pretty sure that’s where the cover art comes from
he is right. leaving Christianity meant alot of my friends I had stopped talking to me when I announced I had stopped believing after people asking me if I was still a Christian. its incredibly hard to undo those teachings as well. I have regular thoughts of guilt after being raised in the church
My first thought was in explaining the genre was "Beach country" instead of "dream country." If the idea is that it is country meets California, I think of Beach Boys meets country music, which then makes me think of Jimmy Buffett. Therefore.... Beach Country.
I haven’t heard the album yet because I was more focused on how the music would sound. I’ve loved hearing about their religious deconstruction/ discussions, I related to many of them. I wasn’t as thrown into religion as they were but it used to be a big part of my life. After coming out I felt that judgment and felt shut out, when making that such a huge part of your life it feels like betrayal. All your asking is to be yourself but it shows no one ever cared about that. In the end I don’t hold my views too differently despite the backlash but it has made me take a step back.
I know I’m not the reviewer here so my opinion isn’t important but I don’t like the songs, they feel very amateurish to me (and I’m aware that is because he is an amateur) That said, he had something to say and he bothered to come out and say it plainly for everyone to hear. I have all the respect in the world for anyone who does that. The lyrics aren’t artsy, there doesn’t really seem to be much beyond their surface level meaning but they’re honest and powerful. Genuinely some impressive work even though it’s not for me.
i love gmm and Rhett. but...I can't get behind this album. it's good don't get me wrong, but the message doesn't set well with me. I hope the best for him but my faith doesn't allow me to agree with his ideas and his beliefs. but that's just me.
@@joshuamistry9057 his truth is his to have. Doesn't mean he's correct. Doesn't mean I'm correct. But, peaceful disagreement is what Jesus would want so that's what I'll do. I support all growth, and if it makes him happy then I totally get it. I'm just not gonna support his music, but I will continue to support gmm.
@@Sgtsqueaks2024 Way to stand for your faith. You know, you don't have to rush forward and bless everyone who attacks Christianity. Besides people like him don't care about you or your approval. Pray for him and move on.
Jesus of course wants peace and the message of the Gospel is about living out the Gospel. The Gospel is the only Truth. Doesn’t mean we aren’t free to make our own choices. But all our choices will be judged one day. I am not in support of this album because I don’t believe it shows any growth. I do not harbor ill will towards him and instead pray for him to turn from his ways. God bless.
The reason Rhett isn't just like any other RU-vidr trying to branch into music, is because he's done music very a long time before this. I feel like many go into the industry completely blind. But Rhett and Link have always had a music background. They had a Christian band, they did music for Campus Crusude when they worked as ministers, and they've since released many songs, albeit more humourous, on their channel. I respect your opinion, but I don't think he ever isolates Christians to alt right warmongers as you say. The songs where you feel he's bitter are more directed at the church and at specific Christians. As someone who grew up Christian and has since become agnostic, this song is incredibly validating to the experienced many ex Christians have experienced. And you can't deny that many people who call themselves Christians also have these insane extreme right views that go against everything they claim to believe. Whether you want to admit it or not, it's very prevalent. Anyone who feels attacked by these songs I think should take a step back and consider why that is.
Check out Pennies on the Track, It's a Living, and Arlo by Aaron Burdett. I've been listening to him for quite a while and he doesn't get near the love he deserves. He's more on the traditional folk side of country.
Yeah I guess it's our responsibility to separate. He's good at stuff. And has a unique but relatable perspective. Which is great. Not my thing maybe, but cool analysis and cool album. Everyone should do anything and everything! Make more stuff!
I periodically watch his show. It’s an interesting album because of the main themes. I really hope though that “dream country” doesn’t become a big trend because it’s probably my least favorite sound in country music. It just sounds incredibly lifeless and monotonous
It makes sense to isolate Christian as war mongers in regards to this album because the entire album is about his personal experience and issue with Christians. He’s giving reason why he is moving away from Christianity. He doesn’t say, they are the ONLY ppl that act that way. He is just pointing to the one thing he has experienced. He is talking to Christians in the song, it would be nonsensical to mention other ppl.
Would you consider this dream country thing to be different from the cosmic country scene? I feel like I see similarities but like is there a difference between them? They’re both hard to define to me I’m curious what other people think that have a more musical ear than me
I found the song with his wife to be a bit cringy. Especially the music video part. The spinning camera where they're both looking into the camera gave me second hand embarrasment. Not that big of a fan
No way.😳 You're telling me this is his first stab at country music? And he hasn't been doing this since like 2017? Because I can remember where I was driving when I was having a full-on conversation with my brother about him being a successful country artist / RU-vidr.
Another element of religious symbolism in the cover of “Human Overboard” is the boat in the background, which looks extremely similar to - if not the exact same as - most traditional depictions of Noah’s Ark.
Loved this review, as someone who is a huge fan of Rhett and Link, it was great seeing a fresh perspective of the music without any bias. As for the album art, I loved hearing the different interpretations for the Human Overboard theme. Rhett has touched on religion being like a safe space that him and his family were anchored to, but once he deconstructed, it was like taking himself and his family into a dark, mysterious abyss without the love and support of those around him that he had grown accustomed to. That has been my main takeaway when analyzing the theme, but I think you've touched on how deep this metaphor can go. Thanks for your thoughts!
What other religion would you expect a former christian to critique. People who have left churches will always be most critical of the religion that they know most. In this case it's christianity. In America, the issues he brings up, are real life issues magnified by christianity. White savior complex, while also not giving a shit about others, despite reading a book that says "love one another'. Christians will always be uncomfortable with others critiquing them, which is why you are obviously a little bothered by him singling christians out.
@@GradySmith that makes sense. Sorry for assuming. I can see how you think that way again, having maybe not been in it. As someone who has also left I’m probably (for sure) over sensitive to people saying things like, “you wouldn’t do this to Muslims.” But we would, if it were that religion we left. Sorry again.
You haven't named issues with Christians. You've named issues with modern day people in society, as a whole. Yes, Christians are hypocrites. But so are you. And me. And the guy reviewing this album. And your mother. And my mother. And your favorite teacher. And the president. And the last president. And the one before that. Look outside of the people that you dislike and start paying attention to how people act. You'll see the same things just wrapped up differently. Instead of Jesus, it's just some guy raising money using Minecraft videos until you find out what's going on behind the scenes. Instead of Jesus it's, "equality," until you find out that the person leading the charge is, arguably, worse than the people they're leading the charge against. Instead of Jesus it's, "love," until you find out that the person spreading their, "love," is a little too liberal with it. Christianity is an easy target because so many people are comfortable being open about their lack of faith and said lack of faith often blinds them to the faults of those who share their lack of faith. They're just as bad. They just don't have a book to make easy comparisons against.
As someone who was religious in young life and High School and proceeded to lose all faith shortly there after, your first few years after are always your most angry because you feel like you’ve been deceived your whole life. I would imagine Rhett is going through a similar thing and that is why his words on this album are so strong about religion.
