The iconic duo of Brent Smith and Zach Myers has released their first full length album, cementing a new level of depth and talent from the Shinedown members. Smith & Myers Volume I is a collection of carefully chosen covers and originals, with a second volume to be released at the end of October.
Fans of Shinedown will already be aware of the epic partnership between these two and new listeners will immediately be captivated by the emotion in every song. This volume begins with an original track that was written after the death of George Floyd- aptly titled “Not Mad Enough”. The song is acoustic, but the anger and pain comes through crystal clear and sets the tone for the rest of the album.
The duo turned Neil Young’s classic “Rockin’ in the Free World” into a subtle, piano-driven ballad, while giving their rock spin on Post Malone’s “Better Now” (an unexpectedly perfect choice for this record). As we reach towards the end of the album, “Coast to Coast” is another original song that will dig deep into listeners’ hearts before a soulful cover of Amy Winehouse’s “Valerie” will have you dancing in your seat. The record ends with a stunning rendition of “Unchained Melody”, leaving everyone wanting more.
Smith & Myers have truly tapped into something special with this project. As one half of an internationally successful rock group, hearing them experiment with different acoustic sounds is mesmerizing. On top of that, they’ve been using this downtime from touring to raise over a quarter of a million dollars for Direct Relief. With a special release of vault single “Atlas Falls”, along with an exclusive shirt design, the band continues to donate money to worthy causes as the industry continues to stall amid COVID-19.
Smith & Myers Volume I couldn’t have come at a better time- as we remain nearly seven months into a changed world and people are searching for inspiration wherever it may come from. With this album, fans will be able to immerse themselves into a beautiful collection of timely songs to keep us all optimistic.
Check out Smith & Myers Volume I now!
Story by Olivia Khiel
Image courtesy of Smith & Myers
