Review
Warren Zeiders' "Relapse" is a gut-punch of an album that'll knock you off your feet if you're not careful. This sophomore effort from the rising country star is a heady mix of '90s alternative vibes and down-and-dirty Southern rock that'll leave you reeling. Zeiders ain't pulling any punches here, folks. He's diving headfirst into the murky waters of love, heartbreak, and addiction, and coming up with some real pearls.
The album's got some real heavy hitters, like the title track "Relapse" and "Intoxicated," where Zeiders lays bare the raw, addictive nature of love gone wrong. But it's not all doom and gloom. The man's got range, and he shows it off with tracks like "High Desert Road" and "Fight Like Hell" that'll have you tapping your boots and nodding along. Mike Elizondo's production brings a polished grit to the whole affair, blending genres like a master mixologist.
Zeiders has teamed up with some serious songwriting talent here, including Rivers Rutherford and Blake Pendergrass, and it shows. The lyrics are sharp as a tack and cut just as deep. From the sludgy power of "Intoxicated" to the plaintive strains of "Addictions," and the gut-wrenching "Death of a Cowboy," this album's got more layers than a Georgia onion. It's a solid step forward for Zeiders, cementing his place in the outsider country scene and leaving us hungry for whatever he cooks up next. - Ralph
