I grew up as something of a cultural hybrid. While I was born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area suburbs, my parents were very much products of central Indiana. No matter how much I am in many ways alarmingly comfortable with concrete and steel, even as the cities I grew up next to (San Francisco and Oakland) have pushed me away via committing slow-motion societal suicide courtesy of embracing progressivism, there is still at least a bit of the country in me.
As the years have progressed, I’ve noticed how deeply parallel the threads run that tie the rural Midwest and South together. A fundamental love of Christ and family permeates both societies, a quiet and wry smile the only needed umbrella against the acidic rain of sneers about flyover country hicks. When joy comes from spending a Saturday summer evening sitting on a back porch watching the fireflies dance as anticipation grows of spending Sunday morning together with family and friends, celebrating the joy and love found in each other as well as the ultimate joy and love found in knowing the living Savior, the shallow appeal of staying out until the wee hours of the morning trudging from disco hotspots to plastic posh clubs withers and fades.
With this as a backdrop, coupled with many hours spent during my 1970s teen years absorbing the Allman Brothers, Lynyrd Skynyrd, and other Southern rock acts, it is little wonder that “Always Look Up,” the new album by Van Zant, is a welcome blessing. That said, it is not an exercise in nostalgia that causes me to praise the recording highly. It is superb musically and spiritually. In a world of artists by committee where every move and word is artificially inseminated with cheap gimmicks and “viral” publicity designed to disguise an utter lack of talent and soul, “Always Look Up” is the real deal and then some.
Musically, “Always Look Up” is understandably somewhat quieter than a Lynyrd Skynyrd or .38 Special album. This duly noted, mushy it is not. Johnny and Donnie Van Zant make no compromises in maintaining artistic credibility. The ballads are rich, and the rockers punch hard. Whether singing separately or together, the brothers are in fine voice. The album features tasty guitar solos, a rich but not overpowering backing of purposeful rhythm, gimmick-free keyboards, and soulful backing vocals. “Always Look Up” is an organic rocker; honest music by and for those who live to keep it real.
Lyrically, “Always Look Up” is mercifully free of modern praise and worship drivel. This is roots gospel to its core. There is no need to wonder if the brothers are singing about Jesus or their respective girlfriends. The words come from hearts, minds, and souls who know they need Jesus, know Jesus, and have zero hesitation in proclaiming this to everyone. “Always Look Up” is gospel with a capital G, proclaiming the crucifixion and resurrection without apology.
The Van Zants know loss and grief. They also know this world is not the end, as made clear in the heart-wrenching “Why God Brought Me Here.”
I want to catch up and spend some time with my brother
Oh, Lord, it’s been a long, long time
I’d love to hear one of Daddy’s old stories
They will always be heroes in my mindI don’t want to wake up if I’m dreaming
I thank you, Lord, for showing me
Just how heaven’s going to be
It is a rare album that warrants the honor of being labeled an instant classic. “Always Look Up” earns that honor. The music is sweet Southern rock served with restraint, not restrictions. The lyrics name the Name without apology or compromise. “Always Look Up” is a great, great album. Thank you, Johnny and Donnie Van Zant.
