With songs about sin, salvation, family, work ethic, values, independence and, of course, love, brothers Donnie and Johnny Van Zant make one big, bold statement on their debut outing for Columbia Nashville. And while these may be traditional country themes, Van Zant delivers them with in an often louder, sometimes more aggressive, always soulful manner not often heard in country music.

The Van Zant brothers sing songs that teem with authenticity. When they sing about an oak tree on the hill, it’s there. When they sing about being homesick, they know how it feels. When they sing about the pits of despair brought on by substance abuse, they’ve been there, done that. And when they howl about having a good time, Lord knows they’ve done that, too.