Zac Brown Band

There's no denying the pull of the Zac Brown Band. Their mix of country, pop, rock, reggae, and jam music has taken their past two albums, 2010's You Get What You Give and this summer's Uncaged, straight to No. 1. Singer Zac Brown seems like a likable enough guy, and his six-member band positively smoke once they catch a groove. But everyone tries so hard to be the most popular guys in the room that they often bend in directions that can be a little ill-fitting. Songs like their 2008 breakthrough hit “Chicken Fried” and the new “The Wind” are terrific front-porch workouts, with super-tight harmonies, bow-burning violin riffing, and a clap-along everyone's-welcome group hug. But then there are the plastic island sounds that find their way into too many of Brown's songs. It's endemic of country music in general, from Kenny Chesney to Carrie Underwood — present ever since Jimmy Buffett became the patron saint of cold beer and flip-flops. Brown is better than that. He just needs to realize it and trust himself. (Gallucci)