Noah Smith - Ain't So Bad Round Here (2021)

The last part of 2021 is going to make it a great year for Noah Smith. His latest album, Ain’t So Bad Round Here is finished and debuts November 19th. Noah collaborated with some of Nashville’s most talented writers to have them add cuts to the project. The songs are all strong on their own which makes for an album where each track complements the next. The album, solely produced by Noah, features eight tracks,with all but one that Noah has writing credits on or shared credit for. The songs range from the title track “Ain’t So Bad Round Here”, a rock- feeling song inspired by time spent at home during the COVID lockdown, to “Heroes,” a song for all the hard working musicians who spend all their time on the road playing for fans. The album is the kind of music you want to hear when you jump in your car and head out on a road trip, as well as what you crank up when you and your friends are hanging out having a beer. The songs will take you along with them as each has its own story to tell. Noah writes in a way that is vibrant and relatable, and through his music, you feel like you are sitting beside him experiencing the songs with him.

Noah, an Ohio native, is a graduate of the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music with a degree in Electronic Media, Music Production and Audio and Video Design. He still calls Ohio home, but also spends time in Nashville for writer rounds. Noah has an impressive list of artists that he has shared the stage with, including The Steve Miller Band, Josh Turner, Ashley McBryde, Cassadee Pope, David Allen Coe and Levi Lowrey, to name a few.

The album features songs co-written with some of Nashville’s most sought-after heavy hitters, like Erin Enderlin, Cheley Tackett and Levi Lowrey. “All God’s Children” is co-written with Erin Enderlin.

“Devil’s Reach,” with its dark, smoky vibe, is co-written with Cheley Tackett and another of the industry’s favorite sons, Blue Foley.

Even if you aren’t a songwriter, you’ll feel the despair and frustration in “God Write Me A Song.” Just staring at a blank paper knowing that there are no ideas flowing is discouraging. Anyone can apply that sense of despair. For example, it can be a business idea you can’t come up with, or a presentation that you are having trouble with. Even though we are not all songwriters, we can relate to the feeling of helplessness trying to make it happen. The co-writer is Michael Moeller, who also helped pen the title track, as well as being one of the musicians who played on the album.

“Cover Bands” is the only song Noah did not have a part in writing. Roger Hodges and Terri Jo Box wrote this song that Noah heard and knew he wanted to cut for the record. With a line that reads, “It took me this long to find what I don’t want to lose. I hate that I just now started loving you,” you can understand why Noah wanted it on his album.