Zac Brown Band, Jekyll + Hyde (Southern Ground/Varvatos/Republic/BMLG): If your first response to the Nashville singer/songwriter’s set is “he’s all over the place,” well, that’s kinda the point—from the title on down. ZBB highlights the musical sophistication and eclecticism of contemporary Nashville, but these dudes are no dilettantes: the wide-ranging Jekyll scored #1 hits at both Country and Active Rock radio. Vintage soul, Appalachian gospel, a proto-metallic guitar workout (with an assist from Chris Cornell), big-band swing (with Sara Bareilles), sparkly pop, fingerpicked balladry and a good old country waltz all find their way into the mix, and Brown invests every stylistic outing with heart aplenty. Music with this much feeling and this much reach deserves a big spotlight.
