Fly Me Courageous cover

Fly Me Courageous

Drivin' N' Cryin' · 1991

39 min · 11 tracks · hard rock

A vibrant fusion of hard rock and Southern roots, balancing anthemic choruses with introspective lyrics.

Top tracks — play these first

  • →
    Fly Me Courageous — This track epitomizes the album's themes of resilience and adventure, encapsulated in a rousing chorus that invites listeners to embrace courage.
  • →
    Chain Reaction — The song stands out with its infectious rhythm and poignant lyrics about the interconnectedness of life experiences, showcasing the band's lyrical depth.
  • →
    Lost in the Shuffle — This track delves into feelings of alienation and perseverance, marked by a memorable melody that highlights the band's emotional range.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

50 /100
Foothills
Higher than 23% of albums we've rated

The album blends hard rock with Southern roots, showcasing strong choruses but uneven pacing across its tracks.

What we noticed

  • The album opens with a driving rhythm and maintains a consistent mid-tempo pace for the first half, before introducing more varied tempos in the latter tracks.
  • Choruses are often anthemic, featuring layered vocals that create a sense of camaraderie, particularly in tracks like 'Fly Me Courageous'.
  • Several songs incorporate Southern rock elements, such as slide guitar and storytelling lyrics, which are prominent in tracks like 'Look What You've Done to Your Brother'.
Composition 25% of the score
6/10

the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics

Craft 20% of the score
7/10

production, performance, arrangement

Durability 25% of the score
6/10

whether it rewards returning to it

Distinctiveness 18% of the score
6/10

whether it sounds like itself

Sequencing 12% of the score
5/10

running order, pacing, length

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

  • energetic melodies for road trips
  • introspective moments with friends
  • cathartic sing-alongs at parties
  • short bursts of uplifting energy

Maybe skip if you

  • slow, meditative listening preferences
  • dislike for upbeat tempos

Where this album fits

Career context
Released on January 8, 1991, 'Fly Me Courageous' was Drivin' N' Cryin's third studio album, following their breakthrough with 'Mystery Road.' At this stage, the band was solidifying its identity within the Southern rock genre while navigating mainstream success.
Stylistic neighbors
The Black Crowes· Lynyrd Skynyrd· Rival Sons

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

  • 1 Around the Block Again 3:31
  • 2 Chain Reaction 3:47
  • 3 Fly Me Courageous 3:23
  • 4 Look What You've Done to Your Brother 2:58
  • 5 For You 4:35
  • 6 Let's Go Dancing 3:18
  • 7 The Innocent 4:17
  • 8 Together 3:51
  • 9 Lost in the Shuffle 3:04
  • 10 Build a Fire 3:15
  • 11 Rush Hour 3:25

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata