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Uncaged
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| Uncaged | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | July 10, 2012 | |||
| Recorded | 2012 in Atlanta, Nashville, Asheville, Key West[1] | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 44:08 | |||
| Label |
| |||
| Producer | ||||
| Zac Brown Band chronology | ||||
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| Singles from Uncaged | ||||
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Uncaged is the third studio album by American country music group Zac Brown Band. It was released on July 10, 2012.[2] The album's lead single, "The Wind" was released on June 6, 2012.[3] The album received widely positive reviews from critics and debuted at number one on the Billboard 200. At the 2013 Grammy Awards, it won the award for Best Country Album.
Background
[edit]Zac Brown called the album "Your basic country-Southern rock-bluegrass-reggae-jam record" saying "It's really about making people dance, you just don't let them go. There's a lot of songs on the record that when we play them live we'll extend out long. But it's really about just grabbing people in that pulse and then not letting them go that entire song."[4] Clay Cook said "This is first record that we’ve made from start to finish in one thought, the previous albums have been a collection of songs … this is an album.”[5]
Artwork
[edit]The cover features artist Brandon Maldonado's 2009 Our Lady of Merciful Fate.
Critical reception
[edit]| Aggregate scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| Metacritic | (71/100)[6] |
| Review scores | |
| Source | Rating |
| About.com | |
| AllMusic | |
| American Songwriter | |
| Consequence of Sound | |
| Daily News | |
| Los Angeles Times | |
| Rolling Stone | |
| Roughstock | |
| Slant Magazine | |
| Taste of Country | |
| USA Today | |
Upon its release, Uncaged received generally positive reviews from most music critics.[6] At Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream critics, the album received an average score of 72, based on 10 reviews, which indicates "generally favorable reviews".[6]
The positive reviews came from About.com, AbsolutePunk, AllMusic, American Songwriter, Entertainment Weekly, Los Angeles Times, Roughstock, Slant Magazine, Tampa Bay Times, Taste of Country and the USA Today. Robert Silva of About.com gave it a three and a half out of five stars, writing that "Overall, Uncaged is a more low-key effort than either The Foundation or You Get What You Give. There's a fair amount of genre-hopping on the album, but it feels authentic for a band that's always played outside the confines of the country box."[7] Gregory Robson of AbsolutePunk gave it a score of 87 percent, calling "Uncaged, a genre-bending, head-turning collection that vaults ZBB to the top of the roots-rock pedestal."[18] Stephen Thomas Erlewine of AllMusic rated it four stars out of five stars, calling it "the sound of a band operating from a position of considerable strength".[8] Jeff Giles of American Songwriter rated the album a three and a half out of five stars, and writes of the album, "Uncaged is an album that proves a successful country artist really can have it all — that it’s possible to tastefully blend the sensitive singer/songwriter tropes of Laurel Canyon artists like James Taylor, the faux Caribbean pandering of Jimmy Buffett, the deeply felt roots excursions of the Avett Brothers, and the smartly crafted pop concessions of Jason Mraz."[9] Melissa Maerz of Entertainment Weekly gave then album a B grade, writing that the album "isn't so much a folksy jam-band opus as a savvy industry professional's idea of what that should sound like."[19] Randy Lewis of the Los Angeles Times gave the album a two and a half out of four stars, calling it "modestly refreshing."[12] Matt Bjorke of Roughstock gave the album a perfect five rating, noting that "Uncaged is without a doubt the best album of this band's career and make no mistake, the Zac Brown Band are clearly a band in every sense of the word...Uncaged only enhances their status as the best band in country music."[14] Jonathan Keefe of Slant Magazine rated the album a four out of five stars, noting how "there's something to be said for an album that's such a refreshing and clean break from what has become country music's rather depressing norm."[15] Sean Daily of The Tampa Bay Times graded the album a B−, noting how "the chase is over."[20] Billy Dukes of Taste of Country rated the album a four out of five stars, writing that "On paper, ‘Uncaged’ should not work as an album, let alone a country music album. The new release from Zac Brown Band redefines “something for everybody.” Country, reggae, bedroom R&B… Brown and his ever-growing motley crew stretch the Nashville sound further than any other artist. If they weren’t so talented, this project would fall apart long before the title-track...Yet somehow, it doesn’t [sic]."[16] Brian Mansfield of USA Today rated the album a perfect four stars, writing that "Most country acts find a successful formula, then stick pretty closely to it. Uncaged, Brown's third major-label studio set, is just all over the place, a big, happy, sprawling musical celebration that encompasses square-dance and samba rhythms, California country-rock and sultry Southern soul."[17]
The mixed reviews were from Consequence of Sound, Daily News and the Rolling Stone. Jon Bernstein of Consequence of Sound rated the album a three out of five stars, writing that "...if there’s anything at fault with Brown’s latest, it’s the trap of lapsing into self-satisfaction with the way in which the band defies labeling."[10] Jim Farber of the Daily News rated the album a two out of five stars, writing that "At least the surface of Brown’s songs can modestly please."[11] Chuck Eddy of the Rolling Stone rated the album a two and a half out of five stars, writing that "Uncaged, sounds, well, caged."[13]
Commercial performance
[edit]Uncaged debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200, selling 234,000 copies in its first week of release, giving them their second number one album and best sales week yet.[21] In its second week, it sold 78,000 copies, falling to number 2.[22] In its third week of release, it sold an additional 48,000 copies, returning to number one on the chart.[23] The album was specially priced for $3.99 at the Amazon MP3 store for its first week of release, which some sources suggest may have contributed around 25,000 to 30,000 of its debut number.[21] In Canada, the album debuted at number one on the Canadian Albums Chart, selling 8,100 copies, the band's first number one in Canada.[24] Uncaged was certified Platinum by the RIAA on November 20, 2013,[25] and as of September 2015, it has sold 1,200,000 copies in the United States.[26]
Track listing
[edit]| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Jump Right In" | 3:00 | |
| 2. | "Uncaged" |
| 3:30 |
| 3. | "Goodbye in Her Eyes" |
| 5:24 |
| 4. | "The Wind" |
| 2:56 |
| 5. | "Island Song" | Cowan | 3:43 |
| 6. | "Sweet Annie" |
| 4:38 |
| 7. | "Natural Disaster" |
| 3:02 |
| 8. | "Overnight" (featuring Trombone Shorty) |
| 4:44 |
| 9. | "Lance's Song" |
| 4:35 |
| 10. | "Day That I Die" (featuring Amos Lee) |
| 4:53 |
| 11. | "Last But Not Least" |
| 3:42 |
| Total length: | 44:08[8] | ||
Personnel
[edit]Zac Brown Band
- Coy Bowles – electric guitar, slide guitar, resonator guitar, Hammond organ
- Zac Brown – acoustic guitar, lead vocals, electric guitar
- Clay Cook – acoustic guitar, electric guitar, Hammond organ, piano, back-up vocals, Fender Rhodes, pedal steel, co-lead vocal on "Last But Not Least"
- Daniel de los Reyes – congas, shakers, timbales, cowbell, tambourine, chimes, triangle
- Jimmy de Martini – violin, back-up vocals
- Chris Fryar – drums
- John Driskell Hopkins – bass guitar, back-up vocals, upright bass
Guest musicians
- Matt Mangano – bass guitar on "Island Song"
- Tim McFatter – tenor saxophone on "Overnight"
- Dan Oestreicher – baritone saxophone on "Overnight"
- Trombone Shorty – trombone & trumpet on "Overnight"
- Amos Lee – co-lead vocal on "The Day That I Die"
Charts and certifications
[edit]
Weekly charts[edit]
Year-end charts[edit]
Decade-end charts[edit]
Certifications[edit]
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References
[edit]- ^ Watts, Cindy (May 28, 2012). "Celebrity Column: Zac Brown Band goes 'Uncaged' with new album". The Tennessean. Retrieved June 4, 2012.
- ^ Maloy, Sarah (April 25, 2012). "Zac Brown Band's 'Uncaged' Drops July 10". Billboard. Retrieved June 6, 2012.
- ^ Lipshutz, Jason (June 6, 2012). "Hear Zac Brown Band's Barn-Burning New Single, 'The Wind'". Billboard. Retrieved June 6, 2012.
- ^ Talbott, Chris (April 25, 2012). "Zac Brown Band's new album 'Uncaged' out July 10". Sarasota Herald-Tribune. Retrieved June 6, 2012.
- ^ Conaway, Alanna. "Zac Brown Band Reveal Details About Forthcoming Album 'Uncaged'". Taste of Country. Retrieved June 6, 2012.
- ^ a b c "Uncaged Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved July 10, 2012.
- ^ a b Silva, Robert. "Uncaged review". About.com. Archived from the original on January 21, 2013. Retrieved January 27, 2013.
- ^ a b c Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Uncaged review". AllMusic. Retrieved July 9, 2012.
- ^ a b Giles, Jeff. "Uncaged review". American Songwriter. Retrieved January 27, 2013.
- ^ a b Bernstein, Jon. "Uncaged review". Consequence of Sound. Retrieved January 27, 2013.
- ^ a b Farber, Jim. "Uncaged review". Daily News. New York. Retrieved January 27, 2013.
- ^ a b Lewis, Randy (July 9, 2012). "Uncaged review". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved January 27, 2013.
- ^ a b Eddy, Chuck. "Uncaged review". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on April 22, 2016. Retrieved January 27, 2013.
- ^ a b Bjorke, Matt. "Uncaged review". Roughstock. Archived from the original on January 21, 2013. Retrieved January 27, 2013.
- ^ a b Keefe, Jonathan. "Uncaged review". Slant Magazine. Retrieved January 27, 2013.
- ^ a b Dukes, Billy. "Uncaged review". Taste of Country. Retrieved January 27, 2013.
- ^ a b Mansfield, Brian (July 9, 2012). "Uncaged review". USA Today. Retrieved January 27, 2013.
- ^ Robson, Gregory. "Uncaged review". AbsolutePunk. Retrieved January 27, 2013.
- ^ Maerz, Melissa (July 18, 2012). "Uncaged review". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved January 27, 2013.
- ^ Daily, Sean. "Uncaged review". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved January 27, 2013.
- ^ a b c d Caulfield, Keith (July 18, 2012). "Zac Brown Band, Frank Ocean Debut at Nos. 1 & 2 on Billboard 200". Billboard. Retrieved July 18, 2012.
- ^ Caulfield, Keith (July 25, 2012). "Nas Bows at No. 1 with 'Life is Good'". Billboard. Retrieved July 30, 2012.
- ^ Caulfield, Keith (August 1, 2012). "Zac Brown Band Reclaims Top Spot on Billboard 200". Billboard. Retrieved August 1, 2012.
- ^ "Zac Brown, Ocean make waves". Canoe. Archived from the original on January 1, 2013.
- ^ "RIAA – Gold & Platinum: Zac Brown Band albums". RIAA.com. Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved November 27, 2013.
- ^ a b Caulfield, Keith (September 4, 2015). "Billboard 200 Chart Moves: Bon Jovi Earns 15th Top 20 Album". Billboard.
- ^ "Zac Brown Band – Uncaged". Ultratop 50. Hung Medien. Retrieved July 23, 2012.
- ^ "ARIA Australian Top 40 Country Albums | Australia's Official Top 40 Country Album Chart - ARIA Charts". Archived from the original on November 8, 2012. Retrieved November 4, 2012.
- ^ "Zobbel". UK Albums Chart. The Official Charts Company. Retrieved July 14, 2013.
- ^ "Archive Chart". Official Charts Company. Retrieved July 18, 2012.
- ^ "Billboard 200 Albums: Year-End top-selling albums across all genres". Billboard.
- ^ "Top Country Albums: 2012 Year-End Charts". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved January 16, 2015.
- ^ "Billboard 200 Albums: Year-End top-selling albums across all genres". Billboard.
- ^ "Top Country Albums: 2013 Year-End Charts". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved January 16, 2015.
- ^ "Billboard 200 Albums: Year-End top-selling albums across all genres". Billboard.
- ^ "Top Country Albums: 2014 Year-End Charts". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved January 16, 2015.
- ^ "Decade-End Charts: Billboard 200". Billboard. Archived from the original on September 30, 2020. Retrieved January 31, 2022.
- ^ "Canadian album certifications – Zac Brown Band – Uncaged". Music Canada.
- ^ "American album certifications – Zac Brown Band – Uncaged". Recording Industry Association of America.
Uncaged
View on GrokipediaProduction
Background
Uncaged is the third studio album by the Zac Brown Band, developed in 2012 as the group's effort to create a more integrated project following their earlier releases. The band sought to establish a stronger collective artistic direction, marking this as their first album conceived and recorded with a unified vision from start to finish.[13] Band member Clay Cook highlighted this approach, emphasizing the culmination of the group's chemistry from years of living, traveling, and collaborating together.[13] Lead singer Zac Brown described Uncaged as a "country-Southern rock-bluegrass-reggae-jam record," blending genres to prioritize an energetic, groove-driven sound.[14] The album's pre-production planning focused on crafting danceable tracks designed to engage audiences, with many songs structured for extension during live performances to maintain a pulsating rhythm throughout.[14] This emphasis on live-friendly, immersive experiences reflected the band's intent to push boundaries beyond traditional country constraints while preserving their signature eclectic style. Recording plans originated in Atlanta, the band's home base, before expanding to studios in Nashville, Asheville, and Key West to draw from varied regional influences and environments.[13] These locations were selected to infuse the project with diverse sonic elements, supporting the album's genre-spanning character and contributing to its cohesive yet exploratory feel.[13]Recording
The recording of Uncaged took place primarily in 2012 across multiple locations in the American South, including initial sessions in Atlanta, Georgia; further work in Nashville, Tennessee; Asheville, North Carolina; and Key West, Florida.[13][15] Specific sites included Southern Ground Studios in Nashville and Jimmy Buffett's Shrimpboat Sound studio in Key West for vocal recordings, with additional overdubs handled in Atlanta and Nashville.[15] This multi-location approach allowed the band to capture a sense of regional diversity while maintaining a unified workflow. The production emphasized a cohesive sound that prioritized live-feel tracks, diverging from the more polished structures of the band's earlier albums like The Foundation (2008) and You Get What You Give (2010) by focusing on raw energy and band chemistry.[16][17] Engineers aimed to replicate the spontaneity of the group's live performances, incorporating extended jams and organic interplay among the musicians to evoke an on-stage atmosphere.[16] Key collaborators included producers Zac Brown and Keith Stegall, who oversaw the sessions to preserve the band's jam-oriented sound through minimal overdubs and emphasis on collective improvisation.[18] Lead recording and mixing engineer John Kelton handled primary tracking, supported by additional engineers Chris Allen, Jack Miele, and John Jaszcz for overdubs and technical support.[18] Assistant engineers Clay Cook and Matt Mangano contributed to fine-tuning the recordings, ensuring the final mixes retained the improvisational essence central to the Zac Brown Band's style.[18]Release and promotion
Promotion
The Zac Brown Band officially announced their third studio album, Uncaged, on April 25, 2012, revealing a release date of July 10, 2012, via Atlantic Records and Southern Ground Artists, while introducing percussionist Daniel de los Reyes as the group's new permanent member to heighten anticipation.[19] The announcement included early glimpses into the album's production, emphasizing the band's expanded sound with diverse influences like bluegrass and world music, which helped build pre-release buzz through social media teasers and studio updates shared in the preceding months.[20] To further generate excitement, the band released the lead single "The Wind" on June 4, 2012, approximately one month prior to the album's launch, as a strategic move to showcase the record's eclectic style and encourage radio play and fan engagement ahead of the full rollout.[7] This timing aligned with promotional efforts that highlighted the album's themes of liberation and musical boundary-pushing, positioning Uncaged as a bold evolution from prior releases. The promotion extended to live events and media, with tour announcements integrating the album into the band's ongoing 2012 schedule, later formalized as the Uncaged Tour spanning 2012–2013, which featured performances emphasizing the record's themes of freedom and collaboration across genres.[21] Key media appearances included a debut of "The Wind" at the 2012 CMA Music Festival and CMT Music Awards in early June, followed by scheduled slots on Today, Late Show with David Letterman, and Jimmy Kimmel Live! to amplify visibility and connect with broader audiences.[22] Uncaged launched in standard digital download and CD formats, alongside a limited initial vinyl pressing through Southern Ground Artists, making it accessible across major platforms like iTunes and physical retailers.[23] In the 2020s, promotional reissues have included a 2023 Milk Bone vinyl edition by Fugitive Recordings, remastered with a new essay by Zac Brown and limited to 400 hand-poured golden marble swirl copies, alongside other colored vinyl variants to reach vinyl enthusiasts and refresh interest in the album.[24]Singles
The lead single from Uncaged, "The Wind", was released on June 4, 2012. Co-written by Zac Brown, Wyatt Durrette, and Levi Lowrey, the uptempo bluegrass track debuted at number 27 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart and peaked at number 11. It also reached number 16 on the Country Airplay chart, marking a departure from the band's previous ballad-heavy singles and showcasing their fiddle-driven energy on radio. An official animated music video, directed by Mike Judge, premiered in July 2012. "Goodbye in Her Eyes" followed as the second single, released on October 1, 2012. Penned by Brown, Durrette, and John Driskell Hopkins, the melancholic ballad peaked at number 1 on the Country Airplay chart for three weeks in late 2012 and early 2013, becoming the band's sixth number-one hit there. It also topped the Canada Country chart and reached number 5 on Hot Country Songs and number 48 on the Hot 100. The official music video, directed by Darren Doane, features a carnival setting with the band performing amid illusions and acrobatics, emphasizing themes of loss and farewell, and premiered on November 21, 2012. The third single, "Jump Right In", was released to country radio on February 25, 2013. Featuring a collaboration with Jason Mraz on backing vocals and co-written by Brown, Durrette, and Mraz, the tropical-infused track peaked at number 2 on the Country Airplay chart in August 2013 and number 13 on Hot Country Songs, while reaching number 53 on the Hot 100. Its upbeat, island rhythm drove significant radio play, contributing to the album's crossover appeal. The official music video, released on May 20, 2013, depicts the band on a beach adventure with friends and family, capturing a carefree summer vibe. "Sweet Annie", the fourth single, was released on August 26, 2013. Written by Brown, Durrette, Shay Mooney, and Nathaniel Followill, the reflective country rock song peaked at number 1 on the Country Airplay chart for one week in February 2014, the band's tenth chart-topper, and number 6 on Hot Country Songs, with a number 47 peak on the Hot 100. It received gold certification from the RIAA for over 500,000 units sold. The official music video, premiered on October 29, 2013, centers on band member Coy Bowles' real-life wedding, blending personal moments with performance footage to highlight themes of love and commitment.Artwork
The cover art for Uncaged features the 2009 oil-on-panel painting "Our Lady of Merciful Fate" by artist Brandon Maldonado, measuring 20 by 12 inches and depicting a saintly figure in a style homage to Jan van Eyck while drawing thematic inspiration from the Pantheon of Saints.[25][26] The artwork's intricate, mystical portrayal of religious iconography aligns with the album's eclectic musical influences, evoking a sense of boundless exploration.[27] Design elements throughout the packaging emphasize a vibrant, multicolor scheme that complements the painting's detailed and symbolic composition, incorporating subtle motifs of freedom and diversity to mirror the "uncaged" concept without overt literalism.[28] The overall visual aesthetic draws from Day of the Dead-inspired traditions, as seen in the cover's skeletal and saintly imagery, enhancing the album's thematic depth.[24] For the CD edition, the album is housed in a tri-fold digipak with a multicolor exterior replicating the cover art, featuring an interior pocket containing a promotional card for Camp Southern Ground and a Zac Brown Band (ZBB) decal.[29] The vinyl release maintains the same cover artwork but was initially pressed in standard black; a 2023 reissue edition uses "Milk Bone" colored vinyl with a white disc and black label, packaged in a standard LP jacket without additional inserts.[30][31] Digital formats utilize the core cover image as the primary thumbnail artwork, with no unique packaging variations reported.[32] No alternate covers or significant promotional artwork variations beyond standard marketing adaptations were produced for the original 2012 release.Content
Musical style
Uncaged blends country with southern rock, bluegrass, reggae, and jam band elements, creating a diverse sonic palette that emphasizes live-like energy and extended, danceable arrangements. The album features lively up-tempo tracks infused with bongo-driven rhythms and improvisational jams, evoking the spontaneity of a concert performance despite its studio origins.[16][33] This genre fusion is evident in songs that shift seamlessly between rootsy bluegrass romps and Caribbean-inflected grooves, prioritizing rhythmic propulsion and instrumental interplay over strict adherence to country conventions.[34][35] The reggae influences stem partly from recording sessions at Shrimpboat Sound Studio in Key West, Florida, a location associated with Jimmy Buffett's island music aesthetic, which infuses tracks with laid-back, tropical vibes. Band members' southern roots contribute to the southern rock and bluegrass components, drawing from Georgia's musical heritage, while Zac Brown's admiration for Buffett and diverse collaborators adds R&B and soul layers.[36][34] These elements reflect the group's commitment to genre-blending, inspired by their jam band tendencies and regional backgrounds.[17] Compared to earlier albums like The Foundation and You Get What You Give, which leaned more toward traditional country structures with some expansions, Uncaged marks a bolder evolution toward genre-agnostic experimentation, loosening ties to Nashville norms while amplifying the band's elastic, party-oriented sound. This progression highlights increased confidence in their multi-style approach, building on prior successes to deliver a more liberated and varied listening experience.[34][37]Track listing
All tracks are written by Zac Brown unless otherwise noted, with durations as listed on the album release.| No. | Title | Writers | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Jump Right In" | Zac Brown, Wyatt Durrette, Jason Mraz | 3:00 |
| 2. | "Uncaged" | Zac Brown, Wyatt Durrette, Levi Lowrey | 3:30 |
| 3. | "Goodbye in Her Eyes" | Zac Brown, Wyatt Durrette, Sonia Leigh, John Driskell Hopkins | 5:24 |
| 4. | "The Wind" | Zac Brown, Wyatt Durrette, Levi Lowrey | 2:56 |
| 5. | "Island Song" | Nic Cowan | 3:43 |
| 6. | "Sweet Annie" | Zac Brown, Wyatt Durrette, Sonia Leigh, John Pierce | 4:38 |
| 7. | "Natural Disaster" | Zac Brown, Wyatt Durrette | 3:02 |
| 8. | "Overnight" (featuring Trombone Shorty) | Zac Brown, Nic Cowan | 4:44 |
| 9. | "Lance's Song" | Zac Brown, Nic Cowan | 4:35 |
| 10. | "Day That I Die" (featuring Amos Lee) | Zac Brown, Nic Cowan, Wyatt Durrette | 4:53 |
| 11. | "Last But Not Least" | Zac Brown, Wyatt Durrette, Mac McAnally, Jimmy De Martini, Coy Bowles | 3:42 |
Personnel
The Zac Brown Band's core lineup for the album Uncaged included Zac Brown on lead vocals and acoustic guitar, Coy Bowles on guitar, Clay Cook on guitar, Hammond organ, piano, pedal steel guitar, and backing vocals, Jimmy De Martini on fiddle and backing vocals, John Driskell Hopkins on bass and backing vocals, Chris Fryar on drums, and Daniel de los Reyes on percussion, who joined the band in April 2012 shortly before recording began.[38][39][40] Guest musicians featured Matt Mangano on bass for "Island Song"; Tim McFatter on tenor saxophone and Dan Oestreicher on baritone saxophone for "Overnight"; Trombone Shorty (Troy Andrews) on trombone and trumpet for "Overnight"; and Amos Lee on vocals for "Day That I Die".[30] Zac Brown and Keith Stegall served as the primary producers.[18] John Kelton handled recording and mixing engineering, with additional recording and engineering by Chris Allen and Jack Miele.[18][41] Clay Cook acted as production coordinator and assistant engineer, alongside Jon Ashley, Julian Dreyer, Travis Humbert, and Tyler Walker.[18][42] Hank Williams performed mastering.[42]Reception
Critical reception
Uncaged received generally favorable reviews from music critics, earning a Metacritic score of 71 out of 100 based on 11 reviews.[43] AllMusic's Thom Jurek awarded the album four out of five stars, praising its eclectic blend of bluegrass, reggae, blues, and rock elements that maintain a lively party atmosphere without losing momentum.[35] Similarly, Slant Magazine's Jonathan Keefe gave it four stars, commending the band's confident growth in genre-blending and their assured performance as a unit, even in experimental tracks.[34] Country Weekly also rated it four out of five stars, highlighting the album's expansion of the band's rootsy sound into broader territory while preserving an authentic, engaging vibe.[44] In a more mixed assessment, the New York Daily News assigned two out of five stars, criticizing the album's inconsistency in balancing relaxed tempos and criticizing moments where the band veered into tedium despite their ambitions.[45] Reviewers commonly appreciated the album's infusion of live performance energy, with Country Universe noting how it pulses like a concert set through its bongo-driven opener and dynamic instrumentation.[16] However, critiques often centered on overambition leading to uneven execution, such as awkward mainstream concessions or self-indulgent detours that diluted the core strengths.[34] In retrospective assessments after 2015, the album has been viewed more positively for its songcraft; a 2017 reflection by Country Exclusive described tracks three through nine as a streak of "amazing song after amazing song," crediting its enduring appeal in the band's catalog.[46]Accolades
Uncaged earned the Zac Brown Band their second Grammy Award, winning Best Country Album at the 55th Annual Grammy Awards held on February 10, 2013. The album's recognition highlighted the band's evolving sound and production, led by Zac Brown and producer Keith Stegall. In addition to the Grammy win, the Zac Brown Band received nominations for Vocal Group of the Year at both the 48th Academy of Country Music Awards in 2013 and the 47th Country Music Association Awards later that year, reflecting the album's impact on their standing within the country music community.[47][48] The success of Uncaged, particularly its Grammy accolade, solidified the band's trajectory as a major force in country music, paving the way for expanded tours, collaborations, and further album releases in the subsequent years.[39]Commercial performance
Sales
Uncaged sold 234,000 copies in the United States during its debut week ending July 14, 2012, marking the Zac Brown Band's strongest opening sales to date and propelling the album to number one on the Billboard 200 chart.[49] By November 20, 2013, the album had achieved sales exceeding 1,000,000 units in the United States, earning a Platinum certification from the RIAA.[50] As of the latest available data through 2023, total U.S. album sales remain at approximately 1,000,000 copies, with no significant additional pure sales reported post-2015, though streaming equivalents contribute to ongoing certification eligibility under updated RIAA criteria.[6] Internationally, Uncaged received a Gold certification from Music Canada in 2013 for shipments of 40,000 units.[6] The album has sold an estimated 55,000 copies in Canada.[6]Weekly charts
Uncaged debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 chart dated July 28, 2012, selling 234,000 copies in its first week, marking the Zac Brown Band's second consecutive number-one album on the all-format ranking.[51] The album returned to the top spot the following week, rising from number two to number one with 48,000 units sold, amid a light release schedule.[5] It ultimately spent a total of 32 weeks on the Billboard 200.[9] On the Billboard Top Country Albums chart, Uncaged also debuted at number one and held the position for five nonconsecutive weeks, reflecting its dominance in the genre.[52] Internationally, the album reached number one on the Canadian Albums Chart in its debut week, selling 8,100 copies.[53] It peaked at number two on the Australian Country Albums chart and number four on the UK Country Albums chart.[54] The following table summarizes select weekly positions for Uncaged on major charts:| Chart | Week Ending | Position |
|---|---|---|
| U.S. Billboard 200 | July 15, 2012 | 1 |
| U.S. Billboard 200 | July 29, 2012 | 1 |
| U.S. Top Country Albums | July 15, 2012 | 1 |
| Canadian Albums | July 15, 2012 | 1 |
| Australian Country Albums | March 31, 2013 | 2 |
| UK Country Albums | September 29, 2012 | 4 |
Year-end charts
Uncaged achieved notable placements on several year-end album charts, underscoring its commercial longevity following its July 2012 release. On the 2012 Billboard 200 year-end chart, the album ranked at number 35, while it placed higher at number 10 on the Top Country Albums year-end chart.[55][56] In 2013, Uncaged continued to chart, reaching number 69 on the Billboard 200 year-end list and number 17 on the Top Country Albums year-end chart.[57][56] By 2014, it maintained presence on the Top Country Albums year-end chart at number 45.[56] The following table summarizes the album's year-end rankings:| Year | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 | Billboard 200 | 35 |
| 2012 | Top Country Albums | 10 |
| 2013 | Billboard 200 | 69 |
| 2013 | Top Country Albums | 17 |
| 2014 | Top Country Albums | 45 |
Decade-end charts
Uncaged ranked at number 140 on Billboard's decade-end chart for the Billboard 200 during the 2010s, reflecting its sustained performance across the decade following its 2012 release.[58] No additional decade-end chart rankings, including country-specific lists, have been reported for the album as of 2022 data, and 2020s decade-end charts remain unavailable as of November 2025.| Chart (Decade) | Position |
|---|---|
| Billboard 200 (2010s) | 140 |
Certifications
Uncaged has received certifications from major music industry organizations, recognizing its sales and streaming performance. In the United States, the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) certified the album Gold on November 27, 2012, denoting 500,000 units shipped, including sales and streaming equivalents after 2016 updates to the criteria.[59] It was subsequently certified Platinum on November 20, 2013, for exceeding 1,000,000 units.[50] As of 2025, no higher certifications have been awarded despite ongoing streaming accrual under RIAA guidelines, which equate 1,500 on-demand audio/video streams to one album unit. In Canada, Music Canada awarded Uncaged a Gold certification for shipments of 40,000 units in 2013.[60] This threshold represents shipments to retailers and does not incorporate streaming equivalents in the same manner as RIAA standards. No additional international certifications, such as from ARIA in Australia or BPI in the UK, have been issued for the album.| Country | Certifying Body | Certification | Units Threshold | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | RIAA | Gold | 500,000 | November 27, 2012 |
| United States | RIAA | Platinum | 1,000,000 | November 20, 2013 |
| Canada | Music Canada | Gold | 40,000 | 2013 |
