Hezekiah Goode is one of the most unusual ‘contemporary country’ singers of the 21st century. This, in a genre that doesn’t lend itself to the unusual, in fact ‘it’ often seems to want everyone to sound the same. Humansville is only his third album in ten years but like the two previous recordings, 2011s The Shooter in the Tower, and 2013s Two Billion Acres of Salt (the latter reviewed on this website) Hez brings something entirely different to country music, and yet despite having listened to his albums countless times I still can’t quite put my finger on exactly what it is. I’m almost there but tying an easy label to his style and sound is virtually impossible. He is about as country as you can get with his song writing, playing and vocals but in a way that is uniquely his own; no contrivances, just completely natural and unique without even trying.
Mike Morrison, American Roots UK (Apr 13, 2022)
Goode is a songwriter with a commanding presence, one we don’t often see anymore. He’s a mighty storyteller who can just as easily tease a laugh from you as he can a tear. His music pays homage to the original country greats without mimicking or sounding derivative. His voice is his own, and it’s pretty great to listen to.
Rachel Cholst, Adobe and Teardrops (Aug 30, 2013)
Hezekiah Goode has put out a collection of songs called Two Billion Acres of Salt that is both true to classic country and amazingly original. Some of the deepest twang you’ll hear this year.
Calvin Powers, Americana Music Show (Mar 15, 2014)
I don’t know of anyone else who writes story songs quite as extraordinarily descriptive as those on this album… From the very first play of this tremendous album I didn’t really know what to make of it and to a degree that still applies. Don’t get me wrong, I loved it from the start and certainly it is an album that consists of classic country music, but everything about it has a slightly unusual feel that signals, to me at least, that here is a recording and an artist that has very much more depth than most.
Mike Morrison, American Roots UK (Aug 20, 2013)
There’s a particular clarity and warmth to Goode’s vocal delivery throughout which works exceptionally well with whatever approach he takes …
Jon Solomon, Westword (Oct 31, 2013)