The long awaited debut album of James and the Shame has finally been released. James and the Shame is most well known as Rhett McLaughlin from the popular YouTube channel Good Mythical Morning. Rhett and his best friend Link Neal made their start on YouTube doing skits and making comedy music, so the idea of them making music isn’t coming out of nowhere.

Recently Rhett has been sharing about his religious beliefs and how he recently left the Christian faith. Wanting to share his experience with the world inspired him to start creating music on his own. 

So, with the artist name James and the Shame, he released his first single, Believe Me. This song talks about his feelings towards those who are speaking out about his choice to leave the Christian faith. He claims in the song that he doesn’t want to affect anyones feelings or beliefs, but just wants them to understand why he made this life changing decision.

Two months and two more singles later, his first album Human Overboard released, with Believe Me at the beginning.

The base style is traditional country, which is very fitting to his southern roots. His musical talent was clear from his work with Link, but being able to hear his voice in a more serious setting is baffling. He has a truly good and surprisingly unique voice. 

For the first time, we get to really hear the limits and abilities of his voice. He has a noticeably good range, with the low end being demonstrated in songs like Sorry and Kill a Man, and the high end in Give a Damn, Fruit, and well, also Kill a Man. 

His experience with faith isn’t the only topic he covers in the album. In the song Where We’re Going, he sings about his relationship with his wife Jessie, who actually also sings in the song. From the moment they meet to the raising of their kids, this track is a guaranteed feels hitter.

My favorites are definitely Believe Me, Kill a Man, and Give a Damn, but every track on this album feels unique and makes it feel whole. You can tell Rhett poured his heart into every song. Except Kill a Man, that just seems like fun. 

It seems like the choice in the song order was chosen very carefully. Each song seems to lead seamlessly into the next. If this album had 50 songs, I’d be listening for hours without even noticing. When it was over, I was left feeling disappointed and wanting more. I WANT MORE!

This album is definitely worth a listen, and I really hope that Rhett continues his music career. It’s amazing that he was able to find so much support and success without just being ”Rhett from Good Mythical Morning.” His music is genuinely good and I don’t seem to be the only one who thinks that. I can’t wait to see what Rhett does next, because this album is definitely nothing to be ashamed of.