Whiskey Myers' latest release Mud includes 10 rollicking new tracks that embody country elements as much as rock 'n' roll. A band described by some critics as one that will save country music, frontman Cody Cannon says it's a lofty compliment that he's not sure they're ready to take on.

"We think of ourselves more as a rock and roll band from the woods, but comes out country," he tells Taste of Country over the phone. "We don't label ourselves a country band or a rock 'n' roll band or nothing like that. We just make music the way we know how to do it."

Whiskey Myers are doing something right — their 2014 album Early Morning Shakes drew much critical acclaim. That will continue as the new Dave Cobb (Chris Stapleton, Jason Isbell, Sturgill Simpson)-produced Mud gains steam. Whiskey Myers have teamed up with Cobb for the second time, and as Cannon shares, the collaboration is an easy one.

"He's a really good producer, someone who's not going to change your vibe. What he does is he wants to make you sound the best that you can," Cannon explains. "Some producers will put a lot of their influence and flavor on a record. He wants it to sound like you, but add little things here and there to make it better. He's really good about letting the band do their thing and helping them sound like they want to sound."

Songs like the heartfelt "Stone" — a piano ballad that Cannon says is the most honest on the record — and the gritty, guitar heavy "Frogman," which he wrote with Rich Robinson of the Black Crowes about two of his friends who are Navy Seals, leave a lasting mark.

A self-proclaimed fan of Robinson's, Cannon says he was excited to get into the writing room with the singer and tried his best to mask his fandom.

"I'm a super fan. I was trying not to let him know. I'm sitting over there grinning the whole time he's playing the guitar," Cannon recalls. "We had wrote one day and it just went right by. He was like, 'Man, let's go get some electrics [guitars] and go somewhere we can make a lot of noise. Not be cooped up here playing acoustics.'"

Once they picked up electric guitars and started jamming, the song "Frogman" began to come together. Halfway through, they realized they were writing a song about Cannon's friends.

"There are a lot of patriotic songs but none of them are really just rock and roll. The song says things like, 'I'm a bad motherf----r.' It was a great experience," Cannon furthers. "That was definitely one my most favorite co-writes. Just listening to his stories about touring with the Stones, and stories about Jimmy Page. Anytime you're around stuff like that it's just awesome, it makes everything worthwhile."

Whiskey Myers never go into the studio with a set idea, Cannon shares. "We just go in and make our album. That's what we do the best at. We just go on in there and do our thing," he says. "I don't think we know how to do anything else other than this. It's not like we all met in college and all have law degrees to fall back on. We built this thing from the ground up since we were young. Really, this is what we got. We don't know how to do nothing much else."

Whiskey Myers' new album Mud is out now.

Best New Country Albums of 2016 (So Far)

More From 103.1 KKCN