Kip Moore sharpens edge

June 5, 2014 at 12:05a.m.

Kip Moore’s citing “Breaking Bad” as his favorite television program speaks directly to the fact that this singer-songwriter isn’t your typical country artist.

“That was the best television show ever,” said Moore, calling from somewhere in New Mexico (which is where “Breaking Bad” was set). “I was a rabid fan.”

Most country fans know Moore’s first CD, “Up All Night,” was the best-selling debut album from any solo male country artist released in 2012 and 2013 with No. 1 singles “Somethin’ ’Bout A Truck,” “Beer Money” and “Hey Pretty Girl.”

From those titles alone, it would be easy to peg the Georgia native as just another Music City singer, but the truth is there’s a darkness or edginess that imbues Moore’s music. He’ll be the first one to point out that the majority of material found on “Up All Night” didn’t fit into the feel-good aspect of his No. 1 hit singles.

Furthermore, Moore’s rebelliousness is evident with his latest song, “Dirt Road,” which is the lead single for his highly anticipated sophomore release due out later this year.

“‘Dirt Road’ is a very hypnotic and edgy groove,” Moore said. “It’s tackling a heavier concept than the chorus. It’s what people saw as religion as a young kid, and if you can get past the chorus, you can see what the essence of that song is. It’s about the verses and that heavy feeling of being 12 or 13 in a church pew and being unable to grasp hellfire and damnation when you’re already at that rebellion age.”

Moore admits while there is somewhat of a concern the song will be viewed as controversial, he’s focused on the new CD truly defining who he is as a musician and songwriter.

The new tunes, including the raunchy and swampy groove-based tune “Back Seat,” originated over the past year while Moore was on the road. Specifically, he worked up grooves during sound checks only to spend weeks honing the sound until he found what he was looking for.

“The process was more organic and took a lot longer than my debut,” Moore said. “I got in at 10 a.m. every day and wrote until 7 at night, and I’d pound out that song no matter what it was. For this new album, I was writing constantly with 100 songs to choose from. I feel like it’s a broader spectrum as far as topic-wise. There’s more meat on this record than the first one because I feel like my life is more intense. I have more to say than the album I did three or four years ago.”

He added that the new CD is a lot more gritty and a very fiery record. Fans wanting a taste of the new material will get a sneak peak when Moore opens up for Tim McGraw on Friday at First Niagara Pavilion and Sunday at Blossom Music Center.

Considering his recent success, don’t expect Moore to lose his way in the desert like “Breaking Bad” character Walter White. Instead, a year from now he could very well be headlining his own amphitheater shows.

“I hope that’s the case,” Moore said. “I hope I’m blessed to get there.”