Despite Scratches, Brad Paisley's New CD Is His Best
My Brad Paisley advance album is ruined. That's how good it is. Do you remember those days when you played an album over and over and over until it started scratching and skipping? But CDs are indestructible, right? Not if it's so good that you play the hell out of it, like I've done with Brad Paisley's American Saturday Night. This is his best album ever. No doubt. Hands down. Is it because he co-wrote every single song on it? Is it because he's the one country artist right now who can be at once hopelessly sentimental, brutally honest and laugh-out-loud funny? Or is it because since he debuted in 1999, he's just done a lot of musical maturing?
Yes, yes and yes. And I think where you can hear the best of him is on the second half of the album. Start with track eight, "Anything Like Me," about a father's hopes and fears about raising a boy. Another must-download is "No," in which Paisley one-ups Garth Brooks' "Unanswered Prayers." (In this one, Paisley contends that all prayers are indeed answered but sometimes the answer is a flat-out "No.") Then there's "Catch All the Fish." Now, I have never gone fishing, but even I can't help singing along with this very infectious song about staying out until you've caught all the fish and drank all the beer. Or is it drank all the fish and caught all the beer? The liner notes list the Dramamine Kings on vocals for this song, and while I don't know who they are, they give the tune a group-hug kind of vibe.
I have a prediction about this new music from Paisley. When it comes out tomorrow (June 30), this CD will instantly become both an essential and a classic for every country fan. Even with the damage I've done to my copy, I can hear past the scratches. And what I hear is 14 tracks of pretty perfect country music.
©2008 Country Music Television, Inc., a Viacom company. A division of
MEL says:
i got my advance copy early 2… it really is his best yet…… and that says alot coming from a hard-core oaisley fan like me :D
Holly says:
Ah! I’m really excited for the album now!
I knew that it would be amazing because he’s been playing some songs out on the road from it (I won’t say which ones because some people–myself included–don’t like to know which songs will be played until they’ve seen the show), and every single song is amazing!
The Drama Kings is Brad’s band =)
S says:
I love the song “Then.” I can’t wait until tomorrow so I can buy the CD.
countryiscool says:
My Jeff Bates CD in the car is skipping because I’ve played it so many times.
countryiscool says:
btw twangy, if you leave a CD in it’s case for life with little play, it’s pretty safe to say you won’t get any scratches. However, if you play a particular CD ALOT, whether it’s left in the player, or taken in & out of case, it is bound to get scratched. My point is, my JB CD is played so often it skips from use, and I’m aware the play itself is not the source of the skipping but the scratch from constant use. Sheesh, didn’t know you’d take my comment so literally.
Seriously says:
Are we really debating how many scratches Allison has on her CD? Let me guess 8 and half scratches. Does that sound dumb? like that arguement. The point that she was trying to make was that Brad’s album was great and she plays it a lot. Cds do get scratched from playin them and a lot of people blog when there is a new cd out that they like. It is not that uncommon. I enjoyed his first single but I need to hear another before I am sold on buying it.
Katie says:
I really want to get it…
Janetgijoenurse says:
Brad has went downhill form his awesome Pictures and Tim Well Wasted, there is a reason his Tim Well Wasted is his ONLY three times platinum. There is a reason why his 5th Gear has only sold 1.2 million even all them #1’s.
His first song Then is one of the worst he has ever done, bland and boring. He made better music before he got married.
His voice is very limited and not that strong so he needs good songs and especially melodys, his music has been lacking it, another platinum seller for him but thats all.
One day he may get enough to together to be the attention the award shows give him but not with this album.
Redmaz says:
Checked it out. Sounds like more straight ahead formulated Pop Country to me, but that’s what’s working for him, so he’s not about to change. Now all the Pop fans can say “now THAT’s real country music”. Little do they know…
Bethany says:
I can’t wait to buy his CD today! Brad Paisley is hands-down my favorite guy in country music. Anyone who doesn’t like him is seriously missing out. Life is so much better with Brad’s music.
Tenn says:
Brad is one well rounded entertainer - amazing guitar player,great singer, can blend humorous with meaningful songs, he’s cute and records great music
Seriously says:
CD sales are down in general between the two albums mentioned. True even with that he is not selling as much but there is not doubt as Tenn said he is a well rounded entertainer
MEL says:
The Drama Kings are Brad bands there awesoem i met some of them…. Janetgijoenurse have you seen the econmy latley it bad enough it not all bout records sale you know… it also about the singer and there song and how the singer treat the fans and brad does a good job taking care of us fans :D
Redmaz says:
To Paisley’s credit…I seen a show last night about him making a video that featured a legendary television actor named Andy Griffith. Andy had a show of his own that started in 1960, and was on for 8 years. He was the sheriff in a small town called Mayberry. It was nice of Paisley to ask Andy to be in the video. So, Paisley seems like a nice enough person and everything, I just don’t care for his style of music. Some of it’s okay, but overall no.
countryiscool says:
I thought it was cool of Brad to use Andy in his video- he was the perfect fit for the role. Nice to see old-timers get respect for what they’ve offered, no matter what medium.
Redmaz says:
The Andy Griffith show featured a lot of music in it. There was the musical family from the hills called the Darlings. Which were an actual band called The Dillards. There was also another Bluegrass band featured in only one episode(I believe), which featured a very young Clarence White, famed guitarist and innovator of the b-bender guitar. Marty Stuart now owns the original tele b-bender of White’s. Marty played in all most all of his first albums, and is still playing it today.
chelywrightisahasbeen says:
Brad Paisley’s voice is paper thin. Almost as bad as Tim McGraw’s.
Redmaz says:
…and then there was Mayberry’s local guitar hero Jim Lindsey, played by James Best(who went on to play Roscoe P. Coltrane on the Dukes of Hazzard). Jim didn’t actually play the guitar on these episodes, it was played by legendary Jazz guitarist, the late Joe Pass. So on the close ups you’ll see the guitar and Joe’s hands. The other shots are of Lindsey(Best) acting like he’s playing the guitar(poorly I might add). You may also notice that on the headstock of the guitar, the brand name is covered up with tape, so they wouldn’t have to pay royalties to the guitar company, which in this case was a Gibson. However, Andy Griffith played a Martin guitar in the series.
proudpatriot says:
Am excited about Brad’s new album as well. As for 5th Gear, I think it was one of the best ever. He should have released 3 or 4 more of the songs though..especially Mr Policeman. I like him for the fact that he loves his wife and family and is not afraid to show it, in his music and his real life.