Spring Break
The Daily OrangeDown 'Play'
Brad Paisley tries to expand his fan base with his new album 'Play' but he doesn't stretch far enough
By Ben Tepfer
Posted: 11/4/08, 1:34 AM EST Section: Decibel
Prior to his new album "Play," Brad Paisley was really known for two things: generic sounding pop-country songs and album covers that looked like they were Photoshopped by an 8-year-old. Well, one of those things hasn't changed in the new album - the cover looks just as tacky.
Remember when Coldplay explored worldly sounds in "Viva la Vida?"
That is basically what Paisley tries to do. In "Play," he takes the listener on a journey between modern country, classic jazz and soulful blues (plus a little surf rock). He endeavors on a detour from his previous work but still manages to mix in some of the pop-country songs his current fans are accustomed to.
Paisley kicks off the album with "Huckleberry Jam," which can best be described as a combination of Jimi Hendrix's "Fire" (though by no means are the two remotely comparable) and some fast paced Southern jazz.
The song not only features smooth guitar but also has touches of fiddle and banjo. It is also one of only four instrumental songs on the album. So, it is somewhat difficult to figure out what part of the song Paisley is playing.
The album includes strange duets such as "Pre-Cluster Cluster Pluck Prequel," which is mainly a conversation between a grandfather and grandson. The song begins in spoken word from the grandson asking his grandfather how to chicken pluck. The grandfather responds with the names of famous guitarists and Paisley plays in their style.
This would be great for an early 1900s radio drama, but seeing as this is a modern country album, most Paisley fans would probably rather do without it.
But true Paisley fans should be sure to check out a few songs. The first single, titled "Start a Band," is a duet with Australian country singer Keith Urban. The song features both musicians singing about how they would rather pursue careers in bands rather than further their academic careers.
While the song attempts to appeal to masses with omniscient lines such as when the singers say they are "living in a world that they don't understand," it fails to be about anything more than a pop ballad with little depth and a catchy melody. In fact, the melody at the end of the chorus is almost identical to that of Tim McGraw's song " Last Dollar (Fly Away)."
Remember when Coldplay explored worldly sounds in "Viva la Vida?"
That is basically what Paisley tries to do. In "Play," he takes the listener on a journey between modern country, classic jazz and soulful blues (plus a little surf rock). He endeavors on a detour from his previous work but still manages to mix in some of the pop-country songs his current fans are accustomed to.
Paisley kicks off the album with "Huckleberry Jam," which can best be described as a combination of Jimi Hendrix's "Fire" (though by no means are the two remotely comparable) and some fast paced Southern jazz.
The song not only features smooth guitar but also has touches of fiddle and banjo. It is also one of only four instrumental songs on the album. So, it is somewhat difficult to figure out what part of the song Paisley is playing.
The album includes strange duets such as "Pre-Cluster Cluster Pluck Prequel," which is mainly a conversation between a grandfather and grandson. The song begins in spoken word from the grandson asking his grandfather how to chicken pluck. The grandfather responds with the names of famous guitarists and Paisley plays in their style.
This would be great for an early 1900s radio drama, but seeing as this is a modern country album, most Paisley fans would probably rather do without it.
But true Paisley fans should be sure to check out a few songs. The first single, titled "Start a Band," is a duet with Australian country singer Keith Urban. The song features both musicians singing about how they would rather pursue careers in bands rather than further their academic careers.
While the song attempts to appeal to masses with omniscient lines such as when the singers say they are "living in a world that they don't understand," it fails to be about anything more than a pop ballad with little depth and a catchy melody. In fact, the melody at the end of the chorus is almost identical to that of Tim McGraw's song " Last Dollar (Fly Away)."
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Drew
posted 11/09/08 @ 5:05 PM EST
Clearly this reviewer has not done his homework.
Brad Paisley certainly is not trying to "expand" his fanbase, as a matter of fact, he's clearly acknowledged that he might be alienating his already huge fanbase with this record. (Continued…)
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