This week, I am reviewing Canadian singer/songwriter Dean Brody's third album Dirt. If you're familiar with Dean Brody's earlier albums you've come to expect a certain sound from him. Well, once again, he fails to disappoint.
Born in British Columbia, and now based in Nova Scotia, Brody encompasses what it means to be Canadian. In fact, the first single off the album is a tribute to hockey loving, toque wearing, sexy as hell in flannel women of the north. Dean rattles off what it means to be Canadian, the things you can't enjoy anywhere else, from fishing, hockey (even Ron McLean), Moosehead Beer to Stompin' Tom Conners, the smell of coffee on a wood stove, snowboarding, and Degrassi. Summed up by the pride that we all share in our country and red and white maple leaf that flies high above our land. It's the same pride shared by our brothers and sisters to the south. Anyways, back to the review. Lyrically the song is great. I mean, who doesn't love everything about Canada? And with no disrespect to Dean, I just have a feeling the song will get overdone. Kinda like the "Canadian Girls Kick Ass" Tshirts. It's true in every way, but I can see the song getting old. That said, there's a reason there are twelve songs on the album.
The album as a whole has adopted a real Brad Paisley flavor (minus the extravagant Paisley guitar that only he can provide) in that it is definitely his most fun album yet. Don't get me wrong, we all loved singing along with "Roll That Barrel Out" (DEYO, DEEEYYYOOO), but this album focuses more on having fun. With songs like "Canadian Girls" carrying a flavor like "American Saturday Night" and "Dirt" having a very "Water" feel to it, it's easy to see the comparison. Probably the most Paisley"esque" song would be "That's Your Cousin". The song pokes fun at small town life where you're related to just about everyone. (Having grown up in small town Saskatchewan I can definitely relate.)
One of the biggest highlights of the album is the collaboration with Canada's treasure Great Big Sea. "It's Friday" is the answer to Gord Bamford's question "Is It Friday Yet?". Illustrating how people everywhere live for the weekend, whether in a small town Irish pub or a honkytonk in Nashville. The lyrical content of this song screamed for the addition of Great Big Sea, because really, aren't the best drinking songs Celtic ditties?
Rural Route #3 deserves a special mention too. A tribute to small town life and the people that live it. It might just be me, but my favorite part of the song is the celebrating the return of 5 soldiers. The removing of the yellow ribbons, and the ticker tape parade. This song is sure to hit home with anyone who grew up in Anytown, Saskatchewan, Everywhere, Alberta, or any small town for that matter.
Without a doubt tho, the best song of the album is also the saddest song. "Leilah" is a true life story about a young girl Dean met in Brazil while working with the Dean Brody Foundation. Dean's organization rescues young girls exploited in the child prostitution trade and places them in safe houses. Dean met the young Leilah on his first trip down and was impacted by her despite all that she had gone through. The song is beautiful in it's simplicity, and powerful with it's real life story.
I had to put that in there. I hope you watched it. I hope it moved you. I hope you want to help. You can help. Go here.
Overall I would give this album a 7.5 out of 10. It's a pretty great album, and definitely worth buying. You can buy it here. Go ahead. It's worth it.
