What did you think? Pretty good song, standard run of the mill Tim McGraw.
So, why don't I like the video? There's a few reasons.
Number 1. The first line. What redneck is listening to Lil' Wayne? No disrespect to Mr. Wayne, but come on. That ain't country. Not even close.
Number 2. That ain't a crew cab.That's a reg cab. Come on Tim. Surely you could have afforded a crew cab. You're frigging loaded, aren't you?
Number 3. Pavement Princesses. Ask everyone who has ever gone mudding if they would transport their truck by semi to the place they're going to play. I promise you the answer is going to be no EVERY TIME!
Number 4. Pavement Princesses again. Who gets together with their buddies to drive their jacked ups around on dust covered cement? Not rednecks.
I think what this video really goes to show is that Tim McGraw has become a studio cowboy. He doesn't relate with country music anymore. Come on Tim. Country music can NOT be about the money. We aren't that easily fooled. A catchy hook isn't going to be enough to sneak past the genre that lives off lyric. Just a few hints, Mr. McGraw, next time you want to write tune about trucks, let them do truck things. Like this.
Or even this one.
That's how a song about trucks should be. Sorry Tim, you've let this redneck down.
What if I said the Canadian rock band Default? You remember them, right? They sang Wasting My Timeand Deny. I thought you would remember them. So, who's Dallas Smith? He was the lead singer of Default. And he's gone back to his roots.
Drawing inspiration from country music icons Keith Urban, Garth Brooks, and Brooks & Dunn, Smith's debut solo album is full of songs about love, heartbreak, and life's journey. Musically the album is a wonderful mix of classic country and classic Default. Smith stays true to his past while embracing the future. Someone asked me how the album sounds, and quite frankly, the best response I could give was "Like Default singing country, and it's great!"
While most of the album does focus on the ups and downs of relationships, Smith's second single and opening track,If It Gets You Where You Wanna Go, reminds us that life is a journey, and that the path we take isn't as important as the destination. His debut single, Somebody Somewhere, received much fanfare, reaching #1 on the CMT video charts, and breaking top ten charts cross country, and rightfully so.
To interject a little bit of my own opinion here, I would just like to say that my favorite song on the album is And Then Some. Sadly, there isn't a video for it... yet.
So, long story short, this album is an easy 9/10, knocking on the door of 10. I would like to see a little more content diversity, but I'm sure his next album will have that. Regardless of that, this album is a must have, and at only $7.99 it's an absolute steal! If you haven't bought it yet, you need to, soon. You can purchase Jump Right in here.
First and foremost, I would like to apologize for not posting in a few weeks. For a weekly music review I understand I failed at the weekly part. I'm not one to make excuses, but I would like to say that life got in the way of blogging. It might happen in the future again, I make no promises. I will however try to post more frequently.
I am going to post this in advance of the review I'm doing today. If you don't see the review up yet check back in a little bit. It's gonna be a gooder.
First off, I would like to say a huge thank you to everyone for the interest, and enthusiasm you have all shared and expressed! It means a lot to know that I'm doing well. Thank you.
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.
Ok, I decided to review the debut project from new artist Kip Moore, Up All Night. In a one word review, "WOW" would sum it up, in a three word review, "GO BUY IT". That said, I'm going to say a little more about it.
Kip previewed his album with a few select singles that quickly excited the country music community. I don't think there was anyone that wasn't obsessed with "Somethin' 'bout a Truck". Driven by a solid beat, pounded home by lyrics that hit home to every country boy the song was a surefire hit. Who doesn't like trucks, girls, and ice cold drinks?
Moving on, "Mary was the Marrying Kind" reminds us that writing what you know still works. Written about a girl he grew up with, who married one of his close friends. And as the story goes, youthful eagerness blinds him until she's taken.
The next single released was "Hey Pretty Girl". This is probably one of my favorite songs. It takes you on a journey, from love at first sight to a reflective ending at the pearly gates. All in all a beautiful teaser for the rest of the album.
The rest of the album lives up to the hype set up by the singles. It's got it all, youthful exuberence(Reckless), heartache and moving on (Where Are You Tonight, Fly Again, Everything But You), love (Hey Pretty Girl, Up All Night) drinking songs (Beer Money, Somethin' 'Bout a Truck) and even a spiritual song you can play your for your mom (Faith When I'm Down).
So, for a debut album, I don't think Kip Moore could have done much better. Every song is well written, and super catchy. There's easily 2 more singles on the album (Motorcycle, Where Are You Tonight).
So, all that said, This album is an easy 8/10 and should definitely be in your collection. You can buy it here.
Since I haven't posted anything in almost 2 years, I decided to completely wipe the blog down. I'll be making a brand new post tomorrow sometime. I'm still trying to debate whether to review the new Dean Brody album, Dirt, or Kip Moore's debut album, Up All Night. I guess we'll find out tomorrow.
Stay tuned for all the latest, straight from the horse's mouth!
