volumemusic

Brad Paisley - 5th Gear

Details

Format: CD
Label: IMT
Catalog: 71712
Rel. Date: 06/19/2007
UPC: 886970717120

5th Gear
Artist: Brad Paisley
Format: CD
Used: Available
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Like his friend Vince Gill, Brad Paisley has achieved the often-difficult feat of reconciling being an entertainer and world-class guitarist. He's proven that on four admirable albums, and 5th Gear follows in that vein. Certainly "Ticks," an airy, radio-friendly ditty, is not the true substance here. That comes with such superior fare as the insightful "All I Wanted Was a Car" and "Online," a sly satire of people's Web facades. While his duet with Carrie Underwood ("Oh Love") is a bit cut and dried, Paisley ably handles "Letter to Me," "It Did," and "Mr. Policeman," a 21st-century outrun-the-law tune. The closing hymn, "When We All Get to Heaven," and ripping instrumental "Throttleneck" are Paisley at his best. It's admirable that he invites his venerable buddies, Little Jimmy Dickens, George Jones, Vince Gill, and Bill Anderson, along with Dolly Parton, to join in, but the obligatory "Kung Pao Buckaroos" skit is wearing a bit thin. Better to feature them musically, the way he includes Dickens, Gill, and Anderson on "Bigger Fish to Fry." in a time where lines between county and pop are blurring far too much, it's comforting to know Paisley still realizes and respects the differences. -Rich Kienzle.

Reviews:

"I'd like to see the other half of your butterfly tattoo," Brad drawls just before the chorus of new single "Ticks," during which he adds, "I'd like to check you for ticks." Wow. We've come a long way from "I wanna f*ck you like an animal," no? Anyway, the West Virginny pretty boy is still trending up on SoundScan, which means at least two million country fans will be checking their significant others for bloodsucking arachnids'"so to speak'"this summer.

 

        
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