CD Review
This review was originally written by Jose Bernardo for www.theweeklyriff.com between 2008 and 2010.
These were Jose’s first impressions of the songs and were not written after multiple spins.
Artist: Brad Paisley
Album: American Saturday Night (2009 Arista Nashville)
Tracks: 14 + 1 hidden track
Artist website: http://bradpaisley.musiccitynetworks.com/
OVERVIEW
This is the eighth studio album for country mega-star Brad Paisley. This is an absolutely brilliant album. The lyrics are intelligent, the musicianship is fantastic, the arrangements are spot on, and the production is perfect! What’s not to like? Do yourself a favor and pickup this album!
HIGHLIGHTS:
American Saturday Night, Welcome To The Future, Anything Like Me, No
PLAY BY PLAY
Track 1 – American Saturday Night
The lyrics of this song are very intelligent! This would make a great video and single!
Track 2 – Everybody’s Here
Pretty.
Track 3 – Welcome to the Future
Great song! This is for us who remember/experienced the things talked about in the lyrics. Absolutely wonderful!
Track 4 – Then
Really pretty and touching. Awesome guitar solo in the middle that is short and sweet. The outro is amazing though a bit on the long side.
Track 5 – Water
Some of the lyrics here got a chuckle out of me. Again, very intelligent writing.
Track 6 – She’s Her Own Woman
Wonderful. Jaw dropping fiddle and guitar solos in this one!
Track 7 – Welcome to the Future (Reprise)
Great way to tie up the story started in Track 3!
Track 8 – Anything Like Me
HAHA! Cute song! As an expecting daddy (in 2009), this song hit right home! Thanks Brad for writing this one.
Track 9 – You Do the Math
Awesome!
Track 10 – No
Brilliant! This is another lyrically intelligent song.
Track 11 – Catch All the Fish
Wow! The guitar work on this track is superb!
Track 12 – Oh Yeah, You’re Gone
This one didn’t feel as natural as the other tracks, in terms of the lyrics. They’re still intelligent but feel a little gimmicky or formulaic. The guitar work is superb.
Track 13 – The Pants
This is the only song I didn’t like on the album.
Track 14 – I Hope That’s Me
Cool track, but not as strong as the other stuff on this album.
Track 15 – Back to the Future (Hidden Track)
Cool little jam!