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Brad Paisley
5th Gear [Arists/Sony/BMG] 2007
Produced by Chris DuBois & Frank Rogers
review by Cheryl Breo
Brad Paisley is about to release his fifth album titled “5th Gear”. Well, there seems to be some confusion why he called it that…but it seems obvious to me, and in Brad’s own words “it’s his fifth album and a half-dozen songs mention some sort of vehicle”…perfectly clear, right?
With 18 tracks, we seem to get a real “bird’s eye view” of Brad’s life, past and present, with some Smokey country ballads and a heaping dose of his wicked sense of humor. The first single from the CD, “Ticks”, written by Brad, Christopher Dubois and Kelley Lovelace, is the only love song I know that can use the line, “I wanna check you for ticks”, and still be humorously romantic.
Continuing down that theme of infectious, upbeat humor, we encounter tracks like “Mr. Policeman”, by Brad, Christopher Dubois and Jim Beavers, “I’m Still A Guy”, a gem written by Brad Paisley, Kelley Lovelace and Lee Thomas Miller, and “Online”, a hilarious, tongue-in-cheek song about the all too true world of internet dating, online profiles that people hide behind on their computers, because their realities are “so much cooler online”, another one penned by Brad, Christopher Dubois and Kelley Lovelace. In “Better Than This”, written by Christopher Dubois, David Lee Murphy and Trent Willmon, we gather ‘round the campfire with some good ‘ol boys, who are reflecting on how good life is…can’t get “better than this”…unless a busload of some women, some really good looking woman pulled into here…well, you get the idea.
One of the most beautiful ballads on the CD is “Oh Love”, a duet with Carrie Underwood. This is a haunting blending of voices, singing about love itself, with smoldering lyrics…”strong like a mother holds her child, free like horses running wild”…that love is the “simple truth and biggest mystery.” Penned by Aimee Mayo, Gordon Sampson and Hillary Lindsey, it has that “Whiskey Lullaby” dreaminess feel to it.
“With You, Without You”, written by Brad Paisley, Casey Beathard and Christopher Dubois, is rich with raw, honest lyrics that Brad sings with so much emotion, about how hard it is to let go when YOUR love hasn’t died, but your PARTNER’S has…memories that continue to linger, a heart that’s broken, but still loves…”how I fell about you doesn’t matter where you are…no matter where you go, no matter what you do, I can be in love with you, without you.” The ultimate heartbreak song.
One of my favorite tracks is “It Did.” It has a warm feel to it, like you have just been invited to “sit awhile” in Brad’s living room, as he tells the story of he and his wife’s life…shows us a photo album filled with pictures from that first red rose, the fairy tale wedding…to the precious pictures of their angel, their new baby boy, with his mama’s eyes. Brilliantly written by Jim Collins and Marvin Green.
“5th Gear” is an album that is PURE Brad Paisley, almost autobiographical, reflective, looking back at conquests and mistakes, putting his memories into some great songs, great lyrics…oh, and some smokin’ guitar riffs. Now I can say this CD is also called “5th Gear” because of it’s 5 out of 5 stars.
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