Brad Paisley has been a fixture on the country music scene for over a decade, and as the years pass by his popularity continues to grow. His tours routinely sell out and are exciting shows. His guitar prowess is the envy of many guitarists, particularly his ability to channel classic country with Southern rock and bluegrass. His records also are maturing in content while also retaining that comical side from the past on songs such as “I’m Gonna Miss Her” and “Celebrity”. His most recent release, American Saturday Night, has garnered his highest critical praise and is my current listen.
#105 - Brad Paisley, American Saturday Night (Metascore = 86)
American Saturday Night kicks off with the track of the same name and is homage to past and current cultural events. Lyrically this song tells a story of growing up, singing to the Beatles, and hanging out on Saturday night. Musically it’s more of a rock song than a country song, but that really doesn’t matter because it’s a toe-tapping, head-bouncing song. “Everybody’s Here” continues the theme of going out on Saturday nights, meeting up with friends and enjoying a cold one. (One running theme I’m noticing with critics is that if you continue a theme through a record and your songs are reasonably well-written, you’re going to get a higher evaluation.)
Another interesting theme under the periphery of the songs is how life has changed from being a kid to being an adult. “Welcome to the Future” probably brings this theme more to the forefront, going from things we used to do as a child (playing Pac-Man at the arcade) or act like (or more like how others used to act) to how we are now, how some things are better now than they were back then, and how some things will never be like they used to.
“Then” is one of his typical love ballads and is reminiscent of “Waiting on a Woman”. “She’s Her Own Woman” is a quasi-blues stomp with his blend of country added. “Anything Like Me” is Brad as an adult, wondering how his son will turn out, hoping he doesn’t turn out like him. “You Do the Math” is rather hokey, so I’ll pass on it. “No” steps back in time (compared to “Anything Like Me”) and focuses on his relationship with his grandfather, how he always seemed to have the answers that he needed to hear.
“Catch All the Fish”, while not lyrically challenging and takes Brad back to his songwriting on “Celebrity”, is a funky song to listen to. “Oh Yeah, You’re Gone” is a love ballad looking back at the fun times the narrator had before breaking up. “The Pants” is a comical country blues romp about exactly what you think.
This record is definitely Paisley’s best record lyrically. Musically it is very good, too, and I think many people could relate to what he says, regardless of whether or not you like country. Definitely check this record out!
