Jason Aldean - "The Truth"
By: Bobby Peacock
After the less-than-spectacular sales of his 2008 album Relentless, Jason Aldean has made up quite nicely with Wide Open. The album's first two singles — "She's Country" and "Big Green Tractor" – have become his biggest hits ever, both rocketing to #1. "The Truth" is certainly an interesting choice for a single, as it finds him following up a mid-tempo with another mid-tempo, but it's certainly a solid single in its own right.
In contrast to his amped-up rock anthems such as "She's Country," "Johnny Cash," and "Hicktown," Aldean's slower material usually sticks a little closer to a more traditional sound. The production is dialed down considerably, staying out of the way of Jason's distinctive voice, and the melody has the easygoing smoothness of a Terry McBride composition; it probably could have been a hit for McBride & the Ride (whose "Amarillo Sky" Jason has covered) during their sadly too-short peak.
The lyrics are fairly similar in theme to "Anywhere but Here," which had separate renditions by Brice Long and Chris Cagle both stall in the 50s only a year apart. This song doesn't dig nearly as deep into the emotional meat, but at the same time, it's not trying to. While "Anywhere but Here" is the lament of a man who's irrefutably downtrodden, the central character comes off as perhaps a bit more reluctant to show just how much her leaving has affected him — indeed, that reluctance comes off rather clearly in Jason's delivery.
Aldean has made a name for himself on meat-and-potatoes midtempos and overdriven rock anthems, forming a distinctive musical persona that is a great fit for his voice. Fueled by the meteoric success of his last two singles, "The Truth" should prove to be another big hit for a man whose career is now experiencing a rather strong second wind.
READER'S COMMENTS
Blake says:
Posted: Sunday, November 29, 2009
I like how he "leans" into the chorus, though I'm not a huge fan of his singing voice. This will easily reach the top of the charts.
Rick says:
Posted: Friday, November 27, 2009
I hope this single does well so Ashley Monroe can earn some songwriter royalties off of it. I just knew Jason Aldean exists to serve a useful purpose, and now he's found it!
ChrisJ says:
Posted: Friday, November 27, 2009
All I'm saying is that he has been out since 2005, ans is only played on country music radio. Which is by the way, the least popular music played. It's a dying breed.
Ryan says:
Posted: Friday, November 27, 2009
ChrisJ, I don't know what you're talking about. He has came out with several songs that were nowhere near the title of a "Cliche". For example, an up-tempo song like "She's Country". And watch for his fourth album to be a more of a mix of contemporary ballads that we never see in this music anymore.
ChrisJ says:
Posted: Friday, November 27, 2009
Well first of all, it all sounds cliched. His single ("Why") is a perfect example of this. A song about a girl leaving her man. I mean, how many times have we heard that in country music?
Ryan says:
Posted: Friday, November 27, 2009
Yeah Ginny I'm not sure what you're talking about. Since his album "Relentless" came out I have thought that his style varies from mainstream country music.
ChrisJ says:
Posted: Friday, November 27, 2009
I don't know about Jason Alden. His stuff sounds a little to mainstream country music for me.
James says:
Posted: Friday, November 27, 2009
Yeah I hope The Truth is as big as it should be
Ryan Cox says:
Posted: Friday, November 27, 2009
I want to see His next album be a little more of a soft contemporary mix of songs.
Paul says:
Posted: Friday, November 27, 2009
I hear a little bit of an up-beatness to songs such as She's Country. I don't how it sounds like Terry McBride.
Bobby P. says:
Posted: Thursday, November 26, 2009
I actually like "She's Country" and all of Jason's other rocking songs too. Given the success of "Big Green Tractor," though, I wouldn't be surprised if his fourth album had softer songs on it.
Vicky says:
Posted: Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Jason Aldean's vocals on "The Truth" are almost heartbreaking, giving the song plenty of emotional meat. It and "Keep the Girl" are the best tracks on the CD, which I think doesn't have a bad track on it. I've seen a lot of criticism of Aldean lately and I just don't get it-- maybe the price of fame? There's nothing wrong with "country rockin'" and "She's Country" still gets turned up in my car. So does George Strait's "Twang" and Jake Owen's "8 Second Ride." I think Jason Aldean has a long, wonderful career ahead and "The Truth" should take its well-deserved place at the top of the charts.
Haleyyy Cunninghamm. says:
Posted: Thursday, September 17, 2009
He is hottt
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