Paisley’s funny bone is most exposed on the song “Camouflage,” a pattern rednecks seem love more than any other -- one that can even make a dork appear cool. “Camouflage” also features Paisley’s best electric guitar work on the album. “Working on a Tan” is another half-joking song, which talks about our culture’s obsession with always being golden brown.
The best serious song on this album is “A Man Don’t Have to Die.” Its lyric points out how life on Earth can sometimes seem a lot like hell. It also expresses a desire to escape the hell of earth for something a little more heavenly. Additionally, “I Do Now” finds Paisley coming off empathetic to those that are going through hell. “One of These Lives” is also touching. It’s a play on the common complaint, ‘Today was just one of those days.’ Some folks – such as those with disabilities – have ‘one of those’ days every day of their lives. The quality of your day is ultimately relative, especially when you take into the consideration of the condition for those worse off than you. Paisley makes a good and valid point here.
It wouldn’t be a true Paisley album without a few sensitive love songs, and this album’s got a few good romantic tracks. The duet with Carrie Underwood, “Remind Me,” begs for a relationship to be fresh and exciting once again, the way it was in the beginning. On “Love Her like She’s Leavin’,” which also features a hardly audible vocal harmony from The Eagles’ Don Henley, seems to be a preventative measure for avoiding “Remind Me.” If you love a woman in a desperately possessive manner, it appears to suggest, you might keep her from ever considering leaving you.
Paisley has always been proud to call himself a country musician. He expressly does so with the album’s first single, “This Is Country Music.” Although it states the obvious in how country songs can explore deep subjects many genres don’t ever dare touch, it is worth repeating – as this song does – that country is the only style outside of gospel that can boldly say Jesus is the answer.
Although Paisley is a dedicated country guy, he’s not afraid to explore other fun musical styles. “Eastwood,” for instance, is a cool spaghetti western-styled tune, while “Working on a Tan” gives our guitar pro the opportunity to work out a few surf guitar licks. There’s even a bit of a Mexican vibe added to “Don’t Drink the Water,” which also features Blake Shelton’s singing.
The only minor misstep, on an otherwise stellar effort, is “Old Alabama,” Paisley’s tribute to the band Alabama. Instead of seeing how many times he can work in Alabama song titles into its lyric, Paisley should have just found a song that he and the iconic trio could sing together. The song title gimmick gets old fast.
Paisley concludes the album with “Life’s Railway to Heaven,” a traditional gospel song. Mr. Consistency always includes something spiritual on his records, and this album’s no exception. The title song pointed out how country music allows a guy say Jesus is the answer, and Paisley sings this one just to prove that point.
Buying new music can sometimes be a gamble. However, Brad Paisley is the closest artist to a sure thing that you’ll likely find. This is country music – at its best.
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