Brad Paisley - Wheelhouse Review

Wheelhouse Album Review - Blog Post #2

By: Justin Williams

INTRODUCE

I chose this album to review because I love country music and Brad Paisley is one of favorite singers. The album stands out to me, personally, because I like every song on it. One of the songs on the album did stir up quite the controversy shortly after the album came out. The song "Accidental Racist" (featuring LL Cool J) generated controversy for its discussion of racism, the song's message of showing "Southern pride" which includes reappropriation of the Confederate flag. It caused such a controversy that Steven Colbert made fun of the song on the Colbert Report by performing a parody to "Accidental Racist", entitled "Oopsie Daisy Homophobe".

DESCRIBE

A brief background on Brad Paisley. This is Paisleys 10th studio album. His Wikipedia page says the following:

"His songs are frequently laced with humor and pop culture references. Paisley was the 2008 CMA and ACM Male Vocalist of the Year winner. Starting with the release of his 1999 album Who Needs Pictures, Paisley has recorded nine studio albums and a Christmas compilation on the Arista Nashville label, with all of his albums certified gold or higher by the RIAA. In addition, as of 2013 he has scored 32 Top 10 singles on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Songs chart, 18 of which have reached No. 1 with a record 10 consecutive singles reaching the top spot on the chart. On November 10, 2010, Paisley won the Entertainer of the Year award at the 44th annual CMA Awards."

Paisley is most famous for his wide range of song talent. He sings songs ranging from ballad's ('Whiskey Lullaby' & 'When I get where I'm goin'') to his hilarious songs ('Online' & 'Ticks') all the way to heartfelt love songs ('We Danced' & 'Then'). He is unlike most country artists as he is not afraid to push the envelope and sings songs that are different or spark controversy or curiosity.

The songs on the album are:
1. “Bon Voyage”
2. “Southern Comfort Zone”
3. “Beat This Summer”
4. “Outstanding In Our Field” (Featuring Dierks Bentley and Roger Miller with Hunter Hayes on guitar)
5. “Pressing On A Bruise” (Featuring Mat Kearney)
6. “I Can’t Change The World”
7. 幽 女 (Onryo) [Instrumental]
8. “Karate” (Featuring Charlie Daniels)
9. “Death of a Married Man” (Featuring Eric Idle)
10. “Harvey Bodine”
11. “Tin Can On A String”
12. “Death Of A Single Man”
13. “The Mona Lisa”
14. “Accidental Racist” (Featuring LL Cool J)
15. “Runaway Train”
16. “Those Crazy Christians”
17. “Officially Alive”

ANALYZE 

This album is different from previous albums Brad Paisley released because for one, He wrote or co-wrote, all the songs on the album. Also this album has a slighltly more serious tone to it. Of course it still has some fun songs that only Brad can do but there are a few songs that deal with slightly more delicate topics ("Accidental Racist", "Those Crazy Christians", and "Karate") (Read more on the Accidental Racist controversy below). This album is very similar to albums in the country genre. It has a few feel good songs, a few love songs, and a few songs that touch on touchy subjects.

INTERPRETATION

I think music in general is important to our culture. Music matters because songs, especially with country music, tell stories and people relate to those stories. Music has a special place for everyone wither it be to get away from the world or because each song means something to them. The target audience for this particular album is hard to define because all ages listen to country music and all ages listen to the songs on this album wither it be digitally or via the actual CD. But, if I had to pick a target audience for this album it would most likely be middle age women who listen to country music. The album does have stereotypes and offensive messages with two of its songs both "Accidental Racist" and "Those Crazy Christians" talk about stereotypes and offensive messages.

Accidental Racist controversy: 
A lot of the controversy over the song was based on the lyrics that were geared toward African Americans and the racism that still exists in the south, with stereotypical lyrics like,

"To the man that waited on me at the Starbucks down on Main I hope you understand
When I put on that t-shirt, the only thing I meant to say is I'm a Skynyrd fan."

(Brad is referencing the Lynyrd Skynyrd confederate flag t-shirt) The lyrics get worse with lyrics like,

"Dear Mr. White Man, I wish you understood what the world is really like when you're living in the hood. Just because my pants are sagging doesn't mean I'm up to no good. You should try to get to know me, I really wish you would. ... If you don't judge my do-rag, I won't judge your red flag."

 Plus,

"If you don't judge my gold chains, I'll forget the iron chains."

Personally, I like the song. Yes, it has stirred up controversy and can be offensive. However, I think the reason the song received so much controversy is it talks about a topic that people don't like to remember or they act like its over, when in reality it is not. Racism is still a promote problem in our nation and I think Brad was just trying to bring light to the topic. My favorite verse is,

"I'm just a white man comin' to you from the southland
Tryin' to understand what it's like not to be
I'm proud of where I'm from but not everything we've done
And it ain't like you and me can re-write history
Our generation didn't start this nation
We're still pickin' up the pieces, walkin' on eggshells, fightin' over yesterday
And caught between southern pride and southern blame "

Shortly after the song received controversy, Paisley took to Twitter posting, "So,as you buy this album,I hope it triggers emotions. I hope you feel joy,heartache,triumph,surprise; you laugh,cry,nudge someone beside you" "...I hope the album rocks you,soothes you,raises questions,answers,evokes feelings, all the way through until Officially Alive" "'Cause I wouldn't change a thing. This is a record meant to be FAR from easy listening. But fun. Like life. Have a ball, ya'll. love- brad" Since the controversy has died down, there hasn't been much talk about the song and Brad doesn't sing it in concert. I encourage you to read the lyrics to the song and judge for yourself.

EVALUATION

Strengths this album has it there is there is a song on their for everyone. Songs to make you laugh, songs to make you think about life, and songs about love. The weakness I think this album has is the first track is only 0:19 seconds long and I think that a better song (perhaps a song that is on the deluxe version of the album) would be better in its place. That being said; this is, in my opinion, one of Brad's best albums yet. I love every song on the album, which is unusual for me. I personally find it memorable because I enjoy so many of the songs but it has yet to excel in country music as a memorable album. However, that could change as singles continue to get released. The only memorable thing about the album so far is "Accidental Racist" because it caused such a uproar.

Jason Gubbels of Spin.com writes,

"It's a shame he forgot his moral insights have always functioned best as ambiguities, not set pieces. It's an equal shame most people won't listen to the 16 other rather good songs on this album. And it's a damn shame that so many people are discovering a multifaceted artist thanks to his worst song going viral."

I agree with Mr. Gubbels, it is a shame that one song ("Accidental Racist") overshadows the other 16 great songs on this album. This album hasn't received much press since the controversy of "Accidental Racist" has died down. Its a shame too, because this is a great album.

ENGAGE

I have multiple Brad Paisley albums. I have his memoir book, I am a member of his fan club, and I have seen him in concert 2 times, He puts on the best show I have ever seen, that is saying a lot as I have attending 100+ concerts. I recommend you see him and the show he puts on, he is incredible (He will be at the Cape Blanco Country Music Festival on the coast this coming summer!)I also follow him on all major social networking sites. I have friends that aren't huge fans of country music but do like Brad Paisley because they like him and the music he creates.

SUMMARY

After researching Brad and this album more, and listening to the album 2 or 3 times on repeat while writing this, It is one of my favorite Brad Paisley albums and now one of my favorite country albums of all time. I recommend anyone who likes country music get this album. Even if you don't like country music, I would suggest listening to the album.

- Justin Williams