Brad Paisley is an excellent Country musician. This album was yet another release of his that was a success with multiple singles and received the Country Music Association’s Award for Album Of The Year in 2006. That took genuine talent. This album also had three #1 songs on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart. Nonetheless, this album was a success commercially at least. The album was recorded at The Castle and Sound Kitchen, Emerald Entertainment and Thelma’s East in Nashville, Tennessee. It was also produced by Frank Rogers and was released on 16 August 2005 on Arista Nashville Records. The album runs for over 65 minutes and is also notable for featuring a large number of guests on it. Let’s take a listen to this album and we shall hear if it holds up well today.

1. The World begins with some loud and punchy guitars, quickly entering into an excellent Country Music song. Brad Paisley is an extraordinary musician from the go. He sounds reassuringly confident and very, very much a redneck guy, in the best sense of a music description. Again, like much of Brad Paisley’s works, this is excellent musically and sounds great. The guitars, drums and fiddle mesh nicely underneath Brad Paisley’s singing. The production and mixing do sound extremely fantastic. One can imagine that folks living in the south of the USA will seriously enjoy this music, although its appeal goes much further than that. The lyrics are about romance and other similar ongoings. Brad Paisley shreds wonderfully on the guitar solo here, and he plays and delivers an excellent set of guitar chops that few in the Country Music scene can match. A fantastic listening experience, and even something that non-Country Music fans can appreciate. Super cool to listen to, and something that sounds really amazing.

2. Alcohol begins with some sensational drum rolls and has acoustic, slide and electric guitars. Brad Paisley sings sweetly and he is a top musician that few in the Country Music scene can match. This is one of Brad Paisley’s more witty songs with lyrics lines, such as: “Well, I’ve been known to cause a few breakups, and I’ve been known to cause a few births…Well, I can make you new friends or get you fired from work”, about drinking booze. A solid gold set of music and lyrics throughout. Musically, it is matched by fantastic Country musicianship and the whole tune sounds extremely wonderful and pretty. An extremely cool and awesome song, this is Brad Paisley musing on the foolish things that people do when intoxicated, complete with many twists and turns throughout. A really powerful and excellent tune to listen to, Brad Paisley is one of the best musicians alive today. Songs such as this one confirm such a thing. This is a singalong tune that has many layers of sound and has a crowd sampled singing along to this majestic song. Just like drinking to excess, this song is a gloriously fantastic and enjoyable experience from start to finish. Wonderfully joyous to hear. The singing at the end and the guitar shredding are insanely good. The crowd cheers and claps as the music fades out. Sweet.

3. Waitin’ On A Woman begins with a clean guitar arpeggio and quickly launches into a rather melancholy story about waiting around for love. Sadly, many people suffer from heartbreak in this world, and this song perfectly depicts that. A really supercharged and sweet tune with some excellent Fender Telecaster playing and fiddle parts that are very extraordinary. All in all, a pretty and wonderful song to listen to if you are a young man waiting for a lady of fancy, especially if you are already in a committed relationship. In the midsection is a sweet guitar solo that sounds absolutely excellent and gorgeous throughout. Brad Paisley has some great material on this album, and he perfectly articulates deep and personal feelings into his music. A really great and interesting song with some absolutely wonderful sounds and playing, this is what you should play to someone if they laugh and roll their eyes at the idea of Country Music. Yet another great song by Brad Paisley, all the way through to the fade out.

4. I’ll Take You Back begins with some deep and excellent drop-tuned Fender Telecaster work. It is another excellent and enjoyable song about taking back a lover and society’s ills. A really excellent and concise tune about the troubles that life can bring. Brad Paisley proves time and time again that his music is simply effective and fantastically good. With references to Donald Trump (before he was POTUS) and Clint Eastwood taking regular jobs and other phenomena, Brad Paisley is an excellent musician who lives in the 21st century and is proper proof that you don’t need to be a postmodern Pop Music sensation to be recognised as a music great. Sadly, Pop Music as of the time of writing is seriously dumbed down. Brad Paisley’s music is anything but that. A really sweet and enjoyable song from start to finish, and another fine and extraordinary listen. No doubt that Johnny Cash and many other Country Music legends would be proud of Brad Paisley. The guitar solo section towards the end of the song is also very, very good and is followed by a fiddle section. Not bad for a lesser track. The piano solo that follows is also very intelligently played. Another top tune from start to finish.

5. She’s Everything is another hit single, which begins with sweet acoustic guitars and some neat electric and slide guitars thrown into the mix. Brad Paisley sings about true love and he sounds extremely moving on this song. The mixture of piano and other instrumentation throughout is absolutely sweet and beautiful. Brad Paisley is likely singing from a very personal place in this song, and he sounds moody and moving. Again, this music is a cut above many others and deserves a lot more respect for what it is. With descriptions of the one and only out there, this is definitely well-made and fantastic music to hear. Not everyone will enjoy Country Music, but if you do, you ought to give Brad Paisley a listen today. The searing guitar solo also reveals Brad Paisley as a great player, and someone who needs more respect per se. A really gorgeous and enjoyable tune that deserves to be listened to by a wide audience, this does sound fresh and passionate to this day. The song has some sweet guitar work towards the end, with Brad Paisley singing over the top of it all. A truly amazing-sounding song, and something definitely worth your ears. Fantastic.

6. You Need A Man Around Here begins with a good keyboard-style sound, and launches into a sweet and upbeat-sounding song about finding a lady who is single and who needs a lover in her life. A bit authoritarian but it’s perfectly fine. Brad Paisley sings nicely about the simple love life that many long and desire in their lives. A really sweet and interesting tune to listen to and hear throughout and this tune is another solid winner from the man. This music is rather quirky in lyrical and music appeal, yet soars above many releases that are being put out in the name of music today. A sweet fiddle solo is present, completing the Country Music vibe. This is followed by a soaring guitar solo that sounds really great and extraordinary. A really sweet and simple tune to listen to, like the rest of the album, on repeat. Short and awesome to listen to.

7. Out In The Parkin’ Lot (with Alan Jackson) begins with some fiddle and pounding beats with crisp acoustic guitars, along with a bunch of other Country Music instrumentation. Brad Paisley sings about drinking whiskey and 7UP, entering into a lovely and enjoyable tune likely about some personal experiences back in the parking lot. All in all, this is yet another fantastic song that has some spirited and decent music and lyrics to match. Brad Paisley may be singing about simple Southern USA happenings, but his music is lovably and wonderfully addictive to listen to. Alan Jackson’s appearance is sweet and wonderful, too. Bet you didn’t notice he was there. The guitar solo, again, is sweet and really awesome. A cool and interesting tune to listen to, this is absolutely awesome to hear. Many more people should take the time to listen to Brad Paisley, this music may be simple and oriented towards people known as “rednecks”, but to be fair, it sounds absolutely amazing. Another great cut by Brad Paisley, and very, very moving to hear. Excellence is the music throughout this album. Definitely worth your time.

8. Rainin’ You begins with some nicely recorded acoustic guitar playing, both regular and slide guitar, and slowly moves into a softer and sweet-sounding song that sounds rather melancholy throughout. In any case, this quickly launches into a lovely and moving acoustic guitar-based ballad that has some excellent instrumentation, including mandolin, surprisingly. A sweet and enjoyable tune that has some really lovely and smooth instrumentation, this song proves that not only Brad Paisley can rock out, but also can do some amazing acoustic guitar work if necessary. A really top-notch listen, once again, with some deep and meaningful lyrics and singing throughout. The music sounds absolutely wonderful, and the layers of sound and instrumentation do sound extremely good. Yet another solidly sweet listen from this album, it sounds absolutely calm but full of energy throughout. The melodies and singing are addictive listening, especially for Country Music fans. A very nice tune indeed. It ends with some nice guitar work and techniques by Brad Paisley.

9. Flowers begins with a fiddle part surrounded by some sweet and enjoyable guitars. Brad Paisley sings about deep and emotional lyrics throughout, matched with some prominent Fender Telecasters. This guy is a music legend, delivering confident but excellent music with a humble nature about it all. A sweet, divine and lovely tune about the fragility of life. There is another very nice-sounding Fender Telecaster solo throughout, followed by a section of piano playing as the verses return. Brad Paisley has delivered a solidly consistent album by this point, and he deserves to be heard and praised as a result. A magical and moving tune that sounds exquisite, just like a diamond ring for your loved one. A stunning tune with layers of wonderful instrumentation and playing throughout. Really great to hear from start to finish. It ends with a fiddle solo, nice work.

10. Love Is Never-Ending begins with some more nicely playing acoustic guitar and launches into a dual-tracked piece with prominent guitars and mandolin throughout. Brad Paisley sings about the eternal concept of love itself, and he sounds like he is a new man with a love in his life. The music, again, is sensationally good and it is quite clear that Brad Paisley is not just a Country Music legend, but a genius at his craft. The music, lyrics and arrangements are very much near perfect for this style of music, and it sounds absolutely awesome for what it is. A joyous, upbeat and sweet tune that sounds amazing about the concept of love. Finding true love in this world is truly a blessing if you can ever find it during your lifetime. Brad Paisley illustrates this concept perfectly as a guitarist, singer and musician. The playing and performances throughout this album are absolutely divine in a musical way. A really cool and nice sounding piece of music, this sounds very, very top. Another solid tune from this classic album. It ends with some nimble mandolin and acoustic guitar work to conclude.

11. The Uncloudy Day begins with the sound of an old radio, launching into a distorted recording of Brad Paisley doing his thing with some singing and sweet music to go. Less than a minute long, but still an essential listen. This fades out nicely at the end.

12. When I Get Where I’m Going (feat. Dolly Parton) is one of the major pieces from this album, launching into it with numerous guitars and a gorgeous slide guitar section. Brad Paisley sings another deep and meaningful tune with some excellent musicianship and confidence. Dolly Parton’s guest appearance is magically good, and this is exactly the sort of music that can move one to tears if you are in the mood for it. This is a smooth and lovely tune that recollects some memories of loved ones and passing on in life. In any case, this is one for those of you who need some Country Music when a loved one passes on. This is a really timeless and sensationally good tune, with an upbeat key change in the second half. Brad Paisley ticks all the right boxes, and references meeting God on the other side. All in all, a sweet and enjoyable tune about reaching the end of one’s days, in the best sense possible. A very amazing and deep listen from Brad Paisley and Dolly Parton, with a little help from their friends. Top. The instrumentation at the end is solid gold.

13. Easy Money begins with some melodic and interesting guitar work, followed by drums and some nice slide guitar work by Brad Paisley and his band. Brad Paisley sings about making money through music, which indeed, if you can, is a real dream come true. There is something absolutely awesome about making a living out of a dream, especially playing in a band of some sort, provided that you can make it. Brad Paisley details the life out on the road, and he details making music for money. Still, despite the aura of selfishness in this song, this is easily forgivable. A nice slide guitar solo, Eagles style, is present as well in this song. Brad Paisley lays into an ex-girlfriend who didn’t believe in him and what he does for the world of music as well. Nonetheless, although this song is self-centred, it is still great music to hear. It beats Kid Rock’s attempt at Country Music any day, in actual fact. Solos galore are at the end here, and this tune ends very nicely with an extended instrumental-based section of soloing on various instruments. Not bad.

14. Time Warp begins with a slide guitar part and sounds surprisingly Jazzy and different as a result. It launches into a very fast and speedy-sounding piece which is refreshingly different and has some awesome guitar shredding included. This is a super fast, almost Hardcore styled jam, except it is completely Country, more so than you’d expect. A fantastically awesome and refreshing tune to hear, this is also worth hearing after many consistently good Country Music songs, just for something fun for a change. This is the band playing in a shredtastic and accomplished manner to surprise all. The mixture of music and performance is undeniably awesome on this track. Brad Paisley and his band play to maximum effect and impact. This is a good addition to throw onto the album, right towards the end of it all. Sweet, sensationally and precise musically, the solos throughout are almost like The End on The Beatles own album Abbey Road (1969). Very, very good. Something to impress the listener. It has some laughter at the end. Very good.

15. Time Well Wasted begins with some pedal steel slide guitar and launches into another sweet and excellent song by our man Brad Paisley. Being the title track, this sounds extremely solid and wonderfully good. Brad Paisley, by this point, has delivered a wonderfully sweet and consistent album-listening experience that is most definitely worth the listener’s time. He delivers a bold and impressive music statement on the entirety of this album, and is consistently and wonderfully impressive throughout. This is about spending time with a lover who is important to one. It may be time for one to pick up the phone and call their significant other upon hearing this tune and the music is solidly amazing, through and through. Brad Paisley is a serious and seriously great musician, and this album confirms such a thing. He delivers a truly enjoyable listening experience from start to finish and articulates the passion and joy for life that people ought to have. Great song, yet again.

16. Cornography (feat. James Burton & The Kung Pao Buckaroos) is intended to be a piece of satire. It begins with some spoken word dialogue by Brad Paisley and his guests. It is a strange addition to this album, which is a storytelling adventure that sounds very bizarre. It is actually very humourous and makes a lot of sense if you love cowboy culture and stories from the Wild West. Weird yet wonderful, although that is exactly the intention present in this tune. A cool tune that makes sense in a wacky and different way. This is a nice addition to an otherwise serious and song-based album but sounds very good all the same. A really nice adventure musically, but this is only really understandable if you understand Southern USA’s redneck-styled culture. Still, this is not out of place here, and although the track may be difficult for a lot to understand, it is worth its place here. Nice to hear. Quite hilarious, too. This is the end of the main album and some comedic outtakes follow.

17. Out Take 1 is a spoken word piece which is about the drug Viagra. Very short and funny.

18. Out Take 2 is another short and silly piece about being on a Brad Paisley record.

19. Out Take 3 is another outtake with Brad Paisley and friends. A nice recording with these guys just goofing around at the end of the album.

20. Out Take 4 has Brad Paisley doing a spoken word imitation and he is cracking jokes nicely here. It is a very silly piece of recording.

21. Shatner Says Goodbye of course features the legendary actor William Shatner. It begins with a lot of silence, and has William Shatner telling the listener that the record is over, to go back to track one and to get a life. Weird, but okay.

Although this album is not classified as a great and classic album, it very well should be. It is chock full of classic singalong songs that have variety, and consistency and appeal to all kinds of music fans out there, not just Country Music fans. It is definitely worth lending your ears to from start to finish. The music, recording, instrumentation, lyrics and singing all sound amazing. Yes, you should listen to this album but fans of EDM and heavier forms of music might not like this. Still, it is amazing from start to finish.

A very underrated album to this day.

9/10

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