Brad Paisley Album: “5th Gear”

Brad Paisley has quickly proven himself to be one of country's most talented artists. A true singer/songwriter/musician, he routinely crafts some of the catchiest, wittiest, countriest music gracing radio today. His voice is smooth and melodical, yet he never hesitates to spoil his nice-guy image by dropping a dirty joke or two ("I don't highlight my hair/I've still got a pair/Yeah honey, I'm still a guy" he deadpans).

5TH GEAR is easily one of Paisley's finest records. There's not a song on here that doesn't shine in some way. Even the cliched tunes sparkle; The Trent Willmon/David Lee Murphy tune "Better Than This," while a hick anthem, does bring something new to the table ("If a bus load of women, really good lookin' women, just suddenly pulled in here" Paisley cheers). And even on "It Did," Paisley's performance soars (although, let's face it, soon or later the narrator has got to realize that things really will get better, even if he thinks they can't). Even the Carrie Underwood duet "Oh Love" is enjoyable, even if too many frequent listenings will leave you going "oh God."

The true highlights of the album, though, are some classic moments. "All I Wanted Was a Car" is a hilarious forray into adolescent longing, as is the whistful and stellar "Letter To Me," and the hysterical "Online." "Some mistakes are too much fun to make only once," Paisley boldly declares, then goes into a modern-day outlaw tale of a man on the run for the law ("Hey hey, Mr. Policeman/Bet you I can run faster than you can"). The gospel number at the end will leave you crooning, and the closing instrumental will leave your heart racing. Even "Ticks" is enjoyable...and halfway clever, actually.

Paisley's talent is this: he makes traditional country music, but polishes some of it up just enough so that it gets played on contemporary radio. He's already a member of the Grand Old Opry, he's known as one of country's true traditionalists, and he's made fans of country fans new and old. 5TH GEAR isn't really anything new--but it's nothing short of absolutely great country music, from one of country's true (and far too few) musicians.

Like everything else from Brad Paisley, 5th GEAR delivers and in true country style. With so many country artists trying to work things from every angle possible, it's nice to see a country singer who is content to stay firmly within his genre.

5th GEAR offers a variety of songs that are likely to become Paisley classics. Ironically, "Ticks," the current radio hit from the album, isn't really, in my listening opinion, the heavyweight here. For my money I found "All I Wanted Was A Car", "Letter To Me" and "When We All Get To Heaven" to be my budding favorites. But, then, the entire album is wonderful. Even the come-to-be-expected slapstick antics of the Kung Pao Buckaroos, despite objections by some critics, fit this album like the proverbial glove.

I have to say that my only disappointment with Paisley's latest was his unfortunate duet with Carrie Underwood. I found the song predictable in the extreme and one that really did nothing for Paisley or this album. I'm sure Underwood, with her trite predictability, felt differently. But certainly not a big enough infraction for 5th GEAR to lose any stars.

THE HORSEMAN

Who says country has to be all sad-sack sappy about gettin' drunk and losing your woman, dog, truck, job, etc? Brad Paisley, like Garth Brooks did, makes country fun again. Paisley is witty, funny and contemporary, and speaks to those of us who are sick and tired of cryin' in our beer with Toby Keith. I dare you to listen to "Ticks" and not chuckle out loud. This album is a real treat.

This is not Brad Paisley's best album ever. It is, in fact, a slight disappointment after "Time Well Wasted." But it's not a bad album at all. There's a decent mix of funny and serious, and I imagine several hits will come from this album. If you're a Brad fan, I'd definitely buy this. If you're only just getting to like him, buy another of his albums first. Add this to your collection when you are already a big fan.

My favorite CD of his has been Mud on the Tires and I was a little disappointed by his last one. It was alright, but not as good as the other one.

But this CD is better than his last one and almost as good as Mud on the Tires. Some of the songs are very funny, something which isn't new for him. But he has his serious love songs, and religious songs. I kinda agree with some of the other reviews, there is a lot of non-music on it, but that's kinda his thing. I don't like it when I have my windows down in my truck and the Kung Pao Buckaroos come on. They're funny, but I don't listen to them more than once. I also don't like the police siren on Mr. Policeman, it scares me when I'm driving and it comes on.

I was tired of Ticks from the radio by the time I got the album. But it is a great song, along with Online, I'm Still a Guy, Letter to Me, actually they're all pretty dang good!

I saw Brad in concert a few years ago and he is a class act. The concert area got 8 inches of rain the night before and they couldn't get all the equipment on stage. So we just got Brad, a stool, and his guitar and it was great. This was a little after I'm Gonna Miss Her came out. Two young boys had a sign that said 'Take us fishin'" He brought them up on stage and gave them free hats and t-shirts.

Buy the album!