Brad Paisley Album: “Time Well Wasted”

This is Brad Paisley's fourth album, and I think it's probably his best one yet. I became a fan with his last album and the single "Whiskey Lullabye", I was impressed with his style and sound. As much as I love "Mud On The Tires" "Time Well Wasted" is a notch above "Mud". On this album he has two big name guests in Alan Jackson on "Out In The Parkin' Lot" and Dolly Parton on the incredible "When I Get Where I'm Goin'". His guitar picking and lyrics are once again unlike anyone else out there right now. His lyrics are interesting in that unlike most male artists, he doesn't aim his songs mostly at a female audience, he writes songs that guys can relate to and women think are cute. His sense of humor also shines thru as well without become a novelty. In the case of the final track, "Cornography" he does go for novelty. The story continues the story begun on "Mud On The Tires". This time around in addition to George Jones, Little Jimmy Dickens and Bill Anderson, Dolly Parton joins in on the fun, which gets a little risque for a country act. The whole album is a great listen and you won't be disappointed!

First of all, let me admit up front that this review is very "fresh," and I've only basically just heard this CD straight out of the wrapper.

Who would have thought that Brad Paisley could equal or even--GASP--better his previous CD, the stellar MUD ON THE TIRES? Well, get ready, folks, because Brad has just delivered another outstanding collection of songs that are both "vintage Paisley" and also fresh and bold.

It's almost unfair how talented Paisley is. Not only is he a great songwriter and vocalist, but he's a superb guitar picker. All of his gifts shine brightly on this CD. He is also excellent at picking and sequencing songs, as this release sports an excellent blend of the fun, the funny, the spiritual, the poignant, and the classic. His sound is, as always, authentic, traditional country, but Brad is anything but stodgy.

If Paisley didn't have an absolute blast making this CD, then he's a great actor. Songs like "She's Everything," "Alcohol," "The World," "I'll Take You Back," "You Need a Man Around Here," and "Out in the Parkin' Lot" (with the ever lovable Alan Jackson) are infused with Paisley's contagious joi de vivre and scream out for repeated listens.

But then again, Paisley can shoot an arrow straight to your heart, as he does on beautifully moving tracks like "When I Get to Where I'm Going" (Dolly Parton is a luminous co-vocalist here) and "Rainin' On You." "Flowers" is one of those unique Paisleyan creations that provides catharsis and knowing laughs all at once. "Cornography" is humorous, though not, perhaps, suitable for younger ears.

If you are a tough old coot who likes traditional country like Waylon, Willie, Johnny, or The Possum, you will like this CD. Or, if you are a young buckaroo with a lot of spit and vinegar, you will like this CD also. Either way, everybody wins with Brad Paisley.

Paisley and his producer Frank Rogers (who's also produced Josh Turner, Darryl Worley, Phil Vassar, Pat Green and others) take a page from the book of Dwight Yoakam & Pete Anderson by cannily stretching the singer-guitarist-songwriter's country roots into unusual, compelling new directions. There's no mistaking that this is a Nashville production, with professionally tight-but-casual playing (except for the nitro-fueled swing-jazz romp "Time Warp," which is tight-as-a-drum) and a lengthy credit list of Nashville A-listers supplementing the core band, but like the best Music City releases, it takes on the tone of its star rather than its players or producer. Paisley's songwriting, guitar playing and warm vocals winningly envelop the entire disc.

The album's centerpiece and leadoff single, "Alcohol," is a canny piece of first-person narrative, sung from the bottle's perspective in a voice that's trying hard to be celebratory while it recounts the destruction it's wrought. In contrast, Paisley shows himself to be content as a married man, celebrating his spouse in the bouncy opener "The World" and the ballad "She's Everything," reveling in the give-and-take of relationships in Don Simpson and Wynn Varble's sentimental "Waitin' on a Woman," and just sitting back to marvel in "Love is Never-Ending." Luckily, he's not averse to a lost-love ballad like "Rainin' You" or a potent kiss-off tune like the galloping hyperbole of "I'll Take You Back."

The lyrics regularly hinge on clever turns of phrase, such as the begging make-up "Flowers" and celebration of fame "Easy Money," and though the wordplay occasionally feels overused, Paisley delivers it with an engaging smile and enough craft, emotional depth and grit to place him as this generation's George Strait or Alan Jackson (the latter of whom duets on "Out in the Parking Lot"). The album keeps the country basics - fiddle, steel and twangy guitar - out front, even as the sound is crafted for today's country radio. This is Paisley's richest album to date, and its fifteen musical tracks provide nearly a full hour of entertainment - a real value in these days of 12-track 35-minute CDs. 4-1/2 stars, if allowed fractional ratings. [©2005 hyperbolium dot com]

I have really enjoyed this CD. Brad's humor comes through perfectly. What I liked best is that it includes some good country western dance music. (Track #4 is a great polka, thanks Brad). There is not a single track that is a disappointment. A great, fun CD.

Anybody who reads this review knows how dynamic of a singer and songwriter he is... and the whole guitar thing. Don't be put off to think this album is all laughs because of his first single. There are several songs on this album that will touch your heart. For me, even more so than previous albums. "Waitin on a Woman", "She's Everything", Rainin' You, and "When I get where i'm goin" all are steller. Most importantly to me though, is that Brad now with his fourth album is yet to turn "vanilla" to a long time fan. We all know what an Alan Jackson and George Strait album are going to bring. Great songs, but typically delivered. Brad to me with this album has really stretched his singing style on a few songs especially with "Rainin You". And lastly, as a huge diehard musician, I love it that Brad has been able to bring his band into the studio. It is the best backing band in Nashville and he gives them all deserved time on this album sharing his guitar spot light with the rest of them to make great music. Randle Currie his steel player at a realitively young age really shows on this album that he is the future of steel guitar.