Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
~wide variety of great country music~, June 30, 2009
Brad's new album is very solid, and it features a wide variety of great music. Brad co-wrote every song here, on what is probably his most personal CD ever. There is still a good amount of his classic light humor, but in general, the material here is a little bit more serious than some of his previous "Ticks" type songs -- although that isn't necessarily a bad thing at all. It starts out with a feel-good summer type song, "American Saturday Night", and ends with "Back To The Future" -- a short guitar laden instrumental song, which is similar to some of the music on his last album, 'Play'.
Scattered between are 13 other great songs, including Brad's #1 smash love song, "Then". "Welcome To The Future" is another gem, just waiting in line to become Brad's next #1 single. It's one of the best songs on the album, quite catchy, and has very strong lyrics that really make you think about how far we have come in such a short amount of time. The reprise (track #7) is also a very nice short little acoustic clip. "Water" is another fun catchy summer song, as is "Catch All the Fish", which has a real bluegrass feel to it - sort of in a way similar to one of his previous songs, "Mr. Policeman".
One of my personal favorites on the album is track #10, "No", which is an extremely powerful song. It's a nice traditional sounding tune, with steel guitars and simple laid back production. The song is very well written, and if you listen closely to the lyrics, it carries out a very important life lesson. Overall, I think this album has a little something for everyone, and I highly recommend it!!!!!
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13 of 16 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A More Mature Paisley, June 30, 2009
This is one of those career changing albums. If it's done wrong it can ruin a career. Done right and you can become immortal. Its clear that Brad Paisley is growing up. And he shows it on this one. Gone are the days of Ticks, I'm Gonna Miss Her, and Celebrity. Honestly, I think its a welcome change. This album wont sell as much nor will it recieve the type of acclaim from fans that he recieved on his previous two....Time Well Wasted and 5th Gear. But in my opinion, this is by far his best album in regards to his music and his writing. I think its a welcomed change and it shows just how talented this man really is.
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Superb Follow-Up to 5th Gear, September 19, 2009
I'll be the first to say that I am no 'country' guru; it is the slimmest genre in my excessive collection of CD's. I certainly don't abhor it, but I am very particular about who it is that I purchase when I go and buy a country CD. Brad Paisley is one of those artists that makes me want to embrace more country music than I do. Paisley has mad guitar skills and is one of the most creative artists of our time, country or not. He has a knack for humor that he conveys well within his lyrics. Furthermore, Paisley manages to 'crossover' enough that even though his albums are 'country', they appeal across the board to anyone who wants to hear prodigious guitar playing and a solid vocal performance. I'm not saying that Paisley's 2009 follow-up to 2007's 5th Gear is the 'second-coming', but I think it is one of 2009's strongest and most enjoyable albums. American Saturday Night never misses a beat in my eyes and if there is one 'sour note', it is atoned for within seconds. Paisley remains on top of his game throughout with not one iota of filler material lurking anywhere.
The album opens strongly with title track "American Saturday Night" which finds the country-singer dabbling in Billy Joel vocal harmonies ala "Uptown Girl". The result turns out to be phenomenal. The songwriting is top-rate by all means and the chorus is incredibly memorable. Lines referencing 'toga parties', 'Canadian bacon on pizza pie', 'Coronas', and 'margaritas' make "American Saturday Night" a fun-loving opener. "Everybody's Here" has a soulful, pop sensibility to it. It's still country, but it's as if Paisley wanted to go outside of the constrictions of country. I could hear John Mayer singing this (without the twang mind you!)
"Welcome To The Future" turns out to be one of the best of American Saturday Night. It opens with what sounds like video game sounds (produced by synthesizer I would assume). Of course, Paisley goes on to reference 'Pac Man' and 'phones'. Greatest about the lyrics are the fact that Paisley contrasts the past (his 'grandfather writing letters to his grandmother in WWII') with the future ('video chat to Tokyo'). It's reprise appears later (track 7). The production is top-notch, further making "Welcome To The Future" quite the stimulating listen.
"Then" opens up with melodious piano, contrasting the energetic mood set by "Welcome To the Future". "Then" serves to be a sensitive ballad which finds Paisley sounding among his best of the entire album. "Water" then flips the mood completely by making the lyrics once again light and humorous. Sure, the lyrics are a bit absurd, but never in a bad or overly 'tongue-in-cheek' way. "Water" is incredibly fun to listen to without ever being annoyed.
"She's Her Own Woman" finds Paisley at his most soulful the entire album. With swirling organ, bluesy guitar work, and a six-feel, "She's Her Own Woman" is easily one of my very favorites. Vocally, Paisley is spot-on. Lyrically, near-perfection is definitely achieved. If there is no other five star performance on American Saturday Night, "She's Her Own Woman" is definitely that track.
Following a reprise of "Welcome To the Future" (track 7), "Anything Like Me" lays well with a slightly lighter, acoustic timbre. "You Do The Math" follows-up with a driving, ultra-countrified sound. Again, the guitar playing is phenomenal. On the first verse, Paisley's voice is understated, via some sort microphone stimulation/vocal effect. Again, nothing to quibble about - solid. "No" is sensitive and somber, throwing out Paisley's normal humor. While it should seem too heavy for an album as light and fun as American Saturday Night, it has the opposite effect; it proves to be a great addition and asset. It is great to hear that Paisley so well balances the 'serious' with the 'humor'; few people could pull off this feat.
"Catch All The Fish" is as addictive as Paisley's previous "Ticks" or "Online". Uptempo and 'feisty', for lack of a better adjective, "Catch All The Fish" is a novelty cut that you just can't stop listening to. "Oh Yeah, You're Gone" follows the showstopping "Catch All The Fish" and while it doesn't usurp it, it is as potent as everything else on American Saturday Night.
"The Pants" again showcases Paisley affinity for humorous songwriting. No, it isn't necessarily outright laughable, but Paisley's references to things (i.e. 36 X 32) is 'comic relief'. A hilarious chorus aids in making "The Pants" easily shine within the track list of American Saturday Night. "I Hope That's Me" is as solid as the rest while closing track "Back to the Future" revives the ideals and ideas of "Welcome To The Future". This time however, it is completely instrumental.
Overall, American Saturday Night is easily one of 2009's best and most consistent efforts. Unfortunately, the numbers don't reflect the overall quality of this album, but what numbers do these days, especially in the music business? If you want a great country album, you should definitely check out American Saturday Night. 4 solid stars Brad Paisley!
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