Does it always have to come to to you leaving before I'll say I love you...
There was a point a few years back where country radio was a sea of testosterone. In fact, there was a point where no woman had hit #1 for a long while. Nowadays, while female presence of the country chart has come back, a steady stream of male country singers continues.
Jason Aldean came in a flurry of such albums, along with Keith Anderson and Bobby Pinson. Though not mega-smashes, each sold respectable numbers consistently - Aldean hit #6 country and #37 pop on the albums chart, went gold, and is still in the country top-30 album chart a year later. And this is only with 2 hit singles behind it so far with a third just released.
Aldean's debut starts with the rocker "Hicktown". A cliche' number in the usual "look how country I can be" category, he does deliver with enough sincerity and hooks to overlook that for a moment. Five of the eleven songs have co-writing credits from a member of Big & Rich, including the highlight single "Why", a song about regret over unspoken emotions, which made the #1 spot on the country chart. "Asphalt Cowboy" is a good "lonesome trucker" song, while "I Believe In Ghosts" reprises a "Stranger In My House" vibe to good dramatic effect. The rest of the album is enjoyable albeit generic neo-country. The only misstep is the trite "Lonesome USA". Aldean has a great voice with a range that can match the material, and "sell" what he's singing. A respectable debut, hopefully a sign for a brighter future.
Grade: B
Best Cuts: "Why", "Asphalt Cowboy", "I Believe In Ghosts"
Weakest Link: "Lonesome USA"
You'd Like This If You Like: Lonestar, John Rich (Big & Rich)
Jason Aldean made #6 Country and #37 Pop.
"Hicktown" made #10 Country and #68 Pop.
"Why" made #1 Country and #43 Pop.
"Amarillo Sky" so far has hit #43 Country.
Listen to "Hicktown" by clicking here. (RIght-click to open in new window)
Buy the album here or here.
Jason Aldean came in a flurry of such albums, along with Keith Anderson and Bobby Pinson. Though not mega-smashes, each sold respectable numbers consistently - Aldean hit #6 country and #37 pop on the albums chart, went gold, and is still in the country top-30 album chart a year later. And this is only with 2 hit singles behind it so far with a third just released.
Aldean's debut starts with the rocker "Hicktown". A cliche' number in the usual "look how country I can be" category, he does deliver with enough sincerity and hooks to overlook that for a moment. Five of the eleven songs have co-writing credits from a member of Big & Rich, including the highlight single "Why", a song about regret over unspoken emotions, which made the #1 spot on the country chart. "Asphalt Cowboy" is a good "lonesome trucker" song, while "I Believe In Ghosts" reprises a "Stranger In My House" vibe to good dramatic effect. The rest of the album is enjoyable albeit generic neo-country. The only misstep is the trite "Lonesome USA". Aldean has a great voice with a range that can match the material, and "sell" what he's singing. A respectable debut, hopefully a sign for a brighter future.
Grade: B
Best Cuts: "Why", "Asphalt Cowboy", "I Believe In Ghosts"
Weakest Link: "Lonesome USA"
You'd Like This If You Like: Lonestar, John Rich (Big & Rich)
Jason Aldean made #6 Country and #37 Pop.
"Hicktown" made #10 Country and #68 Pop.
"Why" made #1 Country and #43 Pop.
"Amarillo Sky" so far has hit #43 Country.
Listen to "Hicktown" by clicking here. (RIght-click to open in new window)
Buy the album here or here.
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