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Music review: Brad Paisley – ‘Love and War’

By Clint Rhodes for The 3 min read
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“Love and War” is the 11th studio release from one of the finest guitar players in all of country music today and showcases Brad PaisleyĢƵ knack for penning heartfelt stories about life and love that evoke a wide range of emotions.

“Heaven South” has the West Virginia native singing about beer-battered chicken, sweet tea, nightcrawlers, crickets, fishing, the flag and the local courthouse as part of the perfect day on the album opener.

“Last Time for Everything” serves as a nostalgic trip filled with great memories and the subtle reminder that we need to make the most of every day.

Applying the same wit and charm that produced previous infectious hits like “Celebrity,” “Alcohol” and “Online,” Paisley addresses the follies of social media on “selfie#theinternetisforever.” “You gotta be ashamed,” sings Paisley as he warns that the internet is forever and your online stupidity is granted more than just 15 minutes of fame.

A number of energizing collaborations are featured on the 16-track set.

Written and performed with Mick Jagger, “Drive of Shame” finds Jagger performing his best honky-tonk vibe since “Far Away Eyes” from 1978ĢƵ “Some Girls” by the Rolling Stones.

On the title track, Paisley and John Fogerty illustrate that all is certainly not fair in love and war as the pair outline the poor treatment experienced by many of our veterans after sacrificing everything and returning home.

Country legend Bill Anderson helps to offer up the heartbreaking tale of a man who has lost his will to live after the death of his wife and the desire to reunite with her in heaven on “Dying to See Her.”

Paisley has always had a way of delivering the perfect love song. “Today” is yet another melodic testament of true love that Paisley presents in such a moving manner. Continuing the theme of true love, Paisley adds music to a gorgeous poem originally written by Johnny Cash for June Carter on “Gold All Over the Ground.”

Timbaland helps to lighten the mood and infuse a fresh energy on the rousing “Grey Goose Chase” and soaring “Solar Power Girl.”

From the comical side of trying to dispose of any traces of the house party held for friends before the parents come home with “One Beer Can” to the heaviness of the darkness that permeates through the world on “The Devil Is Alive and Well,” Paisley proves once again why heĢƵ worthy of country superstar status.

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