Jason Aldean released this album in 2005 after struggling to get a contract for years. It is his first and shot him straight to the country stardom. I am not surprised that it sold platinum and had so many big hits on it. There is this untouchable unique quality on Jason Aldean. He might not be the best singer around country music circle but without a doubt he is one of the best performers. You just HAVE to have good time while listening to his music.
Opening track is HICKTOWN and if you have not heard it by now you must not be a country music fan. It comes with an awesome video and got Jason Aldean noticed instantly. He sings about being younger, being a guy and letting it rip. It is rock meets country at its best. Fourwheelers and party all night long!
Jason follows with AMARILLO SKY and he totally got me sold on this single! The lyrics are powerful and again video is very good. It is so great to listen a younger cowboy tackling some hard issues in farming from younger generation's point of view. This song makes you stop and think and remember that there is plenty young people trying to carry the traditions and livelyhood passed on to them for generations. And it is not an easy task and we should give them some credit even if they do not ask for it.
Next song and his last single shows yet another side of Jason Aldean. It is an honest slow ballad tackling love and relationship and missing his woman. What makes it little different and more powerful is the lyrics: Why does it always have to come down to your leaving before I say I love you.. Why do I always use the words that cut the deepest.. Why do I do that to you.. Oh Baby Why..
Jason follows with another love song now admitting he was wrong and how he is missing his woman. One thing about Jason Aldean that strikes me is that he makes you believe every word he says. Steel guitar sounds great next to his voice in EVEN IF I WANTED TO and I really want to believe that he is a better man and deserves his girl back!
LONESOME USA is faster toe-tapping fiddle swinging country song with some witty lyrics. He is still missing his woman but does not sound as heartbroken as before, just lonesome. Band deserves extra credit behind him, another very nice tune.
Then Jason takes you for a riiiiiiiiide on a ASPHALT COWBOY. He rides until he is back to your arms again. He really stretches the lyrics and this is not a bad ballad, some of the lyrics are done over too many times.
Words tell a story on a I'M JUST A MAN. This is maybe the most traditional country song in this album so far. So he is learning from his mistakes and we know he is just a man. I'm not too impressed.
More kissy kissy I love you so lyrics will follow with yet another quite boring slow song called YOU'RE THE LOVE I WANNA BE IN.. I know English is not my strongest subject but this just does not even sound right? Fast Forward.
GOOD TO GO is a great country song and Jason sings it well. I loved this song with John Corbett and I'd kill to hear them sing it together! You are on a good place listening to that song.
The more I listen to the next song, more I like it. I know every word by heart and I BELIEVE IN GHOST is the reason to buy this album if you have not heard it yet. For sure in my Hidden Gems category of great country songs! Superstitious? Maybe...
Jason ends his album singing about his first love and how fast and silly and living and feeling and dreamy it was. SHE LOVED ME is quite a filler in my mind but still worthy to be recorded. Barely.
Jason Aldean or Jason Aldine Williams as his real name is was born in Georgia and there is plenty Southern Rock influence on his music and you can hear the southern twang on his voice. There was three singles released from this record and "Why" was the biggest hit by the numbers rising all the way to #1 in the Country Charts. "Amarillo Sky" reached #4 and his first single release "Hicktown" got him noticed placing at #10. No wonder he won the ACM Top New Male Vocalist award in 2006.
This album was released in Broken Bow Records label on July 26, 2005. It reached #6 in Billboard Top Country Albums, #37 in The Billboard 200 and #2 in Top Independent Albums according to Billboard.com.
Pros: Good album from start to finish.
Cons: Too many slow love songs.
The Bottom Line: Jason Aldine finally got his chance and showed the new generation of Country how it gets done right!
Recommended: Yes!
I'll be reviewing Jason Aldean's second release RELENTLESS now in stores very soon.