rsmatto
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Post by rsmatto on Feb 3, 2014 15:10:31 GMT -5
Aritst: Eric Paslay Song:"Song About A Girl" Label: EMI Nashville Add Date: 2/17Source: PlayMPe/label. First time through this record ( Eric Paslay, I pinned this as the next single. It's a GREAT song. And the "anti bro-country" song. Note: Image is a mock I came up with. It's what I'll go with for any reviews about the single at Roughstock.
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sabre14
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Post by sabre14 on Feb 3, 2014 15:28:36 GMT -5
I like the "Ya think it's gonna be a hit" line the best.
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kw9461
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Post by kw9461 on Feb 3, 2014 19:27:09 GMT -5
Here's the studio version for those interested. I'm going to have to hear this a few more times. On first listen though, I don't like it at all. The lyrics may be "anti bro-country", but production and melody are straight up bro-country.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Feb 3, 2014 19:30:26 GMT -5
It's a GREAT song. And the "anti bro-country" song. I like this quite a bit but it's hardly "anti-bro-country", at least not how I interpret it. In the first verse he comes out and says everything it's not ( This ain't about tailgates, ain't about bonfires, ain't about souped-up cars, watertowers...ain't about chevies, ain't about money, ain't about blue suede shoes coo coo ca choos, got nothin' to do with that...) And the chorus just says everything that it is...a song about a girl, and it describes a few things about her. Maybe he's trying to be coy in insulting songs that are about tailgates, backroads (mentioned in the 2nd verse), etc, but I don't really get that impression. He's not really 'slamming' those topics. He's just basically saying "this song isn't about any of that stuff, it's a song about a girl". Stream here. I'm going to have to hear this a few more times. On first listen though, I don't like it at all. The lyrics may be "anti bro-country", but production and melody are straight up bro-country. It's a little over-produced for my tastes (his vocals get a little drowned out in spots), but it doesn't strike me as bro-country in its production. I hear quite a bit of banjo and fiddle mixed in. And it's got a really cool groove to it, but I guess I don't identify the bro-country sound with production so much as I do with the lyrics. Mixing in the hip-hop/rap stuff with unfortunately stereotypical country lyrics about tailgates and trucks and hot girls is how I define bro-country, but I suppose it could be different for everyone. I guess with this one I just don't hear anything in the production that recalls bro-country.
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tonyei31
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Post by tonyei31 on Feb 3, 2014 19:36:31 GMT -5
Not a bad song at all. Actually like the "style" as it isn't completely "bro country". Any chance he ever re-releases "If the Fish Don't Bite"?
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kw9461
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Post by kw9461 on Feb 3, 2014 19:42:54 GMT -5
It's a GREAT song. And the "anti bro-country" song. I like this quite a bit but it's hardly "anti-bro-country", at least not how I interpret it. In the first verse he comes out and says everything it's not ( This ain't about tailgates, ain't about bonfires, ain't about souped-up cars, watertowers...ain't about chevies, ain't about money, ain't about blue suede shoes coo coo ca choos, got nothin' to do with that...) And the chorus just says everything that it is...a song about a girl, and it describes a few things about her. Maybe he's trying to be coy in insulting songs that are about tailgates, backroads (mentioned in the 2nd verse), etc, but I don't really get that impression. He's not really 'slamming' those topics. He's just basically saying "this song isn't about any of that stuff, it's a song about a girl". Stream here. I'm going to have to hear this a few more times. On first listen though, I don't like it at all. The lyrics may be "anti bro-country", but production and melody are straight up bro-country. It's a little over-produced for my tastes (his vocals get a little drowned out in spots), but it doesn't strike me as bro-country in its production. I hear quite a bit of banjo and fiddle mixed in. And it's got a really cool groove to it, but I guess I don't identify the bro-country sound with production so much as I do with the lyrics. Mixing in the hip-hop/rap stuff with unfortunately stereotypical country lyrics about tailgates and trucks and hot girls is how I define bro-country, but I suppose it could be different for everyone. I guess with this one I just don't hear anything in the production that recalls bro-country. The over processed vocals are what jumped out at me. I'm not a fan of Eric's voice to begin with, but that just made it worse. I don't really identify bro-country by the production either, but this would certainly fit in with all the bro-country fare currently at radio. To answer tonyei31 unfortunately he didn't include that song on his album, so I don't see a scenario where that gets re-released. Shame, because it's far and away his best offering to date.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 3, 2014 19:48:35 GMT -5
Yeah, the over-processed vocals are the biggest issue I have with this song as well. I actually don't mind his voice, but it depends on the material. On some songs he sounds good but on others, not so much. This one is in the middle of the pack for me--overall I like the feel and the groove of the song, and it's a bit quirky but not too quirky. And his vocals don't sound too bad but they are over-processed at times and the song (mainly the chorus) once again suffers from over-production.
I agree that "If The Fish Don't Bite" is by far and away the best song he's released. I've only listened to the iTunes previews for this album, and so far (after 2-3 listens of each preview) there's nothing that really jumped out at me. "Never Really Wanted" is great--not quite as good as "If The Fish Don't Bite", but still good--so maybe they could re-release that one at some point? A lot of the other songs don't strike me as the types of songs that radio is looking for. He's co-written some great songs, though, including "Barefoot Blue Jean Night" as well as album tracks "Golden" for Lady A and "She Rides Away" for David Nail. I was hoping that Eric would record "She Rides Away" and put it on his own album, but alas, that wish did not come true :( I doubt he'd be able to top David's version (production was great, and David has one hell of a voice), but I am sure that Eric could still turn in a very solid version.
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Kentucky25
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Post by Kentucky25 on Feb 4, 2014 13:26:24 GMT -5
Gave an initial listen to this and the rest of the album and nothing really stands out to me. "She Don't Love You" and "Country Side of Heaven" are the only two that really I didn't just tune out. I much prefer the acoustic version of this, I agree that the production is overdone, with a distinct voice like Eric's and the unique lyrics, I just don't understand putting SO much into the production of the song. Sometimes less is more.
Also, if anyone is one TheBoot TasteofCountry mailing lists, I've gotten two or three emails about him and his CD, I don't recall this with any artists before.
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rsmatto
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Post by rsmatto on Feb 4, 2014 16:06:29 GMT -5
The production is overdone? Really? It has a cool retro 80s rock feel to it when I hear it in my car from the CD and also on my MacBook speakers and Studio Monitor speakers. Perhaps the processed (compressed) streams affect the production for some? Also, his voice also doesn't sound processed at all to me except for his double harmony (he sings BGVs on this album) in the chorus. The song sounds funky and cool. The reason I called it the 'anti bro-country' song is that he's not interested interested in stuff that is used to color around the edges of a song lyrically. He just uses the melody and the lyrics to tell the story.
The songwriting on his CD is completely from classic singer/songwriter structures and he uses simple/basic melodies for the majority of the album and lets the lyrics lead the way. Refreshing for a mainstream artist to do this.
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Kentucky25
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Post by Kentucky25 on Feb 4, 2014 16:19:16 GMT -5
I don't have a problem with the production of this song I just really prefer the acoustic setting of it. It's more of a preference thing. As stated, it's a well written song and I would like to see more of a focus on the lyrics than the musical arraignment. To each their own though and I know it's not realistic to release and acoustic version of a song, to radio because it typically won't sell as well. But with his voice being so unique and his writing so strong, I'd have prefered a more "stripped" studio cut of this song.
Nonetheless, I like a lot of the songs he's wrote and I love to see a songwriter have success outside of writing for others.
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rsmatto
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Post by rsmatto on Feb 4, 2014 16:29:26 GMT -5
I don't have a problem with the production of this song I just really prefer the acoustic setting of it. It's more of a preference thing. As stated, it's a well written song and I would like to see more of a focus on the lyrics than the musical arraignment. To each their own though and I know it's not realistic to release and acoustic version of a song, to radio because it typically won't sell as well. But with his voice being so unique and his writing so strong, I'd have prefered a more "stripped" studio cut of this song. Nonetheless, I like a lot of the songs he's wrote and I love to see a songwriter have success outside of writing for others. It could've been even more 'electronic,' with drum machines (they use banjos for the percussive elements). I do understand liking the acoustic style of these songs more, but as you say, most radio stations nowadays aren't likely to play very many of them or even 'slow' ballads. Which is a shame because on Eric's record, songs like "She Don't Love You" and "Country Side Of Heaven" certainly showcase the strength in artistry and are showstoppers (Little Big Town's harmonies on the latter song certainly don't hurt either).
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LBTrocks
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Post by LBTrocks on Feb 4, 2014 16:42:40 GMT -5
So this song is about pretty much nothing at all... He says it's a song about a girl, but the chorus only marginally describes the girl and then he goes back into the verse describing what the song isn't. A little silly, IMO, and doesn't impress me any more than the bro-country lyrics do.
Anyway, I wasn't able to hear the studio version but the acoustic is pretty good. He has a pretty strong voice and I actually really like that style of music. To me it's better than the average "bro country" which has predictable (and to my ears, rather boring) melodies. But I'll have to reserve my final judgement until I hear the studio version. I didn't mind his song Friday Night...it was catchy and not too bad of a listen, certainly way better than Lady A's version.
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rsmatto
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Post by rsmatto on Feb 4, 2014 17:00:11 GMT -5
The lyrics say -- basically -- the whole song is for her and about her, even if it doesn't specifically get down to every last detail, which is actually kind of nice if you think about it. Lets you interpret what he likes about the girl more than say, have every little thing about a specific girl. Much more wide-open and universal.
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tvoss20
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Post by tvoss20 on Feb 4, 2014 17:30:20 GMT -5
Excellent! Honestly my favorite listen on the cd before even seeing this thread.
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Post by nncountrykid on Feb 4, 2014 18:38:01 GMT -5
It's almost like a country version of Royals in that it's poking at all of those tired genre cliche songs while sounding just like them and being just subtle enough that the population at the root of the cliche problem isn't quite sure if the song is mocking what they want or is exactly what they want.
Obviously it's not of the outrageously great quality of Royals, but it fits that mold.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Feb 7, 2014 13:29:36 GMT -5
I've got a feeling that Eric could be a one-hit wonder, or at least from this album he will. EMI did a great job getting "Friday Night" up the chart but HITS doesn't have any sales projections for Eric's album, which probably means it'll do 10-12k max. The only mainstream radio acts that I can think of that debuted so low recently were Jerrod Niemann's last album (and he'll open much better with High Noon), Casey James' self-titled debut (14k), Charlie Worsham's debut (6k), Parmalee's Feels Like Carolina (14k), and some of the indie releases from people like Craig Campbell, Kellie Pickler, Maggie Rose, etc.
This album is quite underwhelming to me, and I don't think it will help Eric that he's on UMG--they have a lot of other artists that are doing very well. Jon Pardi's single only peaked at #11 but his album debuted with closer to 20k. And a lot of the other UMG acts are big names or promising new talents. Sometimes artists get 'crowded out' when they are on such big labels and I worry that that could happen to Paslay, just like it did with Randy Montana, for example.
Anyway, I think artists like Charlie Worsham and Parmalee, who also debuted with lower opening-week sales, have a lot more upside. Parmalee is on a smaller label but it's plenty big enough to work their songs up the charts, and Warner Bros. seems really committed to Charlie.
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rsmatto
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Post by rsmatto on Feb 7, 2014 15:30:42 GMT -5
I've got a feeling that Eric could be a one-hit wonder, or at least from this album he will. EMI did a great job getting "Friday Night" up the chart but HITS doesn't have any sales projections for Eric's album, which probably means it'll do 10-12k max. The only mainstream radio acts that I can think of that debuted so low recently were Jerrod Niemann's last album (and he'll open much better with High Noon), Casey James' self-titled debut (14k), Charlie Worsham's debut (6k), Parmalee's Feels Like Carolina (14k), and some of the indie releases from people like Craig Campbell, Kellie Pickler, Maggie Rose, etc. This album is quite underwhelming to me, and I don't think it will help Eric that he's on UMG--they have a lot of other artists that are doing very well. Jon Pardi's single only peaked at #11 but his album debuted with closer to 20k. And a lot of the other UMG acts are big names or promising new talents. Sometimes artists get 'crowded out' when they are on such big labels and I worry that that could happen to Paslay, just like it did with Randy Montana, for example. Anyway, I think artists like Charlie Worsham and Parmalee, who also debuted with lower opening-week sales, have a lot more upside. Parmalee is on a smaller label but it's plenty big enough to work their songs up the charts, and Warner Bros. seems really committed to Charlie. Mike Dungan is really committed to Eric Paslay AND Jon Pardi. Randy Montana's album never even got a physical release. I think this album is right on par with Charlie Worsham's in terms of critical appeal and songwriting. Like Charlie he's not an artist who is exactly like everyone else on the radio which should help him. I liked the album quite a bit more than Pardi's (which was still good).
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Post by Spacey_Kacey on Feb 7, 2014 23:19:37 GMT -5
I think Paslay's here for the long haul, but this song significantly reduces my confidence. In fact, I think that nothing much from the album stood out, but I think he could get a 2nd album without another hit. "She Don't Love You" or "Here Comes Love" could make a decent single though "Country Side of Heaven" or "Deep as It Is Wide" could work too. Maybe even "Good with Wine". Hopefully one of those could be a hit, but I'm not much of a fan of anything on the album. Honestly, I don't get why this was chosen as a single because this is probably one of Paslay's worst work as a songwriter. Sounds terrible. Don't see how this is going to do anything at radio.
As far as albums rankings this year, I have been supremely disappointed by almost all releases. The reason I prefer Pardi's and Church's to Paslay's is that they at least had a pair of high quality songs on each of theirs despite some complete flops.
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onebuffalo
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Post by onebuffalo on Feb 12, 2014 15:06:37 GMT -5
Eric Paslay's debut CD called Eric Paslay debuts at #4 on the country albums chart with 11,000 in sales.
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onebuffalo
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Post by onebuffalo on Mar 16, 2014 15:33:31 GMT -5
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zaclord π
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Post by zaclord π on Mar 16, 2014 19:37:59 GMT -5
If I were a new artist that has been trying to make it for several years and my debut album on a major label came out, you bet I would go to a store to see my CD on a shelf and I'd probably buy a copy for myself while I was at it.
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carriekins
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Post by carriekins on Mar 16, 2014 20:37:42 GMT -5
That is hardly desperation - lots of artists new and old do the same thing! I feel like every Tuesday I see a tweet of an artist buying their newly released album... and why shouldn't they? They're just as excited as the fans and should be proud of their accomplishment.
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onebuffalo
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Post by onebuffalo on Mar 17, 2014 8:09:00 GMT -5
So why would you buy your own CD? Can't the label provide one for you (as long as you pay them back?).
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carriekins
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Post by carriekins on Mar 17, 2014 8:20:13 GMT -5
Because every sale counts?
Why do politicians vote for themselves?
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onebuffalo
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Post by onebuffalo on Mar 17, 2014 8:35:04 GMT -5
Because every sale counts? Why do politicians vote for themselves? Because no one else will vote for them? My joke about that is if you want to get rid of the rats, do not vote for them!
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rsmatto
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Post by rsmatto on Mar 17, 2014 12:00:48 GMT -5
So why would you buy your own CD? Can't the label provide one for you (as long as you pay them back?). Because there's something amazing about being able to buy a project that you're a part of in some way. ESPECIALLY your first one. Many artists do this. In fact, most -- if not ALL -- have done it at one time or another in their career.
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Post by Fanofctrymusic on Mar 17, 2014 12:26:59 GMT -5
Pure BS: Blake Shelton finds Pure BS in Nashville
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Post by 43dudleyvillas on Mar 19, 2014 22:27:07 GMT -5
I'm puzzled as to why you would interpret this as a sign of desperation. I was under the impression that nearly all major label artists buy their own albums, often on the first day of release, as a matter of custom. Silly, perhaps, but I've even heard some joke that they think it's good luck to do so. I would think it would also make for some funny cash register stories, as it did here. Anyway, I'm not keen on this song. I'm a fan of Eric Paslay's as a songwriter and as a singer, and have a strong suspicion that I would love an album from him released in a more open climate for country radio. But "Song About a Girl" seems as geared to "the bros" as any song on country radio today. The coy rejection of several "bro" clichΓ©s is undermined by the fact that the only descriptors he has about this "girl" refer to her as "little" and "rockin' those jeans," both pretty typical of "bro" parlance. While I wouldn't put it near the level of Charlie Worsham's Rubberband, I do think Paslay's album has its moments. I was pleasantly surprised by how persuasive he is vocally on the spiritual songs on the album. It feels like it has been a while since a male country artist put such emphasis on his faith, and while neither "Less Than Whole" and "Deep As It Is Wide" is game-changing in its originality, both are sincere, simple and winning to me in their emphasis on redemption and inclusiveness. "Country Side of Heaven" offers rural imagery that is a bit more vivid than usual. The other album standouts to me are "Good With Wine" and "She Don't Love You." "Good With Wine" takes some of the usual rural romance images and strings them together with an appealing melody on which the lyrics scan a bit better than the usual "bro" fare. The defeatism of "She Don't Love You" works in large part because of Paslay's vocal. Since I primarily knew Eric Paslay as a songwriter, I didn't expect to like his phrasing and vocal tone as much as I do, but he really is an appealing singer, and the songs on his album are often enhanced by production that shows good dynamic sense and emphasizes country instrumentation. Marshall Altman has been popping up on a few country albums lately as producer (he produced Frankie Ballard's album, as well), and I think it's for the good. All things considered, I still think Paslay's album is held back by over-consciousness of country radio's current narrowness, and I would love to hear an album from him that isn't built on today's prevailing formulas. But he shows enough adeptness with melody and lyrical construction that it's easy to understand his popularity among his peers. I hope that we get to hear more from him not just as a songwriter, but as an artist as well.
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Markus Meyer
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Post by Markus Meyer on Mar 20, 2014 0:19:09 GMT -5
So why would you buy your own CD? Can't the label provide one for you (as long as you pay them back?). Because it would be way cooler to see it in store.
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churchchoir
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Post by churchchoir on Mar 20, 2014 10:53:57 GMT -5
This is a pretty lame song imo. Basically, there's no actual substance to the lyrics. Paslay spends the verses naming a whole lot of cliches that the song is supposedly "not" about, then he spends the chorus naming some cliches that the song is about, but in reality the song is about nothing. It just puts together every country cliche in the book. The "you-oo-oo"s in the bridge are just ridiculous and actually cringe-worthy. Eric Paslay is a much better writer than this and ironically his first two songs, which I liked, didn't get much attention, but country radio is really eating up his two generic singles. (I say they are eating this up given that it is climbing the chart much more quickly than new artists like Parmalee and even some more established acts like Billy Currington and Thompson Square have with their second singles (technically, third in Paslay's case, but I'm sure y'all get the point).)
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