It opens with “Heaven South,” and it is followed by the mediocre “Last Time for Everything.” “One Beer Can” is a song with absolutely no substance to it, and equally forgettable is the corny “Go to Bed Early.”
Paisley recruits Mick Jagger for “Drive of Shame” but this tune is lackluster. After the boring “Contact High,” the only solid track in the first half of the album is the title track “Love and War,” where he collaborates with Rock and Roll Hall of Famer John Forgerty, where he lends his rich, raspy vocals.
“selfie#theinternetisforever” is reminiscent of the typical filler bro-country songs on the radio airwaves, and it goes even more downhill from there with “Grey Goose Chase” and “Solar Power Girl,” both of which he sings with Timbaland.
“The Devil Is Alive and Well” is mediocre, but too slow.
The only noteworthy tracks in the second half of the album include “Dying to See Her,” his duet with Country Music Hall of Famer Bill Anderson, as well as the soothing and lyrically-beautiful “Gold All Over the Ground.” It closes with the mid-tempo “Meaning Again” and a reprise of “Heaven South,” as if the opener weren’t enough.
The Verdict
Overall, Brad Paisley’s new album is one of his weakest records to date, if not his weakest. While Paisley is a gifted musician, this record does not do his talent justice. My recommendation would be to download a few decent tracks on iTunes (“Gold All Over Ground,” “Dying to See Her” and “Love and War”), and skip over the rest. This CD garners 2 out of 5 stars.
