It looks like the Random iTunes Fairy wanted to get in on the April Fools’ Day fun because here she is serving up a song by another “Weekend” alumnus, Mr. Brad Paisley. Paisley Weekends followed Sexsmih Weekends back in 2011.
After suffering through the groans of my regular readers over those two choices, I followed them up with Simon Weekends, which chronicled the work of Paul Simon both as a solo artist and with Simon & Garfunkel. That went over considerably better.
This track is from Brad Paisley’s fifth studio album (not including a Christmas release), appropriately titled 5th Gear. The 2007 release kept up Paisley’s pattern of good-humored romps blended with more thoughtful tracks.
For my money, this album represents a bit of a lull between Paisley’s three best records — Mud On the Tires and Time Well Wasted on the early end, and American Saturday Night as the follow-up.
I’ve been living a lie.
On April 19, 2012, I posted a song from Fiona Apple’s When the Pawn…. It was during a countdown of my favorite albums of the 90s, and Apple’s sophomore effort was #2 on my list.
That was Song of the Day #1,376.
The following day, I posted my #1 album of the 90s. It was Ben Folds Five’s self-titled debut.
That was Song of the Day #1,378.
Brad Paisley, who had his own weekend series, has decided to make an appearance on Random Weekends.
Today’s song is from Paisley’s fifth album, 2008’s 5th Gear, and it is not a favorite of mine. That album, in general, represents something of a slump for Paisley, falling between his four best records — Mud On the Tracks and Time Well Wasted on the one side and American Saturday Night and This is Country Music on the other.
‘Letter to Me’ is one of Brad Paisley’s most heartfelt songs, but 5th Gear features plenty of his trademark smart-ass tunes as well.
‘Online’ is a hilarious send-up of people who hide behind the anonymity of internet message boards (and it was accompanied by another funny video performance by Jason Alexander). ‘Ticks’ is a mischievous come-on in which the singer offers to take his date on a walk through the wildflowers so he can take her home and check her for ticks.
My favorite of the fun songs in ‘Mr. Policeman,’ in which Paisley taunts law enforcement while hot-rodding around the city.
Meet Me In Montauk 