You can argue that Jason Aldean's new album, Night Train, is the most anticipated new release for 2012. Jason has some pretty big "shoes" to fill with this CD coming off all the success he had with his My Kinda Party album. You can already bank that it will be one of the year's best selling albums even though it is being released so late in the year.
We wanted to share some of our thoughts on Night Train, now that we have had some time to listen to it and disect it.
First up, are Donna's thoughts on Jason's new project...
Aside from the single, which I love, and you all know-- for me, these are the 5 standout tracks:
#4) Wheels Rollin’: A haunting melody grows with intensity as the lyrics paint mixed emotions of a touring musician’s psyche (loneliness vs. gratitude; a fragile ego that gets its needs met by feeding off a live crowd). Night fever, alcohol, the hum of the bus’ engine; he wouldn’t have it any other way (or would he?). Bitter/Sweet. Dig it.
#6) The Only Way I Know (w/ Luke Bryan and Eric Chuch): song starts with a rap about farming. It goes on to describe living life with blinders on in a community where hard work is the only way to move ahead. And FYI: Never let em see you sweat! Now…May I address the proverbial elephant in the room? Luke Bryan and Eric Church on the same song? Did someone not read the fine print in his contract? Or did someone lose a bet? Either way, cool tune. Don’t skip it!
#10) 1994: Muss told me I would love this one and he was right. From what I can tell, it appears somebody on the writing team is a fan of Eminem’s “Real Slim Shady” considering the similar reference asking “Will the Real Joe Diffie please stand up?” My first guess is Thomas Rhett (rap name: Ciga Rhett) who wasn’t alive when a similar question was posed on the game show “To Tell the Truth”. If the song doesn’t get released as a single (ala Taylor Swift’s “Tim McGraw” and Eric Church’s “Springsteen”), you can bet it will be a concert crowd favorite, especially among mullet sporting dudes, wearing acid wash jeans & Joe Diffie concert tees.
#13) Black Tears: I tend to get sucked into the dark, dramatic songs.
Enter track 13. Dare I say it has a Reba/”Fancy” feel to it? Let me give you the headline: The tune is about a stripper. From what I can gather, she is a decent person who needs the money and wants to reconcile who she is with who she wants to be. But c’mon! In reality: Who hasn’t tried to hide their pain via some undesirable behavior, right? (No? Ahem…me neither). Great song though. Listen.
#14) Walking Away: Girls, we’ve all been there; staying with “that guy” even though we saw the red flags early on. Why we stay, we’ll never know. He’s not going to change and let’s face it: deep down, we know it. BUT---this is from the perspective of the guy who sees the red flags in himself and is trying to warn the girl to walk. RUN! is even implied……which makes me wonder: if he knows he’s that much of a jerk, why doesn’t he change? (Don’t try to figure it out; just take the man’s advice—run.)
Here is what Muss thought about all of the tracks on Night Train...
* This Nothin' Town - Hits Home for every small town kid. What’s the dumbest thing you did to entertain yourself in a small town?
When She Says Baby - A love song that kicks your ass a little…driving opening to the album!!! You like to work out the drummer.
Feel That Again – Feels like your writing from the cab of the truck….one track after another you can imagine taking a drive…..
* Wheels Rollin' – Haunting vocals and lyrics move this “on the road anthem”. You can here the pain and at the same time the pride of the adventure. Jason Aldean’s “Turn the Page”!!
Talk – First break you get from the start of “Night Train”. About that conversation 2 people who are into each other…getting out of the warm up circle and into the batter’s box….
The Only Way I Know – Aldean, Luke Bryan, and Eric Church….the drive, the intensity….what got all three where you are now in Nashville. Can see it as the ultimate highlight film – intro music to College Football song!!
Take A Little Ride – First track released. Highest Debut of any song so far in your career at 19. Went to Number 1 and moved the release date to Oct. 16th!!!
I Don't Do Lonely Well – a mixed tempoed song that expresses emotions, sans the sappiness. Tackling emotions without pandering!!
Night Train – Title track! Rock licks with Nashville vocals and sensibilities…
*1994 – Banjo, Joe Diffie references, and a little dirt road tempo….LOVE IT!!!!! “real Jo Diffie please stand up?”
Staring At The Sun – Aldean puts the pain in sure happiness with his vocals….she is all that – it hurts!!! Rush of emotions that crush you with memories…On the road references continue to arise on the album, “she’s like coming home” – I Don’t do Lonely Well – The Only Way I Know – Wheels Rollin’”.
Drink One For Me – Where were you on this album…writing, picking songs???
*Black Tears – The darkest song on the album. About a stripper who toils with where her path has taken her, but can’t bring herself to help herself. The imagery of this song…you really get behind the scenes and can see the mascara running down.
Walking Away – You cannot change a man!!!! He’s just not that into you song!! Every woman knows and has dated a guy that makes this a dangerous song. When your gal “out of the blue” goes crazy…..it’s because of the guy in this song that she once dated.
Water Tower – coming home song. Song that gets the ground back under your feet.
