Who Needs Pictures

Who Needs Pictures

ASIN: B00000JGAI

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
You'd never have guessed that this country hunk would turn out to have a brain and a heart hiding under his Western gear, but Brad Paisley's Who Needs Pictures is among the more encouraging albums to come out of Nashville in some time. Rather than running from country's traditions, Paisley embraces them, going so far as to include the gospel standard "In the Garden" alongside original songs that tackle more contemporary subjects such as single motherhood ("He Didn't Have to Be") or church services that interfere with a Sunday out on the lake ("Long Sermon"). Just as promising, the guitars (Paisley's own picks) and fiddles here have been recorded in all their biting, twangy glory. There are problems--a few arrangements are predictably busy and the gimmicky fake-out ending of "Me Neither" is clever precisely once--but overall, Paisley's debut seems like a sign of something good about to develop. --David Cantwell

Tracks:

Long Sermon
Me Neither
Who Needs Pictures
Don't Breathe
He Didn't Have To Be
It Never Woulda Worked Out Anyway
Holdin' On To You
I've Been Better
We Danced
Sleepin' On The Foldout
Cloud Of Dust
The Nervous Breakdown
In The Garden

Amazon.com

You'd never have guessed that this country hunk would turn out to have a brain and a heart hiding under his Western gear, but Brad Paisley's Who Needs Pictures is among the more encouraging albums to come out of Nashville in some time. Rather than running from country's traditions, Paisley embraces them, going so far as to include the gospel standard "In the Garden" alongside original songs that tackle more contemporary subjects such as single motherhood ("He Didn't Have to Be") or church services that interfere with a Sunday out on the lake ("Long Sermon"). Just as promising, the guitars (Paisley's own picks) and fiddles here have been recorded in all their biting, twangy glory. There are problems--a few arrangements are predictably busy and the gimmicky fake-out ending of "Me Neither" is clever precisely once--but overall, Paisley's debut seems like a sign of something good about to develop. --David Cantwell

Customer Reviews:

It fits.......2007-03-19

For anyone who likes BP this CD will fit nicely into the collection. No shocks or surprises, just good music.

Brad's Pictures!.......2006-03-21

Typical Paisley...just good country. Why wasn't SLEEPING ON THE FOLDOUT a big hit!! Fun.

Excellent start for one of the best young artists in country music.......2005-07-04

Brad Paisley, to me, is easily one of the most impressive artists to break out in the past decade. This, his first effort, was a very good one. Paisley's most impressive quality is his versatility; he can sing excellent emotional ballads, can quickly shift gears to a fun and humorous song, and in nearly every song displays pretty darn impressive guitar chops. He's a little twangy, so the fringe country fan might be bothered by that...but for any true fan of country music, Brad offers something for any mood you might be in.

The highlights of this CD:
My favorite song on this album is probably "He Didn't Have To Be," the true ballad sung in honor of his stepdad. Great lyrics, beautifully sung by Paisley.
"We Danced" is another great ballad that comes in a close second for me. The lyrics aren't quite as deep as "He Didn't Have To Be," but they're still very pleasant to listen to. Honorable mention to "Who Needs Pictures," another strong ballad.

Picking up the pace, "Long Sermon" is an amusing cut with an enjoyable and catchy beat. "Me Neither" is hilarious on the first couple of listens...though I found it to be short on lasting power. Still, while the novelty of the lyrics wears off somewhat quickly, there's some excellent guitar work pinned on the end of that one. "Don't Breathe" is another fun one..."fun" might be an odd description of a song about heartache, but I do think it's Paisley's intention in this one.

"Nervous Breakdown" is a good instrumental track on the CD, and "In The Garden," a traditional gospel song, is a refreshing part of the CD (and is a nice start to Brad's now consistent pattern of including a gospel song on each album).

There's a little bit of filler on this album, but not much I wouldn't say. I quickly thought of 8 tracks I enjoyed on the disc that I enjoy quite a bit, without ever having to look back to the CD...for a debut album, that's a very impressive number in my view. Fans of Brad Paisley would definitely do well to pick this album up if they don't yet have it...while Mud on the Tires is probably his best effort yet, Who Needs Pictures is a solid runner-up.

Strong and durable debut album .......2005-01-18

The picture on the cover of this album lead me to expect the worst -another pretty boy hat act with the usual slick production and disposable ,radio friendly tunes.I am delighted to say my cynicism was misplaced -this arist is an altogether better performer ,and this an altogether better album than I was expecting .
Paisley was a youthful 26 when this album appeared in 1999 but had several years of live performance experience behind him ,and several appearances on the famed Wheeling Jamboree ,not to mention having songs cut by seasoned performers like David Ball and Tracy Byrd .In addition he is a guitarist of exemplary talent --just listen to the crispness and fluidity of his playing on " The Nervous Breakdown " for a demonstration of his wizardry on the instrument ,if you want to hear for yourself .As a vocalist he sounds traditional without being self consciously retro unlike artists such as neo-traditionalists Dale Watson and Wayne Hancock .He is clearly aware of the greats of the music and indeed opened his 2000 London show with a medley of songs by artists such as Haggard and Miller, but has a style which manages to be unique while operating within the parameters of the music's past .
There may be better hardcore country singers out there but he is not deficient in the vocal department and has what it takes to be a major figure in the genre for years to come .
Pitch ; inflection and phrasing are all solid and there is the added bonus of his being an accomplished writer .The only well known co-writer featured is Tim Nichols and they collaborated to produce the witty and tongue in cheek opening track " Long Sermon " -deep it aint but it is charming and pertinent with a lively infectious bounce to it .He can do more serious stuff too as witness the touching hymn to a stepfather " He Didn't Have To Be That Way " -an attractive song with a positive message about family .Its the kind of song anti country people feel is hokey but that is their loss .I found it truthful and touching .Listen also the touches of Western swing on " It Never Woulda Worked Out Anyway " and the wry self deprecation of the lyric to " Me Neither " .This is a man who takes the work seriously but not himself .

The best cut for my money is thr title song - one in the tradition of the Alan Jackson classic " Here in the Real World " a thoughtful well wrought refelective ballad about a lost love .
Excellent production from another debutant Frank Rogers and crisp playing from the musicians , mostly drawn from his road band rather than the usual studio musicians and what you get is a striking debut album that has worn well in the time since its release

Recommended to all who carrynthe torch for traditional country with modern day edge

wonderful!.......2004-04-29

you can hardly put a price on this cd! thats how good it is. paisley has good vocal skills, plays the guitar, and writes his own awesome, and "speak to the heart" songs! you should really buy it!

Average customer rating:

Who Needs Pictures
Brad Paisley
Manufacturer: Arista
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Country | Styles | Music
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ASIN: B00000I8NJ
Release Date: 1999-03-02

Tracks:

Who Needs Pictures
It Never Woulda Worked Out Anyway

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