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Music review: Brad Paisley ëƵ ëƵLove and WarëƵ

By Clint Rhodes for The 3 min read
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ëƵLove and WarëƵ is the 11th studio release from one of the finest guitar players in all of country music today and showcases Brad PaisleyëƵs knack for penning heartfelt stories about life and love that evoke a wide range of emotions.

ëƵHeaven SouthëƵ has the West Virginia native singing about beer-battered chicken, sweet tea, nightcrawlers, crickets, fishing, the flag and the local courthouse as part of the perfect day on the album opener.

ëƵLast Time for EverythingëƵ serves as a nostalgic trip filled with great memories and the subtle reminder that we need to make the most of every day.

Applying the same wit and charm that produced previous infectious hits like ëƵCelebrity,ëƵ ëƵAlcoholëƵ and ëƵOnline,ëƵ Paisley addresses the follies of social media on ëƵselfie#theinternetisforever.ëƵ ëƵYou gotta be ashamed,ëƵ sings Paisley as he warns that the internet is forever and your online stupidity is granted more than just 15 minutes of fame.

A number of energizing collaborations are featured on the 16-track set.

Written and performed with Mick Jagger, ëƵDrive of ShameëƵ finds Jagger performing his best honky-tonk vibe since ëƵFar Away EyesëƵ from 1978ëƵs ëƵSome GirlsëƵ by the Rolling Stones.

On the title track, Paisley and John Fogerty illustrate that all is certainly not fair in love and war as the pair outline the poor treatment experienced by many of our veterans after sacrificing everything and returning home.

Country legend Bill Anderson helps to offer up the heartbreaking tale of a man who has lost his will to live after the death of his wife and the desire to reunite with her in heaven on ëƵDying to See Her.ëƵ

Paisley has always had a way of delivering the perfect love song. ëƵTodayëƵ is yet another melodic testament of true love that Paisley presents in such a moving manner. Continuing the theme of true love, Paisley adds music to a gorgeous poem originally written by Johnny Cash for June Carter on ëƵGold All Over the Ground.ëƵ

Timbaland helps to lighten the mood and infuse a fresh energy on the rousing ëƵGrey Goose ChaseëƵ and soaring ëƵSolar Power Girl.ëƵ

From the comical side of trying to dispose of any traces of the house party held for friends before the parents come home with ëƵOne Beer CanëƵ to the heaviness of the darkness that permeates through the world on ëƵThe Devil Is Alive and Well,ëƵ Paisley proves once again why heëƵs worthy of country superstar status.

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