Originally posted Nov 7, 2010
Jason Aldean Deserves a Sackpunch #12
Jason Aldean deserves a sackpunch
FTM has one true foe.
It's not Taylor Swift; she's got a unique niche and doesn't seem to be
influencing a horde of clones. It's not Rascal Flatts; too easy, and
they seem to be past their peak anyway.
No, FTM's official enemy of state is a wolf in sheep's skin. He looks
the part of a country singer. He has a country drawl. He references the
greats (Cash, Possum, etc). He's even authentically southern. I suppose
you could even say he's talented... with a distinctive voice, "it"
factor... and he's certainly got more country cred than the
aforementioned artists. All for naught.
Jason Aldine Williams, aka Jason Aldean, is a scourge on country music.
Garth Brooksian, even. What I mean by that, is that Aldean may change
the face of the genre to a degree not seen since Brooks supposedly
brought on the pop-pocalypse in the 90's.
Garth came hard with the arena rock; Aldean takes that a step further,
jacking up the guitars as loud as anything you'll hear on douche rock
radio. "She's Country" had riffs rivaling some mainstream metal acts.
Garth wasn't afraid to inject pop into his tunes, even counting a Billy
Joel cover among his biggest hits. Aldean's new album contains a duet
with American Idol winner Kelly Clarkson, that is 100% pop and primed
for crossover.
As if those slights weren't enough, Jason has gone a step further in his
plot to undermine all we hold dear at FTM. I realize I've already run
this point into the ground, but really, can I say it enough? The second
track on Aldean's new album, Screw You, Country My Kinda Party, is a rap song. Again, it's a rap song. Not talking blues, not Jerry Reed-style talking country.... it's rap.
We all knew this was coming. The verses of Big & Rich's first major
hit, "Save a Horse," fell into a gray area between talking country and
rap. The song came off as a one-off lark, and was at least a fun guilty
pleasure - depending on who you ask. Their buddy, the affable Cowboy
Troy, is a "hick hop" artist who's had several minor hits. Colt Ford has
a similar story. These two guys seem pretty authentic, for what it's
worth, and I have no problem with their chosen musical outlet. Then
again, these are the exceptions and the latter two have thus far not
shown themselves to be very influential in the direction of mainstream
country.
"Dirt Road Anthem" (a Ford cover) is a harbinger. A major country singer
on the verge of A-List/Entertainer of the Year-type stardom has
recorded a song (which will definitely be a single, write it down) that
is not just hip-hop influenced; it IS hip-hop. It's undeniably catchy (I
shouldn't have admitted that) and will surely catch the ear of younger
"country music fans" and soccer moms alike. And you know Nashville,
follow don't lead; the gates will swing open wide.
The shrinking crowd of "real country" fans already has enough to bitch
about... Sugarland, Swift, Rascal Flatts, etc. The introduction of rap
into commercial country will be the final straw in the broom to sweep
the last of us holdouts (who still enjoy Gary Allan, Brad Paisley and a
few others) away for good.
Sure, I'll still tune in for comedy material and sometimes with
"trainwreck" fascination, but I doubt I'll ever listen to US 96.3 for
actual enjoyment again once the lineup is half pop, a quarter hip-hop
and a quarter poser country boys. I shouldn't care anymore - it's been
sliding for a long time - but I still have affection for the artists who
at least attempt to bring more traditional sounds to the airwaves.
Unfortunately and irreparably, the silver lining is about to come off
the dark cloud.
And for that, Mr. Aldine, I suggest you pad your Wranglers with a few gym socks. Here's your crotch rocket of a fist assault. This one's gonna hurt you for a long long time....
