Blake Shelton - Based On A True Story...

The elementary, shallow and impersonal influence of rap/hip-hop has firmly entrenched itself into the country music world. That is not a criticism…well; maybe a little bit…just the reality. Let all the "he's just old" slinging begin, however, if observation, honesty and principle make me old, I can live with that. My eyes and ears are not closed to what I see and hear as many others in society seem to be in all facets of our world today. I live in reality and the reality is that country music has moved towards a younger, rap/hip-hop influenced base and in doing so, in my opinion, has lost a degree of its mass, multi-generational appeal. Sorry folks but the sounds emitting from your radio, cd player and other devices do not lie. Denial is not a river in Egypt.

All you need do to is listen to the new record by Blake Shelton, Based on a True Story… Five of the first seven tracks on this album solidify this fact. Slap country-esque subject matter into the title and call it country; even though inside and out the syncopation, structure and sound is pure rap/hip-hop. Then throw in the auto-tuner (the bane of ANY real singer. Why Nashville producers think they needs to use this is beyond me.) and you have a rap/hip-hop record all wrapped up in a pretty little bow being presented to the country music audience. Do not mistake my meaning. I am NOT calling Blake Shelton's new album a fraud, however, if you take an honest look and listen under the wrapper of this album…and country music in general today…I believe you will hear that which I type.

Further evidence of this devolution can be found in the lyrics themselves. Songwriting is an art. I have a tremendous amount of respect for anyone who writes music. Country music songwriting has generally been considered a notch or two (well, head and shoulders really but I am trying to be objective) above most other types of songwriting. Its romance, its storytelling, its ability to transport the listener and affect them on a personal, emotional level cannot be repeated by any other genre of music. Unfortunately, rap/hip-hop does nothing to further the artistry that is songwriting. Look no further than track #1, Boys Round Here. "Chew tobacco, chew tobacco, chew tobacco, spit." I will let you draw your own conclusion. Cursing and swearing has been part (a small part in most instances) of country music for awhile now, however, its use is minimal and the structure of the song was crafted in such a way that its use provided great effect when it was used. Think Charlie Daniels Band and The Devil Went Down to Georgia. Ask any comic or improvisational actor and they will tell you that that the easiest way…which requires the least amount of thought…to get a laugh is to drop an "f-bomb." Nowadays, music is beginning to require a "hit song" to contain cursing and swearing throughout. See track #8, I Still Got a Finger. Its subject matter is country; it has a solid country/rock sound but the rap/hip-hop influence runs throughout the entire 3:38. In contrast, Blake's version of the Rhett Atkins penned Granddaddy's Gun is a real highlight. He nails the emotion and paints vivid pictures that can be hung in just about every living room in America. Aaron Lewis also cut this song on his record; furthering the evidence that, just like telling the truth, great songwriting wins out every time it is tried.

This may seem like I am bashing the record and Blake Shelton. I am not. Although I am certain I will see and hear many outcries of such via Twitter. I love Mr. Shelton's honesty and the "BS'ers" loyalty. Trust me. I welcome the opportunity to have an honest, objective discussion; as long as the discussion does not start with "You're an eff'ing idiot!" Please tell me something I do not already know. Look, I love Blake Shelton and his wife Miranda Lambert. I have said many times on the air that if I could sit and have beers with ANY artist in country music it would be Mr. and Mrs. Shelton. I think they are two of the most authentic and real people in the world. However, that does not preclude me from thinking and writing honestly. That is principle and once principle is lost, we have lost ourselves as human beings. Please, buy or download the record and judge for yourself. Yes, we all have opinions and I am well aware (and will be reminded many times in the near future) they are all like backsides. However, if we truly believe in diversity and tolerance, that includes EVERY opinion and idea and not just what the media tells us what diversity and tolerance mean.