Randor's Song of the Week: 02.05.12

"Planet Texas" by Kenny Rogers from the album Something Inside So Strong. 1989.
    Speaking of corny country music... Who hasn't made fun of "The Gambler"? The Mr. Rogers of Country has a Wisconsin-sized slough of cheese-laced hits though, and I'd sooner pick something like "Lucille" or "Coward of the County" to knock on. Heck, even the Dolly Parton duet "Islands in the Stream" floats atop the fondue flood, and only the semi-tribute "Ghetto Supatar" could hope to match Witz crackers and cheese with it. ...That is, until you hear "Planet Texas", which takes the cheesecake. I don't think you can even technically call this a country song! Ignore the creepy headshot album cover, and imagine all the maize produced in the U.S. Midwest. Now squish it all into the world's largest cornball. If you've never traversed the corn-producing states, I can assure you: that would be one massive ball of corn. It's only fitting, though, for if the Moon is made of cheese, Planet Texas must be made of corn.

Randor's Song of the Week: 09.18.11

"Mr. Policeman" by Brad Paisley from the album 5th Gear. 2007.
    Much like an Arctic bear, country music is a polarizing force. Usual relationship levels tend to fall under either restraining order hatred or monogamous genre love. Simply put, most people either really like it or really despise it. I find myself in between, though. People often complain about the twangy style, but I find that most enjoyable about the music. The guitar carries a unique timbre I appreciate, and Brad Paisley tends to run that sound up and down the fretted neck very successfully in his solos. "Mr. Policeman" just chases that example at breakneck pace. Nah, my qualms with country music lay not in the style but the lyrics. Especially in more recent years it seems the artists either must repeat a phrase until they forget what it means or they have a quota to fill regarding the words 'tractor' or 'country' itself, among many others. I mean, Rodney Atkins seems to just shot-put a random 'tractor' into the backroads for no good reason... other than saying 'tractor' (the line goes "if I'm gonna hit a traffic jam, well, there better be a tractor, man"). Ehhh, while I can't cash in my excitement check over the simple lyrics these songs tend to have, it does define the genre. The most complex wordplay you'll find rested among, say, "Shiftwork" lyrics. I suppose that's another pillar to support this week's podium for "Mr. Policeman." A unique topic partnered with the charm of good ole homegrown music.