What I listened to: "Fuse (Deluxe Edition)" By: Keith Urban
How did I listen to it: 320 Kbps on Apple EarPods
Usually in a review, for pretty much anything, the writer tries to leave you guessing with what he will think about it to the end. Not here. We are Brutally Honest. This album is below Boring.
Country music. What has happened? I can understand a few songs that cross over to a different genre for "business" reasons but this is insane. I'll say it here: having a banjo in your music doesn't make it country music. The intro to the album starts off with a banjo sounding instrument. Then, the drums kick in. If they are even real. They sound digital. Since when did anybody ever do this except in rap and pop?
No this isn't one of those, "well if Hank Williams did it that way, everybody should do it that way" kind of review. I'm all for experimenting in music but when you change a genre, it's not longer experimenting. You have gone totally for that way.
This album is not country. So, I will review this as a Pop record.
So far it pretty much blows. Maybe the next few songs will get better...?
Let's go to track four titled "Shame". Yup. Sums up what I feel when I listen to this album.
"Good Thing"...nope. Generic lyrics that talk about tailgates and trucks. It has made it's way to this record because it's the 'cool thing to do' in modern country music. But since it's a pop record, talking about trucks aren't cool. Unless you're Florida Georgia Line and you roll windows down. This song doesn't include stuff about that but it's summing what I feel about it so far.
There is a duet with Miranda Lambert...but fails to really capture emotion. I listen to it and all I think of is....Bleh...
Let's fast forward to the song "Red Camaro". They lyrics feel rushed...although, the banjo loop did sound pretty cool with the faux drums. But it just didn't gel with his voice in the mix. Sounded like a poor man's attempt at pop. Oh wait...
At least he's not singing about trucks at this point.
There is a song featuring Eric Church. Probably the only good song on this album. Because it's used with actual musical instruments. It never goes anywhere too 'epic' but it's style is an anthem for the good things in life. Hence the name "Raise 'Em Up". It's the best song on this record and it doesn't deserve to be on a record such as this.
Now since this is a deluxe edition, I do have to say that it includes three new songs: "Black Leather Jacket", "Gonna B Good" and "Lucky Charm".
"Lucky Charm" is about how a girl is his lucky charm. Taking him from the dark side to where he is now. In the light.
It's more of the sounds we have been used to but there's still that 'pop' sound to it.
That's all I want to say about that. I made myself listen to the whole thing, not once, not twice but three (3) times. Just like I do with all of my reviews. Ok...
Verdict: Boring.
I never thought Keith would stoop to a musical level such as this. The heartfelt songs, the beautiful melodies, the 'music' seemed lost with this album. It honestly feels like they decided to make an album that would attempt to cross over and in the process I am certain he lost fans other than myself. It was a country artist attempting to pull off mainstream pop by using cheesy country lyrics. Last time I checked pop artists don't sing about pick-up trucks. The drinking part, now that's a bit different in some cases.
Don't pick this up. This sound should not be encouraged. It doesn't matter if it's not the way Hank or George or Akon or Usher did it. The fact is that there isn't much substance here. No hit. No heartfelt acoustic guitar melodies...I missed that in this album.
He "Fuse"-d a crappy record. Then added three more songs. Sometimes it's best to go back to where you began and try to forget this whole thing ever happened.
Don't buy this album.
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