• ABOUT
    • Contact
    • The Team
    • FAQ
    • Use & Privacy Policy
  • ADVERTISE
  • ROWFAX
  • JOB LISTINGS
MusicRow.com
  • CALENDARS
    • Album/EP Releases
    • Single/Track Releases
    • Industry Events
  • OBITS
  • CHARTS
    • Radio Chart (Current)
    • Radio Chart (Archives)
    • No. 1 Challenge Coin
    • Songwriter Chart (Current)
    • Songwriter Chart (Archives)
  • REVIEWS
  • MY STORY
  • NEWSLETTER
    • Newsletter (Current)
    • Newsletter (Archives)
    • SIGN UP (FREE!)
  • SUBSCRIBE
  • STORE
  • Click to open the search input field Click to open the search input field Search
  • Menu Menu

Review: Aldean Anchors Adventurous Collection

April 19, 2009/by bossross

ja_wideopen2California-based Broken Bow Records arguably hasn’t yet done much for the Nashville community, but Wide Open, from its flagship artist Jason Aldean, scored impressive first week sales (109k) and is clearly boosting confidence in country’s fan connection. Radio is on board, too. Music Row named the Macon, Georgia native its Artist of the Year (Mid-Size Label ) for 2007 and 2008, based upon spins from the publication’s 110 Country Breakout chart reporters.

Aldean’s new set is loaded with smart lyrics swimming in a sea of  rocking, rhythmic articulations. Title track “Wide Open” sets the stage with crunchy guitars, cutting like a special forces team equipped with platinum-tipped jack hammers breaking into a granite encased vault full of gold. The story follows a young waitress—slinging eggs and bacon with a college education—who chooses to believe in herself, and drive full bore into a world she barely understands. It’s a one act opera of hope from writers Neil Thrasher, Wendell Mobley and Jim Collins.

Thankfully Aldean’s stretchy baritone anchors and welds the “country” into this adventurous collection. His roots-based delivery remains centered whether singing about a man’s shortcoming, farm life, an ode to Nashville, a woman’s needs or life issues we all face. The fiddle walks around the tracks with heightened sensibilities (uncredited) and listeners will enjoy well placed keyboard, pedal steel and banjo cameos. But make no mistake, this stew is a six-string tour de force. Unlike some of today’s artists, carefully controlling their sound, playing by the rules—Aldean eschews safe to deliver a sonic sandwich that doesn’t disappoint. Producer Michael Knox has ripped it up on this third-times-a-charm outing, boldly presenting a more mature artist. Aldean’s ongoing challenge, which he has yet to master, will be to translate his evolving artistry to live performances as he endeavors to move his career from opening act to headliner status.

This life’s full of choices… says the singer on “Keep The Girl” as the listener jumps inside the mind of a lovelorn man who knows that, like a sword with a double edged blade whatever he chooses will cut either way (Aldean, Thrasher, Mobley).

Luckily, the decision for fans (Aldean’s Army) is way easy—get this disc and crank the volume Wide Open.

  • Author
  • Recent Posts
bossross
bossross
bossross
Latest posts by bossross (see all)
  • Exclusive: Meghan Trainor Entices Nashville On Untouchable Tour - August 8, 2016
  • Weekly Register: SoundScan Discounts Jay Z Promotion; 'The Voice' Reigns - June 26, 2013
  • Weekly Register: An Unstoppable Freight Train - June 19, 2013
Share this entry
  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on X
  • Share on LinkedIn
  • Share by Mail
https://musicrow.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/MusicRow-header-logo-Mar19B.png 0 0 bossross https://musicrow.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/MusicRow-header-logo-Mar19B.png bossross2009-04-19 11:02:592009-04-19 11:02:59Review: Aldean Anchors Adventurous Collection
0 replies
  1. Shirley
    Shirley says:
    April 19, 2009 at 5:14 pm

    Great review! Good job reporting on Jason Aldean’s good job, he really has pleased his fans and I am sure this album will bring aboard a lot more! Positive feedback will keep the momentum going!

    Log in to Reply

Leave a Reply

Want to join the discussion?
Feel free to contribute!

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

RECENT NEWS

  • Dolly & Kendra Scott Launch Jewelry Collection Inspired By ‘I Will Always Love You’ June 12, 2025
  • My Music Row Story: Endurance Music Group’s Mark Ahlberg June 12, 2025
  • AIMP Nashville Young Professionals Announces Unsigned Songwriter Series Winners June 12, 2025
  • Dierks Bentley Hosts Intimate Celebration Ahead Of ‘Broken Branches’ Album Release June 12, 2025
  • DISClaimer Single Reviews: Zach Top Kicks Off Summer June 12, 2025
  • Centricity Music Elevates Four June 12, 2025
  • Tanner Adell To Launch ‘The Giddy Up, Gorgeous Tour’ This Summer June 12, 2025
  • Dylan Marlowe & Dylan Scott Celebrate ‘Boys Back Home’ Chart-Topper June 12, 2025
  • RockForce Expands With New Nashville Office, Taps Jeremy Young To Lead June 12, 2025
  • Tyler Childers Fan-Favorite ‘Nose On The Grindstone’ Out Today From Upcoming LP ‘Snipe Hunter’ June 12, 2025

Like Us on Facebook

Follow Us on Twitter

Tweets by MusicRow
© 2025 Music Row Enterprises, LLC – All rights reserved.
Website hosted by Nashville web design company, All My Web Needs.
  • Link to Facebook
  • Link to X
  • Link to Instagram
Scroll to top