Search - Dean Brody :: Dean Brody

Brody Creates Life Parables with Debut Disc

T. Yap | Sydney, NSW, Australia | 04/29/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Prime Cuts: Gravity, Lazy Days, Brothers



Country music does not just deal with issues of life and life. Rather, it has a way of creating life and love in a three dimensional way so palatable that you can't help but live in its narrative. Brody is a singer-songwriter who has gain mastery over his craft. He is not easy satisfied with the generic "I love you" songs. On the other hand, he creates stories of red blooded people living in small towns that are so poignant that they become parables for our own lives. Without a doubt the apogee of "Dean Brody" is Brody's scribal prowess. Hence, it's not surprising that Brody has a hand in penning all the tracks except for "Old John Riley" and "This Ain't the Same Town." Vocally, Brody is apt without being exceptional--his southern drawl tenor has echoes of Kenny Chesney in his less nasal moments.



So let's get to the songs: Lead single "Brothers" has already caused a stir commercially. A top 10 hit in his native Canada and a current resident at the upper echelon of the Billboard chart. It comes as no surprise: "Brothers" explores the emotions of Brody watching tearfully as his beloved sibling goes off to war. The complexities of emotions are deftly captured through this carefully narrated ballad bolstered most warmly by Brody's sensitive vocals. Not since Keith Whitley and Earl Thomas Conley's "Brotherly Love," has a ballad about sibling relationships that is so vital and important. It takes no more than a listen to "Gravity" to know that Brody is a wordsmith par excellence. "Gravity" is heartfelt song that cleverly expounds on the alluring powers of love. Brody is just as compelling on the fiddle-drenched "This Old Raft," reminding us that Brody could sit side by side with the neo-traditionalist greats such as Alan Jackson and George Strait.



Sounding like a Kenny Chesney-Caribbean delight, "Lazy Days" finds Brody recalling with fondness a romantic getaway counting the freckles of his better half. Brody certainly know how to straddle the right sonic for hit material especially on the chugging rocker "Undone" and the pun-laden "Dirt Road Scholar." Both excel in their strong melodic constructions and Brody's passionate performance. However, "Cattleman's Gun" a pseudo-Wester styled an epic tale of murder, death, natural disaster and religious bigotry is a little too wordy and doesn't fit well with the tenor of the album.



Listening to Brody's debut CD brings one back to the time of the 90s where country music's selling point is its strong melodies and thoughtful lyrics. Brody doesn't disappoint as far as these criterion are concerned. This disc is sure to build sturdy momentum for a career-long stay for Brody at the higher end of the char. This Canadian native is an artist with potential; he has made country music real again.



"

Love this album

Steven P. Little | fairfield,pa | 05/07/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"this is great album and so far the best debut album of the year and it will be hard to beat



it starts off soild with "undone" but also has such upbeat songs like "Dirt Road Scolar","Old Joe Riley" but he can also hit u with the slow ballads such has "Gravity" and the smash hit "Brothers" and even give alittle island feel in "Lazy Days" this album is worth the buy so go and pick u up

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