OK music, no lyrics

Good sense would tell you not to get rid of something good, right?
Brad Paisley didn’t get that memo.

Paisley’s new album Play contains none of the witty, touching or otherwise relatable lyrics that make his music so endearing.

Since his debut in 1999 Paisley has gained increasing acclaim for his talents as a musical triple threat (singer, songwriter and guitarist). Each album since then has contained at least one instrumental track. However, this time around, Paisley’s guitar takes center stage. Eleven of the 15 tracks have no lyrics.

Although he realizes this sort of album doesn’t lend itself well to the radio or to chart-topping singles, for Paisley this is more of a personal album.

In essence, it is an attempt to get listeners to understand all sides of his musical repertoire. As the other aspects of his artistry oftentimes underscore Paisley’s knack for the six-string, he felt the best way to expose it was through an instrumental project.

If that’s the case, this album serves its purpose. By the time it’s over, there is no doubt Paisley is both proficient with and passionate about his guitar. He is able to incorporate a variety of styles from rockabilly and surf to jazz and even a romantic piece about his wife, actress Kimberly Williams-Paisley.

While other guitar prodigies may be able to find value in this, for the rest of us a few seconds of instrumental fervor is all it takes before hitting the skip button in hopes of discovering something that doesn’t blend into the background noise.

Amidst the dullness of Play, a few gems shine through. A duet with Keith Urban “Start a Band,” as well as “More Than Just a Song,” featuring Steve Wariner, and a re-recording of the hit “Waiting on a Woman” with Andy Griffith take away some of the pain.

What’s different?

Words.

These tracks showcase some of Paisley’s trademark humor, wit and emotion in their lyrics.

Kudos to Brad for recording a personal album outside the confines of the profit-driven, homogenized mainstream music, but Play is not worth the $11 it costs on iTunes.