I'll be getting to my review momentarily, but first I decided to take advantage of my ability to add pictures and include one of the man of the moment: Josh Turner, with his wife Jennifer, at the Grand Ole Opry in April. I unfortunately didn't get a lot of pictures of him, but if you'd like to see the ones I did get you can find them here on my Facebook page. Check them out and if you haven't already, I'd love for you to like the page while you're there.
Now. Punching Bag. This CD was released in the beginning of June and if there's one thing I can say about Josh Turner, it's that he's very consistent. This is his fifth studio album and is done in typical Josh fashion. He knows who he is as an artist and stays true to that. Something I find admirable. You pretty much know what you're going to get with him: traditional country music with an emphasis on relationships and faith. All of the songs on this album fit very nicely with the rest of his songs. I'd imagine that any of the songs found on Punching Bag would fit in seamlessly with his live show. This is something I wish every single artist thought about because it's important.
Punching Bag is a very solid album. I really like the production for the most part, save for a couple of things that I'll address when I look at each song separately. The playing on this is wonderful, it's very crisp and clean and musical. Josh always gives a great delivery on his songs and there's no exception here. This album has a very nice flow to it; every song is exactly where it should be. So yeah, a very good album that I'm sure anyone who likes Josh Turner will love. Or anyone who loves traditionally based country with a bit of a modern twist.
Now as far as each song individually, well, keep on reading.
Introduction by Michael Buffer - I have to give Josh and his team points for originality here. This is definitely not how I was expecting this album to start out, but it gave me a chuckle.
"Punching Bag" This is one of my favorite tracks on the album and the perfect song to kick things off, especially after that introduction. This song is a little different for him, showing a little more of an edge. It's a side of him we haven't really seen and I like that. That said, this is one of the times when the production felt a little bit off. It's not so much that there's anything wrong with what's here, rather, I'm left wanting more musically. Particularly in the last minute or so of the song. It needed to have a little more punch to it, just a little something extra. But still, one of my favorite tracks.
"Time is Love" The lead off single and what a great choice. This one has a great groove to is and features some nice playing. I really like the concept of the song too.
"Deeper Than My Love" I gotta be honest; I'm not really feeling this one. It's not a bad song and I haven't felt an urge to skip it when it comes on, which is good. But something about it just falls a little flat for me. I can't put my finger on it. One of the weaker songs on the album.
"Good Problem" This song has a certain charm to it, but it's not one of my favorites. It's a sweet lyric and I do enjoy his delivery, but this song is just okay for me.
"Cold Shoulder" Lyrically, I find this song pretty interesting. There's a couple of lines I really like in here, "The more she turns her back, the more the nights get colder/ I put all the blame on her cold shoulder". This is what I'd call a stone-cold country song, one that could easily fit in just about any period of country music history. It's very classic in that sense and I adore the steel in here. I do wish it was just a little more prevalent, but what there is is lovely. Some very nice solos. I seem to appreciate this more the more I listen to it.
"Find Me a Baby" Points for an interesting song title. This one caught my attention right away and is, quite simply, adorable. It makes me smile. The music is pleasant, it's a sweet lyric and I love that his wife and kids are singing on this. Probably the most charming song on the entire album and it would not surprise me to see this become a single at some point.
"Whatcha Reckon" Another one that could easily become a single. This has a nice little groove to it and I can just see an audience dancing along to it in concert. Fun song. I like the ending of this one a lot too.
"Pallbearer" This song features Marty Stuart on mandolin and Iris DeMent on background vocals and is hands down my favorite song on Punching Bag. No contest. I love this song so much and it all starts with the concept which I find so unique. It's about a guy who is mourning the death of his relationship; he is the pallbearer and the body he's carrying is his. I always seem to gravitate towards these kinds of songs the most, they're always the most interesting. Josh wrote this one by himself and it's a testament to his skills as a songwriter. It's a fantastic lyric and his delivery is spot on. There's a simplicity to the music that suits the lyric perfectly. Meanwhile, I had never heard of Iris DeMent, but listening to this makes me want to look her up and see what she's done. Her vocals on here are so beautiful and haunting. All of that and then there's Marty Stuart playing mandolin on top of it. Marty Stuart is such a wonderful mandolin player and I adore his playing on here. This is going to be a pretty big statement, but this might end up being one of the best songs of 2012. It's song of the year worthy to me. Sadly, I'm not convinced that radio would embrace it should it become a single. But yeah, favorite song on the CD.
"For the Love of God" Featuring Ricky Skaggs on harmony vocals, mandolin and cello banjo.This song is quite a contrast after the somberness of "Pallbearer" and I like that they did it that way. It's a nice way to pick things up again and it's such a fun, peppy song. Anyone who likes a little bluegrass in their country will no doubt enjoy this one. The playing on here is among my favorite kind of playing: snappy and clean. In terms of the music alone, this one is tough to beat and a big part of the credit for that goes to Ricky Skaggs. His musical ability is kind of ridiculous and I mean that as a compliment. I love his playing in general and this is no exception. He's a great background vocalist as well. How can anyone not love him? I mean, come on. Meanwhile, this is another one that Josh wrote by himself and is another of my favorites. This, as you may as guessed from the title, is one of two faith oriented songs on Punching Bag. Very much quintessential Josh Turner here.
"I Was There" The deeper and more emotional of the two faith oriented songs. Out of all the songs on this album, this one speaks the most to me on a personal level. A feeling that I'm sure is shared by many others. This song is delivered from God's perspective and it talks about how He's always there and always will be. It's a beautiful lyric and Josh's delivery is so sincere and heartfelt. I really like the musical arrangement; another one that features some lovely playing. This is one song that I listen to and find myself becoming very quiet and still listening to it. This is the type of song that highlights just how powerful music is, it's the kind of song that could potentially change someone's life. It's that strong of a message. Definitely one of the standout tracks on the album.
"Left Hand Man" I have to admit that I'm surprised that they chose to end the song with this and not "I Was There". The latter of which is kind of a typical album closer and that is what makes me like that they decided to go another way and end on an upbeat note. The lyrics are very sweet and make me smile. It's about a guy who is so in love with his girl that he just can't wait until they get married and he can show off his wedding ring. Thus becoming a left hand man. This song ranks high on my aww-o-meter. I enjoy the feel of it too so that's a nice bonus.
Now as far as each song individually, well, keep on reading.
Introduction by Michael Buffer - I have to give Josh and his team points for originality here. This is definitely not how I was expecting this album to start out, but it gave me a chuckle.
"Punching Bag" This is one of my favorite tracks on the album and the perfect song to kick things off, especially after that introduction. This song is a little different for him, showing a little more of an edge. It's a side of him we haven't really seen and I like that. That said, this is one of the times when the production felt a little bit off. It's not so much that there's anything wrong with what's here, rather, I'm left wanting more musically. Particularly in the last minute or so of the song. It needed to have a little more punch to it, just a little something extra. But still, one of my favorite tracks.
"Time is Love" The lead off single and what a great choice. This one has a great groove to is and features some nice playing. I really like the concept of the song too.
"Deeper Than My Love" I gotta be honest; I'm not really feeling this one. It's not a bad song and I haven't felt an urge to skip it when it comes on, which is good. But something about it just falls a little flat for me. I can't put my finger on it. One of the weaker songs on the album.
"Good Problem" This song has a certain charm to it, but it's not one of my favorites. It's a sweet lyric and I do enjoy his delivery, but this song is just okay for me.
"Cold Shoulder" Lyrically, I find this song pretty interesting. There's a couple of lines I really like in here, "The more she turns her back, the more the nights get colder/ I put all the blame on her cold shoulder". This is what I'd call a stone-cold country song, one that could easily fit in just about any period of country music history. It's very classic in that sense and I adore the steel in here. I do wish it was just a little more prevalent, but what there is is lovely. Some very nice solos. I seem to appreciate this more the more I listen to it.
"Find Me a Baby" Points for an interesting song title. This one caught my attention right away and is, quite simply, adorable. It makes me smile. The music is pleasant, it's a sweet lyric and I love that his wife and kids are singing on this. Probably the most charming song on the entire album and it would not surprise me to see this become a single at some point.
"Whatcha Reckon" Another one that could easily become a single. This has a nice little groove to it and I can just see an audience dancing along to it in concert. Fun song. I like the ending of this one a lot too.
"Pallbearer" This song features Marty Stuart on mandolin and Iris DeMent on background vocals and is hands down my favorite song on Punching Bag. No contest. I love this song so much and it all starts with the concept which I find so unique. It's about a guy who is mourning the death of his relationship; he is the pallbearer and the body he's carrying is his. I always seem to gravitate towards these kinds of songs the most, they're always the most interesting. Josh wrote this one by himself and it's a testament to his skills as a songwriter. It's a fantastic lyric and his delivery is spot on. There's a simplicity to the music that suits the lyric perfectly. Meanwhile, I had never heard of Iris DeMent, but listening to this makes me want to look her up and see what she's done. Her vocals on here are so beautiful and haunting. All of that and then there's Marty Stuart playing mandolin on top of it. Marty Stuart is such a wonderful mandolin player and I adore his playing on here. This is going to be a pretty big statement, but this might end up being one of the best songs of 2012. It's song of the year worthy to me. Sadly, I'm not convinced that radio would embrace it should it become a single. But yeah, favorite song on the CD.
"For the Love of God" Featuring Ricky Skaggs on harmony vocals, mandolin and cello banjo.This song is quite a contrast after the somberness of "Pallbearer" and I like that they did it that way. It's a nice way to pick things up again and it's such a fun, peppy song. Anyone who likes a little bluegrass in their country will no doubt enjoy this one. The playing on here is among my favorite kind of playing: snappy and clean. In terms of the music alone, this one is tough to beat and a big part of the credit for that goes to Ricky Skaggs. His musical ability is kind of ridiculous and I mean that as a compliment. I love his playing in general and this is no exception. He's a great background vocalist as well. How can anyone not love him? I mean, come on. Meanwhile, this is another one that Josh wrote by himself and is another of my favorites. This, as you may as guessed from the title, is one of two faith oriented songs on Punching Bag. Very much quintessential Josh Turner here.
"I Was There" The deeper and more emotional of the two faith oriented songs. Out of all the songs on this album, this one speaks the most to me on a personal level. A feeling that I'm sure is shared by many others. This song is delivered from God's perspective and it talks about how He's always there and always will be. It's a beautiful lyric and Josh's delivery is so sincere and heartfelt. I really like the musical arrangement; another one that features some lovely playing. This is one song that I listen to and find myself becoming very quiet and still listening to it. This is the type of song that highlights just how powerful music is, it's the kind of song that could potentially change someone's life. It's that strong of a message. Definitely one of the standout tracks on the album.
"Left Hand Man" I have to admit that I'm surprised that they chose to end the song with this and not "I Was There". The latter of which is kind of a typical album closer and that is what makes me like that they decided to go another way and end on an upbeat note. The lyrics are very sweet and make me smile. It's about a guy who is so in love with his girl that he just can't wait until they get married and he can show off his wedding ring. Thus becoming a left hand man. This song ranks high on my aww-o-meter. I enjoy the feel of it too so that's a nice bonus.
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