BBC Review
The production is superb, but the lyrics lack any subtlety or sensitivity.
Nick Barraclough 2009-11-05
If Toby Keith ever cracks the charts over here it will be a sad day.
Take a look at the reverse of the sleeve and you’ll see why. Our Toby, bandana around his head, shades in place, sitting on a one of those huge Harleys that burned-out stockbrokers buy with the Stars and Stripes emblazoned on its petrol tank. And he’s serious.
Keith went from so-so honky tonk singer to hero (or pariah, depending on your viewpoint) when he released his Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue (The Angry American) single in the summer of 2002, inspired by the events of September 11th 2001, which included lyrics such as “And you’ll be sorry you messed with the US of A / ‘Cause we’ll put a boot in your a** / It’s the American Way”. Natalie Maines, lead singer of the Dixie Chicks, said the song was “ignorant, and it makes country music sound ignorant”.
That’s exactly what’s wrong with Toby Keith and his music. It is crass. There isn’t an ounce of sensitivity, nuance, or finesse. And I know what you’re thinking: this is country music; it’s not supposed to be subtle. Well, listen to Willie Nelson, Lyle Lovett, Dolly Parton and many others and you’ll understand.
This bloke has sold 30 million albums and is the fourth-best-selling artist in the US over the last ten years; that puts him ahead of Britney, Madonna and Springsteen. It’s an astounding statistic given what’s on offer on this album. Here’s a verse from the last track, Ballad of Balad: “The first night on combat we went on patrol / They ambushed our convoy and we chased the a****** / We found them all hidin’ in low water ditches / And we took aim and killed all them son of a b******.”
The best that can be said about it is the production and performance, including as it does Nashville’s finest musicians, is utterly superb and should be an object lesson on all music technology courses. Just don’t listen to the lyrics or the melodies. Or look at his picture.
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Comments
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Nick is clearly missing the point here - this is exactly what Toby Keith is all about - being an American Patriot and singing about what matters to patriotic Americans, true Americans. His music is infectious to the extreme - he sings about America, about drinking, about love, about having a good time. He does not pretend to be anything else. This is why he is number 4 on the list over the last 10 years. He get's it!
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I agree with gibboeggman, Toby's lyrics are essentially about things that matter to him and life in general. He sings about things that are relevant. If you listen to the words in the track "American Ride" they are totally up to date, ok some might say insensitive, but when you look back at country music it was all about "standing by your man" and "man leaves wife & kids for another woman" and sickly sweet sentimentality. Toby sings it the way it is. And he IS a clever lyricist. "I took your leaving with a pinch of salt, tequila and a slice of lime" for example. Clever stuff. And you only had to be in the HMV Apollo last night at Toby's sell-out London leg of his tour, to see that he has a big fan-base here who were singing his songs at the tops of their voices. Toby cracking the charts here is long overdue.
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Sorry, I got carried away with my defence of Toby in the previous comment and mis-quoted the great man's lyrics. It should read "I took your leaving with a grain of salt, tequila and a slice of lime". I just translated it slightly.
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So Nick, it will be a sad day if Toby Keith breaks the charts here will it? I can see how he is right up against it with the magnificent talent we currently have topping the charts here. Isn't Cheryl Cole simply fabulous, a musical genious even?
You really don't get it, do you? Perhaps people are sick to the back teeth of touchy-feely PC nonsense, and love it when somebody just goes out there and unashamedly tells it like it is.
TK has shown himself to be a master of his craft on numerous albums, and I think his sales say it all.
I saw him the other night, and what a great voice he has, oh wait, that's not what we like here in the UK is it? He really should have had a dance routine worked out and mimed ala Cheryl Cole. The lack of talent over here is as depressing as the manufactured talentless oinks that are force fed to the UK public.
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Are you really basing your opinion of this album on Ballad of Balad, this is what Toby calls a "bus song" and is totally meant to not be taken seriously. It would serve us well to have more musicians like Toby Keith, who can really write a song, put on a great show and actually carry a note.
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Well. gee; if you want finesse and sensitivity join a church choir. You miss everything that is about Toby. He is a fresh true blood country artist that tells the truth about life or maybe a story about his life in general. He has the best voice I have heard in years. His wild and crazy songs are what millions of fans love; or he would not have sold as many Cd's, etc..as he has. He has a wonderful heart--have you listen to his new song for his long time best friend Tinsdale- he love him so much he wrote a song to remember and show what kind of sorrow he has for his good friend. He may be rough around the edges but that makes him so much more to love. So you are one out of millions of people that dont like Toby. Well big deal!!!! I will be a Warrior for ever. And so will our troops over seas that also love Toby because he respects and loves them back. Toby is a great man!!!!!!!!!! And yeh he is sexy too . Wow what a package
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A typical left wing "BBC" point of view: anti-American, prejudiced, and ignorant? This man's songs will make you laugh (Running Block), make you cry (White Rose), make you think (If I was Jesus)... I could go on. Listen to Toby and make your own mind up. Or watch any of his videos if you want to be cheered up! Thank you Toby for Tuesday night at The Apollo, and for all the good work you do supporting troops; especially pertinent at this time of year
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you know what is so wrong with everything that toby keith stands for...... nothing. So what he sings about kickin butt of those that attack his country, god forbid someone british should ever want to do such a thing. Nick your problem is that you are so british you have forgotten what it is like to be proud of your country. Toby Keith is pro troops not pro war yet so many journalists seem to miss this point!!
I am British and damn proud to be so and i support all our boys and girls that defend this country to the hilt but i dont agree with the war. Just remember that the lyrics courtesy of the red white and blue can be reflected in our flag too and maybe we should take a tip from such 'crass' stars like Toby and defend those that defend us.
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Nick - grow up!!! Don't take life so seriously! I saw Toby Keith in concert last night in Belfast and I have to say it was the best gig I have EVER seen - and I've seen plenty. I just hope that Toby doesn't think that your views reflect the views of the Great British public because they couldn't be further from the truth.
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I couldn't agree less!
Nick has obviously become one of the modern wuss softly softly PC brits that I am so sick of. Toby's songs are full of the passion, patriotism, and feelings that we need to get Britain dragged back out of the gutter we are in today. What's wrong with standing up for what we believe is right? What's wrong with expecting that those who do wrong should be punished? What on earth is wrong about being proud of your background, serving your country, your colour or country? I'm an ex-soldier and I'm so ashamed of the country I live in now.
Ride on Toby.
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I'm no expert and I dont profess to be but I know what I like and I like Toby Keith enough to pay to catch a plane from Manchester, and stay in a hotel in Belfast to go and see him live. I may never get the chance to see him again in the UK as he gets no support from the BBC as I can see with regard to airplay, he needs that support to become more mainstream.
We hear plenty from Britney, Madonna and Springsteen yet he outsells them...surely its not fair that we don't hear him more on the radio??
Sensitivity?? listen to Who's that Man, My List, Cryin For Me for a start...and if you want to be entertained watch some of his videos!
As for Courtesy of ...I think that expressed how a lot of the world felt at the time, not just Americans and I see Ballad of Balad as a reflection of reality for the troops and seeing the amount of time and effort he has spent supporting them I think he'll have a better idea than most.
I am not sure he is serious either in his video/ pics for American Ride, I see it as he is taking the p**s!!
Nick you chose to highlight two controversial songs from a huge catalogue of tracks that are not only non controversial but witty, clever, fun, genuine,catchy.....I could go on!!
I just hope TK goes back to the States with an intent to return and a plan to crack the charts over here. Oh and by the way Nick he was BRILLIANT in concert and boy can he sing!!
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I think Nick is a bit old fashioned in his concept of modern country. The fact that Toby, and many other modern artists sing about there lives and what has affected them is the whole essence of County music. Nick must have a very short and selective memory as he must have forgot about Kris Kristofferson. 99% of his lyrics are reflection on war, hurt and drink. Another point on Toby, He left the Angry American song out of the Belfast concert, much to our disapointment. But I suppose in this nanny state with everything PC he did not want to offend. So rethink your review Nick and understand what Country is really about. Typical of the BBC. You guys don't even cover the CMA awards anymore. Whats wrong Too Modern, in my view ' Too Country ' for the BBC.
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You are so off base and unfortunately so are many others when they write about TK. First of all, I could not disagree more that his music is "crass." His music is EXACTLY what regular, middle, hard working America is all about. Sometimes that is rough around the edges, and no one depicts that life with more charisma and charm than Toby Keith. Also, you must not have really had a good, long listen to all of his music. His ballads and sensitive material, including his recent beautiful tribute to a dear friend, are all endearing and characteristic of Toby's softer side. As a person, he is charitable, honest and really "walks the walk" which so many American singers fail to do. He supports our troops...beyond what any other artist does and puts himself in harms way to do so. Toby Keith is a true American hero, music legend and stand up man. If you fail to see that, you fail to see so much of what our country stands for and truly is at heart.
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Is Nick B on another planet or did he just miss out T K singing " Cryin for Me". Saw Toby in Glasgow last week and he was brilliant, hope he is not put off coming back to the UK by such comments as made by Mr Baraclough. I don't think he really gets what true country music is all about.
"Haste ye back Toby"!
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Come into the present world Mr Barraclough instead of being a dinosaur..there's more to country music than 'Old Country'...listen to lyrics in "Crying For Me"...having to overcome negative comments from the likes of you is what makes it difficult for the current and very talented artistes like Toby Keith to succeed here in the UK.
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Toby's music speaks to many common, everyday, ordinary working folks....and that is alright with me...your opinion of 'crass', etc.' surprises me as you have Wayman's Song (Cry for Me) on your site...which exemplifies tenderness, depth, love for a friend who recently passed and proves your, 'crass, etc.' opinion to be wrong.
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hmmmmmm,
Well as a Brit who travelled down to London to see Toby live, all I can say is excellent songwriter, singer and entertainer.
Nick, suggest you click on this link here: http://www.cmt.com/videos/toby-keith/450453/cryin-for-me-waymans-song.jhtml and then tell me Toby is crass, and cannot write.
If you listen to the lyrics of RWB - especially the live intro, maybe you can understand what was going round in Toby's head a few weeks after the devestating attacks on America. The fact that he regularly flies to Afghanistan and provides entertainment for American and UK troops, I guess has also slipped by.
Times were when country was "dead dog music"- however times move on, and I guess the stars of today write about what is relevant to them..........
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Nick is way off the point!!. This review has been written with no knowledge of the man or the music and probably not even listening to the whole album, let alone any before..
Toby Keith is well under played and reviews like this do not help at all.
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/group.php?gid=191741771406&ref=mf
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This is by far my favourite review of a Toby Keith album titled American Ride.
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Hi Nick Barraclough
Sorry to here Toby Keith seems to offend you with his lyrics so maybe you will prefer mine?
I am not a singer or star, I am also sure you will notice neither a writer.
Anyway there are there for you to enjoy “hope you like them”
American Star through a UK reporters eyes
This is one type of an opinion that I truly despise.
Because I see one that knows nothing judging today
I think this seems to be the British Ignorant way.
I thing you should remember who is the real criminal here
I don’t think the BBC is someone to cast over fear
Remember we have no say because you are the monopoly
That we have no choice than to pay!
The real X factor of joy flew across the pond to came and visit here
So the people who don’t like your junk could all go and cheer
You gave your bad review without understanding the plot
This is the point that we are trying to stop.
Hey the Country fans put your name at the top of there list
They are trying to hope that everyone else can see though your mist
And the typing skills will fly and the story you tell
Has left a bad taste that we feel we should rebel.
And you think your opinion is true
Its an insult on our friends that we are proud to stand next too.
BROUGHT TO YOU COURTESY OF THE ENGLISH RED WHITE AND BLUE!
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If you judge TK's music as CRASS, then you have revealed yourself to have never been a fan of all Willie's, Lyle's and Dolly's music. They have all had their lyrics and moments. It is part of their charm. You sir, in my opinion, are no fan of country music. Have the b***s to admit it and move on to a type of music that is more your "cup of tea"
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well that about sums up the whole attitude to country music in this country (uk) and why all the clubs are closing, and the youngsters who are the future, wont step foot in a country music club,
like any genre of music, country music has a huge umberella, and included in that is the modern approach, and the music of toby keith among others.
its no wonder that people like me who have been going to country music clubs in the uk for the last 27 years, now holiday in the usa, and visit the country music clubs, and festivals over there, and shun those here on my own doorstep in the uk.
roll on april when i visit the stagecoach festival in palm springs and get to see country music as it should be, along with toby keith and keith urban and sugarland, ill be seeing the likes of merle haggard and booby bare.
what a shame that the first time we get someone of toby's kalibre visiting our shores, on a short tour, we get this kind of negative feedback.
all i can say is, carry on with your blighted outlook. and in the very near future you wont have any country music events to comment on at all.
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These comments are by far my favourite to have ever appeared beneath a review of a Toby Keith album called American Ride.
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Went to see Toby in Belfast from Nottingham what a concert, what a voice sings from the heart Crying for me etc. Have been to Nashville CMAfest also Rodeo at Houston to see Toby twice there. Come back Toby take no notice of Nick B will not listen to your programme againe
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I think you are all missing the point here. The BBC have long been actively hostile to most forms of country music but this is part of a bigger picture, anything that dares to defend any form of patriotism has long been deemed 'racist' by the liberal left who dictate how we should react to any situation. Barraclough is merely another talentless mouthpiece with no valid contribution to make ... and i'm not particularly a Toby fan. Barracloughs comments were not even close enough to the mark to warrant a second reading. Look at Toby's record sales, he's getting his message across without the help of a BBC thats well past its sell by date.
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Very well put Glenn Rogers, I admire your opinion!
You have hit the nail on the head, the BBC is well past it's sell by date. I for one do truly feel we could do better!
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i think toby is the best there is,,he has honest opinions and some do not like for him to say.. i think he will always a great person
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