Josh Grider must have a big set of
kahunas.
Yes, you read the above sentence correctly - because it takes some boldness from the nether regions for a country music artist - or any music artist, really - to title a new album "
Brokedown![](https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?source=bk&t=stotosto-20&bm-id=default&l=ktl&linkId=a410fae0b5d89122c2becf40f8da05df&_cb=1439328221189)
." To some lazy music reviewers, a title like "
Brokedown![](https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?source=bk&t=stotosto-20&bm-id=default&l=ktl&linkId=75c0312672dda3161aba9a4fc13ccdef&_cb=1439328234745)
" is a gift from above that would allow them to simply banter on about how 'broken down' the album actually is. However, Josh Grider, a country boy who hails from Las Cruces, New Mexico, doesn't allow for any of that. He has created a tight Album-EP hybrid with six songs and a bonus cut that will knock any lazy, 'broken down' music critic right into top gear.
The album begins with the quietly intense "
Only Life I've Ever Known (Suburban Song)![](https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?source=bk&t=stotosto-20&bm-id=default&l=ktl&linkId=99c7164cfa5257d1b5745e9db022d182&_cb=1439332852235)
." Grider oozes sincerity as he grapples with a man coming to terms with the cards life has dealt. The lyrics provide vivid imagery of a man with a not-so-easy life trying to make a living for a family he loves - having to stay in a cheap roadside motel and rolling down the highway with a crumpled map on his vinyl car seat. However, the song leaves the listener with a feeling of contentedness. While life may not be perfect, it's the only life he's known.
On the back of the CD sleeve, Josh Grider explains that "
Brokedown![](https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?source=bk&t=stotosto-20&bm-id=default&l=ktl&linkId=0ffbb2c18323bbe7c960d66286305318&_cb=1439332878721)
" is a collection of songs to enjoy on a quiet summer afternoon with an adult beverage - maybe even with headphones on an MP3 player. Grider said: "After a couple of big production, commercial albums, I was ready to strip it down a little....do something a bit more organic." He added: "We'll rock and roll again soon, but for 2015 this is my offering. I hope you dig it as much as I do."
The second song on the album is "
Can't Help But Love Her![](https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?source=bk&t=stotosto-20&bm-id=default&l=ktl&linkId=bd0c6eec5062c7827ba1ecf3f75ce553&_cb=1439332891776)
," which is absolutely shocking for its clarity and simplicity. "
Can't Help But Love Her![](https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?source=bk&t=stotosto-20&bm-id=default&l=ktl&linkId=5da40eae3e52fde9c0d93c53840fcf5f&_cb=1439332898616)
" is a quiet love song which offers lyrics that mention every single thing a woman would want to hear her man say about her to his friends and family. The tight but quiet three-and-a-half minute song is the perfect example of why Grider was wise to pursue a different kind of music project with "
Brokedown![](https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?source=bk&t=stotosto-20&bm-id=default&l=ktl&linkId=002bf86fbd9fe0a6b026fb79489b81e6&_cb=1439333087797)
." Indeed, personal tracks, such as "
Can't Help But Love Her,
![](https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?source=bk&t=stotosto-20&bm-id=default&l=ktl&linkId=d5a9531f57f3a2aa8f3ca470a049e63b&_cb=1439332838019)
" help connect Grider to his expanding fan-base by giving insight into the artist's innermost thoughts and feelings.
"
Two Truths and a Lie![](https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?source=bk&t=stotosto-20&bm-id=default&l=ktl&linkId=a2592274f06de200773ed4aa2ea10d6a&_cb=1439332924080)
" is another quiet love song that is old-fashioned country music at its best. This is a traditional country track for all ages that will have college kids slow dancing, parents singing along and grandparents tapping their feet to the slow, confident track with a near-perfect vocal performance
Veteran Texas country star Walt Wilkins joins Josh Grider on the fourth track "
The Way I Used To![](https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?source=bk&t=stotosto-20&bm-id=default&l=ktl&linkId=a513093932dc3121e7d7a8b5a6227c44&_cb=1439332938383)
." This song is a simplistic Texas country masterpiece that greatly benefits from Grider's decision to record an acoustic album. The fifth song "
I Love A Storm![](https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?source=bk&t=stotosto-20&bm-id=default&l=ktl&linkId=4a793f07ed76b43f639786511d867687&_cb=1439332958022)
" is the most important track on "Brokedown" - everything from the lyrics to the killer melody to the pitch perfect vocals combine to form a Grammy-worthy offering. Both the instrumentation and production on "
I Love A Storm![](https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?source=bk&t=stotosto-20&bm-id=default&l=ktl&linkId=cdcca971adcb0f03f0bdfa753b40a054&_cb=1439332976054)
" deserve special mention. Grider's symbolism - which compares his female companion to a storm - is compelling. He sings: "She might make you rue the day you were ever born...I love a woman...I love a storm." Bravo, Josh, because this is one "storm" we will continue to talk about for years to come.
"
Brokedown![](https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?source=bk&t=stotosto-20&bm-id=default&l=ktl&linkId=95e9d4493ae32efc9d104dca1a23f10b&_cb=1439332998646)
" ends on a bright note with the optimistic "
Welcome To Earth![](https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?source=bk&t=stotosto-20&bm-id=default&l=ktl&linkId=f36acfce58c2cdfcaa9bc828efbddb42&_cb=1439333009085)
." As a parent, Grider confidently performs the song that will be a new favorite for any mother or father remembering the day their children were born. Once again, the vocal performance hits all the right notes and showcases Grider's everyman appeal. A bonus cut of "
You Dream, I'll Drive![](https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?source=bk&t=stotosto-20&bm-id=default&l=ktl&linkId=f26173f9447e0802bc474fde826312d0&_cb=1439333017542)
" is added at the end of the album and is a toe-tapping pleasure with brilliant instrumentation and a memorable melody.
This project is very different from Grider's recent offerings, because "
Brokedown![](https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?source=bk&t=stotosto-20&bm-id=default&l=ktl&linkId=f7eece11826ded692a5dda42ea9b69d2&_cb=1439333031150)
" is actually code for a "stripped down" Josh Grider album. Acoustic albums are risky because they clearly show the strengths - and weaknesses - of musical artists. And it must be said that many acoustic albums are profoundly disappointing, but "
Brokedown![](https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?source=bk&t=stotosto-20&bm-id=default&l=ktl&linkId=29b245642a9a31df2bed06f468a06368&_cb=1439333046686)
" from Josh Grider hums along like a classic car in top condition. So the only thing "broke" about this album will be the battery in your MP3 player after repeated, non-stop listens.
CountryChart.com