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Brad Paisley
Think Politics Is Gone From Country Music? Listen Closer

Brad Paisley performs at an inaugural ball for Barack Obama in January 2013. A few months later, Paisley's song "Accidental Racist" would make the country singer the focus of ridicule and satire. Joe Raedle/Getty Images hide caption

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The Record

Think Politics Is Gone From Country Music? Listen Closer

Earlier this decade, it seemed like country's political streak had faded. But in the past five years, a handful of artists have displayed a renewed focus on morality that feels quietly revolutionary.

Brad Paisley's 'Wheelhouse' Of Good Songs — And Intentions

Brad Paisley's new album is titled Wheelhouse. Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Music Reviews

Brad Paisley's 'Wheelhouse' Of Good Songs — And Intentions

Fresh Air

"Accidental Racist" launched an Internet firestorm and threatened to overshadow everything else on the country singer's fine new album, Wheelhouse. Even in that polarizing song, Paisley's biggest sin is that he's well-meaning in a way that topples too easily into sentimentality.

Brad Paisley's 'Wheelhouse' Of Good Songs — And Intentions

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Brad Paisley Ventures Out Of Country's 'Wheelhouse'

Brad Paisley's new album is titled Wheelhouse. Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Music Reviews

Brad Paisley Ventures Out Of Country's 'Wheelhouse'

With tracks like "Southern Comfort Zone" and "Accidental Racist," the superstar's new album performs a balancing act of cultural examinations. But there are still enough twangy guitar solos and all-purpose love songs to engage country-music tradition.

Brad Paisley Ventures Out Of Country's 'Wheelhouse'

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Brad Paisley's 'Accidental Racist' And The History Of White Southern Musical Identity

Brad Paisley onstage at the 48th Annual Academy Of Country Music Awards Sunday in Las Vegas. Jerod Harris/ACMA2013/Getty Images for ACM hide caption

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Jerod Harris/ACMA2013/Getty Images for ACM

The Record

Brad Paisley's 'Accidental Racist' And The History Of White Southern Musical Identity

The song that has made Paisley the object of derision on the Internet is part of a complicated expression of white Southern heritage that stretches back to the early 20th century and reaches its peak on "Sweet Home Alabama."

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Music Reviews

Brad Paisley Shifts Into Witty '5th Gear'

Brad Paisley is a major country music star in the midst of a huge North American tour, with stops in towns like Syracuse, Cedar Rapids and Saskatoon — and he has a new CD, 5th Gear.

Brad Paisley Shifts Into Witty '5th Gear'

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Music Lists

The Best, Worst and Weirdest in Holiday CDs

Every year brings a flood of new holiday CDs, and with good reason: They're quick and easy to make, most if not all of the songs have already been written, and they get reissued practically every year. From Sufjan Stevens to Twisted Sister to The Chipmunks, here's a look at 2006's holiday crop.

The Best, Worst and Weirdest in Holiday CDs

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Ken Tucker's Top 10: The Year In Music

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Amy Hobbs

Best Music Of 2011

Ken Tucker's Top 10: The Year In Music

Fresh Air

Fresh Air's critic looks back on a fruitful year and lists his favorite music releases of 2011.

Ken Tucker's Top 10: The Year In Music

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Brad Paisley: 'Country Music,' Defined

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Music Reviews

Brad Paisley: 'Country Music,' Defined

Fresh Air

The star is admired for his guitar playing, and for the way he mixes elements of country and rock music without pandering to either audience. Ken Tucker says that Paisley's new album, This Is Country Music, is less a manifesto than an enjoyable way to hear him expand his fan base.

Brad Paisley: 'Country Music,' Defined

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