Artist: Jason Aldean
Song: Hicktown
Album: Jason Aldean
Writers: Big Kenny, Vicky, McGeheeJohn Rich
Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0IufJ19mL8c
This song was Jason Aldean’s debut single. It was his first top ten and is his signature song. The song peaked at #10 on the country charts and started off a run of 5 consecutive top ten hits.
Vocals: 3 – Jason showed he had a good voice but he never does anything interesting with it in this song.
Production: 2 – It’s a little bland, by the time this song came out the Big & Rich sound was already being over used.
Originality: 2 – Nothing about the lyric is original, it’s all been heard before.
Artist: Little Big Town
Song: Boondocks
Album: The Road To Here
Writers: Karen Fairchild, Wayne Kirkpatrick, Kimberly Roads, Phillip Sweet, Jimi Westbrook
Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VisLpVgY26w
While not their debut single like “Hicktown” was for Jason, “Boondocks” was their break through hit, and first top ten. It is also similar to “Hicktown” because it became their signature song. Also both songs charted around the same time.
Vocals: 4 – This song is what introduced most people to the sound of Little Big Town.
Production: 4 – The sound of this song still sounds unique today, back when it was charting it stood out in a good way.
Originality: 3 – It’s more original than “Hicktown” but the topic has been done too many times.
Overall I think “Boondocks” wins this battle. It has a more distinct sound and was something that helped define what Little Big Town is all about. “Hicktown” was a throw away song that helped launch Jason’s career. The song on a whole was bland.
Next Time: Songs Of Innocence
