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Metascore
70

Generally favorable reviews - based on 9 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.4

Universal acclaim- based on 14 Ratings

  • Summary: The latest album from the Grammy-winning country singer features guests such as B.B. King, Vince Gill, Buck Owens, Steve Wariner, and Keith Urban.

Top Track

Waitin' On A Woman
Sittin' on a bench at West Town Mall He sat down in his overalls and asked me You waitin' on a woman I nodded yeah and said how 'bout you He said son... See the rest of the song lyrics
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 9
  2. Negative: 0 out of 9
  1. Despite the fret board fireworks, this is an honest love letter to the art of making music.
  2. He gives indulges that portion of his muse on the instrumental-centric Play while also managing to deliver a collection that is consistently lively and fun.
  3. Brad Paisley's mostly instrumental new set, which chronicles his self-described "love affair with the guitar," is both outstanding and diverse.
  4. These ventures into pure '80s shred go a long way to illustrating just how versatile a guitarist Brad Paisley is, and they wind up as accidental autobiography, revealing a side he's previously camouflaged--but now that it's surfaced, it's easy to see why his albums are always among the most adventurous and best country music of this decade.
  5. The guitar whiz cashes in his superstar chits for this largely instrumental album, an indulgence he's earned but doesn't quite pull off.
  6. Mojo
    60
    Play sees Nashville superstar Paisley jam with an array of equally adroit pickers. [Dec 2008, p.111]
  7. Uncut
    40
    It's nimble stuff, but the most moving contribution comes from the late Buck Ownes. [Jan 2008, p.104]

See all 9 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 6
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 6
  3. Negative: 1 out of 6
  1. JoshW.
    Dec 14, 2008
    10
    This album is most likely Brad Paisley's best yet! The music is great and the vocals are better. get this album now! it would also make This album is most likely Brad Paisley's best yet! The music is great and the vocals are better. get this album now! it would also make a good present for christmas or birthdays Expand
  2. EricB.
    Nov 22, 2008
    9
    Paisley might be the best guitar player country music has ever seen. This is another great album by him.
  3. AngusS.
    Dec 9, 2008
    9
    Brad never wanted to be a lead singer for a band, but was coerced into doing so by his managers and labels, for marketing purposes. The whole Brad never wanted to be a lead singer for a band, but was coerced into doing so by his managers and labels, for marketing purposes. The whole point of this album is to highlight what he wanted to do all along, which is play guitar. If you have ever been to one of his shows then you would know that he does give credit and time for his bandmates to showcase their talents as well. He has more than earned the right to put out an album like this. I applaud Brad for breaking the standard Coutnry/Pop mold. Expand
  4. JakeF.
    Jan 28, 2009
    9
    Outstanding instrumental album. I've never been a big fan of the regular songs they put on the radio: they've always seemed to me Outstanding instrumental album. I've never been a big fan of the regular songs they put on the radio: they've always seemed to me to be not much more than contrived pop-country, but his instrumentals on this album blew me away. He tweaks his country twang with distinctively jazzy progressions, and adds a tint of the blues to create a sound that is both unique, and entertaining. Furthermore, unlike a lot of the instrumentalists out there nowadays, his instrumentals carry a sort of melody that keeps them interesting. I also liked the way in which he distinctively shared the spotlight with the other instrumentalists in the band (despite what others may have said). All in all, very diverse, very entertaining, and a refreshing departure from what we're used to expecting from him. Expand
  5. CoreyS
    Nov 7, 2008
    8
    Another strong album from the always consistent Brad Paisley. A few really great songs but a bit too much instrumental stuff for me. If you Another strong album from the always consistent Brad Paisley. A few really great songs but a bit too much instrumental stuff for me. If you like amazing guitar playing this album is for you. Expand
  6. TonyS.
    Nov 16, 2008
    2
    This album was done before by Steve Wariner in the 90's it was called "no more Mr. Nice guy". It was an origianl idea when he did it and This album was done before by Steve Wariner in the 90's it was called "no more Mr. Nice guy". It was an origianl idea when he did it and because of that he won a Grammy for it. We'll see if Paisley gets a grammy. Brad is a great guitar player, but not much of a singer. I'm not a fan anyone who has an entire band behind and chooses to literally sing and play lead guitar at the same time (playing his own fill in licks) We GET IT...you can play guitar. MY GODDDD! How about some balance.... Why dont you use your band...your paying them. When he does give a solo to the Fiddle or Steele plyr... he's playing on top of them. Brad should be on tour with a Drum Machine..not band. Expand