So, I have spent the last hour or so scouring CMT's website, checking out the new music videos. And as usual, country music got it right.
98% of what I saw I loved, and even the remaining two percent was worth watching again.
My favorite, not surprisingly, is Carrie Underwood's new single, "Mama's Song". This was my personal favorite from her new album, "Play On" as soon as it was released. I am pleased to see it as a single, and not surprised at all that it has been released so soon after her wedding. There is a beautiful innocence to Carrie that shines out in everything she does, and her voice is angelic. The video is well-crafted for a beautiful song, and intimate. You see the happiness. Shaun Silva is one of the best, if not THE best, video director, I have ever seen. Two thumbs up to Carrie for yet another amazing video.
The next two I truly enjoyed were Jaron and the Long Road to Love's "That's Beautiful to Me" and Sara Evan's long-awaited "A Little Bit Stronger". JLRL actually made Kristin Cavallari look wonderful, innocent, in love, BEAUTIFUL, really. The song is wonderfully written, with all the little cliche's and has the "cute" factor, but is still a maturely written piece of work. It is a nice contrast to his first single, I Pray For You, which was sarcastic, and bitter. Don't get me wrong - I love "I Pray For You". I am simply saying that it is nice when artists show a broad style in their singles, giving people who lack an Ipod the chance to hear all that they are about. Jaron and the Long Road to Love are doing just that, and they are quickly winning a place in my heart. Now, as for Sara Evans, I say that this new video for the song "A Little Bit Stronger" is easily in her top 5 videos. Incredible. For me, it is up there with her cover of "I Could Not Ask For More", "A Real Fine Place To Start", and "Saints and Angels." In fact, as I write this, I am realizing that I feel "A Little Bit Stronger" is indeed a little bit stronger than any of her other pieces. It is intimate, honest (even brutally), strong, confident, painful, bittersweet. It is everything a woman feels and goes through when saying goodbye to a man who was such an important part of her life. She elicits emotions from the viewer simply by being vulnerable. The video is simple, bare, drawing the attention to the emotion and lyrics, not the style and view. I wouldn't necessarily call the video a "come back" single because she never really left the music scene. But as the first video in many months, and the first off her new album, she could not have chosen a better single or DIRECTOR, as Shaun Silva yet again delivers on this project as well.
Blake Shelton's video "Who Are You When I'm Not Looking" is a well-done song, but the video lacks much luster. I still enjoyed it, but I didn't enjoy watching it as much as I did listening to it. The video itself didn't do much for the song, add to the meaning or explain anything extra. Trey Fanjoy directed this video, and after seeing all of her work with Taylor Swift, I was surprised to not see more from her on this video with Blake. Hmmm, better luck next time? I would like to see Miranda and Blake do something together beyond her cameo in "Home."
Of them all, my vote remains with Sara Evans. Her video complements the song perfectly, and the song itself is incredible.
Country music, you have impressed me thoroughly once again.
