Blake Shelton Album 2013: 'Based on a True Story' Maintains Country Roots, Gives Fans New Sound

According to Blake Shelton, nobody in Kentucky knows how to do the Dougie.

Based on a True Story is a gritty album full of new sounds country hasn't seen yet. Contemporary country is moving in a new direction, and Blake Shelton takes that and plays with it beautifully.

"Boys 'round here" is a great song featuring a contemporary take on the same old topics that make country what it is, drinking beer, loving god, chewing tobacco, and driving trucks. You can't get much more redneck than this song.

The very next track on the album is called, "It would sure be cool if you did," which is another hit on the radio right now. It holds its country roots as it takes place in a bar, and features a man hitting on a woman. Another classic country topic but done beautifully with a contemporary, but slow moving sound. So far this album is as country as George Jones riding a horse out of deadwood.

 The album does a good job of maintaining a certain emotional levelness to it. First you get a little crazy, then your brought down a bit, then you get a little crazier and before you know it your on the ceiling, but that last track plays and you are brought back down to earth. 

As stated above, the very last song brings you right back down gently to the floor. It is called, "Granddaddy's Gun" and it maintains the country feel and comes right back into an old country sound.  It was great to hear, and the placement of this song on the album makes it all that much more meaningful. By placing it last, he is almost telling everyone, "Hey I will give you what you want to hear all day long, but I will never forget my roots." It is a great way to end the album and Shelton should be proud.