Anthony Smith – “Bringin’ Back The Sunshine”
Songwriters: Anthony Smith & Jess Leary.
As a songwriter, Anthony Smith has a catalog that ranges from weighty (“John J. Blanchard”) to catchy (“If That Ain’t Country”) to middling (“What Do You Think About That”). His first single for Stroudavarious (the label founded and run by Nashville behemoth James Stroud) however, amounts to less than any, or all, of those. “Bringin’ Back The Sunshine” is a radio-chasing piece of fluff so far removed from the rest of Smith’s legacy that it sounds like the work of someone else–someone far less talented.
It is not the fact that it’s fluff that makes it bad, it’s the fact that it’s both fluffy and insignificant. Great fluff is great because it provides easily digestible hooks that stick in our heads, but which also have some amount of correlation to our lives. Here, Smith is “Riding in on a stampede of lighting,” presumably to “bring back the sunshine” to an ailing relationship. But his declarations of intent are abstract and unmemorable, and lyrics like, “Guess we got a little off track/But love knows a way back through the pouring rain,” are indicative of the unforgivable lack of description and story built into this song.
Especially disturbing is the fact that all of this comes from an artist who recently proclaimed in a mySpace blog: “Be Creative and Original and they’ll call you an outlaw, Be safe and down the middle and they’ll hand you awards. It is impossible to be safe and create a masterpiece.”
It seems Smith has chosen the latter.
There is no reason to remember this. It may be touching and it may be emotionally true, but it is neither unique nor interesting. And that makes it beyond disposable.
Frankly, it’s disappointing that a writer of Smith’s caliber would produce something this irrelevant. Disappointing, but not surprising—in a format that aims to appeal to everyone (and offend no one) this is just another song that lacks any hint of character which would make it worthy of appeal in the first place.
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July 8, 2009 at 2:40 pm Permalink
The vocal is kind of strange, it’s like the bass has been turned off and the treble has been turned up.
I like his songwriting. I just don’t like this song.
July 8, 2009 at 4:51 pm Permalink
I’ll admit I love Anthony’s song “If That Ain’t Country” and part of it has to do with the superb sound quality of that track, so something misfired this time round. I bought his “If That Ain’t Country” CD just for the title track and was underwhelmed by the rest of the album to put it mildly. Let’s just say that since then my expectations regarding Anthony’s output have been greatly diminished…
July 8, 2009 at 5:45 pm Permalink
This truly isn’t what you’d expect from him.
July 8, 2009 at 7:25 pm Permalink
I love this song!! Love Anthony Smith! Can’t wait for the new album. This song is so feel good, catchy, and distinctive.
I was a HUGE fan of the “If That Ain’t Country” CD, and IMO, it is one of the most under-rated albums in the last ten years.
His new album, sounds more rockish, but I love his sound and voice…and from the tracks I have heard…the new album sounds fantastic!
July 8, 2009 at 10:31 pm Permalink
I can appreciate the reviewer’s comments since Anthony is a fantastic writer and has some truly meaningful work behind him.
However … I also think it’s OK to write a happy song every now and then … maybe even an entire album of them. I really enjoy what I’ve heard so far and I think Anthony is showing his audience another – very fun – side of himself … which takes guts!
July 9, 2009 at 11:02 am Permalink
Jess Leary. Now there’s a name I haven’t seen in a while. Two Number Ones (Mi Vida Loca, Where the Green Grass Grows) and a bunch of duds.
July 9, 2009 at 2:03 pm Permalink
Way better than any thing on the radio
July 9, 2009 at 3:49 pm Permalink
Not the best thing ever. But it’s at least okay! i mean it’s the kind of thing i’d listen to all summer. it’s not great, but it’s good! i like it.
July 9, 2009 at 5:23 pm Permalink
What??? the if that ain country album was amazing. should have had 4 singles all that were num. 1. i can only imagine what this album will bring, b/c anthony allways brings out what everybody else is afraid to, so its got to be fresh! and im sure it will be a huge relief of the stuff you hear on the radio right now! 10/10, great song!
July 12, 2009 at 4:42 pm Permalink
Well I have to start out by sayin that this is the freshest thing I have heard since the FIRST time i heard “If that Aint Country”!!! To this day Anthony’s 1st record is the most ground breaking thing in at least 10 years. It even converts non-country listeners…I think because he puts some SOUL in his COUNTRY. Bringing Back the Sunshine has the same elements that I love about his first record….fresh….bold…original….soulful, OH but wait….. this song is happy! I don’t think he’s breaking any musical code, or letting us down by doing that! He’s already made “IF THAT AINT COUNTRY” once, is he supposed to copy it? I think this shows his incredible versatility and that he aint sceered to go there! I Like the little bit of southern rock element he’s got going on! Watch Out listeners….HE”S BACK! 2 Claws Up & *****
July 12, 2009 at 4:48 pm Permalink
Which Soul artists does he pull from?
July 12, 2009 at 9:21 pm Permalink
I liked a lot of the IF THAT AIN’T COUNTRY record, especially Metropolis and Who Invented The Wheel. This new song, I dislike.
July 13, 2009 at 1:26 pm Permalink
Jordan – if you want to know what else the album will bring – go to http://www.anthonysmith.com for a preview of four more songs off the new album.
July 14, 2009 at 11:31 am Permalink
Allteady heard the whole album he put it on myspace for a day. It was amazing
July 14, 2009 at 11:43 am Permalink
Yeah – I think he actually had it up there for several days but has taken it down now. He’s got some new stuff up he just put up this week. Are you following him on twitter? http://www.twitter.com/anthonysmithhq
July 17, 2009 at 11:26 am Permalink
Of course I am a rock and roll fan mostly, so yeah, I think this song is the coolest country song I’ve heard maybe ever… It certainly is so far removed from the Kenny Chesney or Rascal Flatts sound. it’s easy for someone who generally hates cookie cutter country music to gravitate toward this kind of fresh sound….. this song is Brilliant. R.
July 17, 2009 at 11:36 am Permalink
I read the Jim Malec review, I don’t think we listened to the same song, this song is totally AMAZING! I think he just got up on the wrong side of the bed, or maybe Anthony Smith pissed him off really really bad.Lol Either way I think Jim will have a major OOPS! moment when he looks back at this review a year from now.
July 17, 2009 at 11:50 am Permalink
I am officially a country music fan again!!!!! Thank you Anthony Smith, I almost gave up hope till I heard this song on Make it or break it the other night, of course you made it with a big 10 out of 10, I saw him play with his band in Nashville a couple of years ago and it was the best country concert I ever saw, he was so kool to our whole gang, Anthony Smith is a good dude ya’ll Peace Dann
July 18, 2009 at 3:39 pm Permalink
Just wanted to say that I love Anthony Smith’s music.His new single,(Bringing back the sunshine) just shows the incredible ability he has to write all different kinds of music.I t is certainly not the same old same old you hear every day. I love and respect his creative ability to break the mold. He rocks ,and the new album I got a chance to listen to on his my space was awesome!!
fan, forever,
SUE KIT
July 19, 2009 at 12:27 am Permalink
I just listened to Anthony Smith’s new single and i liked it very much. I’ve been a fan for sometime. and I believe he has a number one hit here.
July 24, 2009 at 11:22 am Permalink
It’s funny, I have read a total of four reviews on this record so far and all of them (except this one) agree that this song is ground breaking, But in all fairness, this is just a blog, a place where one critic can bestow his self proclaimed superior judgment and final word on whats good and whats bad, and for the very small number of followers who hang on his every word following him around review to review agreeing with his take on things by leaving their own little comment is quite amusing and funny, and enough to warrant visiting this otherwise ridiculous site which obviously only serves to bolster the already overblown Malec ego….as pathetic and insecure as it may be. We must give this critic the benefit of the doubt however and understand that the other legitimate critics of this song were far more well known than Jim Malec so naturally they would have considerably more experience at being objective. It is my opinion that this song is brilliant in it’s simplicity and completely original in its approach to structure and rhythm, proving that Anthony Smith is once again blazing a trail far ahead of the curve, giving us glimpses of just how moving music can and should be, but then, I don’t have an axe to grind.
July 24, 2009 at 11:43 am Permalink
I think this song is kind of cool, but not brilliant or anything. He seems to be reaching for the higher/stronger notes though.
August 2, 2009 at 8:03 pm Permalink
This is the meanest review I have ever read, Anthony must have really pissed this guy off! Lol! I think this is my favorite song thats out right now, Sorry Jim but everybody at work just loves it.
August 2, 2009 at 9:16 pm Permalink
IF Becky, you equate “meanest review” and “honest review”, then yes, it is a “mean” review
Had I reviewed the single, I would have described it as a “worthless piece of c**p”. Now that’s a mean review !
August 6, 2009 at 8:24 pm Permalink
Hi Paul,
OMG, Now let me be honest, I don’t believe I have ever witnessed a more clear cut case of a** kissing in my life! Need a towel? I bet Jim loves you!Lol!! Besides the version they have posted on this sight doesn’t even sound like the same Sunshine song I heard on the Radio, Its like a bad version!
September 3, 2009 at 8:24 am Permalink
For those of you who are interested, “Sunshine”, “Dandelion”, and “Almost Sacred” are now available on iTunes and Amazon.
I dont have the iTunes link handy, but here’s the Amazon link:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002NHJDTC/ref=sr_1_album_11_rd?ie=UTF8&child=B002NHLFIE&qid=1251984213&sr=1-11
September 11, 2009 at 5:29 am Permalink
what a great collabration with Anthony and Jess – song is on my MP3 and on the desk top – what a lift when the sun is not out. Oh and the comment about duds with Leary – beat she laughs all the way to the bank!!!!!
September 12, 2009 at 1:09 pm Permalink
Who ever wrote this review is a f@#king idiot! People are so sick and tired of straight down the middle silly ass country! Cookie cutter songs about their trucks and where their from blah blah blah! That horse is dead so let it be! Open up your mind a little and give a new fresh sound a chance before shooting off at the mouth! People that review things really puke me most of the time! Most don’t know their ass from a hole in the ground! Were do you get your influence from any way?
September 12, 2009 at 2:10 pm Permalink
Well, there’s a profound and convincing argument, KRD.
September 14, 2009 at 9:57 pm Permalink
For those of you who are interested, you can see the video here:
http://www.cmt.com/videos/anthony-smith/435623/bringin-back-the-sunshine.jhtml
Of course, it’s low resolution on CMT.com – the clarity of the actual video is amazing though.
September 16, 2009 at 6:06 pm Permalink
Hey, if you know anthony at all you know he is so different and pulls his talent and thoughts from so many different artist that has shaped him from when he was little. How do I know? I am his cousin. I love Garth brooks, but he has song I dont like. that is the good thing about all of us we are all different and that is why their are different artist. Anthony writes just about all his music and lyrics unlike any that are in nashville now. People dont know anthony good enough he is someone you could spend all day with and the time go by so quick he is crazy and gifted. I hope everyone gets a chance to see him in person he is amazing!
September 16, 2009 at 11:05 pm Permalink
Kat
Soul? That song? Soul??(think Jim Morea NFL Coach in Beer commerical here..work with me) Kat you must be playing in the kitty litter too long! Soul? If you want Country soul go listen to Gary Nichols, James Otto, T Graham Brown and people who actually sound like they have listened to some R&B. Here’s what you may find surprising after that rant… I kind of like Anthony’s tune ..It is uptempo and and positive …nothing heavy or too deep(nor does it have to be) but soul is not a word remotely in the hemisphere of this song. Peace
October 2, 2009 at 7:32 am Permalink
This site was brought to my attention from someone calling me vulgar because someone posted on this review with the initials KRD! I can see the mixup because lots of people call me KRD, they also know that Anthony and I are very good buddies. I wanted to clear this up with the person that insulted me or anyone else that may think it was me that posted that comment! As for the review…. No way I agree with this review… I’ll put this as plain as I can! Anthony Smith is the very best in the business period! As for KRD’s comment, I must say that I would not have worded my comment as you did *BUT* I DO agree with KRD 110%! Like it or not, I believe in calling a spade a spade! I also want to add that the person that contacted me about this site and acussed me of being this other KRD was stating that I was only making Anthony look bad by posting vulgar things! Well I didn’t post that, but I honestly can’t see where that makes him look bad! Sounds to me like this KRD has enough guts about themself to speak their mind, and I love that in a person! Even though KRD should have held their tongue a bit, I commend them for not being affraid to speak up! No fan is going to hurt any artists career by speaking their mind about a great album, no matter if they use vulgalarity in their statements or not! Kelly Ray Davis A.K.A. KRD Hahaha!
October 28, 2009 at 5:04 pm Permalink
http://www.theboot.com/2009/10/28/anthony-smith-music/
November 6, 2009 at 1:46 pm Permalink
Wow! Harsh review.. I also am Anthony’s cousin and, also write music.. I was brought up with traditional country, and it was force fed to me by my Father to the point I hated it.. Then I discovered led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath and, Deep purple.. Now @ 43y/o I am into more mature music, this song has the best of everything.. ciould fall into multi-genre’s You hear the harmony guitars ala”thin lizzy” . has a great storyline and, catchy chorus. This is the only country I listen to and, the only country music I own is Anthony’s. He has already made a giant statement as a writer. So all you haters just set back and, watch this develop I guarentee you will see a lot more country artist’s taking a page from his book. because this would Catch anybodys ear… I know He has influenced my writing in many ways..Good Luck cousin , I Dont think this guy has a clue
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