Gary Allan – “Learning How To Bend”
Songwriters: Gary Allan, James LeBlanc, and Matt Warren
“Learning How To Bend”, the second single from Gary Allan’s Living Hard, is a refreshingly mature lyric that allows Allan to show off his vocal abilities. The genius of the lyric is the duality in which it can convey the emotions of a person who has found love for the first time or someone who is trying to overcome the emotional scarring of a previous relationship as they try to cope with the intricacies of a new one, while at the same time being mature enough to acknowledge the ground that needs to be covered to make the relationship work. It doesn’t make for good background fodder, but if anyone actually listens to it, they’ll realize the emotional depth and Allan’s own past only adds to the complexity.
Living Hard, tended toward rock more than his previous releases and the rock influences are apparent in “Learning How To Bend,” but no more so than the influx of southern rockers and their loud guitar work that drown out their shouting vocals. The focus here is solely on Allan’s impressive vocal performance that finds him showing off his chops by dropping a few falsettos without having to reach for them and the production doesn’t do anything to take away from that.
Despite my initial disappointment with the album, it’s grown on me, and the truth is that there are a number of sufficiently strong songs that will hopefully do well at radio, “Learning How To Bend” included.
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16 Comments
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March 7, 2008 at 3:59 pm Permalink
Right there with you dawg! When I picked it up, it was one of the ones I really liked, along with “She’s So California” (even though that song is a list of cliches, I still dig it) and “Memory on the Run”.
March 7, 2008 at 4:15 pm Permalink
I haven’t read your actual album review yet, but I felt the same way. At first, I didn’t love this album, but it’s growing on me. I think I was still in the mindset of Tough All Over and such comparisons just aren’t very fair. And, of course, I agree with your assessment of the song, since I gave it a very positive review over at country universe.:)
March 7, 2008 at 4:22 pm Permalink
I haven’t heard “Memory on the Run” since it seems to be an iTunes exclusive and I like “She’s So California,” but I think “Like It’s a Bad Thing,” “Yesterday’s Rain,” and “Half of My Mistakes” would make for better singles.
March 7, 2008 at 9:57 pm Permalink
Learning How To Bend is a solid song by one of Music’s best artists, Gary Allan. This is far from the best song on the album, but I too appreciate the emotional strength of this song, far too many love songs reach for sap or sugary imagery, this one is honest and gritty.
March 7, 2008 at 10:51 pm Permalink
I really like this release. It was the song I initially kept coming back to after I first listened to the album. I also think there are other potential big singles on this album. I am not sure, but I think that I read something where Gary said he would never either release Yesterday’s Rain or perform that song because it was far too personal and emotional for him.
March 7, 2008 at 11:04 pm Permalink
Corey, I think he said he couldn’t perform it live because it’s too emotional for him, but I don’t think he’s said anything about not releasing it as a single.
March 8, 2008 at 7:00 am Permalink
A lot of us seem to be on the same page with this CD. I have been a huge fan forever and have seen him in concert many times (which are great-catch him if you can). My initial reaction to this CD was sort of , eh? Seeing him twice live after it’s release, these songs sound much better live and it has made me appreciate it much more.
That being said, with the exception of Yesterday’s Rain, this seems like a fairly impersonal work compared to everything else past his debut release. And as much as I think Tough All Over is a great piece of art (not throwing that term loosely), a lot of it’s strength comes from the tragic events prior to it (Ring, Ring which he did not write is one of my favorite songs ever. Check out his version). So, I am chalking this one up to a lighten it up a little release that he is entitled to.
Also, I would love to see just about anyone put Half My Mistakes on the top of the charts. This is such an incredible song I can’t believe hasn’t blown up. I think is MIA, but Jace Everett’s version of Half is excellent.
March 8, 2008 at 6:14 pm Permalink
Brady, thanks for clearing that up. I hope he releases it as a single.
March 10, 2008 at 8:18 am Permalink
Brady, you hit the mark on this song. I have not heard the album in it’s entirety but the few songs I have heard are impressive. I have always appreciated Gary Allan’s vibe but recently started to enjoy it.
March 13, 2008 at 11:21 am Permalink
I was one of many who couldn’t wait for this album to be released. Being a HUGE Gary Allan fan myself, I was a little disappointed by the album at first. I was reaching for the sad songs, but they just weren’t there. Learning How To Bend is a wonderful song, and he sounds vulnerable when he sings it, which is such an endearing quality. I had the pleasure of booking Matt Warren for my cousin’s birthday bash, and he played it for us. Matt also worked on Yesterday’s Rain with Gary, and said he couldn’t play that song in public, becuase it was too personal.
I am thoroughly pleased that this song was chosen to be released as the next single, as opposed to She’s So California. Don’t get me wrong, I like that one too, but Learning How To Bend shows Gary at his best, putting out there for all to see, and hear.
March 22, 2008 at 11:47 am Permalink
Gary Allan is So Under-rated.
Shes so Californa, Learning How to Bend, and Half of my mistakes should all be top 10 Songs. The Rest of the Album is great and appeals to All Gary Allan fans. The rest of the nation needs to catch up with us. Truthfully I would like to see a few songs from See if I Care released. Toby did it,why not Gary!
April 10, 2008 at 12:25 pm Permalink
Patti,
I’m with you on this one. I wish Gary would have released See If I care, and What Kind of Fool. I love both songs tremendously! The “industry” keeps telling these country singers that we, the listening community, want nothing but cheery, upbeat, pop-country songs. Honestly, I’d rather have the heart-breaking, raw emotion of Gary Allan over Kenny’s beer-drinking, beach-bumming hooks anyday.
May 4, 2008 at 8:15 am Permalink
The whole CD is great and wonderful. I love all the songs on it. It shows Gary has come along way. Way to go gary.
May 31, 2008 at 1:27 am Permalink
learning how to bend is an awesome song. my favorite from the c.d. theres obvioulsy going to be only one more single from this c.d. and its either going to be “we touched the sun” or “as long as your looking back”
June 17, 2008 at 7:59 am Permalink
Loved it Loved it Loved it – seeing Gary twice in Australia after the release of the album only made listening to the album so much better.
Favourite song from album is Like Its A Bad Thing only by a small margin.
Can’t wait for more songs from him. Fantastic!
July 17, 2008 at 9:44 pm Permalink
I bought this album the first day it came out and I’ve absolutely enjoyed it! I love the song Learning how to Bend but I hope that Trying to Matter gets released as a single.
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