Brad Shoemaker's Country Debut

As you may remember, I posted a thread last year with a video of our own Alex Navarro playing a surprisingly poignant piano piece, offering a rare glimpse into the secret lives of the Giant Bomb Crew. Yet while Alex had never certainly alluded to his stunning piano skills, it does make some sense that he would choose such an endeavor, considering he was once a Harmonix employee, a company who in 2010 perhaps not so coincidentally released a keyboard controller. Aside from Jeff, it would appear that Alex is the only staff member with any sort of visible music background. On the basis of this information alone, it's easy to see how one could have jumped to the conclusion that Alex alone was operating a cloak and dagger song-smith operation, but as I have recently discovered, this is not the case. In fact, signs indicate that Brad Shoemaker's surreptitious country debut dates as far back as 2004, when he was still working at GameSpot. The album, Land Between the Rivers, is a rousing concept album (something rarely attempted in modern country music) about the history of Iowa. One might find it odd that Brad recorded an album about the state of Iowa, considering he neither lives nor has lived there, at least to our knowledge, but as we have seen time and time again, Brad defies all expectation. Just watch that video of him playing Rock Band.

Because Bradley has done such an expert job of covering his tracks, there existed no YouTube videos to point to, nor did there exist any shady download sites I could link to, not that I would even think about shortchanging Mr. Shoemaker. As a result, I now own a copy of Land Between the Rivers, and according to last.fm, I'm the only person in the world to ever have listened to it. Because it would be absurd of me to assume every other member of this site to exhibit the same level of benignity, I have taken the liberty of uploading two videos to YouTube for your pleasure: the first a music video and the second the entire album for those who wish to hear the entire work as intended. I hope you all enjoy, and I certainly hope Brad enjoys my $14.

Brad needs to write better lyrics.

I'm respectful of Brad's privacy, but incase he's reading this I'd like you to know that I appreciate your work Brad, and if you ever decided to share your beautiful gift with the world, I'm sure the album would strike a chord with many people.
 
I think it's a real shame that he hasn't released anything since 2004. Maybe he got too busy with reviewing PS2 games and just never picked it up again.

Are we sure this isn't a different 'Brad Shoemaker'? Not that I don't think the dude could sing. That just doesn't sound like him.

HOLY SHIT! I knew Brad was a good singer from the videos of him singing on rock band and stuff, but he is awesome! #TEAMBRAD

It's a different Brad.

http://www.cduniverse.com/productinfo.asp?pid=7128524

I remember when Brad was talking about this on one of the old Gamespot podcasts. If I remember correctly, the album's failure was part of why left Gamespot in 2008.

I'm skeptical. Confirm/deny Brad?

Clearly not Brad, but I appreciate it nonetheless

I'd think the part where it sounds nothing like him would've been a giveaway...

Well his name is on it, so it seems like a pretty open and shut case to me.

What was that about I'm now at peace with all my white brothers?

He used to say that all the time on the bombcast.

I'm watching these without any context and I feel like Brad died.

@chrismafuchris said:

@JasonR86 I suppose anything is possible, but what are the odds of that?

Good? I mean they aren't hugely common names but common enough.

That doesn't sound anything like Brad.

@ZagZagovich said:

What was that about I'm now at peace with all my white brothers?

"I thank the great spirit, that I am now friendly with all my white brothers"

Brad explain yourself.

I can't believe you guys are so rejecting of Brad opening himself up like this.

Oh yeah, I remember one time Brad drunkenly tweeted something along the lines of "I have a confession, I was once a country singer, but it never took off. Now you all know." with a link to that album. But when I looked again in the morning, it was gone. He must have deleted it when he saw what he had done.

Great stuff, Brad. Truly. Please, once again, pick up the guitar and continue to spread your wisdom/knowledge of Iowa with your beautiful vocals. We are ready. Our ears and hearts are ready.

@JasonR86 said:

Are we sure this isn't a different 'Brad Shoemaker'? Not that I don't think the dude could sing. That just doesn't sound like him.

@MarkWahlberg said:

I'd think the part where it sounds nothing like him would've been a giveaway...

Well there are plenty of singers who's singing voice does not match up to their talking voice. Prince, Sly Stone, Marvin Gaye, Joe Cocker, just to name a few off the top of my head.

Like a jar of molasses what got stomped on with a big boot.

@JasonR86 said:

Are we sure this isn't a different 'Brad Shoemaker'? Not that I don't think the dude could sing. That just doesn't sound like him.

I think that's the joke.

@MarkWahlberg said:

I'd think the part where it sounds nothing like him would've been a giveaway...

@mordukai said:

@JasonR86 said:

Are we sure this isn't a different 'Brad Shoemaker'? Not that I don't think the dude could sing. That just doesn't sound like him.

@MarkWahlberg said:

I'd think the part where it sounds nothing like him would've been a giveaway...

Well there are plenty of singers who's singing voice does not match up to their talking voice. Prince, Sly Stone, Marvin Gaye, Joe Cocker, just to name a few off the top of my head.

Not in this case. Note the link in my previous post. The album description describes this Brad as a native of the Midwest and an Army veteran.

@chrismafuchris said:

@Turambar he was careful to cover up his tracks

@Chavtheworld said:

@JasonR86 said:

Are we sure this isn't a different 'Brad Shoemaker'? Not that I don't think the dude could sing. That just doesn't sound like him.

I think that's the joke.

Joke?

Is this a joke? There is no where in hell that is Brad.

That first video is creepy. I feel like nobody should make videos like that of you until your dead. And Brad needs not to be dead. #Teambrad

@Turambar said:

@mordukai said:

@JasonR86 said:

Are we sure this isn't a different 'Brad Shoemaker'? Not that I don't think the dude could sing. That just doesn't sound like him.

@MarkWahlberg said:

I'd think the part where it sounds nothing like him would've been a giveaway...

Well there are plenty of singers who's singing voice does not match up to their talking voice. Prince, Sly Stone, Marvin Gaye, Joe Cocker, just to name a few off the top of my head.

Not in this case. Note the link in my previous post. The album description describes this Brad as a native of the Midwest and an Army veteran.

I wasn't saying it to confirmed it's Brad, just to say that sometimes judging whether it's the person singing by comparing his talking voice to his singing voice can be misleading.

We know Brad can pretty much replicate any sound he wants with his singing voice, so we can't rule this out just yet.

I need solid proof that this is Brad. It's not that I'm not buying it, I just want to hear it from the source.

This is good... but nothing can live up to BiffMcBlumkin's video of Claude from this thread:

This video seems appropriate for when/if Brad actually ever leaves GiantBomb

This thread sure had me going there for a bit. Bravo to you sir/madam/robot.

Well over the years we have heard Brad sing in quick looks and live shows.....this aint our Brad. How could you even think it was? It sounds nothing like him.

Well this is awkward.

Hey guys I don't think that is Brad.