Reviews

Lucky Ned Pepper, ‘I Remember the Music’ – Song Review
Lucky Ned Pepper, ‘I Remember the Music’ – Song Review
Lucky Ned Pepper, ‘I Remember the Music’ – Song Review
Former Smokin' Armadillos singer Rick Russell and guitarist Josh Graham have remained close enough to cut new music as Lucky Ned Pepper, a duo named after the villain in 'True Grit.' Their first single, 'I Remember the Music,' is catchy and polished, but likely not the breakthrough song they're hoping for.
Craig Morgan, ‘More Trucks Than Cars’ – Song Review
Craig Morgan, ‘More Trucks Than Cars’ – Song Review
Craig Morgan, ‘More Trucks Than Cars’ – Song Review
From the very first notes of Craig Morgan's new single 'More Trucks Than Cars,' you'll know you're in for a no tricks, no twists country song from the man who's made a living painting a scenic picture of rural America. The song is as genuine as any Morgan has released. It's only muted by his own strong catalog of (other) farm boy hits.
Curtis Grimes, ‘Smile’ – Song Review
Curtis Grimes, ‘Smile’ – Song Review
Curtis Grimes, ‘Smile’ – Song Review
It's been 15 months since Curtis Grimes was eliminated from 'The Voice.' The Team Cee Lo singer has been playing live around Texas and the southeast while honing his songwriting chops. Country music was something of a plan B for the Texan, and while he shows pure talent, his new single 'Smile' proves there is still work to be done.
Jake Owen, ‘Endless Summer’ – Album Review
Jake Owen, ‘Endless Summer’ – Album Review
Jake Owen, ‘Endless Summer’ – Album Review
The very nature of the EP lends itself more to an artist's most faithful supporters than middling fans looking for an entry point into a new style or sound. Jake Owen's 'Endless Summer' EP allows his warm weather party with Kenny Chesney and Tim McGraw to last a little longer, but like summer love, the four songs will be little more than memories by the first yellow leaves of fall.
Clay Walker, ‘Jesse James’ – Song Review
Clay Walker, ‘Jesse James’ – Song Review
Clay Walker, ‘Jesse James’ – Song Review
Fans of Clay Walker know him as a lot of great things, but 'outlaw' is not one of them. It's a fair question for people to ask if his new single, 'Jesse James,' is sung with tongue loosely planted in cheek. One leans towards yes after checking out the cover art. The hat is a little big, the pants a little too pressed. He's a cowboy if cowboys shopped at Banana Republic.
Taylor Swift, ‘Begin Again’ – Song Review
Taylor Swift, ‘Begin Again’ – Song Review
Taylor Swift, ‘Begin Again’ – Song Review
Taylor Swift has released 'Begin Again,' a new song from her upcoming 'Red' album. It's a huggable, inspiring, acoustic country ballad that is everything country fans wished her first single 'We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together' was when it was released in August.
Brad Paisley, ‘Southern Comfort Zone’ – Song Review
Brad Paisley, ‘Southern Comfort Zone’ – Song Review
Brad Paisley, ‘Southern Comfort Zone’ – Song Review
Brad Paisley's new single 'Southern Comfort Zone' is another socially important song, joining previous hits like 'Welcome to the Future' and 'This Is Country Music.' The singer's voice carries more weight in 2012 than it did in 2008 or 2004, and one senses that he's aware of his influence. This song recorded by someone like Hank Williams Jr. or Toby Keith would be labeled as pretentious or preachy
Faith Hill, ‘American Heart’ – Song Review
Faith Hill, ‘American Heart’ – Song Review
Faith Hill, ‘American Heart’ – Song Review
Faith Hill has a new album finished, but it seems fans won't get to hear it until a single sticks. 'American Heart' is at least the third new song fans nationwide have heard -- including 'Come Home' and the title track, 'Illusion,' played during the 'CMA Music Festival' special on ABC. Like the others, it's a thick production made accessible by the wonder of Hill's voice.
Kacey Musgraves, ‘Merry Go Round’ – Song Review
Kacey Musgraves, ‘Merry Go Round’ – Song Review
Kacey Musgraves, ‘Merry Go Round’ – Song Review
The story goes like this: Texas teen auditions for 'Nashville Star,' doesn't win but uses the experience as motivation to sharpen her pen so that she can release her own melodic country music years later. The result strikes deep; right to the bone. It's uncomfortably close to reality for millions of Americans without offering much hope. Sound familiar?
Little Big Town, ‘Tornado’ – Album Review
Little Big Town, ‘Tornado’ – Album Review
Little Big Town, ‘Tornado’ – Album Review
Little Big Town assert themselves as a vocal quartet with real power and attitude on their new album 'Tornado.' The project -- their most consistent and satisfying yet -- sheds the milquetoast midtempo exercises that bogged down previous albums in favor of ones with true grit.
Glen Campbell Returns Home to Arkansas on Final Goodbye Tour
Glen Campbell Returns Home to Arkansas on Final Goodbye Tour
Glen Campbell Returns Home to Arkansas on Final Goodbye Tour
During last night's (September 6) near-capacity concert in Little Rock, Ark., the Robinson Center Music Hall audience was on their feet before the band ever played a note of music, the packed room delivering a heartfelt, standing ovation for Glen Campbell, Arkansas's native son and the country music icon on the final stops of his unprecedented Goodbye Tour.

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