Reviews

Gary Allan tries on optimism with his new single 'Every Storm (Runs Out of Rain),' and surprisingly, it fits. The master of melancholy may be turning over a new leaf with his upcoming album. This song is borderline inspirational.

High Valley‘s tight harmonies and bluegrass influenced pop-country sound will be new to American audiences, but the sibling trio proves that their success in Canada wasn’t just a fluke. ‘Love You for a Long Time,’ the debut single on Eaglemont Entertainment, is a professional recording one usually doesn’t find from a baby act. This group is clearly a seasoned — but still exciting — voice to keep a

Darius Rucker takes a simple story of two lovers who defy odds and skeptics and places it gently on a cloud in the stratosphere — a place few others can reach. ‘True Believers’ begins as a mild and unremarkable pop-country song before clever production and Rucker’s unforgettable voice find one soaring in the euphoria.

If Joanna Smith‘s new single ‘We Can’t Be Friends’ was released 30 years ago, we might call it a classic in 2012. Since the singer is relatively new, however (the sexy single ‘Georgia Mud’ barely cracked the chart in 2011 ), we’ll restrain ourselves from over-selling this portrait of caged yearning. Smith is the perfect voice to tell the story.

JT Hodges‘ collision of varied influences make his self-titled, debut album a strange — but not unenjoyable — listen. Lyrically, the best songs on ‘JT Hodges’ feel strange and somehow forbidden, like a journey through the wardrobe, or adventure to a new world. He teeters on the axis of cool and too cool for the room.

On ‘You Go Your Way,’ Alan Jackson finds himself heartbroken… again. That’s three radio singles in a row that focus on the wrong end of love, but not all with convincing pathos.

A solo album every four or five years leaves Heidi Newfield sounding like a new woman with each lead single. Much like ‘Johnny and June’ in 2008, the former lead singer of Trick Pony throws every ounce of herself into ‘Why’d You Have to Be So Good,’ a heartbreakingly wonderful ballad.

D. Vincent Williams has a style country fans are already familiar with through the hits he’s penned over the last decade (James Otto’s ‘Just Got Lovin’ You’ is one of many). Now they’re sure to remember his voice, as his new single ‘Down By the River’ is a tall musical glass of iced tea after a dead-dog hot afternoon on the farm.

On their sophomore album, Gloriana lay down 11 tight, polished and harmonious country songs that collectively fall short of providing an identity for a group working through year four together. The trio feels like the shy kid in class who knows all the answers, but doesn’t want to raise his or her hand.

Kelleigh Bannen‘s scorn is anything but manufactured on her debut single ‘Sorry on the Rocks.’ The country newcomer — who signed to EMI Nashville barely two months ago — introduces herself to country music fans as a strong female artist willing to take no mistreatment.

It’s difficult to overstate how important ‘Kick It in the Sticks’ is to Brantley Gilbert‘s career and the direction of country music. It’s a line drawn in the red Georgia clay — after two releases that held back — to allow those not previously familiar with the Jefferson-born singer to get acquainted with his pacing and style. This is his ‘Free Bird,’ in that it’s the first song fans and critics w

On paper, ‘Uncaged’ should not work as an album, let alone a country music album. The new release from Zac Brown Band redefines “something for everybody.” Country, reggae, bedroom R&B… Brown and his ever-growing motley crew stretch the Nashville sound further than any other artist. If they weren’t so talented, this project would fall apart long before the title-track.