Reviews

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.

Eric Church has chosen what could one day be his encore song as the fourth single from ‘Chief.’ ‘Creepin” isn’t the best song on the album — it may not even be in the Top 3. However, it’s the project’s loudest, most rock and roll moment — one that would send fans home in a dizzying fit of distorted euphoria.

Sara Evans returns to the sound that landed her No. 1 hits like ‘A Real Fine Place to Start’ and ‘Born to Fly’ (2005 and 2000 respectively) with her new song ‘Anywhere.’ The radio-ready single was co-written by Evans’ brother, Matt, and is included on her latest album ‘Stronger.’

With ‘Beer Money,’ the new single from Kip Moore‘s ‘Up All Night’ album, the singer takes aim at the heart of country America. Those who never quite figured out what to do with ‘Somethin’ ‘Bout a Truck’ will quickly find themselves head-bobbing and mumbling along with the catchy chorus of this radio-friendly track.

The most striking scenes of Kenny Chesney‘s ‘Come Over’ video aren’t those of the bikini-clad beauty in the swimming pool or the panoramic shoreline. It’s the singer himself… without a hat on. As it turns out, those images are something of a metaphor for Chesney’s new ‘Welcome to the Fishbowl’ album.

Gretchen Wilson may not be one of country music’s top female vocalists any longer. No, she’s transcended the genre, in a way Alison Krauss did hers years ago. Except Wilson’s not getting any of the recognition, until maybe now. ‘One Good Friend’ is a brilliant ballad about the meaning of friendship. However, it’s perhaps too professional to fit between the stars on modern country radio — a problem

When he’s on, few vocalists commit to an emotion quite like Rascal Flatts‘ Gary LeVox. The singer will recklessly throw himself into love, heartbreak or desperation. ‘Come Wake Me Up,’ the new single from ‘Changed,’ is another fine example of how this trio continues to work at a level few country artists are aware of.

There’s a lot to watch, play, read and stream out there. Some of it is good, and some of it is bad, like worse than Rosie O’Donnell playing Betty Rubble bad.

Big Win Slots is an affront to gaming, and a cruel, exploitative money-sucker that you need to avoid at all costs.

It’s hard not to wonder if ‘More Life’ was chosen as a single from Randy Travis‘ ‘Anniversary Collection‘ album to allow the singer a chance to respond to his recent brush with infamy. The introspective ballad finds Travis asking for forgiveness from those he has hurt. Is this another case of art birthed from real life?

In case you haven’t noticed, there’s nowhere on an iPhone to plug in an arcade-style fighting stick. That means we’re stuck with touch controls that try to replicate arcade setups, which is about as easy as playing handball while wearing oven mitts.

For its ability to facilitate discussion, and abundance of potential class and event tie-ins, “The Hunger Games” was selected as the 2012-2013 book by the UHV First Year Experience Committee.  All freshmen will receive a free copy of the book...