Reviews

It’s a little early to call any album the best anything of 2012, but it’s no stretch to say Kip Moore‘s debut is the best by a new country artist this year, so far. ‘Up All Night’ introduces the gypsy from south Georgia as an inspiring storyteller, a talented lyricist and a gritty, well-traveled vocalist.

Lee Brice‘s new album ‘Hard 2 Love’ feels like a half thank you note, half apology to his soon-to-be wife and their son. Not all of the 13 cuts were written by the ‘A Woman Like You’ singer, but put into the context of what is going on in his life, many come across as extremely personal love letters.

The University of Houston-Victoria is conducting a short online survey to get the community's input about how to improve student learning. Your opinions are important to UHV as we develop a Quality Enhancement Plan for Reaffirmation 2014, our current preparation for a spring 2014 accreditation review by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges...

Newcomer Greg Bates makes it look much too easy in his debut song ‘Did It for the Girl.’ The tune is country music, stripped of pomp and circumstance. His sweet molasses voice doesn’t hide behind any trumped up studio tricks or vocal effects. While the sound isn’t quite the same, his style is similar to the man he sings about during the second verse.

Any country artist that can invent a sound never before heard on country radio deserves a round of applause. In the age of repetition and imitation, Little Big Town releases ‘Pontoon,’ a song that has no siblings.

A new wife, a new baby, a new record label … add it all up and you’ll find a new Randy Houser on his debut single for Stoney Creek Records. ‘How Country Feels’ drops the Delta Blues-soaked guitar riffs in favor of a sound more palatable to the fan of middle-of-the-road country music.

The men of Rascal Flatts have talked about how they took a step back and reassessed everything they were before returning to the studio to record ‘Changed’ in 2011. The result is a project that shows wholesale changes weren’t necessary, but ‘Tweaked’ would have made a lousy album title.

Kenny Chesney and Tim McGraw didn’t need help selling tickets for the Brothers of the Sun Tour, but whatever seats were still available may have just been scooped up by fans anxious to see the two country superstars sing ‘Feel Like a Rock Star’ together this summer. The rest of America will have to settle for the radio edit, which is vintage Kenny Chesney.

The oddly titled Sine Mora is a throwback to perhaps the most hardcore of genres, the sidescrolling shooter.

Country music fans under 40 are left scratching their heads about all the hype surrounding Lionel Richie‘s courting of Nashville’s greatest artists. First it was a duet with Shania Twain, now a full album of duets called ‘Tuskegee,’ and soon, the topper — a night in his honor after the ACM Awards next week.

Luke Bryan‘s new EP ‘Spring Break 4 … Suntan City’ is like a good speed boat. Owning one is pretty cool, but borrowing your buddy’s whenever you need it is even better.

Pat Green takes a second break from writing his own songs to honor ten artists who’ve influenced him on ‘Songs We Wish We’d Written II.’ The lead single finds the Texas-born hitmaker taking a rock n’ roll approach to ‘All Just to Get to You’ by Joe Ely.