Saturday, June 27, 2015

Sam Outlaw "Angeleno" Album Review


     Well, lets get this out of the way first.  Yes, Sam Outlaw is his real name.  Sam decided to carry his mother's maiden name to honor her after she passed away.  Now, with a name like that, I'm sure you were expecting some hard-charging country rock that dripping with blood, sweat, and beer.  Well, you couldn't be farther from the truth.  Sam Outlaw hails from Southern California and has a sound that is much more Gram Parsons than Waylon Jennings.  His smooth delivery and laid back sound makes Angeleno a beautifully arranged album that is among the best in 2015.

Wednesday, June 24, 2015

Kacey Musgraves "Pageant Material" Album Review


     Kacey Musgraves is one of the biggest lightning rods in country music.  On one hand, you have a female making traditional country music in 2015, having some mainstream success.  On the other, you have a girl who many view as snooty or cocky.  She certainly wears her heart on her sleeve, and that has turned off some fans.  With her second album, Pageant Material, she does some work to refute those notions.  A lot was riding on this release.  Kacey fans wanted to see her continue to fly the flag for traditional country music, while critics wanted to see some growth in her subject matter and songwriting.  Thankfully, Pageant Material does both.  This album goes a long way in cementing Kacey's legacy as a top notch artist.

Friday, June 12, 2015

Remembering Jim Ed Brown


     Jim Ed Brown went home to be with the Lord on June 11, 2015.  He was 81 years old.  Jim Ed Brown was recently inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame, and was a member of the Grand Ole Opry.  He had recently been battling cancer, and announced the remission of the cancer in early 2015.  Unfortunately, the cancer fought back, and Jim passed away on June 11.

Thursday, June 11, 2015

Willie Nelson and Merle Haggard "Django And Jimmie" Album Review


     There are few accolades and praises left that haven't been heaped upon Willie Nelson or Merle Haggard.  These two men have cemented their legacies as two of the best and brightest that country music has to offer.  If there was ever a Mount Rushmore of country music, these two would be two of the highest vote-getters to be honored.  When you gain living legend status as these two have, it is easy to kick back and rest on your laurels.  Not the case here.  Willie and Merle's new duets album Django And Jimmie recently hit number one on the Billboard Country Albums Chart, proving that these two legends still have plenty of gas in the tank.

Wednesday, June 10, 2015

Keith Urban "John Cougar, John Deere, John 3:16" Single Review


     Oh boy.  Where do we even begin?  Keith Urban has been toeing the line between country and pop for years now, but he managed never to offend too strongly or ruffle too many feathers.  Sure, a hardcore Waylon fan probably doesn't enjoy "Kiss A Girl", but they don't go out of their way to criticize him like they would Luke Bryan or Florida-Georgia Line.  Perhaps it is his easy-going attitude, his encyclopedia-like knowledge of traditional country, or his commitment to the Country Music Hall Of Fame.  Whatever it is, Keith has managed to find his niche in the country music world to little dissonance.  Well, Keith better be prepared, because his new single is going to get some traditional fans hot and bothered.  "John Cougar, John Deere, John 3:16" is a jumbled, incoherent, ill-conceived mess of a song that isn't interesting, isn't smart, and isn't country.  

Friday, June 5, 2015

Thomas Rhett "Crash & Burn" Single Review


     Do you like Bruno Mars?  I know I do.  His smooth vocals and throwback arrangements are bringing new life to the classic Motown Sound of the late 60's and 70's.  His brand of pop is exactly the kind of stuff I can get behind and promote as pop music that is artistic, fun, and worthwhile.  I am a big Bruno Mars fan.  He is a lot of things, but one thing he absolutely is not is country.  Thomas Rhett did not get that memo.  In his latest attempt to jump on any trend possible to make a buck, Thomas Rhett has decided that he is a soul singer who lost his way.  "Crash And Burn" is the latest in a long line of country singles that prove that our genre has completely lost its identity.