Haters, Evolution, and Chinese Food

This is what Hank thinks of your silly arguments

      With the latest albums by Jason Aldean, Chase Rice, and Florida-Georgia Line drawing heavy amounts of criticism despite topping the charts, the bro-country supporters have been out in full blast, defending their music ad nauseam. They make claims of “evolution” and “if you don’t like it, don’t listen to it” and of course, the “country music doesn’t have to just be about lost dogs, lost wives, and broken-down trucks” argument. If you dare to share your opinion on the music, you get called a bully, an old man, or “close-minded”. There are so many accusations and proclamations with absolutely no truth and value in them that it can be very frustrating to even talk to these people. So, I’ve decided to deconstruct all of the tired, old arguments that the bro-country defenders drag in one all-encompassing post: Haters, Evolution, and Chinese Food.

Florida-Georgia Line "Anything Goes" Album Review

      Florida-Georgia Line teased us with some semblance of decency with their summer hit “Dirt”. The song was sincere, well written, and even had a steel-guitar buried in there. Many hoped that the subsequent album would be at least better balanced between the hick-hop/pop/rock drivel and some actual country songs. We didn’t expect them to become real artists overnight, but we expected a gradual maturation. We were wrong. Anything Goes is a total joke, not just by country music standards (duh) but by Florida-Georgia Line’s “standards” as well.

Carrie Underwood "Something In The Water" Single Review

      Carrie Underwood has been up and down the last few years, making some of the most substantial music on the radio, while also leaning her sound more and more towards a pop sound. All in all, it’s hard to say much bad about Carrie. Yeah, she isn’t exactly traditional country, but she never claims to be, and she does write and perform songs with a lot of integrity and heart. Of course, she also has one of the best pure singing voices in country music history. So, with the announcement of her first Greatest Hits album, she has released her latest singe “Something In The Water”. The song is a perfect example of Carrie’s fantastic voice, and one of her better singles in an already impressive resume.

Will Hoge "Middle Of America" Single Review

     Will Hoge had been teetering on the edge of mainstream relevancy for years before having a big radio smash when the Eli Young Band recorded his song "Even If It Breaks Your Heart".  Then, Will's own voice was heard as the spokesperson for Chevrolet with their ad campaign that featured his song "Strong".  Will was already a know commodity in the independent/underground world, but now the rest of the world was hearing him for the first time.  Will Hoge has a chance to grow his name even more with his fantastic new single "Middle of America", that many will relate to and enjoy.

Big & Rich "Gravity" Album Review

     Big & Rich are two of the hardest to pin down guys in country music. Many critics of the current country landscape point to their songs like “Save A Horse (Ride A Cowboy), “Comin’ To Your City”, and “Rollin’ (The Ballad of Big & Rich)” and cast blame on them for the myriad of country-rap and bro-country. But, under the surface is something much more. Sure, they have a ton of silly, obnoxious songs, but they do it in jest. They also have written some of the best country songs in the modern era, even though many were not radio hits. “When The Devil Gets The Best Of Me”, “Holy Water”, “Cheat On You”, and “8th of November” are as good as it gets in modern country. With their latest album, Gravity, Big & Rich do what they do best: keep everybody guessing. In a word of objectification of women and party songs, Big & Rich released an album full of sentimental love songs. It certainly stands out among its peers, and it definitely makes a statement.

Blake Shelton "Bringing Back The Sunshine" Album Review

     Blake Shelton had big promises with his new album Bringing Back The Sunshine.  Blake enticed his fans detractors with hints and tidbits about an album that would be a return to a country sound, with more heartfelt lyrics and more traditional arrangements.  Blake has been deeply entrenched in the bro-country vs. traditional country battleground, as he not only released the awful "Boys 'Round Here", he also made comments that referred traditional country fans as "old farts" and "jackasses".  He also has had countless public feuds on Twitter with anyone who dared to question his musical decisions.  All of that had but Blake on a lot of people's you-know-what list.  One solid album of real country would completely change that negative backlash.  Bringing Back The Sunshine doesn't fulfill all the hype that Blake let on, but that doesn't mean this is a bad album.