Sturgill Simpson "A Sailor's Guide To Earth" Album Review

     Well, this is something. Ever since Sturgill Simpson signed his first major label contract with Atlantic Records, the country music world has been itching to hear the fruits of the pairing. Today we finally have our answer with his third solo album, A Sailor’s Guide To Earth. As can now be expected with Sturgill, this album takes significant risks and shows a cosmic shift in sound from his previous release. This album may overstep the bounds of country, but it still is great music nonetheless.

Margo Price "Midwest Farmer's Daughter" Album Review

     The “Chris Stapleton effect” is being felt in Nashville. After the longtime songwriter swept award season and conquered the sales charts, labels seem to be looking for the next big traditional country star. Fortunately, there is a healthy crop of great artists to pick from. Case-in-point is Margo Price. Margo has been around Nashville for over a decade, and even counted Kenny Vaughn and Sturgill Simpson as past members of her band. Now, thanks partially to the timing of current trends, and partially to fantastic writing and singing, Margo finds herself in the catbird’s seat on her way to stardom. Her debut solo album, Midwest Farmer’s Daughter, is full of classic country and a real treat to listen to.

Tim McGraw "Damn Country Music" Album Review

     In mainstream country music, few names hold as much clout as Tim McGraw. Tim has been a superstar since the mid 90’s, and while many of his fellow 90’s country acts are fading from the radio play and big tours, Tim’s star shines as bright as ever. I’ve made no secret in the past as to why this is. Tim McGraw is the best trend chaser in country music.  Tim has a song for the sound that is popular in the mainstream for each mini-era of his career. Line dancing? “Indian Outlaw”. Late 90’s slick, but traditional-leaning country? “Where The Green Grass Grows”. Over-produced 2000’s pop-country? “Live Like You Were Dying”. Bro-country? “Truck Yeah”. This push towards adult contemporary country? “Highway Don’t Care”. Tim is a master at keeping an ear to what’s popular and finding his own version of it to stay relevant. Whether that earns him your respect or disdain is your call. Now, with country at a crossroads, Tim has to make a stand. We are at a point where you either make your money standing your ground for traditional country or sell out 100% to make noise.  Not much in-between.  While Tim still tries to play both sides of the fence, I’m happy to say that Damn Country Music is much closer to the right side of things rather than the wrong.

Carrie Underwood "Storyteller" Album Review

     Carrie Underwood is the definition of a superstar. She is recognized worldwide, her concerts are worldwide sellouts, and her music is wide spread. When she releases an album, people pay attention. Carrie’s latest record, Storyteller, hit the market earlier this year. While country radio has been mostly a boys club the past few years, Carrie, along with her friend Miranda Lambert, has been able to break through the testosterone wall. Furthermore, she’s been able to do it with songs that have actual stories and meaningful lyrics. “Smoke Break” was a great first single to get the ball rolling, so does the rest of Storyteller keep up with the high expectations that we have for Carrie?

Chris Young "I'm Comin' Over" Album Review

     There once was time, not so long ago, that traditional country fans had a guy in the mainstream world that had a bright future. A deep voiced young man that sang actual country music that mattered. His name was Chris Young. He stacked up some huge hits that country fans resonated with. “The Man I Wanna Be”, “Neon”, “Voices”, “Drinking Me Lonely”, and “Tomorrow” were all big hits that made traditional country lovers’ spidey sense tingle. Somewhere along the way, that guy disappeared. The cowboy hat stopped showing up. The fiddle and steel were muffled. The lyrics became generic. The Chris Young of yesteryear is a distant memory now. With his latest release, Chris completes his journey from standout traditionalist to corporate shill. I’m Comin’ Over is bland, repetitive, and pointless.

Don Henley "Cass County" Album Review

     One of the biggest issues plaguing country music lately has been the ever growing amount of influences from other genres. This often comes in the form of musical stylings, but it also comes from outside artists as well. Sheryl Crow, Steven Tyler, Bon Jovi, Jessica Simpson, Brett Michaels, Uncle Kracker, and Kid Rock have all made attempts at country music in the past, with varying results. The latest to join the crossover brigade is Don Henley. You may recognize him as one of the founding members of The Eagles. You won’t find a more polarizing band in country music, or any genre for that example. Some people think The Eagles are honorary members of the country music world, as their sound always walked that line between country and rock. Others want to place most of the blame for the rock infused sound of today on bands like The Eagles. The truth probably lies somewhere between those two points. With all that being said, a lot of eyes were on Don when he announced his country album, Cass County. The good news is that Don took this seriously and created a labor of love for the genre. Cass County is as about as solid of a traditional country album you will hear in 2015 from the most unlikely of sources.

Jason Boland & The Stragglers "Squelch" Album Review

      Jason Boland and the Stragglers have been making real country music from the heart of Texas for quite some time now. Rather than waste time with pop fluff, these guys have doubled down on honky-tonkers and songs with weight and substance. The result is a sound that is instantly identifiable. With Jason’s latest album, Squelch, he and the Stragglers take a stand and make protest music that matters. Squelch is certainly a left turn from most of country music, but it is a welcome experience.

Eric Church "Mr. Misunderstood" Album Review

     The night of the CMA Awards, Eric Church dropped a surprise album titled Mr. Misunderstood.  After making an interesting-to-a-fault album in The Outsiders, the release of Mr. Misunderstood finds Eric back in his wheelhouse.  While most artists spend countless months prepping and analyzing every line on an album, Eric wrote, recorded, and shipped this album in a little under 3 months.  Members of his "Church Choir" fan club received free surprise copies the day of the release. Clearly, the roll-out of this album bucks any and all Nashville trends.  Thankfully, the music does as well. Mr. Misunderstood feels fresh, gritty, and unique.  This is Eric Church at his best.

George Strait "Cold Beer Conversation" Album Review

     There are a few things in earth that are constant: life, death, taxes, and George Strait.  No matter what the current trends and fads on the radio may be, you can always count on George Strait releasing great country music that is easy to listen to and staunchly traditional.  Cold Beer Conversation is no different.  This surprise album from George topped the charts among some solid competition.  It once again proves that being consistent and reliable is still marketable in country music.

Pat Green "Home" Album Review

      Pat Green was one of the biggest stars in Texas when he took his talents to Nashville to take on the world of country radio. While he experienced success, he lost a large chunk of his original fanbase, who accused him of “selling out”. Whether or not Pat was truly a sellout is neither here nor there, but let’s just say both his biggest fans who claim he never changed and his biggest detractors who criticized his frosted tips and mellowed out sound had a legitimate point. After a long hiatus, Pat is back with new album, appropriately titled Home. With the bright lights of Nashville far behind him, Pat gets back to his roots with this new set of tunes.

Josh Thompson "Change: The Lost Record Volume 1" Album Review

     When Josh Thompson first hit it big, a lot of people predicted big things for him.  His first few hits "Beer On The Table" and "Way Out Here" made waves on the charts.  His follow up album, Change", never saw the light of day, as an under-performing though critically acclaimed lead-single "Comin' Around" and label unrest left him without a record deal.  Now that he is under an independent label, Ole Digital, he is finally getting that album out to the public in the form of two EPs.

The Turnpike Troubadours Album Review

     If I had to perfectly define country music evolution, I wouldn’t have to look much further than The Turnpike Troubadours. While stars in Nashville use the term to justify the fact that their music is anything but country, The Turnpike Troubadours quietly provide an excellent example of it. Their latest, self-titled album falls right in line with their previous efforts. The group shows growth and maturity while sticking firmly to their roots. Making this album self-titled was an excellent decision, because with it we get a perfect musical picture of who The Turnpike Troubadours are and what they are all about.

Lindi Ortega "Faded Gloryville" Album Review

     Imagine a smoky lounge in a rough end of town. Seedy characters file in and out while bluesy country music echoes down the alley from a dark haired singer. Her raspy voice cuts through the crowd noise and captivates the downtrodden souls searching for something. If you can imagine that scenario, you’ve pictured the perfect visual representation of Faded Gloryville, the new album from Lindi Ortega. This Canadian-born beauty has been wowing Nashville honkytonks and collecting endless praise from critics since her career began, and this album falls right into that line. Faded Gloryville is a mix of country and blues that is a sonic treat for the broken-hearted.

Maddie & Tae "Start Here" Album Review

     From the lowliest depths of pop country hell,a bright spot has emerged on the scene for mainstream country music.  Maddie & Tae came out of the box strong last year with their timely and hilarious hit "Girl In A Country Song".  Most critics were quick to point out that country fans needed to cool their jets, as these were just two young girls and we couldn't heap all these expectations of wrestling country radio back on their shoulders.  Well, with the release of their debut album, somebody is going to have to cool me down.  Is this "old fashioned traditional country"?  Not really. But is it one of the very best and most authentic country albums of the past few years in mainstream country? Hell yeah.

Luke Bryan "Kill The Lights" Album Review

     Well every one's favorite metro-sexual pretty boy is back with a new album of big hits for the soccer mom and preteen in your life.  Luke has made quite a name for himself in his illustrious career, starting off as a strong vocalist with  throwback sound, and morphing into a caricature of the frat-boy country lifestyle.  Kill the Lights promised growth and maturity from Luke.  I don't see it.  This isn't art or music, it is marketing and demographic targeting.  Luke is officially no longer a country music artist, he is a marketing gimmick through and through.

Courtney Patton "So This Is Life" Album Review

     Earlier this year, we were treated to a fantastic release by singer-songwriter Courtney Patton.  So This Is Life is a stellar collection of songs that bring back the simple story-telling that country music purists long for.  Much in the vein of Brandy Clark's 12 Stories, Courtney's new album has stirring commentary from a female perspective presented in a frank and casual manner.  If you are longing for some good old fashioned stories, this is the album for you.

Ashley Monroe "The Blade" Album Review

     If there has ever been an artist just knocking at the door of super-stardom, its Ashley Monroe.  This girl has got talent that blows you away and the looks to match.  She can write a song with wit and heart and own a room with those same skills.  It is an absolute travesty that she isn't on par with the Miranda Lamberts and Carrie Underwoods of the world.  With her latest release, The Blade, Ashley makes a few blatant attempts to crack into that world, but still remains rooted in the sound that we love from her.  The Blade is a mixed bag, but there is more good than bad and certainly a great album to give a listen to.

Jason Isbell "Something More Than Free" Album Review

     Jason Isbell, former member of the Drive-By Truckers, recently released his latest album Something More Than Free.  Jason Isbell has been building up quite a reputation as one of the best songwriters in the business.  Each of Jason's songs tend to feature vivid imagery, exquisite story-telling, and intelligent musings on the world.  Something More Than Free is album for the working man who is also a deep thinker.  It is about making a living, overcoming demons, and living life.  It also comes across as very personal, and that's what males it so great.

Alan Jackson "Angels & Alcohol" Album Review

     At this point, Alan Jackson needs no introduction.  The man is a living legend in country music.  He has proved over and over that traditional country can be cool and can be relevant.  After dabbling in bluegrass for his last album, Alan is back in the country format for his latest release, Angels & Alcohol.  A review of this album is hardly necessary.  It is Alan Jackson.  He doesn't know how to make bad music.  But, I will still share some thoughts on this new album, which fits right in the Alan Jackson discography as a solid and entertaining group of tunes.

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.