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.

Turnpike Troubadours "Down Here" Single Review

     Back in 2012, I decided I wanted to start a country music blog.  I was inspired by some other great websites, but mostly I was inspired because I wanted to tell my friends about the great country music they were missing.  At the forefront of those thoughts were the Turnpike Troubadours.  These guys have been doing absolutely everything right in country music, and this site was a way to tell people about them and so many others.  So if you love (or hate) my ramblings, you can thank (or blame) these guys for a large part of the inspiration behind it.  Well, finally, the guys have released some music and I can review it.  "Down Here" is the lead single from their self-titled album due out in September. As usual, "Down Here" finds the guys making great country music that is fresh and fun.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.