While enjoyable, ‘Hellbent’ finds the Randy Rogers Band playing things too safe.
Month: April 2019
Song Review: Riley Green - “In Love By Now”
The short version: Riley Green doesn’t differ much from his debut single, “There Was This Girl,” on “In Love By Now,” but the latter song is a better showcase of his talent. Writers: Riley Green, Rhett Akins, Marv Green, Ben Hayslip Rating: 7/10 The long version: While I was on the fence about Riley Green… Continue reading Song Review: Riley Green - “In Love By Now”
Pop Goes The Country Vol. 14: Ferlin Husky - “Gone” (1957)
Pop Goes The Country is an ongoing series where I explore country music’s biggest crossover hits For the past several volumes of this series, we’ve explored the rockabilly movement in great detail. From country artists needing to adapt for survival purposes to artists moving in from the outside, while the crossover hits happened, country music,… Continue reading Pop Goes The Country Vol. 14: Ferlin Husky - “Gone” (1957)
Album Review: Taylor Alexander - ‘Good Old Fashioned Pain’
The short version: ‘Good Old Fashioned Pain’ is the kind of straightforward, no-frills country album that’s both enjoyable and full of substance. Favorite tracks: “Sorry For Growing Up,” “It Don’t Matter To The Rain,” “I Never Ask For Nothin’,” “Real Good At Saying Goodbye,” “I Guess I Moved On” Least favorite track: “Good Old Fashioned… Continue reading Album Review: Taylor Alexander - ‘Good Old Fashioned Pain’
Album Review: Ben Jarrell - ‘Troubled Times’
The short version: Ben Jarrell’s ‘Troubled Times’ opens a door for a new generation of blistering, good-timing, outlaw and honky tonk country music. Favorite tracks: “Daddy’s Prison Radio,” “Big Iron Train,” “Black Helicopter,” “Colorado Bound,” “Troubled Times In A Tribal Town” Least favorite track: “Marissa” Rating: 8/10 The long version: There’s times where the formation… Continue reading Album Review: Ben Jarrell - ‘Troubled Times’
Opinion: Country Music Is Back In The ‘Urban Cowboy’ Phase
Warning: Language The early 1980s produced a source of financial pressure on Nashville’s country music record divisions. The Urban Cowboy phenomenon, named for a movie that glorified a honky tonk and cowboy lifestyle, spread country music’s brand image to an urban society long thought immune to the charms of rural culture. Notice, though, that I… Continue reading Opinion: Country Music Is Back In The ‘Urban Cowboy’ Phase
Pop Goes The Country Double Feature: Jerry Lee Lewis - “The Killer” Within
Pop Goes The Country is an ongoing series where I explore country music’s biggest crossover hits. To continue from where we left off on the last edition of ‘Pop Goes The Country,’ we’re in the process of discussing the rockabilly movement from the rockabilly artist’s perspective. Thus far, all discussions of this movement have circled… Continue reading Pop Goes The Country Double Feature: Jerry Lee Lewis - “The Killer” Within
Song Review: Maddie and Tae - “Die From A Broken Heart”
The short version: “Die From A Broken Heart” is just one of those well-written, heartfelt songs that represents what country music is all about. Writers: Deric Ruttan, Jonathan Singleton, Taylor Elizabeth Dye, Maddie Marlow, Taylor Dye Rating: 8/10 The long version: I should have reviewed this around six months ago, but this also should have… Continue reading Song Review: Maddie and Tae - “Die From A Broken Heart”
Album Review: Aaron Lewis - ‘State I’m In’
The short version: Aaron Lewis continues to make steady improvements, but his new album also continues his streak of inconsistencies. Favorite tracks: “State I’m In,” “The Party’s Over,” “Burnt The Sawmill Down,” “Reconsider,” “Love Me” Least favorite track: “It Keeps On Workin’” Rating: 6/10 The long version: Of all the washed-up rock artists trying to… Continue reading Album Review: Aaron Lewis - ‘State I’m In’
Album Review: Joey McGee - ‘El Camino Real’
The short version: ‘El Camino Real’ is another solid project from Joey McGee. Favorite tracks: “Stuck,” “Pining,” “Old Beat Up Car,” “The Cape” Least favorite track: “The War You Wanted” Rating: 7/10 The long version: It says something in the modern Internet age that reviewing an album just two months after its release counts as… Continue reading Album Review: Joey McGee - ‘El Camino Real’
The Musical Divide 