It’s hard to say who or what exactly is to blame for all of it, but Maddie and Tae’s sophomore release is most certainly a sophomore slump… Read More Album Review: Maddie & Tae – ‘The Way It Feels’
9 isn’t so much bad as it is terribly uninteresting… Read More Album Review: Jason Aldean – ‘9’
While it’s wonderful to hear Miranda Lambert find peace on Wildcard, between bad production and safe writing, it’s easily her worst album yet… Read More Album Review: Miranda Lambert – ‘Wildcard’
Different ‘Round Here is a mixed bag… Read More Album Review: Riley Green – ‘Different ‘Round Here’
Okie is commendable for its scope, but feels too mawkish and cloying in its actual execution… Read More Album Review: Vince Gill – ‘Okie’
Dragons is an unfortunate setback for Drew Holcomb, and his most generic project to date… Read More Album Review: Drew Holcomb & The Neighbors – ‘Dragons’
There’s a good idea behind “She’s Mine,” but it’s carried out in a lackluster way.… Read More Song Review: Kip Moore – “She’s Mine”
‘Late Nights and Longnecks’ shows measurable improvement from Justin Moore, though that does come with its own set of caveats… Read More Album Review: Justin Moore – ‘Late Nights And Longnecks’
While the sentiment is nice, “Break It In” suffers from clichéd writing and bland production… Read More Song Review: Eli Young Band – “Break It In”
Can we go back to “Better Boat” please?… Read More Song Review: Kenny Chesney – “Tip Of My Tongue”
“Every Girl In This Town” is a fairly underwhelming return single from Trisha Yearwood… Read More Song Review: Trisha Yearwood – “Every Girl In This Town”
Center Point Road can’t help but feel like a slight regression back into bad production tactics and clumsy writing for Thomas Rhett.… Read More Album Review: Thomas Rhett – ‘Center Point Road’
“What If I Never Get Over You” isn’t quite a return to form for Lady Antebellum. … Read More Song Review: Lady Antebellum – “What If I Never Get Over You”
On paper, ‘Caught Up In The Country’ is actually quite good. But it’s immediately hampered by bad production and mixing choices as well as Rodney Atkins’s poorly aged vocals.… Read More Album Review: Rodney Atkins – ‘Caught Up In The Country’
The short version: As it turns out, boots were made for walkin’ instead of knockin’. Writers: Jon Nite, Hillary Lindsey, Gordie Sampson Rating: 5/10 The long version: We’ve reached a point in time where Luke Bryan is harmless. Between the lackluster chart runs of recent hits like “Sunrise, Sunburn, Sunset” and “What Makes You Country”… Read More Song Review: Luke Bryan – “Knockin’ Boots”
The short version: Most of the problems from ‘HERO’ carry over to Maren Morris’ sophomore album, ‘GIRL.’ Favorite tracks: “Great Ones,” “A Song For Everything,” “GIRL,” “Shade” Least favorite tracks: “RSVP,” “Make Out With Me” Rating: 5/10 The long version: Maren Morris. To some, that name is synonymous with everything wrong with current mainstream country… Read More Album Review: Maren Morris – ‘GIRL’
The short version: Despite featuring a more refined sonic palette, ‘Easy Way’ by the Cactus Blossoms doesn’t offer much of anything interesting. Favorite tracks: “Easy Way,” “Got A Lotta Love,” “Please Don’t Call Me Crazy” Least favorite track: “See It Through” Rating: 5/10 The long version: In a way, artists being compared to their influences… Read More Album Review: The Cactus Blossoms – ‘Easy Way’
The short version: Hayes Carll’s ‘What It Is’ doesn’t have a poor foundation, but it suffers from a lack of expansion and poor execution. Favorite tracks: “Be There,” “Beautiful Thing,” “Times Like These,” “Fragile Men” Least favorite track: “Jesus and Elvis” Rating: 5/10 The long version: Life’s messy, and sometimes the art we hear reflects… Read More Album Review: Hayes Carll – ‘What It Is’
The short version: Despite some good intentions, “Good Vibes” comes across as lazy rather than fun. Writers: Chris Janson, Ashley Gorley, Zach Crowell Rating: 5/10 The long version: If you’re a fan of consistency, Chris Janson may not be the artist for you. Granted, it’s not like the strategy has failed him yet. For every… Read More Song Review: Chris Janson – “Good Vibes”
The short version: “Raised On Country” is the latest addition to a long line of singles addressing authenticity concerns. Chris Young may make the track go down smoother than similar artists due to his stellar voice, but “Raised On Country” is more of a name-drop contest than a fitting tribute to musical heroes. Writers: Chris… Read More Song Review: Chris Young – “Raised On Country”
