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’
Tag: Rock
Album Review: Rod Melancon – ‘Pinkville’
The short version: Rod Melancon goes further than ever before with his primal, unsettling and visceral tones on ‘Pinkville.’ Favorite tracks: “The Heartbreakers,” “Westgate,” “Cobra,” “Rehabilitation,” “Lord Knows” Least favorite track: “Corpus Christi Carwash” Rating: 9/10 The long version: In troubled times, music is a either a source of refuge from turmoil or another channel… Continue reading Album Review: Rod Melancon – ‘Pinkville’
Album Review: Austin Meade – ‘Waves’
The short version: ‘Waves’ often finds itself on the edges of burnout in ways that feel depressing, angry, and most of all, cathartic. It also finds Austin Meade truly coming into his own as an artist to craft his own individual, artistic statement. Favorite tracks: “Waves,” “Pay Phone,” “Mountain Past,” “Colorblind,” “Brooklyn,” “Bad Habits,” “Savannah”… Continue reading Album Review: Austin Meade – ‘Waves’
Album Review: The Cactus Blossoms – ‘Easy Way’
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… Continue reading Album Review: The Cactus Blossoms – ‘Easy Way’
Album Review: Vandoliers – ‘Forever’
The short version: Vandoliers’ ‘Forever’ is the kind of tight, fun album that’s easy to enjoy, has more depth to it than one would expect, and features a unique sonic palette. Favorite tracks: “Tumbleweed,” “Cigarettes In The Rain,” “Shoshone Rose,” “Sixteen Years,” “Troublemaker” Least favorite track: “Nowhere Fast” Rating: 8/10 Author’s preface: I hate having… Continue reading Album Review: Vandoliers – ‘Forever’
Collaborative Album Review: Ryan Bingham – ‘American Love Song’ w/ Nathan Kanuch
The short version: For something different, I collaborated with Nathan Kanuch of Shore2Shore Country for a review of Ryan Bingham’s latest album! Zack: So I think to start this, we should give our personal history with Ryan Bingham’s music up to this point. Nathan: Sounds good. So I first noticed Bingham’s music, like most people,… Continue reading Collaborative Album Review: Ryan Bingham – ‘American Love Song’ w/ Nathan Kanuch
Song Review: Maren Morris – “GIRL”
The short version: Maren Morris’ “GIRL” carries a strong message with a strong vocal delivery, but it lacks the right amount of punch to elevate its status. Writers: Maren Morris, Sarah Aarons, Greg Kurstin Rating: 6/10 The long version: Bro-country may be dead, but female artists are arguably faring worse than ever before in mainstream… Continue reading Song Review: Maren Morris – “GIRL”
Album Review: The Steel Woods – ‘Old News’
The short version: The Steel Woods’ sophomore effort is somehow even better than their debut album. It’s a striking concept record filled with great stories, fantastic riffs and some of their stickiest hooks yet. In short, it’s an early contender for one of 2019’s best albums. Favorite tracks: “Rock That Says My Name,” “Without You,”… Continue reading Album Review: The Steel Woods – ‘Old News’
Song Review: Brantley Gilbert feat. Lindsay Ell – “What Happens In A Small Town”
The short version: “What Happens In A Small Town” is no masterpiece lyrically, but the other elements are solid enough to call this a decent track. Writers: Brantley Gilbert, Brock Berryhill, Josh Dunne, Rhett Akins Rating: 6/10 The long version: A combination of Brantley Gilbert and Lindsay Ell actually doesn’t sound so far-fetched when you… Continue reading Song Review: Brantley Gilbert feat. Lindsay Ell – “What Happens In A Small Town”
Album Review: Amanda Shires – ‘To The Sunset’
The short version: I admire Amanda Shires’ experiment into electronic and rock music, but the album doesn’t quite completely stick the landing despite a few great moments. The long version: Can artists ditch their signature sound and still make it work? Amanda Shires promised something different on her new album, To The Sunset, leaving most… Continue reading Album Review: Amanda Shires – ‘To The Sunset’
The Musical Divide 