Classic Country 1280 KSLI » Reviews

Cassadee Pope, 'Wasting All These Tears' – Song Review

Billy Dukes — Wed, 22 May 2013 15:00:09 +0000

Cassadee Pope didn't rush to release her debut single 'Wasting All These Tears' as so many reality show winners do. It's been six months since she won Season 3 of 'The Voice,' and the singer seems to have made the most of the time, as the track is a polished and unique semi-country arrangement.

Jason Boland and the Stragglers 'Dark & Dirty Mile' – CD Review

Dave Wheaton — Wed, 22 May 2013 14:17:59 +0000

We've come to expect certain things when you listen to a new Jason Boland and the Stragglers CD over the past 15-plus years. Expect new music to stay true to the dancehall country music that made them Texas/Red Dirt music icons. Expect great lyrics, and fantastic musical arrangements that are incredibly easy to listen to. And, of course, you can expect to enjoy one of the best vocalists in country music. With the release of their seventh studio album, 'Dark & Dirty Mile', it's good to know that some things never change.

David Nail, 'Whatever She's Got' – Song Review

Billy Dukes — Tue, 21 May 2013 18:30:34 +0000

‘Whatever She’s Got’ represents a new sound — and new look — for David Nail. The ‘Let It Rain’ singer previously relied on a strong voice and bittersweet lyrics to work songs up the charts. The new track is pop-friendly and not nearly as deep. Toward the end, ‘Whatever She’s Got’ becomes a little boy-bandish, [...]

Kree Harrison, 'All Cried Out' – Song Review

Billy Dukes — Tue, 21 May 2013 16:30:14 +0000

They say specificity is the soul of narrative, which would mean Kree Harrison‘s first post-’Idol’ single ‘All Cried Out’ lacks soul, or narrative. The ballad is a showcase for her vocal range and power, but it’s never made clear why the Texan is so bummed. Harrison performed the song during the final performance episode of [...]

Dakota Bradley, 'Somethin' Like Somethin" – Song Review

Billy Dukes — Thu, 16 May 2013 20:30:52 +0000

Dakota Bradley’s debut single ‘Somethin’ Like Somethin” is a mostly charming pop-country love song that showcases the 18-year-old’s spunky personality. He doesn’t run from his Bieber-ness. Instead, he adds just enough steel guitar to keep him on the right side of the radio.Â This singer will appeal to a younger country audience. One glance at [...]

George Strait, 'Love Is Everything' – Album Review

Billy Dukes — Thu, 16 May 2013 18:00:37 +0000

George Strait steps back in time for his newest release, 'Love Is Everything.' In the past, the singer always found a way to add a touch of contemporary to his traditional sound. There's nothing to separate this from albums he made throughout the '80s and '90s, but that's not necessarily a criticism.

Zane Williams Reaches a New Level of Success With 'Overnight Success' – CD Review

Dave Wheaton — Wed, 15 May 2013 21:14:19 +0000

Zane Williams is kicking his career into high gear these days, with singles rising higher and higher on the Texas radio charts and a spot on the popular documentary TV show Troubadour TX. Now, with the release of his latest CD, 'Overnight Success', it appears Zane will continue his upward trend.

Kellie Pickler, 'Someone Somewhere Tonight' – Song Review

Billy Dukes — Tue, 14 May 2013 18:00:05 +0000

Kellie Pickler delivers an inspired performance with a new single called 'Someone Somewhere Tonight.' The song -- originally recorded by Kenny Rogers -- is a soaring ballad that touches a range of emotions. Few will find nothing relatable on the singer's first release from an upcoming album.

Trace Adkins, 'Love Will …' – Album Review

Billy Dukes — Tue, 14 May 2013 13:30:18 +0000

The idea behind Trace Adkins‘ new album ‘Love Will …’ makes so much sense you almost wonder why he hadn’t done it sooner. This collection of love songs is as obvious as the tagless T-shirt, yet for years we went without both. ‘Love Will …’ stops short of being able to melt wax on its [...]

'Star Trek Into Darkness' Review

Jordan Hoffman — Tue, 14 May 2013 12:00:38 +0000

J.J. Abrams is going to make the greatest 'Star Wars' movie in history.

With 'Star Trek Into Darkness,' Abrams' follow up to the 2009 'Star Trek' reboot (or continuation of the series, if you are Spock Prime) he has solidified his position as a master of propulsive, visceral filmmaking. Dude knows where to put the camera, when the music should swell, when the characters should zing each another or when they should project pathos to the cheap seats. The 'Star Wars' films are mostly gut and little brains and, unfortunately, that is what we have here. The movie still works as an exemplary thrill ride – I laughed, I cried, I cheered – but woe be to anyone who gets caught in a conversation afterwards trying to explain the overly complicated and, at times, silly plot. If you expect something a little sharper out of 'Star Trek' you may come away with some mixed emotions.

Keith Urban, 'Little Bit of Everything' – Song Review

Billy Dukes — Mon, 13 May 2013 20:00:18 +0000

Perhaps it should be no surprise that after five months spent judging 'American Idol,' Keith Urban has delivered his most pop-friendly single to date in 'Little Bit of Everything.' The talented singer and guitarist uses tricks in production that a less established singer would be skewered for. The result is a delightful summer jam that's short on nutritional content.

Craig Campbell, 'Never Regret' – Album Review

Billy Dukes — Fri, 10 May 2013 21:00:00 +0000

Craig Campbell does a lot of things better than average. He’s a better than average singer who has chosen better than average songs for his new album ‘Never Regret,’ yet somehow, the project ends up feeling rather ordinary. There’s no defining moment that will etch Campbell’s name into the Nashville cement. If anything, the line [...]

Lauren Alaina, 'Barefoot and Buckwild' – Song Review

Billy Dukes — Thu, 09 May 2013 17:00:59 +0000

Meet the new Lauren Alaina. With just a few weeks of her senior year of high school remaining, the singer introduces a grown-up new look, grown-up style and grown-up attitude with her latest single, 'Barefoot and Buckwild.' It's especially difficult to find songs that fit when you're short on life experience, so the one-time 'American Idol' runner-up wrote her own ...

Lady Antebellum, 'Golden' – Album Review

Billy Dukes — Wed, 08 May 2013 17:30:33 +0000

The best moments on Lady Antebellum's fourth album 'Golden' find Charles Kelley or Hillary Scott singing solo, with minimal help from the other on harmonies. There is no shortage of songs that act as features for the two talented vocalists. The evolution of the trio finds them becoming a dual threat super power instead of a two-headed pop-rock-country group.

Joe Nichols, 'Sunny and 75′ – Song Review

Billy Dukes — Wed, 08 May 2013 15:30:14 +0000

Joe Nichols‘ voice always has a way of putting one in a trance, and his performance on the new single ‘Sunny and 75′ is no less effective. He’s pure country gold, and when he’s paired with a great song, there are few surer things in Nashville. This is a good song. The arrangement and tempo [...]

'Peeples' Review

Matt Singer — Wed, 08 May 2013 13:15:18 +0000

If you asked me to sum up Craig Robinson's onscreen presence in a word, the one I'd choose is "likable." Even when he's playing a jerk or a heavy -- like the bouncer in "Knocked Up" or baseball star Reg Mackworthy on "Eastbound & Down" -- his inherent sweetness shines through. Nobody else could say the line "I would tear that ass up," and make it sound like a kind, sensitive compliment. That's Robinson's gift. Try as he might to be a jerk, he'll always be nice. He's the kind of guy you'd want your daughter to marry.

It's precisely that quality that 'Peeples' tries to play off of by casting him as Wade, a typically amiable Robinson character whose relationship with Grace (Kerry Washington) hits a snag when she refuses to introduce him to her family, out of fear of her stern father Virgil (David Alan Grier). But c'mon; he's Craig Robinson. How could anyone not like him?

Pistol Annies, 'Annie Up' – Album Review

Billy Dukes — Tue, 07 May 2013 14:00:33 +0000

Strong production keeps 'Annie Up' -- the new album from Pistol Annies -- from being something their debut effort certainly was not: boring. The women thrive among thick, bluesy guitars that moan and wail throughout the 12 cuts. It's a throwback sound that fits the trio as well as the daring outfits they've become known for wearing.

Jana Kramer, 'I Hope It Rains' – Song Review

Billy Dukes — Tue, 07 May 2013 13:00:23 +0000

'I Hope It Rains' makes three heartbreaks in three singles for Jana Kramer. The new track from her self-titled debut album is more fun than the bittersweet 'Why Ya Wanna' and catchier than her Top 30 hit 'Whiskey.' The singer finds that sweet spot between revenge and psycho and works the vocals into a potential hit.

Lady Antebellum, 'Goodbye Town' – Song Review

Billy Dukes — Mon, 06 May 2013 21:00:19 +0000

Charles Kelley's desperation turns to anger by the end of 'Goodbye Town,' the second single from Lady Antebellum's new 'Golden' album. The song finds the trio working their bread and butter: heartbreak and a yearning for love lost. Sonically, this song forges ahead with fresh production, but it's not quite as exciting as the lead single, 'Downtown.'

Eric Paslay, 'Friday Night' – Song Review

Billy Dukes — Mon, 06 May 2013 13:00:52 +0000

Eric Paslay‘s new single ‘Friday Night’ genuinely feels like a carefree, summertime Friday night. It’s wide-open, catchy and easy to fall in love with, even if it’s not exactly crammed full of tangible memories. Paslay puts his stamp on this uptempo pop-country cut. His performance is charming without becoming distracting. His freestyling over the banjo [...]