With George Strait announcing a retirement from the road after his next tour, it's tempting to gush all over his new single 'Give It All We Got Tonight' like a school girl going on about a cute new teacher. A wave of nostalgia threatens objectivity, even though Strait will still be recording after 2014. The first song from his upcoming new album can be summed up in three words...
October 26, 2012 The Bois d'Arcs have been around for a few years. The Muenster, Texas-based country rockers may have gone through some lineup changes, some growing pains, and even some down time. But through all of the trials, the music style that they refer to as "hard country" has survived, and is better than it ever was with the release of their new, self-itled EP.
Thompson Square's new single 'If I Didn't Have You' is the fifth straight love song from the married country duo. While some may yearn for more varied subject matter from Keifer and Shawna Thompson, an easy argument could be made for the "If it ain't broke ..." philosophy of life and country music.
October 24, 2012 Cyrus James is out to make a statement. He wants you to know that traditional country, outlaw country and red dirt country can all be blended with southern rock to make a unique and enjoyable sound. James backs up this statement very convincingly with his debut CD, 'Molly & The Devil'.
Lady Antebellum are practically built for Christmas albums. There's a Captain and Tennille quality to their partnership that's made hip by youth and intriguing subject matter. The trio's take on standards like 'I'll Be Home for Christmas' and 'Silent Night' are timeless, in that they could really be transported to any decade of country music. For them, covering yuletide hits is as easy as looking good.
Kyle Park's new single, 'The Night Is Young,' is as straight forward of a country song as you'll find. Park sets off to tell a simple one-night story of a guy, a girl and a little trouble, and does so effortlessly. The Texas country singer has surrounded himself with a strong production team to make the first single from an upcoming new album easy to remember.
'Only God Could Love You More' is a song that doesn't leave many places for Jerrod Niemann to hide. The second single from 'Shinin' on Me' is vulnerable a la 'Stay' by Sugarland. Niemann steps up to the challenge and delivers what should be his biggest hit. This could be a career-defining song.
Taylor Swift's new album, 'Red,' doesn't provide much to quiet the haters who will forever accuse her of being "too pop." It's inaccurate to say she leans that way on most of the 16 new songs. That tower in Pisa leans. Swift is in a pike position diving toward sugary waters.
After just one episode of 'Nashville,' it's difficult to imagine how the show's first radio single is going to fit in with the storyline. 'Telescope' by Hayden Panettiere -- Juliette Barnes on the show -- is a rollicking pop-country song about keeping track of one's man as his eyes wander. After the pilot, it seems like women in 'Nashville' need to have telescopic eyes to keep an eye on Barnes, as she climbs aboard everything with a Y chromosome.
The difference between country newcomer and country star can be one irresistible single, and 'Runnin' Out of Air' is that song for Love and Theft. Sure, 'Angel Eyes' was a No. 1 gold hit, but the new track from the duo's self-titled album is like a busted piñata that just keeps giving sweet goodness.
Scotty McCreery shares a warm holiday hug with many of the most well-known Christmas classics on his new 'Christmas With Scotty McCreery' album. From top to bottom, this is a consistent project that takes few chances, but offers 11 pleasant recordings to easily slip into one's yearly holiday playlist.
If four or five songs from Jason Aldean's new 'Night Train' album reach No. 1, does that mean it's indisputably a great country music record? This seems likely to happen -- the hits are there and Aldean is red hot right now -- yet from top to bottom, the singer's fifth project leaves one wanting some magic never felt before.
