DISClaimer: Sir Rosevelt, Southern Halo Offer Top Performances

There’s strength in numbers.

Both of today’s award winners come from groups. We have strong solo performances here from Jillian Jacqueline, Luke Bryan and Shane Owens. But threesomes rule the roost in this listening session.

The Disc of the Day belongs to those three studs fronting Sir Rosevelt.

The DisCovery Award goes to those three blonde lovelies in Southern Halo.

JILLIAN JACQUELINE/Reasons
Writers: none listed; Producers: none listed; Publishers: none listed; Big Loud (ERG)
It has a very “thick,’ heavily produced sound and is admirably “different.” Penetrating through the sonic rumbling is a true, clear, personable vocalist with a winning song about a turbulent relationship.

SIR ROSEVELT/Something ‘Bout You
Writers: none listed; Producers: none listed; Publishers: none listed; Warner Bros.
– Hearty and masculine, with some very cool, pulsing rhythmic undertows. Sensuous and romantic and highly listenable.

SOUTHERN HALO/Anything Is Possible
Writers: Catt Gravitt/Carl Falk; Producer: none listed; Publishers: Razor & Tie/Ink Pen Mama/BMG, SESAC/ASCAP; SH
– The brightly rocking production is first rate, and so is this female trio’s superbly harmonized performance. Turn it up and twirl around the room.

THE OAK RIDGE BOYS/Brand New Star
Writers: Adam Raitiere/Mando Saenz; Producer: Dave Cobb; Publishers: Super LCS/Warner-Tamerlane/Scrambler/Carnival, BMI/ASCAP; Lightning Rod
– Hand clapping, toe tapping gospel. Of course, the quartet harmonies are splendid. A veteran act returns to its roots.

MICHELLE LEBLANC/Loving A Hurricane
Writers: Michelle LeBlanc/Amy Gerhartz; Producer: Nick Buda; Publishers: none listed; BMI/SESAC; MLP
– The tempo plods like it’s having an opioid overdose. Her pitch wanders and warbles every whichaway.

SHANE OWENS/Lie
Writers: Brian Callihan/Trent Tomlinson/Wayne Underwood; Producers: Steve Popovich Jr./Joe Kelly; Publishers: none listed; Amerimonte
– MusicRow’s 2017 Indie Artist of the Year kicks off 2018 with a lively country rocker. The totally cute lyric offers winking advice on how to get the best out of a weekend pickup.

WHISKEY WOLVES OF THE WEST/Lay That Needle Down
Writers: Jones/Powell/Ward Gunther; Producer: Leroy Powell; Publishers: none listed; Rock Ridge (track)
– This has a rootsy, bar-band country-rock approach. The lead singer has a kinda greasy, earthy sound. The lyric attempts to use nostalgic images to woo his gal, but doesn’t quite work.

LUKE BRYAN/Most People Are Good
Writers: David Frasier/Ed Hill/Josh Kear; Producers: Jeff Stevens/Jody Stevens; Publishers: SB21/Purdy Beard/Bluewater/Songs of Amylase/Five Hills/Do Write/Year of the Dog/Champaghe Whiskey/Downtown DLI, BMI/ASCAP; Capitol (track)
– I’m way into this. Wise and tender sentiments, delivered with smooth sincerity and backed by a wafting, breezy production. His strongest single in quite some time is already a well-deserved hit.

VINCE YOUNG/My Turn
Writers: Bernie Faulkner/Keith Harling; Producer: Bernie Faulkner; Publishers: Fancy Pants/Harling, BMI
– He’s trying awfully hard, but all the shouting in the world can’t save this overly rocking earache.

DOM WIER/Doses
Writers: none listed; Producers: Matthew Miller/Dom Wier; Publishers: none listed; DW (track)
– This rolls along with a steady beat. He sings well. Alas, the song is a muddled dud.