DISClaimer Single Reviews: Trace Adkins & Melissa Etheridge Deliver An 'Awesome Audio Outing'

It may be winter outside, but I’m warm and cozy with a excellent stack of new country sounds.

Leading the hit parade is the thrilling teaming of Trace Adkins and Melissa Etheridge. They are a bonfire in their first duet performance, an unchallenged Disc of the Day.

Also turning in quality work are Brett Young, Jenny Tolman, Jimmie Allen (with Cheat Codes), Helene Cronin and Benjy Davis (with Ashley McBryde). Speaking of Benjy Davis, the presence of the Louisiana stylist along with fellow column newcomers Mike Ryan and Emily Nenni gives us a healthy crop from which to choose a DISCovery Award. I’m giving Benjy the nod.

ASHLEY McBRYDE & BENJY DAVIS / “Gospel Night at the Strip Club”
Writers: Ashley McBryde/Brandy Clark/Banjy Davis/Connie Harrington/Nicolette Hayford/Aaron Raitiere; Producer: John Osborne; Label: Warner
–Despite the billing, this is Benjy’s gritty performance all the way. The Louisiana jazzbo’s downbeat rasp and the stark acoustic production form the perfect audio frame for this extraordinary lyric of redemption for all. I don’t care who’s singing it, this is a brilliant song.

SHANE PROFITT / “Country Boys”
Writers: Shane Profitt/Blake Bollinger/Nate Kenyon; Producer: Julian Raymond; Label: Big Machine
–“How It Oughta Be” remains the single, but this rouser is bound to please redneck listeners. The lyric trots out every bro’ country cliche in the book–beer, bonfire, hunting, fishing, snuff, pickup truck, grain alcohol, blue jeans, guns, tractor, pasture/holler countryside, yadda, yadda, yadda.

JENNY TOLMAN / “It’s a Boy”
Writers: Jenny Tolman/Corey Wagar; Producer: Dave Brainard; Label: JT
–Longtime DISClaimer favorite Tolman is due to deliver her first child on Christmas Eve. This lilting, melodic and utterly lovely song celebrates the upcoming event with joy and sweet sentiment. Also, she sings her face off. Play this.

BRETT YOUNG / “You Ain’t Here to Kiss Me”
Writers: Brett Young/Matthew James Alderman/Tiffany Lane Goss; Producer: Dann Huff; Label: BMLG
–His lovelorn vocal is bolstered at every turn by a churning, chiming production. It’s New Year’s Eve and he’s drinking alone in a window seat on an airliner. This one’s definitely a keeper.

CHEAT CODES & JIMMIE ALLEN / “Lose You”
Writers: Nick Bailey/Levon Grey/Eric Aukstikalnis/Josh Hoge/Karolis Labanauskas/Kyle Fishman/Trevor Dahl; Producers: Nick Bailey/Trevor Dahl/Kyle Fishman/Leondis/Embody/Aukoustics; Label: CC
–The pop trio has an album of all-country collaborations due next month. Among Cheat Codes’ many guests on their One Night in Nashville album will be Russell Dickerson, Lee Brice, LBT, Dolly, Brett Young and Lady A. This advance track is quite promising. The electro boys wisely stay out of Jimmie’s way, letting his assured vocal lead the way.

TRACE ADKINS & MELISSA ETHERIDGE / “Love Walks Through the Rain”
Writers: Marla Cannon-Goodman/Kelly Archer/Mickey Jack Cones; Producer: Mickey Jack Cones/Derek George; Label: Verge
–This is electrifying. The stormy, dramatic power ballad is sung to the utmost by these two charisma factories. Trace’s background in gospel shines through in his vocal harmony work, and Melissa matches him lick for lick. When they take turns burning down the barn on their verses, shivers go through the body. An awesome audio outing.

HELENE CRONIN & MATT KING / “Landmarks”
Writers: Ava Paige Davis/Helene Cronin; Producer: Matt King; Label: HKC
–Her folkie alto is intimate and expressive on this ballad about finding your way home. King shadows her in phrase-perfect vocal harmony. An eloquent song, eloquently and exquisitely sung.

PARKER McCOLLUM / “Stoned”
Writers: Parker McCollum/Brett James/Mark Holman; Producer: Jon Randall; Label: MCA
–This new shooting star continues to go from strength to strength. On this crashing, bluesy ballad, he wails expressively about self medicating to stave off loneliness. He’s as terrific as ever, but the too-big production should have been turned down.

EMILY NENNI / “In the Mornin’”
Writers: Emily Nenni/Michael LoPinto; Producers: Emily Nenni/Miko Eli; Label: New West/
Normaltown
–Charming. She’s a free-spirited gal who’s warning her beau that she’ll be hitting the road once their one-night-stand is over. She’s a solidly country singer and the funky band twangs right along. I dig her moxie.

PARMALEE / “Girl in Mine”
Writers: Ashley Gorley/Casey Brown/David Fanning/Matt Thomas/Travis Wood; Producer: David Fanning; Label: Stoney Creek
–Jaunty and upbeat, if not particularly meaningful.

MIKE RYAN / “Die Runnin’”
Writers: Barrett Baber/Korey Hunt/Dan Martin Alley; Producers: Bart Butler/Ryan Gore; Label: MR
–Ryan delivers like a pro, swearing to get to her in times of trouble. The country-rock track kicks up some dust. But it’s the song and its oomphy vocal delivery that shine brightest. He’s an indie success story worth your attention. The Opry featured him on its stage last month.

TYLER BRADEN & SYDNEY SIEROTA / “Try Losing One”
Writers: Tyler Wayne Davis/Adam Newman Wood/Tyler Braden; Producers: Adam Wood/Randy Montana; Label: Warner
–Braden’s solo performance of this is already a masterpiece, so I see no reason to add Echosmith’s Sierota to the song. Especially since she is nowhere near his class as a vocalist. Anyhow, I’m supportive of anything that makes this man the star he deserves to be.