DISClaimer Single Reviews: Ashley McBryde & Friends Give Some ‘Sass & Salt’ On New Tune
Happy New Year from the land of country music.
Today’s DISClaimer is a guidepost of what’s ahead for this genre, since it features three first-timers, Ryan Griffin, Channing Wilson and Myron Elkins. Also along for the ride this week are such promising young folks as Brittney Spencer and Brandon Ratcliff, both of whom are readying debut albums. The DISCovery Award goes to the mighty voiced Channing Wilson.
As for our established headliners, a tip of the hat to Old Dominion, Shania Twain, Kenny Chesney, Charles Kelley and Parker McCollum. Not to mention the Disc of the Day winner, Ashley McBryde. Her Lindeville collection is a stunner, and her collaboration with Caylee Hammack and Pillbox Patti is a pure delight.
On behalf of all these talented folks, here’s a toast to a grand 2023.
BRITTNEY SPENCER / “Better As Friends”
Writers: Brittney Spencer/Hailey Whitters; Producer: Daniel Tashian; Label: Elektra
–Very cool. The song is a dandy piece of songwriting craftsmanship. The track boasts jaunty rhythm, acoustic instrumental accents and an admirably catchy groove. Then there’s her vocal, which is packed with personality and conversational asides. A winner.
OLD DOMINION / “Memory Lane”
Writers: Matthew Ramsey/Trevor Rosen/Brad Tursi/Jessie Jo Dillon; Producers: Old Dominion/Shane McAnally Label: Arista
–The onrushing energy is breathtaking. The vocal performances are stellar. The song is beyond hooky. The Group of the Year strikes again. Play this at once.
RYAN GRIFFIN / “Salt, Lime & Tequila”
Writers: Ava Suppelsa/Ryan Griffin/Jason Massey; Producer: Jason Massey; Label: Red Street
–This fellow is the flagship artist on the new Jay DeMarcus label. He has country charm, boyish grins and good vibes to spare as he advises taking life with a grain of salt….. lime and you-know-what. An engaging summery smile for a winter’s day.
PARKER McCOLLUM / “Stoned”
Writers: Parker McCollum/Brett James/Mark Holman; Producer: Jon Randall; Label: MCA Nashville
–“Handle On You” remains the single, but this gripping track is a keeper, too. As always, McCollum delivers the goods as a solidly country singer. The track crashes and pounds around him as he wails about staying blotto until he’s over her.
CHANNING WILSON / “Sunday Morning Blues”
Writers: Channing Wilson/Chris Canterbury; Producer: Dave Cobb; Label: Low Country Sound
–Wilson is an established Music Row writer, with cuts by The Oaks, Travis Tritt, Luke Combs (”She Got the Best of Me”), Robert Randolph & The Family, Jerry Jeff Walker and more. As an artist, he sings in a resonant baritone with a touch of tremelo and a whole lot of heart. While a steel sighs, he delivers a masterful performance of a classic country weeper. Somewhere a choir is singing “Just As I Am” and “When the Roll Is Called Up Yonder,” but he’s cracking open another beer. I hung on every line. You will, too.
KENNY CHESNEY / “Da Ruba Girl”
Writer: Kenny Chesney; Producers: Kenny Chesney/Buddy Cannon; Label: Warner/Blue Chair
–Kenny busts out a ukulele to accompany himself on this ditty in praise of his doggies. Ya gotta love it.
ASHLEY McBRYDE, CAYLEE HAMMACK & PILLBOX PATTI / “Brenda Put Your Bra On”
Writers: Ashley McBryde/Brandy Clark/Benjy Dvis/Connie Harrington/Nicolette Hayford/Aaron Raitiere; Producer: John Osborne; Label: Warner
–Howlingly good. White-trash domestic upheaval depicted with wit, sass and salt. The storytelling talent, funny-bone tickling and vocal panache in this are all beyond great. McBryde rules!
SHANIA TWAIN / “Giddy Up!”
Writers: David Stewart/Jessica Agombar/Romans/Shania Twain; Producer: David Stewart; Label: Republic Nashville
–Shania heads out on the country dance floor, sliding to the left and sliding to the right as she unleashes this ridiculously catchy, bopping, punchy and delightful ditty. Get ready for her comeback album, titled Queen of Me, dropping next month.
MYRON ELKINS / “Factories, Farms & Amphetamines”
Writer: Myron Elkins; Producer: Dave Cobb; Label: Elektra/Low Country Sounds
–The title track of Elkins’ album (due Jan. 13), is a bruising country rocker delivered in an urgent, blue-eyed soul roar. It’s a gritty word portrait of folks in a dead-end town that’s kinda hair-raising. The mix is a little muddy for my taste, but this shows real promise. Looking forward to more.
CHARLES KELLEY / “As Far As You Could”
Writers: Charles Kelley/Dave Haywood/Jimmy Robbins; Producers: Dave Haywood/Jimmy Robbins; Label: Big Machine
–Deeply moving and nakedly confessional, this is Kelley’s farewell letter to alcohol. The track is guided by his bandmate Haywood’s piano while the Lady A singer stretches into his upper vocal range to convey the tale of something that led him at first to high times and then to darkest lows. Heart stopping. Powerful.
BRANDON RATCLIFF / “Drove Me Country”
Writers: Brandon Ratcliff/Pete Good/AJ Babcock/Shane McAnally; Producers: Pete Good/AJ Babcock; Label: Monument
–One of my most anticipated albums of the new year drops tomorrow (Jan. 6). It’s Tale of Two Towns by Brandon Ratcliff, and this is its latest advance track. He’s a terrific singer, and this snappy, strummed ballad is a superb showcase of his skills. Big-city life has got him down, so he’s headed back to his Louisiana roots. I remain an enormous fan of this newcomer. He’s all heart and soul.
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