DISClaimer Single Reviews: Carly Pearce Delivers ‘Cool, Traditional Country Song’

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Carly Pearce. Photo: Allister Ann

This listening session was loaded with goodies.

I’m a happy camper whenever real country music is on the menu. And that’s what we have today from George Ducas, Thomas Rhett, Mitchell Tenpenny and the surprisingly good Post Malone & Morgan Wallen duet. It’s also what Carly Pearce is presenting, and for her excellent work, she takes home the Disc of the Day prize.

The DISCovery Award goes to American Patchwork Quartet. The East Indian warbling of its expressive lead singer Falu segues quite nicely into minor-key mountain balladry.

WILLOW AVALON / “Hey There Dolly”
Writers: James Atkins/Tofer Brown/Willow Avalon; Producers: Tofer Brown/JR Atkins/Willow Avalon; Label: Assemble Sound/Atlantic
– Her pert soprano rides atop a steel-drenched, echo-chamber track. The sing-songy melody and cheesy production are simplistic, but oddly addictive. The gist of it is that she feels like she and Dolly could be best friends because, “I’ve got big titties and a big heart too,” and “I’m just like you.” Willow Avalon (what a great name) plays the Brooklyn Bowl on June 1 and is opening for the Nashville rock band Cage the Elephant on tour this summer.

THOMAS RHETT / “Beautiful As You”
Writers: Alexander Izquierdo/Jacob Kasher Hindlin/John Henry Ryan/Joshua Emanuel Coleman/Julian Bunetta/Thomas Rhett/Zaire Kelsey; Producers: Julian Bunetta/John Ryan/Ammo/Dann Huff; Label: The Valory Music Co.
– This lively little bopper is a perfect summertime jam, and he sings it with a smile. She’s so out of his league that he marvels about her loving him. Rhett is scheduled to debut the tune on tonight’s ACM Awards show.

AMERICAN PATCHWORK QUARTET / “Shenandoah”
Writers: Clay Ross/Falguni Shah; Producers: none listed; Label: 2024 Carolina Jasmine, Inc.
– Clay Ross (guitar), Falu (vocals), Yasushi Nakamura (bass) and Clarence Penn (drums) come from four different ethnic heritages. They celebrate American diversity on an album comprised of traditional Appalachian folk songs (”Wayfaring Stranger,” “Pretty Saro,” “Beneath the Willow,” etc.). Their languid take on this lovely ballad is utterly entrancing. Stay tuned: this wonderfully individualistic band plays the Opry on June 18.

CARLY PEARCE / “Fault Line”
Writers: Carly Pearce/Jordan Reynolds/Nicole Galyon/Shane McAnally; Producers: Shane McAnally/Josh Osborne/Carly Pearce; Label: Big Machine Records
– Hallelujah! Carly reminds us all what a really cool, traditional country song sounds like. This depiction of a crumbling marriage is packed with playful lyric details as it two-steps merrily across the country dance floor. Loved it. Loved it. Loved it.

THE WAR AND TREATY / “Leads Me Home”
Writers: Michael Trotter Jr./Tanya Trotter; Producer: Michael Trotter Jr.; Label: UMG Nashville
– This always-inspiring duo wades into the comforting waters of gospel on this heart-in-throats performance. This is forever true: when they sing, they send shivers up my spine. And they make me proud to be a country fan.

GEORGE DUCAS / “Drifter”
Writers: George Ducas/Jacob Lyda; Producer: Pete Anderson; Label: Loud Ranch/Xstream Music Group
– Telecaster twang, steel sighs, fiddle embellishments, honky-tonk attitude and a rolling California-country vibe are the calling cards of this uber cool “road” song. Absolutely essential listening. Mellow-voiced Ducas is a proven hit songwriter, both for himself and for others (Garth, the Chicks, Jones, Yearwood).

KYLIE MORGAN / “Scratching the Surface (Mama’s Song)”
Writers: Kylie Morgan/Sam DeRosa; Producer: KK Johnson; Label: EMI Nashville
– This is a sweet, sentimental Mama song. The daughter realizes that her mother is now an empty nester, so she encourages her to go out and shine for herself.

POST MALONE & MORGAN WALLEN / “I Had Some Help”
Writers: Ashley Gorley/Austin Post/Chandler Paul Walters/Ernest Smith/Hoskins/Louis Bell/Morgan Wallen/Ryan Vojtesak; Producers: Louis Bell/Charlie Handsome/Hoskins; Label: Mercury Records/Republic Records
– A rollicking party record, with both vocalists sounding authentically and totally hillbilly. When you are totally screwing up out on the town, “it ain’t like I can make this mess all by myself.” The rowdy friends sound like they are along for the ride.

JULIA CANNON / “These Dreams”
Writer: Julia Anne Lucille Cannon; Producer: Julia Anne Lucille Cannon; Label: JC
– Witty, retro, quirky and groovy, with a jazzy, wafting, girl-group vibe. The video is essential. Also check out her equally clever “Day 2 Day.”

BLESSING OFFOR & DOLLY PARTON / “Somebody’s Child”
Writers: Blessing Offor/Josh Ronen/Joy Williams; Producer: Josh Ronen; Label: Bowyer and Bow
– Offor is a blind, Black, two-time Dove Award winning pianist-songwriter who can shake you to your core with his soulful singing. Put him together with the inspirational Parton and a gospel choir and you have a heart-stopping, electrifying moment of audio bliss. If this doesn’t melt your heart, you haven’t got one.

MITCHELL TENPENNY / “Not Today”
Writers: Chris DeStefano/Claire Douglas/Michael Whitworth/Mitchell Tenpenny; Producers: Mitchell Tenpenny/Jordan Schmidt; Label: Riser House Entertainment/Columbia Nashville
– Getting over a broken heart has never rocked more splendidly than this. Tenpenny’s soft, furry vocal delivery turns into a shout of liberation as this tempo tune swings into its frothing choruses. He’ll get over her, all right, but just not right this moment.

EXILE / “After You”
Writers: James Pennington/Paul Jefferson/Sonny Lemaire; Producers: Sonny Lemaire/James Pennington; Label: Clearwater Records
– This band is so enduringly catchy and hooky. This nifty little ditty has a certain country-Beatles vibe that is totally delightful. I remain a longtime fan.

Robert K Oermann
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