DISClaimer Single Reviews: Warren Zeiders Kicks Off Summer With ‘Infectious Banger’

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Warren Zeiders. Photo: Austin Screws

You can set your clock to it: every year, the CMA Music Fest ushers in 90 degree weather in Music City.

With summer upon us, the country stars are doing their bit with sunshine songs. Just lend your ears to Mickey Guyton, Thomas Rhett, Denitia, Uncle Kracker and Sylvia.

This same vibe is also true of this week’s award winners. The Disc of the Day prize goes to Warren Zeiders. His lyric might be about a relationship, but the rocking sound is summer all the way. The DISCovery Award goes to Tucker Wetmore, who is also selling a tempo tune.

SYLVIA / “Knockin’ Around”
Writer: Gary Burr; Producers: Don Potter/Brent Maher; Label: RCA/Legacy
– There’s good news this week from the Sylvia camp. All of her hit RCA albums from the ‘80s are being reissued—Drifter (1981), the Gold-selling Just Sylvia (1982, including her pop-crossover “Nobody”), Snapshot (1983), Surprise (1984) and One Step Closer (1985). The newly released music in this batch of releases are the 11 tracks of her previously unissued 1986 collection. The title tune, “Knockin’ Around,” has very cool retro vibe. A driving ‘80s-percussion beat, chiming synth keyboards and a groovy sax solo underscore a sprightly vocal performance. All of the new/old tracks remind me of how much real melody is missing from today’s country songwriting. Highly recommended ear therapy.

AVERY ANNA / “Breakup Over Breakfast”
Writers: Andy Sheridan/Avery Anna/Ben Williams/David Fanning; Producer: David Fanning; Label: Warner Music Nashville
– Rocking, snarky and feisty. The title tune for this woman’s forthcoming debut album is a breakup song with wit and spice. I sense big things in this gal’s future.

THOMAS RHETT / “Gone Country”
Writers: Jacob Kasher Hindlin/Joe Reeves/John Byron/Julian Bunetta/Rocky Block/Ryan Vojtesak/Thomas Rhett; Producers: Julian Bunetta/Dann Huff/Charlie Handsome/Joe Reeves; Label: The Valory Music Co.
– Thoroughly charming. A choppy, loopy rhythm pattern burbles along as he spins his yarn of a city girl who falls in love with his backwoods life. The production is admirably spare, and he delivers with a vocal wink.

ELLA LANGLEY / “Hungover”
Writers: Chris Tompkins/Ella Langley/Josh Kear; Producer: Will Bundy; Label: SAWGOD/Columbia
– Compelling and charismatic. She delivers this heartache ballad with terrific vocal finesse—extended notes, wounded phrasing, broken passages and the like. I hung on every line.

LITTLE BIG TOWN & KELSEA BALLERINI / “Shut Up Train”
Writers: Chris Tompkins/Hillary Lindsey/Luke Laird; Producers: Little Big Town/Wayne Kirkpatrick; Label: Capitol Records Nashville
– LBT’s forthcoming Greatest Hits collection features three new collaborations. Miranda Lambert adds zest to “Little White Church.” Sugarland teams up with the quartet on the Phil Collins tune “Take Me Home.” Out this week is a new take on LBT’s 2011 ballad “Shut Up Train” featuring Kelsea Ballerini coming in on the second verse and carrying the tune into its bridge and finale choruses. Super listenable.

TUCKER WETMORE / “Wind Up Missin’ You”
Writers: Chris LaCorte/Thomas Archer/Tucker Wetmore; Producer: Chris LaCorte; Label: TW
– A contemporary, modern Nashville production contrasts nicely with his ultra-country vocal drawl. A rushing, electronic vibe carries the thing along. This newcomer’s set was a rousing crowd pleaser at CMA Fest.

MICKEY GUYTON / “Make It Me”
Writers: Corey Crowder/Mickey Guyton/Tyler Hubbard; Producer: Karen Kosowski; Label: Capitol Records Nashville
– Jaunty, youthful, bopping pop country. She’s such a good singer: I wish somebody would give her a surefire hit song.

KARLEY SCOTT COLLINS & KEITH URBAN / “Write One”
Writers: Aaron Zuckerman/Heather Morgan/Karley Scott Collins/Nathan Chapman; Producers: Karley Scott Collins/Nathan Chapman; Label: Sony Music Nashville
– Sultry and bitter. Crashing electric guitars (courtesy of Keith Urban) back her as her double-tracked vocal shoots sharp arrows into her cheating ex-boyfriend. He always wanted her to write a song about him, but I doubt he was thinking of this.

JOHNNY CASH & DAN AUERBACH / “Spotlight”
Writer: Johnny Cash; Producers: Johnny Cash/John Carter Cash/David Ferguson/Josh Matas/Mike Daniel; Label: JC
– Ruminating and moody with a steady rhythmic thump and some ghostly, echoey  guitar accompaniment from Dan Auerbach. Cash’s vocal is a marvel of understated phrasing and solid confidence. The late superstar’s upcoming Songwriter album is a masterpiece from start to finish. This is just one of its splendid attractions.

DENITIA / “Back To You”
Writers: Brad Allen Williams/Denitia Odigie; Producer: Brad Allen Williams; Label: County Road
– This Black Opry and Next Women of Country alumnus displays a loping, gentle, folkie vibe on this yearning tune. There’s a sweet innocence about it that’s quite endearing.

WARREN ZEIDERS / “Relapse”
Writers: Blake Pendergrass/Justin Ebach/Warren Zeiders; Producer: Mike Elizondo; Label: Warner Records
– This one’s an infectious banger that sounds like the perfect summer country song. The tempo is ferocious; the guitars are high and bright; he’s singing his face off. What’s not to like?

UNCLE KRACKER / “Beach Chair”
Writers: Greg Schleicher/Joe Benke/Matthew Shafer; Producer: Josh Bright; Label: Sturgeon General Records
– And speaking of summer, here’s a seaside ditty with a mellow, relaxing, beer-sipping, palm-trees-in-sunshine, good-time atmosphere. Nobody sings with a smile better than this friendly goofball.

Robert K Oermann
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