DISClaimer Single Reviews: Brantley Gilbert Delivers ‘Hypnotic Single Of Swirling Atmosphere’
Brantley Gilbert. Photo: Alexa Campbell
It’s diversity day in this week’s competition for the DISCovery Award.
The romantic white guy is Ryan Larkins. The striking Black-country entry comes from Kevin Smiley. And in her debut solo outing, Shawna Thompson takes the prize with an assist by her superstar “revival” harmony singers Gill and Skaggs.
The Disc of the Day award belongs to Brantley Gilbert and his tattoos.
TUCKER WETMORE / “Silverado Blue”
Writers: Brett Sheroky/Dan Wilson/Tucker Wetmore; Producer: Chris LaCorte; Label: UMG Nashville/Back Blocks Music
– He misses her so much that his truck is turning from red to blue. Loaded with twang. Youthful sounding.
SAM HUNT / “Country House”
Writers: Josh Osborne/Michael Lotten/Ross Copperman/Sam Hunt; Producer: Michael Lotten; Label: MCA Nashville
– Laid back and a little funky, this extols the virtues of country living. It’s a romantic fantasy, and it settles easily on the brain.
KEVIN SMILEY / “Paralyzed”
Writers: Franky Fade/Kevin Smiley; Producers: Fatboyrdee, Mynority; Label: Rebel Music/gamma.
– This is more than a little bleak, a portrait of a self-destructive youngster caught in the throes of substance abuse. With a spare production, drowsy-dead vocal and scary lyrics, it is strikingly compelling and chilling. Millions can relate to this.
MADDIE & TAE / “Sad Girl Summer”
Writers: Josh Kerr/Maddie Font/Matt McGinn/Taylor Kerr; Producer: Corey Crowder; Label: Mercury Nashville
– Shake off that loser dude who made you cry. Get out there in a honky tonk and kick up your heels. Feisty, frisky, female fun.
RYAN LARKINS / “Home State”
Writers: Emma-Lee/Ryan Larkins/Seth Mosley; Producer: Seth Mosley; Label: Red Street Records
– Larkins is a MusicRow songwriting award winner this year. This warm baritone vocal performance and romantic “road” lyric prove that his single “Bones” is no fluke. This fellow has the goods. By all means, play him.
PARKER McCOLLUM / “What Kinda Man”
Writers: Jeremy Spillman/Natalie Hemby/Parker McCollum; Producers: Eric Masse, Frank Liddell; Label: MCA Nashville
– With four consecutive No. 1 singles, McCollum has emerged as a leader of the new generation of country artists. This rollicking toe tapper continues his winning streak. Furiously rocking, shrieking guitars and thudding percussion propel this wild ride with McCollum’s wailing vocal out front.
ASHLAND CRAFT / “Morning Person”
Writers: Ashland Craft/Dallas Wilson/Faren Rachels/Trannie Anderson; Producers: Ashland Craft, Jess Grommet, Lee Starr; Label: Leo33
– Very cool. As a singer, she has a wonderfully soulful catch in her throat. The song is about falling in love so hard that you switch from being a night owl to being a morning person, waking up next to your dreamy romance. Leo33 is the label that launched CMA new-artist nominee Zach Top. It sure sounds like it is going two for two with this talented gal. I’m in.
BRANTLEY GILBERT / “Tattoos”
Writers: Brantley Gilbert/Cole Taylor/Jake Mitchell/Randy Montana; Producers: Brantley Gilbert, Brock Berryhill, Jake Mitchell, Scott Borchetta; Label: The Valory Music Co.
– “My body is a temple, but my temple is a canvas,” He proudly displays his body art, because his tattoos tell the story of who he is. A hypnotic single of swirling atmosphere. Highly recommended. Just so you know: he drops an “F” bomb in the lyric.
BYRON HILL / “Mountain Folks Are Always High”
Writers: Byron Hill/Glen Carlton Duncan; Producer: Byron Hill; Label: BHP Recordings
– Nashville Songwriters Hall of Famer Byron Hill is noted for hits he’s written for George Strait (”Fool Hearted Memory”), Tracy Byrd (”Lifestyle of the Not So Rich and Famous”), George Jones (”High Tech Redneck”), Alabama (”Born Country”), Johnny Lee (”Pickin’ Up Strangers”), Sammy Kershaw (”Politics, Religion and Her”), Gary Allan (”Nothing on but the Radio”), Neal McCoy (”If I Was a Drinkin’ Man”) and other mainstream country stars. But he’s always had a bluegrass heart, and that’s what you’ll hear on his new CD That Old Mountain. Its single is a skipping, merry, light-hearted ditty about being high on life. Gentle, acoustic, sunny and warm. Very endearing.
SCOTTY McCREERY / “Fall Of Summer”
Writers: Brent Anderson/Derek George/Frank Rogers/Monty Criswell/Scotty McCreery; Producers: Aaron Eshuis, Derek Wells, Frank Rogers; Label: Triple Tigers
– A summer romance fades into the sunset in this evocative, nostalgic, wistful, yearning number. Breezy heartache.
SHAWNA THOMPSON / “Bama Clay”
Writers: Keifer Thompson/Leslie Satcher/Shawna Thompson; Producers: Chad Carlson, Keifer Thompson; Label: Sun Label Group
– Stepping out from her role in Thompson Square, Shawna is putting out a straight-ahead honky-tonk album called Lean on Neon. Its righteous focus track finds her harmonizing with Vince Gill and Ricky Skaggs while dobro, fiddle, mandolin and percussion lay down a solid bedrock of swampy sound. The celebratory gospel lyric points to a better world on high. Super soulful. The excellent production is courtesy of hubby Keifer. Essential listening.
GRAHAM BARHAM / “M.I.A”
Writers: Beau Bailey/Cole Miracle/Gabe Foust/Graham Barham; Producers: Gabe Foust, Will Bundy; Label: Sony Music Nashville
– Cleverly written. The rapid-fire lyric puts us in a bar drinking alone and feeling broken-hearted because she went M.I.A.
