DISClaimer Single Reviews: Miranda Lambert Is ‘At The Top Of Her Game’

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Miranda Lambert. Photo: James Macari

The stars are out and they are shining brightly in this week’s roundup of country tracks.

Dan + Shay, Alison Krauss, Riley Green, Miranda Lambert and Rodney Atkins have all previously earned their spots in the country-music firmament. Any one of them deserves a Disc of the Day award. I’m going with Miranda Lambert, whose album Postcards From Texas is fine listening from start to finish. And that’s where you’ll find “Run.”

To teenager Ty Myers, we present a well-deserved DISCovery Award for this week.

TY MYERS / “Firefly”
Writer: Ty Myers; Producer: Brandon Hood; Label: RECORDS Nashville/Columbia Records
– Kinda dreamy, kinda lovestruck, kinda lovely. This young rookie sounds like he’s forging his own sound, his own style and his own artistry. Off the beaten path and simply lovely.

RODNEY ATKINS / “Marry Me Again”
Writers: Adam Craig/Jaxson Free/Jim McCormick/Rodney Atkins/Russell Sutton; Producers: Rodney Atkins, Ted Hewitt; Label: Curb Records
– Atkins returns with a soft, romantic ode to his wife. It has sincerity and heart, but could have used a little more production and oomph. If you listen carefully, that’s wife Rose Falcon, herself a formidable singer-songwriter, gently providing harmony vocals in the background.

CAMILLE PARKER / “Run Wild”
Writers: Camille Parker, Jack Schrepferman, Ried Sorel, Stephen Day; Producer: Jack Schrepferman, Sheux – Bear; Label: CP
– This “Next Women of Country” alumna bops brightly on this snappy celebration of being a free spirit. She sings with feisty power, sass and finesse while beefy percussion sets the pace.

RILEY GREEN / “Damn Good Day to Leave”
Writers: Erik Dylan/Jonathan Singleton/Nick Walsh/Riley Green; Producers: Dann Huff, Jimmy Harnen, Scott Borchetta; Label: Nashville Harbor Records & Entertainment
– This snarky country-rocker has been knocking around the charts for months. It’s a witty kiss-off number—she’s gone, so now he has time to goof off as much as he wants. Green has always been a dandy country singer, and he sounds like your favorite good ol’ boy here. He is noted for his duets with Ella Langley, Luke Combs, Justin Moore, Thomas Rhett and Dustin Lynch, which gives you some idea of how well respected he is by his peers. Solo stardom is now en route.

THE CASTELLOWS & FLATLAND CALVARY / “Place They Call Home”
Writers: Cleto Cordero/Ellie Balkcom/Lily Balkcom/Powell Balkcom; Producer: Dwight A. Baker; Label: Warner Music Nashville/Warner Records
– Imaginatively written, the lyric is sung from the point of view of planet Earth as it addresses all of us. The tempo is jaunty, the mood is tender, the singing is fine. Fiddle and electric guitar solos add to the warmth.

ALISON KRAUSS & UNION STATION / “Looks Like the End of the Road”
Writer: Jeremy Lister; Producer: Alison Krauss & Union Station; Label: Down The Road Records
– Wistful, sad and haunting. The artfully poetic lyric almost seems like a suicide note. The mournful Jerry Douglas dobro notes underscore the mood of desolation and disillusion. Gorgeous listening.

BRYAN MARTIN / “Ain’t My Old Man”
Writers: Bryan Martin/Lee Thomas Miller/Nick Walsh; Producer: Nick Gibbens; Label: Average Joes Entertainment
– His hearty style previously came to prominence with the hit “We Ride.” Now Martin muses about his dad, insisting he’s  different than him, yet realizing he’s just like him when he looks in the mirror. Well written, well sung and perfectly produced. Play this.

MIRANDA LAMBERT / “Run”
Writer: Miranda Lambert; Producers: Jon Randall, Miranda Lambert; Label: Big Loud Records/Republic Records
– The thrilling, pumping production sets your pulse racing. The lyric of regret, deception and escape grabs your ear. Her voice, as always, rules your heart. An artist at the top of her game with a mini masterpiece.

SCOOT TEASLEY / “Gone to Dust”
Writers: John Townsend/Nicholas Sainato/Scoot Teasley; Producer: Nick Sainato; Label: Amigo Records
– His singing is warmly forceful and the percussion touches are ear catching on this depiction of the end of a relationship. The muscular production matches the potency of his performance of this midtempo rouser. I remain a fan.

DAN + SHAY / “Always Gonna Be”
Writers: Ashley Gorley/Dan Smyers/Jordan Minton/Shay Mooney; Producers: Dan Smyers, Scott Hendricks; Label: Warner Music Nashville
– Some things are forever. Rivers running, back porch swinging, radios playing country songs, beer drinking, Friday footballing, Sunday church going and being with the one you love. Sunny, sweet, heart-tugging and true, this rolls along like a soap box racer. Love this.

GEORGE BIRGE / “It Won’t Be Long”
Writers: Chase McGill/George Birge/Joe Fox/Trannie Anderson; Producer: Joe Fox; Label: RECORDS Nashville
– Believe this. Life might be crazy, unexpected, sweet, imperfect or unpredictable. Life might be a lot of things, but one thing’s for certain: It won’t be long. So love as hard as you can. Great song.

REBECCA LYNN HOWARD / “Heart Still Does”
Writers: Elisha Hoffman/Jenee Fleenor/Rebecca Lynn Howard; Producers: Elisha Hoffman, Lee Brice; Label: Pump House Nashville
– This hugely talented woman has long deserved major, major stardom. Her Appalachian twang, multi-instrumental abilities and songwriting talent are A-List attributes that have not been celebrated nearly enough. This rollicking, winking, good-time, funky, frisky ditty is an absolute delight. I am permanently in her fan club. So is Lee Brice, and Pump House is his label.

Robert K Oermann
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