DISClaimer Single Reviews: The War And Treaty Proclaim A ‘Vow Of Love’
Black country is well represented in this edition of DISClaimer.
This was arguably the outstanding trend of the genre in 2024, and the new year is showing no slow-down. Kashus Culpepper, Don Louis, Dalton Dover and Disc of the Day award winners The War and Treaty are all on hand with new sounds.
Country music’s women are also flexing their muscles. Hailey Whitters, Caylee Hammack, Ella Langley, Cyndi Thompson and DISCovery Award winner Lanie Gardner show their strengths today.
Vying for supremacy alongside The War and Treaty are competitors Dover, Hammack, Whitters and Culpepper, plus Keith Urban and the Boomtown Saints & Sam Grow collaboration.
This is a very, very good listening day.
ELLA LANGLEY / “Weren’t For The Wind”
Writers: Ella Langley/Johnny Clawson/Joybeth Taylor; Producer: Will Bundy; Label: SAWGOD/Columbia Records
– Her smoky, throaty vocal is captivating. The upbeat, wanderlust song seeks open-road, unencumbered freedom. Roll with it.
DALTON DOVER / “Ain’t It Easy”
Writers: Alex Maxwell/Dalton Dover/Matt McGinn/Matthew McVaney; Producer: Matthew McVaney; Label: Mercury Nashville
– The languid pace, finger snaps and gentle delivery build to a power ballad of True Love. Dover remains one of the finest vocalists among country’s current bumper crop of newcomers. Richly rewarding listening. I remain a big fan of this fellow.
CYNDI THOMPSON / “Acres Of Diamonds”
Writers: Cyndi Thompson/Dan Wilson/Jessica Roadcap; Producer: D.J. Goodman; Label: CT
– This former Capitol act now has a second career as a jewelry designer (Haybelle Co.). Her comeback as a record maker includes this highly engaging, melodic ode to lasting love and family. The ear-catching track blends sighing organ, crunchy percussion and an anthemic chorus roar with her resonant alto vocal.
IRA DEAN & RONNIE DUNN / “Tele-Man”
Writers: Jeffrey Steele/Tony Mullins; Producer: Noah Gordon; Label: 8 Track Entertainment
– This song is a tribute to country music’s favored electric guitar. Who better to join Ira and Ronnie on it than Telecaster masters Vince Gill, John Osborne and Brent Mason? As you might expect, the tempo is lickety split and the licks are hot.
LANIE GARDNER / “Buzzkill”
Writers: Chris Ganoudis/Katie Cecil/Lanie Gardner; Producer: none listed; Label: Broken Bow Records
– Hey buddy, look out for that gorgeous babe. She’s no good. Her sassy, snappy delivery of this bopper is tart and tangy, and the tempo is a delight.
KEITH URBAN / “Straight Line”
Writers: Chase McGill/Greg Wells/Jerry Flowers/Keith Urban; Producers: Greg Wells, Keith Urban; Label: Capitol Records Nashville
– Utterly irresistible. The perfect open-road country rocker. Ride along, and let the wind blow through your hair.
CAYLEE HAMMACK / “Bed Of Roses”
Writers: Benjy Davis/Caylee Hammack/Jeff Hyde; Producer: John Osborne; Label: Capitol Records Nashville
– The title tune of her sophomore album is a saucy survival song. Hammack is a totally awesome vocalist, and the tune gives her plenty of space to emote. This woman rules.
THE WAR AND TREATY / “Save Me”
Writers: Kendell Marvel/Michael Trotter Jr./Tanya Trotter; Producers: Andrew Capra, Michael Trotter Jr., Tanya Trotter; Label: UMG Nashville
– Can we all just agree that these two are in a completely different class than the rest of the singers in this town? On this vow of love, their thrilling voices are backed by a rock-star track that fills the speakers with electronic power and rhythm. The War and Treaty’s forthcoming album, Plus One, will drop on Valentine’s Day. Somebody say, “Amen.”
BOOMTOWN SAINTS & SAM GROW / “Heart Breaks You”
Writers: Connie Harrington/Houston Phillips/Josh Dunne; Producers: Colt Ford, Gary Kraen, Noah Gordon; Label: 8 Track Entertainment
– Boomtown Saints members Chris Ramos and Ben Chism team with solo artist Sam Grow in the new video for their current collaborative single. Sitting in Dee’s Country Lounge in Madison, the three sing about a heartbreaker who gets his heart broken. By the time they’re drinking their final round together, they’re addressing each other and pouring on splendid vocal harmonies. This record is a shining country jewel. Essential listening. And viewing.
DON LOUIS / “XO”
Writers: Don Louis/Kipp Williams; Producer: Kipp Williams; Label: EMPIRE
– I like him, but I like him better when he’s singing in a country manner rather than in this quasi-rapped hip-hop style. Also: check out his bi-lingual collaboration with Latino country artist Sammy Arriaga on the deluxe version of his album Liquor Talkin.
HAILEY WHITTERS / “Casseroles”
Writers: Hillary Lindsey/James Slater/Tom Douglas; Producer: Jake Gear; Label: Pigasus Records/Big Loud Records/Songs & Daughters
– This is a ballad about grief, and it hits an emotional bullseye. How do your process anguish and loss after the other mourners depart and the casseroles stop coming? Whitters suggests that eventually hope will emerge from the pain. Brilliantly done.
KASHUS CULPEPPER / “After Me?”
Writers: Kashus Culpepper/Mark Addison Chandler; Producer: Brian Elmquist; Label: Big Loud/Mercury Records
– This honky-tonking twanfest is wailed with raw, sandpapery power by this gifted newcomer. He’s moaning the blues, because she’s happy after breaking up with him. Listen to his gripping delivery, and believe in this man.
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