DISClaimer Single Reviews: Trace Adkins ‘Can Still Deliver The Goods’
Trace Adkins. Photo: Kristin Barlowe
Old-school country is on the menu today at DISClaimer.
Jon Pardi, Bryce Leatherwood and DISCovery Award winner Chase McDaniel set the tone of the listening session.
For the icing on this traditionalist cake, we also have a collection of proven masters of old-school country craft. Joe Nichols, Moe Bandy and Disc of the Day winner Trace Adkins are here to show the kiddies how it’s done.
BRYCE LEATHERWOOD / “Where the Bar Is”
Writers: Chase McGill/Cole Taylor/Michael Carter/Shane Minor; Producer: Will Bundy; Label: UMG Nashville
– He’s such a solid country singer, and this is a true-blue honky-tonk song. I don’t quite understand the decision to record him with a track that rocks this hard.
COLT FORD & MICHAEL RAY / “Hell Out of It”
Writers: Cole Taylor/Lalo Guzman/Michael Tyler/Thomas Archer; Producer: Dylan Maloney; Label: Average Joes Entertainment
– We’re small people in a small town, but we love who we are. Rousing and sincere.
CHASE McDANIEL / “Burned Down Heaven”
Writers: Chase McDaniel/Jon Nite/Lindsay Rimes; Producer: Lindsay Rimes; Label: Big Machine Records
– Excellent. The song of regret and guilt is powerfully written, and his aching, soaring vocal sells it like nobody’s business. Wonderfully listenable.
MOE BANDY / “Pure Love”
Writer: Eddie Rabbitt; Producer: Jimmy Capps; Label: StarVista
– This 1970s & 1980s hit maker has an upcoming album titled Songs I Missed. This advance single is his version of Ronnie Milsap’s 1974 chart topper. Bandy’s slightly pitch-y rendition won’t erase the memory of the original, but it is straightforward, well meaning and totally country.
RYAN HURD / “Die For It”
Writers: Mark Holman/Randy Montana/Ryan Hurd; Producer: Aaron Eshuis; Label: Big Machine Records
– The story of a marriage. Things might get rocky, but love lasts always. The jangly guitars and an octave-leap backing vocal are ear catching. But the steady-state, minimal melody goes nowhere in its endless loop.
TRACE ADKINS / “What Color’s Your Wild”
Writers: Casey Beathard/Monty Criswell; Producer: Bart Butler; Label: Verge
– The big man can still deliver the goods. And how. This stomper is loaded with charisma, and the color-coded lyric about pursuing passion is terrific. I hung on every note. Essential audio.
SAM WILLIAMS / “Countrystar”
Writers: Marisa Maino/Nick Bailey/Ryder Johnson/Sam Williams; Producer: Nick Bailey; Label: UMG Nashville
– His soft, feathery singing style doesn’t really go with the thumpy, hip-hop backing track. However, it is strikingly different.
JON PARDI / “Love the Lights Out”
Writers: Jimi Bell/Jon Pardi/Matt Dragstrem; Producer: Jay Joyce; Label: Capitol Records Nashville
– Let’s rock out, baby, and have a really, really big night of love making. Pardi’s vocal is, as usual, country with a capital “C.” Righteously ringing guitars do the rest of the work. Recommended.
NATE SMITH & HARDY / “Nobody Likes Your Girlfriend”
Writers: Ben Johnson/Hunter Phelps/Jessie Jo Dillon/Michael Hardy; Producer: Lindsay Rimes; Label: RCA Records Nashville
– Ya gotta love a title like that. Here’s the gist of the song: “From buddy to buddy, I’m telling you something you might not want to hear. That gal you’re dating is no good for you.” The lyric is rapid-fire but crystal clear as they vocalize above a choppy, grinding track. Snappy and clever.
JOE NICHOLS & ANNIE BOSKO / “Better Than You”
Writers: Derek George/John Pierce; Producers: Derek George/Mickey Jack Cones; Label: Quartz Hill Records
– I love a good country love duet, and this one is a dandy. Joe is, of course, a masterful country singer, but Annie keeps up with him. She also harmonizes splendidly. A delightful performance.
LANCE COWAN / “Love Anyway”
Writer: Lance Cowan; Producers: Jason Stelluto/Scott Paschall; Label: Lantzapalooza Müzik
– Music Row publicist Lance Cowan is also a terrific singer-songwriter. His second album, Against the Grain, drops next month. Its advance single addresses the political divisiveness that’s so pervasive today. “If there’s ever hope for change, love anyway,” he sings in his tender tenor while acoustic piano and guitar notes ripple around him. Innocent, touching and gently folkie. Cowan gigs at The Listening Room with Mark Irwin and Irene Kelley next Wednesday (March 5).
LOUIE THE SINGER / “Good Girl”
Writers: Joe Ginsberg/Luis Palacios II/Nate Kenyon; Producer: CANDY; Label: UMG Nashville
– This Mexican-American sings in this slow-burn ditty that he’s a bad boy. What’s more, he’s fine if she can’t accept that and doesn’t fall for him. So, “If you don’t want a bad boy, I’m good, girl.” His Texas drawl is backed by a twanging track that plods along.
