DISClaimer Single Reviews: Morgan Wallen Nabs The Disc Of The Day

/by

Morgan Wallen. Photo: Spidey Smith

It’s pretty much wall-to-wall stars in this week’s DISClaimer.

There’s essential listening here from Thomas Rhett, Jelly Roll, Eric Church, Jordan Davis and Lauren Alaina. Not to mention Best New Artist Grammy winner Chappell Roan.

Leading the pack is Morgan Wallen with the Disc of the Day.

For our DISCovery Award, we head north of the border to find indigenous music maker Uncle Trent.

PRISCILLA BLOCK / “Yard Sale”
Writers: David Garcia/Jessie Jo Dillon/Laura Veltz/Priscilla Block; Producers: David Garcia, Jesse Frasure; Label: Mercury Nashville
– Wonderfully fun. She’s kicking up her heels in this merry revenge ditty. Getting rid of all his stuff at a yard sale with thumpy beats and a girlfriend chorus surrounding her fiesty vocal. Definitely play this romper.

JELLY ROLL / “Heart of Stone”
Writers: Blake Pendergrass/Jason DeFord/Shy Carter/Zach Crowell; Producer: Zach Crowell; Label: BBR Music Group
– So far, the man has seven consecutive No. 1 singles, plus two more. I see no reason why this momentum shouldn’t continue. This time, Jelly Roll (Jason DeFord) is praying to the Lord for deliverance and redemption in a lushly, produced country rocker that rolls into a high, wailing chorus at the top of his tenor range.

CHARLEY CROCKETT / “Jamestown Ferry”
Writer: Willard Mack Vickery; Producers: Charley Crockett, Shooter Jennings; Label: Island Records
– Crockett’s just-released Lonesome Drifter album includes this revival of Tanya Tucker’s 1973 hit. His outlaw-beat “Game I Can’t Win” and “Night Rider” have already spawned music videos from the collection. Acclaim for the record has Crockett on a roll. Next month, he tapes Austin City Limits. Tonight, watch for him to debut on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon.

ERIC CHURCH / “Hands of Time”
Writers: Eric Church/Scooter Carusoe; Producer: Jay Joyce; Label: EMI Music Nashville
– We can’t do anything about getting older, but Church avers that music keeps you young. I’ll tell you one thing, music by this man, especially, will warm your blood and pump a life force into ya. The brilliant Jay Joyce track rocks splendidly, and Church’s genius as a writer and performer have seldom shined brighter. A shouted “Amen!” from this aging hippie.

TIMOTHY WAYNE / “That’d Be You”
Writers: Jamie Moore/Mark Collie/Timothy Wayne; Producers: Byron Gallimore, Tim McGraw; Label: UMG Nashville
– A swaying, lilting love song surrounded by crisp production featuring deft guitar-string plucking. Sweetly tender and romantic.

CHAPPELL ROAN / “The Giver”
Writers: Daniel Nigro/Kayleigh Rose Amstutz/Paul Cartwright; Producer: Daniel Nigro; Label: Island Records
– Pop’s current “It” girl goes country with this fiddle-laced, rhythm-happy ditty. She debuted it on Saturday Night Live last year, and it’s already a smash. “I ain’t no country-boy quitter, I get the job done.”

LORRIE MORGAN & TRACY LAWRENCE / “After the Fire Is Gone”
Writer: L.E White; Producers: Chip Voorhis, Wally Wilson; Label: Cleopatra Records
– You absolutely cannot go wrong with this honky-tonk classic. Previously a smash for Conway & Loretta (1971, a Grammy winner) and for Willie with Tracy Nelson (1977), it is an essential part of the hillbilly-duet repertoire. Rest assured that these two sublime country stylists do it proud.

MORGAN WALLEN / “I’m a Little Crazy”
Writers: Hunter Phelps/Jameson Rodgers/Michael Hardy/Smith Ahnquist; Producer: Joey Moi; Label: Big Loud Records/ Mercury Records
– I got totally into this. Wallen unspools the thoughtful lyric in plain-spoken, unfussy fashion while acoustic guitar notes ripple around him. He sings, “I’m a little crazy, but the world’s insane.” I believe we can all relate to that. Wallen showcases tunes from his upcoming I’m the Problem album this weekend as the musical guest on Saturday Night Live on March 29.

UNCLE TRENT & ASHLEY GHOSTKEEPER / “You’re the Reason”
Writer: James Agecoutay; Producer: Trent Agecoutay; Label: Thicker Than Blood Music
– Canada has a large indigenous population. So much so, that there is a native-American music scene with its own awards and organizations. Trent Agecoutay (Uncle Trent) and Ashley Ghostkeeper are both members of western tribes, and both are stars in their field. They take this love ballad slowly, with plaintive, yearning vocals.

THOMAS RHETT & LANIE GARDNER / “What Could Go Right”
Writers: John Byron/Josh Kerr/Rocky Block/Thomas Rhett; Producers: Dann Huff, Josh Kerr, Julian Bunetta; Label: The Valory Music Co.
– We live in hope. These two are headed for a hookup, thinking about the possibility of lasting love and throwing caution to the winds. A swirling, rocking production bolsters their harmonized optimism at every turn. The excitement is stirred with more and more vigor as the rushing track proceeds. A splendid single.

AVERY ANNA / “Wish You Well”
Writers: Avery Anna/David Fanning/Jon Hume; Producer: David Fanning; Label: Warner Music Nashville
– She’s leaving a super turbulent relationship. The twinkling, upbeat track disguises the abuse she suffered as she sings of forgiveness and moving on. An audio delight.

JORDAN DAVIS / “Bar None”
Writers: Ben Johnson/Hunter Phelps/Lydia Vaughan; Producer: Paul DiGiovanni; Label: MCA Nashville
– This man never disappoints. This strummy outing churns right along as he gets totally wasted trying to erase her memory. He knows he’s going to wind up with a hangover, but chugs away anyhow. His warm, conversational, country-folk delivery gets me every time.

LAUREN ALAINA / “Household”
Writers: Casey Brown/Lauren Alaina/Lydia Vaughan/Parker Welling; Producer: Joey Moi; Label: Big Loud Records
– Love the cool, twangy touches in the production. The minor-key tune has nifty twists and turns, and her drawling vocal delivers the doom lyric with panache. Catchy and crafty.

Robert K Oermann
Latest posts by Robert K Oermann (see all)