DISClaimer Single Reviews: Reba McEntire Claims Disc Of The Day

/by

Reba McEntire

Country gets philosophical in today’s DISClaimer.

Jamey Johnson, Tenille Townes, Della Mae, Zach Bryan and Tiera Kennedy are all thinking higher thoughts in their new releases. On the other hand, The Kentucky Gentlemen, Aaron Tippin and Pat McAfee are content to let the good times roll.

Veteran Reba McEntire shows the kiddies how it’s done by winning the Disc of the Day award. My heart was totally captured by DISCovery Award winners Della Mae.

TENILLE TOWNES / “enabling”
Writer: Tenille Townes; Producer: Tenille Townes; Label: TT
– Starkly produced with just her own guitar notes and overdubbed harmony vocals. The nakedly confessional lyric is about standing up for herself instead of trying to fix an alcohol-abusing lover. With 17 CCMA honors, this gifted singer-songwriter and former MusicRow awardee remains a huge star north of the border. She also remains a huge star on my playlists.

JAMEY JOHNSON / “More of What Matters”
Writers: Jamey Johnson, Keith Follese, Jon Stone; Producer: Kent Hardly Playboys; Label: Warner Records Nashville
– Philosophical and tender, Johnson clings to life’s better verities instead of empty gestures. As always, he is a masterful country communicator.

TIERA KENNEDY / “The Giver”
Writers: Lauren Scott/Taylor Hill/Tiera Kennedy; Producer: Cameron Bedell; Label: Green Is My Color
– Her winsome vocal conveys sweet sincerity as she sings of surrendering herself to God while she celebrates life. The production is wafting pop.

MORGXN & MAGGIE ROSE / “MY REVIVAL”
Writers: Gary Go/Morgan Karr/Ryan Daly; Producers: Marshall Altman, MORGXN; Label: BMG
– Maggie Rose is nominated for an Americana album Grammy Award this year. On this duet, she matches voices with the country queer spokesman MORGXN, and the result is uplifting and joyous. Both them are shouting to the heavens and soaring in gospel-drenched harmony. Other duet partners on MORGXN’s Heartland collection include Ruby Amanfu, Tenille Townes, Langhorne Slim, Katie Pruitt and JB Somers.

ELLA LANGLEY / “Dandelion”
Writers: Austin Goodloe/Brett Tyler/Ella Langley/Joybeth Taylor; Producers: Ben West, Ella Langley, Miranda Lambert; Label: SAWGOD/Columbia Records
– The title tune of Langley’s upcoming sophomore album floats on zephyrs of dreamy steel and strings. Her “Choosin’ Texas” is already a hit from the collection, and this lovely track confirms our eager anticipation.

DELLA MAE / “Magic Accident”
Writer: Celia Woodsmith; Producer: Alison Brown; Label: Compass Records
– This fantastic all-female band explores the Meaning of Life on the jaunty, rippling toe tapper that is the title tune of its new album. The collection dropped last week, and it is an essential listening experience for anyone who cherishes acoustic music. Applause, applause.

PAT McAFEE / “Dookie”
Writer: Patrick Justin McAfee; Producer: Mark Holman; Label: PA
– McAfee is a former all-pro NFL kicker who became an ESPN football analyst and sometime wrestler. His foray into music isn’t exactly earth shattering, but the steady, pulse-like beat and his spoken/sung performance are mildly engaging in a pop/rap kinda way.

AARON TIPPIN / “The American Sky”
Writer: Tom Tippin; Producer: Noah Gordon; Label: 8 Track Entertainment
– This uptempo strut is a salute to spirit, ambition and pluck. Spread your wings and fly, Tippin suggests.

THE KENTUCKY GENTLEMEN & ESTELLE / “To Kill Me”
Writers: Brandon Campbell/Cam Newby/Derek Campbell/Ian Christian; Producer: David Mescon; Label: River House Artists
– Synthesizers shimmer and beats echo in this atmospheric remix. The twin brothers have always had a yen for country dance tunes, but this stomper veers way out of the country-music lane.

FILMORE / “Love at First Fight”
Writers: Josh Hoge/Lindsay Rimes/Tyler Filmore; Producers: John Luke, Tyler Filmore; Label: Mr. 305 Records
– He has a soft, breathy delivery that is quite ear catching. The jerky, hooky tune explores a loving, but complicated, relationship while whooshing electronics infuse it. Formerly with Curb, FILMORE is the first country artist signed to Pitbull’s label.

AUBRIE SELLERS / “Subatomic”
Writers: Adam Wright/Aubrie Sellers; Producer: none listed; Label: Casual Records/Carnival Records
– Burbling computer noises and deep, bottomless echo characterize the ethereal track surrounding her romantic musings. Sellers continues to explore the intersection of pop/rock and country in a singly unique fashion. The daughter of Lee Ann Womack is definitely blazing her own sonic trails.

ZACH BRYAN / “Bad News”
Writer: Zach Bryan; Producer: Zach Bryan; Label: Warner Records
– This song was the subject of an article in The Guardian last week due to its anti-ICE lyric. He decries the lawlessness of “out-of-town boys” kicking down doors and jailing folks. At the same time, the former military man is standing up as a patriotic American and urging unity instead of divisiveness.

REBA McENTIRE / “Tulsa Time”
Writer: Daniel Flowers; Producers: Reba McEntire, Tony Brown; Label: MCA Nashville
– Reba gives the 1978 Don Williams oldie a rhythmic kick and gooses the tempo a tad. A stinging guitar solo and some passionate vocal growling seal the deal. The song is a natural for the native Oklahoman.

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