DISClaimer: Lady Antebellum Tops New Releases With Thrilling Harmonies, Stunning Production

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This week, William Michael Morgan is joining Luke Combs in our campaign to rescue country music.

That said, there’s no denying the honest emotion, thrilling harmonies and stunning production behind the latest by Lady Antebellum. Give that trio a Disc of the Day award.

We have no actual newcomers to report this week, which leaves the field open for a new billing. That would be Hot Country Knights with a DisCovery Award, despite the presence of its established-star vocalists.

HOT COUNTRY KNIGHTS/Pick Her Up
Writers: Dierks Bentley/Jim Beavers/Brett Beavers; Producer: Dierks Bentley; Publisher: none listed; UMG
– This is Dierks’s band in its guise as a faux-’90s country combo. He shares lead vocals on this with real ‘90s star Travis Tritt and the result is smokin’ hot. Here’s the prescription: If you want to make the gal like ya, pick her up in a pick-up truck, take her to a honky-tonk, do some line-dancing and drink beer, not wine. Also, rock her world with a performance like this one.

AUBRIE SELLERS/Lucky Charm
Writers: Aubrie Sellers/Adam Wright; Producer: Aubrie Sellers/Frank Liddell; Publisher: none listed; Soundly Music
– It’s very echo-y and mysterioso in the instrumental department. As always, her vocal is a wafting wonder, full of winsome charm, subtle fire and fey attitude. It’s a fascination fusion, and I dig it.

TROY CARTWRIGHT/Cake For Breakfast
Writers: Brett Tyler/Michael Hardy/Alysa Vanderheym; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Warner
– More pop country. ZZZZZZZ.

LADY ANTEBELLUM/What I’m Leaving For
Writers: Laura Veltz/Micah Premnath/Sam Ellis; Producer: none listed; Publishers: BMG Rights Management/Universal, no performance rights listed; Big Machine
– Utterly lovely. A lilting, heartbreaking, uplifting ode for every traveling musician who has to leave family behind in order to make a living. It’s extraordinarily well written, and the shared lead vocals by Hillary and Charles are stellar.

DUSTIN LYNCH/Momma’s House
Writers: Dylan Schneider/MichaelLotten/Rodney Clawson/Justin Wilson; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; BBR
– I wonder if the folks in his hometown of Tullahoma, after which his album is titled, know that he’d burn their whole city down if his mother’s house wasn’t there? At least that’s what the lyrics in this somewhat dull, plodding single say.

GABBY BARRETT/I Hope
Writers: Gabrielle Barrett/Jon Nite/Zachary Kale; Producers: none listed; Publishers: Sony/ATV, no performance rights listed; Warner
– The vocal is extremely processed. Everything sounds doubled tracked and sent through a mile-long echo chamber and an even longer electrical signal. The gist of the lyric is that she hopes her rival makes him happy and then makes him miserable. That would be justice. Fine, but I’m still passing on this.

BILLY RAY CYRUS/I Am I Said
Writers: Neil Diamond; Producer: none listed; Publishers: none listed; BRC
– Nicely done. I love the way he’s dipping into his lowest register on the verses and how he’s shading the lyric with restraint and taste. He’s coming off a No. 1, Grammy-winning pop smash, so the country radio industry will welcome him back with open arms thanks to this fine performance, right?

TENILLE ARTS/Somebody Like That
Writers: Allison Cruz/Tenille Arts/Alex Kline; Producer: none listed; Publishers: Big Deal/Audiam/Anthem Entertainment, no performance rights listed; Reviver
– This dandy little country rocker expresses a wish for true love against a backdrop of sleazy bars, one-night stands and dashed hopes. It’s written with smarts, and she sings it with panache. I’m in.

KENNY CHESNEY/Here and Now
Writers: Craig Wiseman/David Garcia/David Lee Murphy; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Warner
– It’s over produced, but it’s nice to have him back.

WILLIAM MICHAEL MORGAN/Whiskey Kinda Night
Writers: William Michael Morgan/Doug Johnson/Adam Wood; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed
– Country, country, country. Which is just how I like it. A heartache barroom ballad that hits every note perfectly. A total hillbilly home run.

DISClaimer: Luke Combs And Eric Church Make “A Country Masterpiece”

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Luke Combs. Photo: Jim Wright

The decisions were made before I ever typed a word.

All I had to see in my listening stack was the phrase “Luke Combs & Eric Church,” and I knew what the Disc of the Day would be. They didn’t disappoint. The song is a country masterpiece.

The advance hype on Randall King also made me predisposed toward him. He didn’t disappoint, either, although his phrasing is uncomfortably close to established superstar Strait. Give the boy a DisCovery Award.

RANDALL KING/Hey Cowgirl
Writers: Randall King/Brice Long/Mark Nesler; Producers: Bart Butler/Ryan Gore; Publishers: none listed: Warner
– Move over, George Strait, there’s a new cowboy in town. File this guy under, “Saving Country Music,” because he’s the Real Deal. Wistful heartache, honky-tonk blues and farewell affection all wrapped up perfectly.

EDDIE MONTGOMERY/Crazies Welcome
Writers: Brad Warren/Brett Warren/Lance Miller/Jessi Alexander; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Average Joes
– We’ve got enough “perfect” and “right things.” How about some off-center, troubled, nutso, loving, hurting, damaged compatriots in this bar? I’m with you on this ballad, buddy.

DELLA MAE/First Song Dancer
Writers: Celia Woodsmith/Kimber Ludiker; Producer: Dan Knobler; Publisher: none listed; Rounder
– This all-female band is back following a long hiatus. The gals have toughened up their sound, adding barroom attitude, thumping rhythm, roadhouse piano and some honky-tonk sass. Get out there and swing along.

OLD DOMINION/Never Be Sorry
Writers: Brad Tursi/Josh Osborne/Matthew Ramsey/Shane McAnally/Trevor Rosen; Producers: Old Dominion/Shane McAnally; Publisher: none listed; RCA Nashville
– Jittery rhythms, jaunty vocals, catchy hooks. The finger snaps are a nice touch, too.

BRENT SNYDER/Fight The Tide
Writer: Brent Snyder; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; BS
– It’s a pop power ballad with a tenor vocal that delivers with an earnest, whispery quality. The message is empowering survival.

ELEVEN HUNDRED SPRINGS/This Morning It Was Too Late
Writers: Matt Hillyer/Chad Rueffer; Producers: Steven Berg/Matt Hillyer/Chad Rueffer; Publishers: Canton Street/Cricket Lips, ASCAP/BMI; State Fair (track)
– Deliciously country. His remorseful heartbroken tenor vocal, the sighing steel, poetic guitar solo, bounced-bow fiddle and smoky honky-tonk atmosphere are all exquisite. This swirled around my head like a dream. Thank you, Texas. Thank you.

LUKE COMBS & ERIC CHURCH/Does To Me
Writers: Luke Combs/Ray Fulcher/Tyler Reeve; Producer: Scott Moffatt; Publishers: Big Machine/50 Egg/Straight Dimes/Larkin Hill/Works of RHA/I Know Songs/Warner-Tamerlane/BMI; River House/Columbia (track)
– I’m in heaven. Two of my ultimate favorites, together on disc. Not only that, the lyric is the heart-tugging testimony of a blue-collar average joe’s little victories and soul enrichers. Make this a Song of the Year, No. 1 smash and I just might believe in country music again.

CROSS ATLANTIC/Everybody’s Looking For Love
Writers: Karli Chayne/James Sinclair-Stott/Derek George/Tim Owens; Producers: Derek George/James Sinclair-Stott; Publisher: none listed; CA
– Missouri meets the U.K. in this male-female duo. Karli’s winsome soprano takes the lead with James’s soft harmony backing her flawlessly on this midtempo melodic breeze. Well produced and radio ready.

CHASE RICE/Lonely If You Are
Writers: Chase Rice/Hunter Phelps/Lindsay Rimes; Producer: none listed; Publishers: Warner Chappell/Sony ATV/no performance rights listed; BBR
– He gets serious demerits for being associated with trash like The Bachelor. And even more for this practically spoken, hip-hoppy, disposable ditty.

DISClaimer: Ashley McBryde, Brandy Clark, Jessi Alexander, Drew Fish Top New Releases

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Ashley McBryde. Photo: Daniel Meigs

This day belongs to country’s new breed.

Jordan Davis, Brandon Lay, Logan Mize and Filmore are all here with new sounds. I have expressed my affection for all of them in the past, and I am happy to report that they are starting the new year off with audio excellence.

Three of my favorite new female artists are with us today as well. Ashley McBryde, Brandy Clark and Disc of the Day winner Jessi Alexander all belong on your playlists. Do this now.

Texan Drew Fish wins this week’s DisCovery Award.

BRANDON LAY/For My Money
Writers: Brandon Lay/Andrew DeRoberts; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; EMI
– Pretty funky. Pretty groovy. Pretty infectious. Pretty dang good. He’s fakin’ it ‘til he makes it, because she thinks he’s got money that he ain’t.

ASHLEY McBRYDE/Martha Divine
Writers: Ashley McBryde/Jeremy Spillman; Producer: Jay Joyce; Publisher: none listed; Warner
– This dark ditty rocks. She’s out for revenge against Miss Martha because that Jezebel is Daddy’s lover. It’s been awhile since we had a good murder lyric in country music, hasn’t it? Not to mention a solid story song.

JORDAN DAVIS/Heads Carolina, Tails California
Writers: Mark D. Sanders/Tim Nichols; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Amazon/MCA
– Jordan takes the Jo Dee Messina oldie at a slower, bluesier pace. It has a rump-shaking, head bobbing vibe. Which is mighty attractive and also shines a light on how well written the song is. I could definitely get used to this addictive groove.

LOGAN MIZE/I Ain’t Gotta Grow Up
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Big Yellow Dog
– I dig this guy. Everything he does is just so listenable….. and so country. This is a party bopper with an itchy beat, a jaunty vocal and a smiling attitude. In other words, a hit. There’s an equally delightful version with country up-and-comer Willie Jones.

BRANDY CLARK/Who You Thought I Was
Writers: none listed; Producer: Jay Joyce: Publisher: none listed; Warner
– This woman is just awesome, that’s all. Her liquid vocal, her lovely melody, her pristinely constructed song and her overall artistry are all perfectly in place here. She is a country queen if I have ever heard one in my life.

DREW FISH & PAM TILLIS/Every Damn Time
Writers: Drew Fish/Roger Brown/Chris Colston; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; DF
– Tennessee meets Texas on this shiny, shimmery, romantic waltz. It’s on Lone Star State traditionalist Drew’s CD Wishful Drinkin.’

FILMORE/State I’m In
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Curb
– He can’t outrun her memory, but at least he’s rocking out. I particularly like the way the drums are miked in this fresh sounding track. Filmore’s tenor vocal is also well recorded. Who produced this?

JESSI ALEXANDER/Mama Drank
Writers: Jessi Alexander/Jon Randall; Producers: Jessi Alexander/Jon Randall Stewart/Leslie Richter; Publisher: none listed; JA
– This is the “workin’ mom blues,” complete with a solid backbeat, a hillbilly soul-sister vocal, lotsa guitar twang and a minor key moan or two. I have always been a super fan of this woman. But this something else from this brilliant creator, a stone masterpiece.

CODY PURVIS/Drinkin’ Terms
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; CP
– Well, it’s a novel idea for a song. An ex tries to contact him, but he tells her, “We ain’t on drinkin’ terms.” In other words, it’s over, babe.

A THOUSAND HORSES/Drinking Song
Writers: none listed; Producer: Dave Cobb; Publisher: none listed; Low Country
-Sounds like an anthem to me. The combination here is a solidly country song with searing electric guitar work.

DISClaimer: Morgan Wallen, Jason James Lead New Music Releases

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Happy New Year, country-music fans.

Today, we have all kinds of contemporary country sounds, from rock-country to bluegrass-country, from rap-country to country-country.

In the last category, put your hands together for a Texas wonder named Jason James. He is country, country, country, and is my DisCovery Award winner, hands down.

The Disc of the Day belongs to that consistent charmer, Morgan Wallen.

TAYLON HOPE/Could’ve Been A Country Song
Writers: Bill DiLuigi/Taylon Hope; Producer: Kent Wells; Publisher: none listed; SESAC/BMI; GTR (track)
– She’s still a teen, but she sure knows her way around a song. This soaring rocker depicts rural romance with verve and panache. The nicely crafted lyric is married to a propulsive production that fires on all cylinders. Very promising.

SAM HUNT/Sinning With You
Writers: Sam Hunt/Paul DiGiovanni/Josh Osborne/Emily Weisband; Producer: Bryce Cain/Zach Crowell; Publisher: none listed; MCA Nashville
– I love the minimalism of this. The stark production throws all the emphasis on the ultra romantic, sensual lyric and the sincerity of the vocal performance. Excellent work.

SONG SUFFRAGETTES/The Man
Writer: Taylor Swift/Joel Little; Producers: Taylor Swift/Joel Little; Publisher: UNIAO BRASILEIRA DE EDITORAS DE MUSICA – UBEM, EMI Music Publishing, LatinAutor, Sony ATV Publishing, BMI – Broadcast Music Inc., CMRRA, LatinAutor – SonyATV, SOLAR Music Rights Management; Label: SS
– Awesome job, ladies — 17 members of the Nashville female, singer-songwriter collective have teamed up for this delightful “Me2” video and track. It’s a cover of a current Taylor Swift song that totally suits the group’s ethos. The Suffragettes have been challenging country’s gender discrimination for five years now, but never more forcefully than here. Check it out, because it is super bodacious. (For the record, the sisterhood-is-powerful voices assembled here belong to Chloe Gilligan, Sarabeth Taite, Reyna Roberts, Maddison Krebs, Tasji, Regan Stewart, Emily Brooke, Erin Grand, Caroline Marquard, Mia Morris, Michelle Pereira, Nora Collins, Gray Robinson, Raquel Cole, Stevie Woodward, Lexi Lauren and Carter Faith — that’s in the order of their appearance in the video).

BLAKE SHELTON & GWEN STEFANI/Nobody But You
Writers: Ross Copperman, Shane McAnally, Josh Osborne, Tommy Lee James; Producer: Scott Hendricks; Publishers: Downtown/BMG Rights/Words & Music/Big Deal, no performance rights listed; Warner Music
– Lusciously romantic. The lyric is dynamite, and the echoey production shudders and thunders quietly behind Blake’s intense lead-vocal performance. Gwen’s harmony and soft interjections are mixed in a gently ear-tickling fashion. A dandy listening experience.

FLAT RIVER BAND/Every Dog Has Its Day
Writer: Chad Sitze; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Early Bird (track)
– Hillbilly charming. The sound is kinda bluegrass-with-a-beat. The fiddle and dobro make merry with the snappy drumming and deep bass while the three group members dish out their flannel-shirt, trio harmonies.

MORGAN WALLEN/This Bar
Writers: Morgan Wallen/Michael Hardy/Jackson Morgan/Jake Scott/Ernest K. Smith/Ryan Vojtesak; Producer: Joey Moi; Publisher: none listed; Big Loud
– I love everything about this. Love his stone-country writing, his roadhouse attitude, his drawling singing voice and the tempo, tempo, tempo production. I even love Morgan’s individualistic fashion sense. This man is a star.

JASON JAMES/Seems Like Tears Ago
Writer: Jason James; Producer: John Evans; Publisher; Jason James, BMI; Melodyville (track)
– Say “amen,” somebody. This guy is so country it hurts, and I mean, “hurts so good.” The spirit of George Jones hovers over this steel-drenched honky-tonk lament. If you love real country music, stop what you’re doing right now and spin this on YouTube. Sign me up for the fan club.

THE CADILLAC THREE/All The Makin’s of a Saturday Night
Writers: Jaren Johnston/Josh Dunne/Neil Mason; Producers: Jaren Johnston/Neil Mason; Publishers: none listed; Big Machine
– These guys continue to plow the ground between hard rock and country, this time adding a quasi-rap vocal performance. It’s not at all my cup of tea, but ESPN has been using the track during its college-football broadcasts.

MATT KENNON/Love Is Stronger
Writer: Mike Mobley; Producer: Paul Worley; Publisher: none listed; Roaddawg (track)
– It’s a power ballad with a potent message of recovery and triumph. He’s not the world’s greatest vocalist, but he gets the job done thanks to urgency and oomph.

HARDY, LAUREN ALAINA, & DEVIN DAWSON/One Beer
Writers: Hillary Lindsay/Jake Mitchell/Michael Wilson Hardy; Producer: Joey Moi/Derek Wells; Publishers: none listed; Big Loud
– Ya have a couple of brews, and the next thing ya know, yer in a trailer park with babies running around all over the place. Hick hop.

DISClaimer: Christmas Greetings From Keith Urban, Chris Janson, Tenille Townes, Maddie & Tae

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Country music wears its heart on its sleeve all year long, so the sentimentality of Christmas music fits the genre perfectly.

A plethora of country acts issued seasonal songs this year. In addition to the 10 reviewed here, we also have offerings from Lacy J. Dalton, Mags, Darryl Worley, King Calaway, J.T. Hodges, Cam, Paulina Jaye, Wade Bowen, Stephanie Urbina Jones, Temecula Road, The Gibson Brothers, Rachel Wammack, Clare Dunn, Lauren Lucas, Mike Aiken and a bluezillion more.

Our Discs of the Day on the distaff side are the singles by Tenille Townes and Maddie & Tae. The male Disc of the Day winners are Chris Janson and Keith Urban.

KEITH URBAN/I’ll Be Your Santa Tonight
Writers: Urban/Shane McAnally; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; UMG
– This has a cool, retro, doo-wop feel, complete with piano triplets and a bluesy melody. The sound of an instant classic?

THE OAK RIDGE BOYS/Don’t Go Pullin’on Santa Claus’ Beard
Writers: Anderson East/Aaron Raitiere; Producer: Dave Cobb; Publisher: none listed; Lightning
– The Oaks’ new Down Home Christmas album is one of this year’s best. Producer Dave Cobb mixes the quartet’s harmony singing front and center and puts the emphasis on newly composed holiday tunes. This light-hearted one has Joe taking the lead with Richard dipping down low on the title phrase. Also check out the fun, festive “Reindeer on the Roof,” with a video shot at Santa’s Pub, as well as the Jamey Johnson/Bill Anderson/Buddy Cannon tune “South Alabama Christmas.”

THOMAS RHETT/Christmas In The Country
Writers: Thomas Rhett/David Garcia/Ashley Gorley/Chris Tomlin; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Big Machine
– Pleasant, if somewhat routine and forgettable. Mid-tempo pudding.

JENNY TOLMAN/Cowboy For Christmas
Writers: Tolman/Dave Brainard/Bill Whyte; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed
– Sweet, wistful, gentle and yearning. It’s a lovely country waltz wishing that Santa will rope her a wrangler for a present. Smooth as silk.

CHRIS JANSON/Run Run Rudolph
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Warner
– Mr. Energy takes Chuck Berry’s holiday classic out for a rollicking country spin and it is a boatload of fun, fun, fun.

TENILLE TOWNES/One In a Million
Writers: Tenille Townes/Daniel Tashian; Producer: Tashian; Publisher: none listed; Columbia Nashville
– Tenille’s Songs for Christmas includes this dreamy, jazzy ditty wherein her soprano wafts above simple guitar work and cushiony strings. It’s as pretty and seductive as can be.

DYLAN SCOTT/I’ll Be Home For Christmas
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Curb
– His collection is titled, simply, Merry Christmas. And it consists, also simply, of his renditions of evergreen favorites such as this classic ballad. Background music lacking any innovation.

MADDIE & TAE/Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Mercury
– Taken at a languid tempo, this classic is lushly arranged. So their vocals sound luminous and sparkly. Nicely done, ladies.

SHANE OWENS/Nothing Compares To Christmas
Writers: Shane Owens/Galen Griffin/Melissa Querry; Producer: Nick Lutz & Melissa Querry; Publishers: none listed; Amerimonte
– His country-as-grits voice delivers the sentiments in this ballad so effectively. A steel sighs and strings softly embellish the mood.

CHARLES ESTEN/On The Road To Bethlehem
Writers: Charles Esten/Mark Collie; Producer: none listed; Publishers: none listed; CE
– This is a stark, guitar-voice performance. Which is cool. Also intriguing/unusual is the fact that the ballad is sung from the point of view of Joseph while he’s on the road with pregnant Mary. Recommended.

DISClaimer: Sammy Kershaw, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Bellamy Brothers Showcase New Music

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Mary Chapin Carpenter. Photo: Jonathan Stewart

Old friends are the best friends.

At least that’s what this listening session feels like. Country classics Sammy Kershaw, The Bellamy Brothers, Mary Chapin Carpenter and Joe Diffie are checking in with new sounds, and in all cases they are better than those by the younger artists in this edition of “DisClaimer.”

In fact, the Disc of the Day winner is “Over the Moon” by the veteran Bellamy Brothers.

Give a DisCovery Award to Cooper Alan. He sure sounds like a keeper to these ears.

Speaking of my ears, several readers pointed out that the “rhythm track” I cited in last week’s review of Home Free is, in fact, one of the a cappella group’s members beat boxing. Which I should have guessed. My bad.

COOPER ALAN/Climate Change
Writers: Cooper Alan/Seth Mosley/Victoria Shaw; Producers: Shaw/Mosley; Publisher: none listed; Cooped Up
– He has a very cool, resonant vocal tone. The clever lyric says that climate change “sucks” because his once-hot love affair has turned cold. Highly listenable and hooky.

KAILEY NICOLE/Diamonds and Coal
Writers: none listed; Producer: Niles Thomas; Publisher: none listed; KN
– Fiery and uptempo, this has vim and vigor to spare. This single will appear on a self-titled EP due on Jan. 24. Nicole is Vegas-born and L.A.-raised, but now calls Music City home.

JOE DIFFIE & MARC BROUSSARD/Pride & Joy
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Diffie
– Diffie and Broussard get bluesy on this rocking reworking of a Stevie Ray Vaughan tune. You’ll find it on his limited-edition, green-vinyl, greatest-hits LP titled Joe, Joe, Joe Diffie.

BELLAMY BROTHERS/Over The Moon
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; BB
– Utterly lovely. The romantic ballad is drenched in steel guitar and has a country melody to die for. Howard’s lead vocal is as warm as a blanket.

FILMORE/London
Writers: Filmore/John Luke Carter; Producers: Zach Abend/John Luke Carter; Publisher: none listed; Curb
– Kinda poppy, and undeniably catchy. The breezy tempo and jaunty tone contrast nicely with the guilt in the lyric about seeing the wonders of London without her by his side. Well worth your spins.

RAELYNN/Bra Off
Writers: RaeLynn/Josh Kerr/Emily Weisband; Producer: Corey Crowder; Publisher: none listed; Round Here
– “Breaking up with you is like taking my bra off.” If you say so.

LANCE CARPENTER & RICHIE McDONALD/Last Night in Memphis
Writers: Lance Carpenter/Richie McDonald; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; LC
– This punchy, emotional ballad is about a little girl who is cured of cancer at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis. Baritone Lance delivers the lead vocal with loads of heart.

SAMMY KERSHAW/My Friend Fred
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Big Hit
– As always, Sammy delivers the goods as a vocalist. The well-written song is a sensitive, thoughtful meditation about the destructive power of drug addiction. Highly recommended.

MARY CHAPIN CARPENTER/Our Man Walter Cronkite
Writers: none listed; Producer: Jamie Mefford; Publisher: none listed; MCC
– Echoey and hushed, her performance gently muses about the contrast between the news of her youth versus the awfulness of today. An orchestra softly builds around her as the track unfolds like a dream.

THE WILD FEATHERS/Jacksonville to Jackson Hole
Writers: Eric Church/Casey Beathard; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; WF
– This is a fine song, but it sounds kinda under-produced. Besides, I liked them better when they rocked.

DISClaimer: Battle of the Bands

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It’s a Battle of the Bands.

With new tracks by High Valley, Home Free, the Zac Brown Band, Little Big Town and Midland, this edition of “DisClaimer” is dominated by groups. Even Teddy Robb has found strength in numbers, by re-imagining his fine “Really Shouldn’t Drink Around You” as a duet.

At the end of the day, we have a dead heat between Home Free and the Zac Brown Band for the Disc of the Day award. Both are heart-stopping listening experiences.

As we had no room for newcomers today, there is no DisCovery Award winner.

SAM GROW/Drink About That
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Average Joes
– Superb. Guitars moan and sigh and crash around him as he aches for a lost love. His solidly country delivery is perfect. The song is a total gem. This is the lovesick blues for a modern generation. Also check out the video with its powerful, don’t-text-and-drive message.

LINDSAY ELL/I Don’t Love You
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Stoney Creek
– Her most expressive vocal to date. The downcast ballad finds her musing amid memories. The contrast between the intimate, hushed verses and the open-throated choruses is terrific. As usual, her searing guitar work adds zest. Very involving.

HIGH VALLEY/Your Mama
Writers: Ben West/Josh Miller/Troy Verges/Tyler Hubbard; Producer: none listed; Warner
-Mellow family values.

MIRANDA LAMBERT/Bluebird
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; RCA/Vanner
– She sounds strikingly winsome, touching and youthful here. The tune has verve and hooks a-plenty. The track is at once spare and deeply complex. The lyric has a lovely, self-portrait quality that’s poetic, introspective and hopeful. All in all, a highly addictive listening experience.

TEDDY ROBB & MEGHAN PATRICK/Really Shouldn’t Drink Around You
Writers: Shane McAnally/Josh Osborne/Trevor Rosen; Producers: Shane McAnally/Ben Fowler/Matt McGinn; Monument
– The groove is great, and both vocals are loaded with warmth and personality. The lyrics are packed with cool little lines — “gin and platonic,” “gettin’ back to where we left the past at,” “wine is gonna turn into why-not.” I have liked Teddy in the past, and I remain a fan. Canadian-country award winner Meghan is a worthy duet foil for him. In short, this sounds an awful lot like a hit record.

ZAC BROWN BAND/Leaving Love Behind
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Wheelhouse/BBR
– Soulful, heartfelt and richly satisfying. The uplifting ballad production is gorgeous yet understated. As always, the vocal harmonies are thrilling. They are a one-of-a-kind group, and I love them so much for that.

MORGAN EVANS/Diamonds
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Warner
– “I love you like a diamond, and diamonds are forever.” There you have it, complete with one-man-band burbles, beats and loops.

MIDLAND/Cheatin’ Songs
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Big Machine
– These guys need to come up with melodies that are a little more original sounding.

HOME FREE/Love Me Like That
Writers: Austin Brown/Jeffrey Joseph East/Stephen Martinez; Producers: Darren Rust/Home Free; Publishers: Calhoun Enterprise/peermusic; Home Free
– One thing’s for certain, these guys can sure ‘nuff sing. Tenor lead vocalist Austin Brown turns in an absolutely stunning, sky-high performance here. The group’s a cappella roots are still showing, but there’s a rhythm track, too. And that drives this thing straight into the stratosphere. My ears were definitely pinned back.

LITTLE BIG TOWN/Sugar Coat
Writers: Josh Kerr/Jordyn Shellhart/Lori McKenna; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Capitol
– Intense and heartbreaking. Smiling through betrayal and infidelity burns with pain. The track is pretty much a Karen Fairchild solo, but the all-consuming female lyric is so brilliant that maybe that was the best choice. The ‘60s retro video starring Kate Bosworth is a dynamite mini movie.

DISClaimer: Chris Janson Offers “True Country Excellence” With New Single “Done”

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We have no complaints about musical quality this week, since everyone is giving us their best.

From the pop end of the spectrum, we have a dandy collaboration between FGL and Tayla Parx. For bluesy finesse, check out Stoney LaRue & Tanya Tucker, or take a murder-fantasy ride with Lockwood Barr. For nostalgia, we have The Righteous Brothers teaming with Ronnie McDowell and John Schneider on an oldie rewrite.

And for true country excellence, we bring you our Disc of the Day winner, Chris Janson and our DisCovery Award honorees Carvin Walls.

LOCKELAND/Drive
Writers: Susie Brown/Kyndon Oakes/Mark Vikingstad; Producer: Michael Boris/Sean Spence; Publishers: none listed; Lockeland
– The title says it all: This is a roll-down-the-windows, put-the-pedal-down, shout-to-the-heavens, open-road rock, rock, rocker. If this doesn’t quicken your pulse, you need a heart transplant. Loved, loved, loved it.

CHRIS JANSON/Done
Writers: Chris Janson/Mitch Oglesby/Jamie Paulin/Matt Roy; Producer: Chris Janson/Tommy Cecil; Publisher: none listed; Warner Music
– Well done, son. The stately tempo, his expressive vocal, the rolling-similes lyric, the swirling production and the emotional heft of this love song are all in their perfect places. This is a smash.

 

RIGHTEOUS BROTHERS, JOHN SCHNEIDER, RONNIE McDOWELL/Country Heaven
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Debut (CDX)
– It’s a rewrite of the 1974 Righteous Brothers hit “Rock & Roll Heaven,” this time name-checking Conway, George, Tammy, Merle, Johnny & June, Patsy, Hank and Waylon. The massed-vocal choruses work especially well in the finale.

LOCKWOOD BARR/6 Feet Deep
Writers: Lockwood Barr/Tim McGeary; Producer: Matt Odmark; Publisher: none listed; LB
– Dark and swampy and bluesy. The intense vibe in the music is matched by a lyric with murder on its mind. Haunting and creative.

JEFF BATES/If I Get Drunk Tonight
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Skydancer
– It’s a slow jam with a midnight-misery feeling. He can’t shake her memory, and it is torturing him. As usual, Jeff’s voice is a gripping, compelling and spirit-capturing instrument. Last call for alcohol, bar patrons.

 

STONEY LaRUE & TANYA TUCKER/Meet Me in the Middle
Writers: Stoney LaRue/Gary Nicholson; Producer: Gary Nicholson; Publishers: none listed; One Chord Song
– Here’s a heartily recommended, bluesy, roadhouse bopper about making a relationship work. Tanya is a Grammy-nominee queen this week, and Stoney is always worth a listen. You’ll find this on Okie/Texas road-warrior LaRue’s new CD Onward, which also features such luminaries as John Cowan, The McCrary Sisters, Colin Linden, Kenny Greenberg and Mickey Raphael. In addition to producer Gary Nicholson, songwriting contributors include Shawn Camp, Lee Roy Parnell, Guy Clark, Merle Haggard and Jesse Winchester. Great stuff.

BRANTLEY GILBERT/Fire’t Up
Writers: Brantley Gilbert, Brandon Day, Justin Weaver; Producer: Brandon Day; Publisher: none listed; Valory Music Co.
– Let’s all get drunk and rowdy. The track rocks, and Brantley sings with charisma, as always.

 

JACKSON MICHELSON/Stay Over
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Curb
– Plaintive sounding, with a jittery rhythm track under a sexually frustrated storyline. His best effort to date.

TAYLA PARX & FLORIDA GEORGIA LINE/Fight
Writers: Tayla Parx, Alysa Vanderheym, Tyler Hubbard, Josh Miller, Robin Oliver Frid; Producer: Alysa Vanderheym, Oliver “junior” Frid, Tayla Parx; Publisher: Taylor Monet Music/Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp., Castle Bound Music, Inc., Big Loud Mountain and T Hubb Publishing (All Rights Administered by Round Hill Works), Josh Miller Publishing Designee, Parx Publishing Designee
– Powerhouse pop songwriter/producer Parx is often underrated as a singer. Teaming up with country’s FGL really gives her a place to shine in that department. I can hear this tuneful outing as a big crossover success for both acts, with ease. Essential listening this week.

CARVIN WALLS/Sometimes I Lie
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Carvin Walls (CDX)
– It’s a male-female duo. Both of them phrase beautifully as country vocalists, and on the choruses, they soar with equal power. The lyric is about pretending to get over a heartbreak. The crisp production and soft-to-shouted audio dynamics are pretty special here. Lend this your ears.

 

DISClaimer: Hannah Dasher Gets “Wildly Imaginative” On Funky Track “Stoned Age”

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The emphasis was on female country artists on this year’s CMA Awards show.

So I am happy to report that the women didn’t let us down in this week’s edition of DisClaimer. Kelsea Ballerini, Farewell Angelina, Henriette, Honey County and JaeLee Roberts all turned up with stellar performances.

Best of ‘em all is witty Hannah Dasher, who wins the Disc of the Day award. Right behind her is an equally deserving DisCovery Award winner, Kelsey Lamb. Listen to these ladies. Now.

FAREWELL ANGELINA/More Problems
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Farewell A
– Feisty and frisky, with a touch of sass and a lotta class. These ladies have it all going on with this uptempo, devil-may-care romp. Not a care in the world, because you know what they say, “more money, more problems.”

KELSEA BALLERINI/Club
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Black River
– Catchy and clever. The pop track is super rhythm happy, even though the lyric is downbeat. She’s particularly effective in her lower register here, as well as in the double-tracked choruses.

HONEY COUNTY & SPENCER CRANDALL/Under Your Influence
Writers: Dani Rose/JP Williams/Maks Gabriel; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; 117Group
– They sing well, but the song meanders aimlessly. Tenor vocalist Spencer sounds especially promising here.

CHRIS STAPLETON/Second One To Know
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Mercury
-His Southern-rock influences are front and center on this rousing, bluesy, roaring outing. The video features Chris and the band as Lego figures battling evil ninjas and a dragon.

JAELEE ROBERTS/One’s Real Life
Writers: Jaelee Roberts; Producer: Deanie Richardson & Brandon Bostic; Publisher: none listed; Euphony
– This newcomer has a harmony-soaked approach to bluegrass. Liquid vocals and fiery picking. What’s not to like?

MORGAN EVANS/Diamonds
Writers: Morgan Evans/Chris DeStefano/Evans Bogart; Producers: Evans/DeStefano; Publisher: none listed; Warner Music
– The plinkety plunk rhythms and looped guitar notes tip you off that this is another gem from the one-man band. It ain’t very country, but it definitely gets your attention.

HENRIETTE/Dream Boy
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Dr. Music
– She is from Germany, but her recent sojourn in Music City has evidently paid off in songwriting chops. This lilting, charming tune comes wafting through the speakers like a summer breeze. An audio vacation trip to a lovely land.

MATT STELL/Everywhere But On
Writers: Lance Miller/Matt Stell/Paul Sikes; Producer: none listed; Publishers: W.B.M./Sony-ATV Accent/Pedal Down/Presley Jake, no performance rights listed; Arista
– Very cool. She’s left him, but he can’t stop thinking about her. “I’ve moved everywhere but on,” he sings. This “Prayed for You” fellow shows here he’s got more where that came from. There’s a soaring guitar solo in it that I really liked, too.

KELSEY LAMB/Girl at the Bar
Writers: Kelsey Lamb/Taylor Goyette/Jean Nolan; Producers: Matt McVaney/Josh Hoge; Publisher: none listed; Marco
– Best song of the listening session, hands down. The lyric is full of terrific details and emotional truths and poignant passages. Her performance is an arrow to the heart, and the production is a wonder of dynamics and power. A total winner.

HANNAH DASHER/Stoned Age
Writers: none listed; Producer: Jaren Johnston/Oscar Charles; Publisher: none listed; ASCAP; Sony
– Ya gotta love this lyric, with its echoes of ‘60s icons, references to Southern rockers and comments on getting high. Janis Joplin, Keith Richards, The Allman Brothers, Marshall Tucker and Burt Reynolds are all name dropped as she drawls with abundant personality and the beats lay funky on top of funky. Wildly imaginative, addictive listening.

DISClaimer: Kane Brown’s “For My Daughter” Tops New Releases

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Kane Brown

Variety is the spice of life.

This is an adage that all country radio programmers should take to heart, because back in the day, their stations’ playlists were a lot more diverse than they are today. And everyone liked terrestrial radio a whole lot more than they do now.

So in today’s column we have everything from bluegrass to pop, from neo-rockabilly to hardcore honky tonk, from tender emotionalism to party-hearty romps. Sample them all.

The Disc of the Day goes to Kane Brown, who has the sweetest song about fatherhood that I’ve heard in ages. Give Mike Alan Ward a DisCovery Award.

STEPHANIE QUAYLE/Whatcha Drinkin’ ‘Bout
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed, ASCAP/BMI; Rebel Engine
-A sprightly barroom anthem, delivered with verve and abetted by some dandy guitar twanging. I’m in.

MONTGOMERY GENTRY/Outskirts
Writers: Dallas Davidson/Rodney Clawson/Ashley Gorley; Producers: Noah Gordon/Shannon Houchins; Publishers: Big Red Tow/EMI Blackwood/Round Hill Compositions/Round Hill Works/Shirt at Work/Two Chord Georgia/Copyright Control Ashley Gorley, BMI/ASCAP; Average Joes
– Nicely thumping and sung with conviction. The topic isn’t exactly news — it’s the one about partying in the countryside after work with a honey. “Heartland,” “ball cap,” “hot girl in a t-shirt,” “red dirt,” “cold beer” “simple life,” it’s all here.

MIKE ALAN WARD & DIERKS BENTLEY/No Getting Over You
Writers: Ward/Bentley; Producers: Carl Jackson/Randy Kohrs/Ken Triphan; Publishers: Colonel Rebel/Wooteeny/Blue Nugget/Big White Tracks/Sony-ATV, ASCAP; Twang-Gang
– If you ask me, every country playlist needs a splash of bluegrass. The two voices are the calling cards of this dandy toe-tapper, but the picking will dazzle you just as much. The supporting cast is a who’s-who of instrumentalists. Ward’s album is titled Whiskey, Trains and Lonesome, and it is simply stellar from top to bottom.

KANE BROWN/For My Daughter
Writers: Kane Brown/Tom Douglas/Chase McGill; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; RCA
– Kane became a first-time Daddy on Oct. 29, and he’s wasted no time in celebrating the event in song. “I grew up without a dad/I’m gonna be the best one I can be.” That’s just one of the honest lyrics in this heart-tugging mini-masterpiece. A lump-in-throat performance of a song packed with truth and beauty.

DANIELLE BRADBURY/Blackout
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; BMLG
– Drawn from the Charlie’s Angels soundtrack, this sounds like a big bid for pop stardom. The echoey atmosphere, stately keyboard work, crashing rhythms and layered, multi-part vocals all are very, very involving. There’s a richness of vocal tone here (reminiscent of Sia) that’s a long way from her days as a contestant on The Voice.

CLINT BLACK/This Old House
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publishers: none listed; CB
– Clint enlists eight buddies as vocal collaborators here — Trace Adkins, Dierks Bentley, Sara Evans, Cody Jinks, Michael Ray, Darius Rucker, Travis Tritt and Steve Wariner. The song is a ballad about nostalgia for a homeplace. It’s solidly country, but the tempo plods a bit. There’s an extremely effective music video that equates the “house” with the Grand Ole Opry, with memories coming alive off the photos on the walls, in visions in dressing rooms and hallways and via historic clips on the storied stage. Recommended.

ADAM DOLEAC/Famous
Writers: Adam Doleac/Andy Skib/Bobby Hamrick; Producer: none listed; Publishers: none listed; Arista Nashville
– Smooth. His gently persuasive vocal is right on the money in this pop-country slow jam. The overall vibe is a kinda bland, yet kinda pleasant.

HOOTIE & THE BLOWFISH/Hold On
Writers: Jim Beavers/Chris Stapleton; Producer: Frank Rogers; Publishers: Sony-ATV Tree/Dontcallmebrett/WB/Ken Tucky, BMI/ASCAP; Capitol
– Despite the seeming hopelessness of our modern world, this jaunty ditty advises us that love will see us through. Optimistic and upbeat. The band “gang” vocals as the song reaches its finale are just the right touch.

GRANGER SMITH/That’s Why I Love Dirt Roads
Writers: Chris DeStefano/Jon Nite/Brad Rempel/Granger Smith; Producers: none listed; Publishers: none listed; Wheelhouse/BBR
– Stirring and anthemic. It’s hard to produce an up-tempo tune with this much crispness, while maintaining its rushing forward momentum. This does all that and more. Charisma on the hoof.

CHUCK MEAD/Shake
Writers: Charles Mead/Paul Cebar; Producer: Matt Ross Spang; Publishers: Pagan Idol/Groovesburg Joys, BMI; Plowboy
– The latest single from Chuck’s fine Close to Home CD is a swampy, groove-a-minute outing with dollops of blues, rockabilly and roots-rock in its countryboy DNA. This guy is a one-of-a-kind talent, and more power to that.