Reviews Archives - Page 38 of 84

DISClaimer: Runaway June Offers A Runaway Hit

August 2, 2018/by Robert K Oermann

Country’s guys and gals are going head to head this week.

Kelly Willis and Cassadee Pope are duking it out with Chase Rice and the Wild Feathers, not to mention darkhorse contender R.J. Comer (who is checking in with his second stunning album in a row). In this contest, we listeners are the winners.

The ladies snare the Disc of the Day prize, thanks to the splendidly catchy release by Runaway June.

The men have the DisCovery Award winner, an interesting new singer-songwriter named Justin Fabus.

JUSTIN FABUS/Remedy
Writers: J. Fabus; Producers: Matt Very, Austin Ostiguy, Justin Fabus; Publishers: none listed; JF (track)
-His voice is a fizzy, ear-catching tenor and the CD title track has a nice, r&b feel. Unfortunately, the tempo is tediously sluggish. There are better single choices on this collection.

CHASE RICE/Eyes On You
Writers: Ashley Gorley/Chase Rice/Chris DeStefano; Producer: Chris Destafano & Jacquire King; Publishers: Sony-ATV Countryside/Jack Daniels/EMI April/CDS Words and Music/WB/Combustion Engine/Sadie’s Favorite, BMI/ASCAP; BBR/Jack Daniels
– Nicely romantic. Wherever they go, whatever they do, he only has eyes for her. I like the way his vocal is mixed with so much intimacy and presence. The title is repeated about 30 times too often for my taste, but it’s still a nifty little record.

THE BAND STEELE/Sit Awhile
Writers: Bo Steele/Ben Rubino; Producers: Rob Burrell/Stacy Savola; Publishers: FRMG/Kadence Faith/B Rubino, BMI; Fire River
– This has a richly masculine sound. It’s about reflecting and meditating and letting grief take its time. It’s a good thing the vocals are so strong, because the production isn’t much.

KELLY WILLIS/Don’t Step Away
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publishers: none listed; Premium/Thirty Tigers
– Love it! The r&b backbeat, steady throb and sensuous groove push alla my buttons. As always, her Texas-country vocal phrasing, slightly saucy tone and gentle confidence are utterly charming.

SARAH LAWTON/Sticks and Stones
Writers: none listed; Producer: Kenny Zaridar; Publishers: none listed; SL
– This has plenty of sass and attitude. But the song does nothing for me, and there’s not much about the irritating production that I would characterize as “country.”

CASSADEE POPE/One More Red Light
Writers: Cassadee Pope/Kelly Archer/Emily Shackelton; Producer: none listed; Publishers: none listed; CP
– Punchy and propulsive. Loaded with energy and drive.

BAILEY JAMES/Kiss Me Goodbye
Writers: Bailey James Koehler/Jeannie McQuinn/Shelby Lee Lowe; Producer: Jeffrey Teague; Publishers: none listed, ASCAP/BMI, BJ
– She sings with moxie. The song is too wordy. The arrangement just lays there.

WILD FEATHERS/Stand By You
Writers: none listed; Producer: Jay Joyce; Publishers: none listed; Warner Bros.
– I love this Nashville band. I liked ‘em when they were rockers, and I think it’s very cool that they’ve shifted gears into country. This thing has more hooks than a tuna boat. If the track doesn’t make you want to get up and bop around the room, you need a rhythm injection. Ridiculously catchy.

R.J. Comer/One Last Kiss
Writers: R.J. Comer; Producer: Shawn Byrne; Publishers: Pack of Three, SESAC; Growling Moon
– The title tune of Comer’s new CD is a doomsday dirge of despair. But it was so compelling that I couldn’t turn away. Death has seldom sounded more fascinating. Recommended, especially at midnight.

RUNAWAY JUNE/Buy My Own Drinks
Writers: Hannah Mulholland, Jennifer Wayne, Naomi Cooke, Hillary Lindsey, Josh Kear; Producer: Dann Huff; Publishers: 2018 BMG Platinum Songs (BMI) admin by BMG Rights Management (US), LLC, BMG Silver Songs (SESAC) admin by BMG Rights Management (US), LLC, BMG Gold Songs (ASCAP) admin by BMG Rights Management (US), LLC, Rezonate Music (ASCAP) admin by BMG Rights Management (US), LLC, BIRB Music (ASCAP) admin by BMG Rights Management (US), LLC, Champagne Whiskey Pub (ASCAP) admin by Downtown DLJ Songs, Downtown DLJ Songs (ASCAP). All rights reserved. Used by permission.; BBR/Wheelhouse
-Feisty and frisky. She’s got a busted heart, but she’s going out to the neon lights to party all by herself. The rollicking tempo, triple harmonies and deliciously crunchy production are all just fabulous. Make this a smash.

DISClaimer’s Day For New Beginnings: Mason Ramsey, Sarah Ross, Riley Green, Tenille Arts

July 26, 2018/by Robert K Oermann

Pictured (clockwise from bottom left): Riley Green, Mason Ramsey, Sarah Ross, Tenille Arts

This is a day for new beginnings.

Today, DISClaimer presents a flurry of deserving newcomers. Mason Ramsey, Sarah Ross, Riley Green and Tenille Arts are all staging worthy disc debuts. In a very, very tough competition, I’m giving a DISCovery Award to Riley Green.

Considering that it’s July, it is somewhat surprising to find that two of the three contestants for Disc of the Day are ballads. Morgan Evans has the day’s top uptempo tune, which leaves two blue-eyed soulmen seething in downbeat misery—Ryan Kinder and our winner, Randy Houser.

TENILLE ARTS/I Hate This
Writer: Tenille Arts/Adam Wheeler; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Reviver
—The shuffled-brush drumming and dobro embellishments are way cool. She harmonizes with herself throughout the performance, and since she’s such a strong singer, that’s double the pleasure. The lyric is about taking a break in a relationship and not enjoying that one little bit. A terrific debut disc.

CLEDUS T. JUDD/Weight’s Goin’ Up Down Up Down
CTJM
—He always makes me smile. This comeback single humorously addresses his eternal battle of the bulge. Just so you know: At his heaviest, he weighed 291, and he has dieted down to as low as 168. He’s somewhere in between, nowadays. Whatever the pounds, he’s out to have some goofy fun, this time at the expense of Morgan Wallen and FGL.

RAELYNN/Tailgate
Writer: RaeLynn/Canaan Smith/Corey Crowder/Tyler Hubbard; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Warner Bros.
—Sprightly, youthful and endearing. Teen fun, country style.

SARAH ROSS/Nervous Breakdown
Writer: Shane McAnally/Kacey Musgraves/Trevor Rosen/Brandy Clark; Producer: Jim Kaufman; Publisher: Little Blue Egg/Kobalt/Smack Songs/351/Warner-Tamerlane/Rehits/Smacktown, GMR/BMI/ASCAP; Average Joe’s
—Swirling and dizzy-sounding, featuring a production packed with dark rhythmic power, unexpected melodic twists and catch-’em-quick lyrics. Brilliantly written, frenetic and fascinating.

RANDY HOUSER/What Whiskey Does
Writer: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; BBR/Stony Creek
—This is a searing barroom weeper from a man whose voice can turn a lyric inside out. Country music hallelujah amen.

RYAN KINDER/Stay
Writer: Ryan Kinder/Fred Wilhelm/Luke Sheets; Producer: Ryan Kinder & Luke Sheets; Publisher: none listed; Crimson Garden
—Ferociously soulful. He tears into this torrid ballad like his very life depends on it. The gal he is pleading to will surely succumb.

MASON RAMSEY/Famous
Writer: Corey Crowder/Canaan Smith/Sarah Buxton/Tyler Hubbard; Producer: none listed; Publisher: Warner-Chappell/BMG Rights; Atlantic/Big Loud
—In general, I hate kiddie acts. Unless they are/were Stevie Wonder or Brenda Lee or Judy Garland. Well, it turns out that the yodeling Walmart kid can really, really sing. So not only is this a wonderful Cinderfella story, it is accompanied by music with legs. His debut single is delivered in a solid, winning fashion and an uncomplicated directness that is marvelously refreshing.

MORGAN EVANS/American
Writer: Morgan Evans/Chris DeStefano/Josh Osborne; Warner Bros.
—Stirring and anthemic. You’ll shake your butt, bob your head, tap your toes, pump your fist and want to sing along. This man has the goods.

WILLIAM SHATNER & JEFF COOK/Friends Don’t Let Friends Drink Alone
Writer: Corey Lee Barker/Gary Hannan; Producer: Brian Curl, Jeff Cook & William Shatner; Publisher: Heartland/Never Forgotten; Heartland
—A throw-back honky tonker with barrelhouse piano, bouncing fiddle bow, woozy steel and thumped drums. Shatner recites the verses while Cook tries to salvage things by singing the choruses. An amusing diversion.

RILEY GREEN/There Was This Girl
BMLG
—Bubbling, boiling and shooting off steam. The rollicking rhythm, country-boy vocal delivery and unstoppable energy are a dynamite combination. Stardom awaits.

DISClaimer: Top Tracks Go To David Nail, Radney Foster, Ry Bradley

July 19, 2018/by Robert K Oermann

Today’s honored discs don’t belong to the biggest country stars.

Despite the presence of titans Eric Church and Blake Shelton, both of whom have dandy new efforts, I’m tossing bouquets at David Nail and Radney Foster.

David has always moved me with his mighty voice. His new sound is splendid.

And leave it to country music and to Radney to show decency, love, caring and true Christian charity to people who have been treated as sub-humans by our government. “Godspeed,” indeed.

These two share this week’s Disc of the Day award.

The DisCovery Award honoree is Southern California country rocker Ry Bradley.

RY BRADLEY/Hard Not To Feel
Writers: Ry Bradley/Justin Busch; Producer: Justin Busch; Publishers: Grade One View, ASCAP/BMI; Grade One View
– Pretty dang cool. It has a throbbing, irresistible rhythm and double-time delivery of its verse lyrics. His voice ranges from a gritty growl to a shouted tenor, which gives the disc loads of dynamics. Toss in a sizzling electric guitar solo and an electronic effect or two and you’ve got a mini audio sensation.

CAM/Road To Happiness
Writers: Cam/Tyler Johnson/Hillary Lindsey; Producer: Tyler Johnson; Publishers: none listed; RCA
– This is quite a switch from that barn-burner “Diane,” which I adored. It’s a low-key, philosophical ballad with an acoustic-guitar accompaniment. Very pretty, but I’m fearful of its chances at radio. In a word, disappointing.

CODY JINKS/Must Be The Whiskey
Writers: Cody Jinks/Josh Morningstar; Producer: Joshua Thompson/Arthur Penhallow Jr.; Publishers: Late August/Sad Smiles, BMI; Rounder
– This bearded Texas baritone is a real-deal country singer. This steel-soaked barroom toe tapper mines familiar boozy country ore. Spare and ear catching. His second Rounder single is more languid, a ballad titled “Somewhere Between I Love You and I’m Leavin.’” Play this one instead.

ERIC CHURCH/Desperate Man
Writers: Eric Church/Ray Wylie Hubbard; Producer: Jay Joyce; Publishers: Sony-ATV Tree/Londer and Louder/Snake Farm/BMG Rights, BMI/SESAC; EMI
– Urgent sounding. A nervous, choppy rhythm track sets the mood. Church comes in shouting like a latter-day Mick Jagger while the production builds in volume and intensity. Rocking and roaring. Co-writer Ray Wylie Hubbard is featured in the tune’s “vinyl-heist” video, which also offers beaucoups footage of Church without sunglasses (!).

BUCKY COVINGTON/I Probably Won’t
Writer: Bucky Covington; Producer: Bucky Covington; Publisher: none listed; Barefootin’
– A wistful heartache ballad that unfortunately reveals a rather thin singing voice.

DAVID NAIL & THE WELL RAVENS/Heavy
Writers: none listed; Producer: Jason Hall; Publisher: none listed; One Five Sound
– This man was born to sing. In his latest incarnation, he’s surrounded by a gripping, taut, echoey band. But that soulful, searing voice remains the gripping centerpiece of the sound as he pleads fiercely for a lover to stay. Charisma on the hoof.

KATHY MATTEA/I Can’t Stand Up Alone
Writers: Martha Carson; Producer: Tim O’Brien; Publishers: none listed; Captain
– Mattea’s comeback is a dip into gospel waters. The production is acoustic and minimal, which throws the spotlight on her performance and on the classic song. Rootsy and listenable.

BLAKE SHELTON/Turnin’ Me On
Writers: Blake Shelton/Jessi Alexander/Josh Osborne; Producer: Scott Hendricks; Publishers: Sony-ATV Tree/Thankful For This/Damn Country/WB/Anderson Fork in the Road/Smackville/Smack Songs/Kobalt, BMI/ASCAP; Warner Bros.
-Kinda steamy and a little swampy. It’s a swirling, fevered dream of desire.

KAREN WALDRUP/Justified
Writers: Brian Kolb/Karen Waldrup; Producer: Garth Fundis; Publisher: none listed; The Fuel Music
– It says here that she is a viral sensation thanks to her online videos of “I Hope You Dance,” “Me and Bobby McGee” and her vivacious originals. Her new album’s soul-rock title tune showcases a potent, wailing, penetrating vocalist with moxie and fire. It’s about how getting on stage and making music gives her life meaning and reason. Be prepared to be energized.

RADNEY FOSTER/Godspeed (Dulces Suenos)
Writer: Radney Foster; Producer: none listed; Publishers: none listed; RF
– This brought me to tears. Radney’s bi-lingual musical prayer for the children at the border is gorgeous, heartbreaking and intensely moving. It’s a rewrite of his 1998 lullaby to his son, and the proceeds go the charity RAICES Texas. Lift this man up for his decency, heart, soul and compassion.

DISClaimer: Powerful New Tunes From David Lee Murphy, Rachel Wammack

July 12, 2018/by Robert K Oermann

David Lee Murphy and Rachel Wammack

This week, we say howdy to several of our old pals.

John Scott Sherrill, Pam Tillis, Lorrie Morgan, Sylvia, David Ball and Larry Stewart are all artists that I have followed affectionately for years. So is David Lee Murphy, and he has the rockin’ Disc of the Day.

I reviewed one of Rachel Wammack’s tracks earlier this summer. Now with her official debut single, “Damage,” she’s an official contender. This lady is the most deserving DisCovery Award winner I have had in many a moon.

DAVID BALL/I Got A Broken Heart In The Mail
Writers: none listed; Producer: David Ball; Publishers: none listed; Public
– Kinda spare sounding and lo-fi, but full of hillbilly personality. And the echoes of Buck Owens in his vocal delivery are delightful.

SYLVIA/Nobody
Writers: Kye Fleming/Dennis Morgan; Producers: John Mock/Sylvia; Publishers: none listed; Red Pony
– Sylvia’s latest CD is titled Second Bloom: The Hits Re-Imagined. She still sings with immense verve, and the songs still sound sturdy. Her biggest tune is given an arrangement that puts more spotlight on the personality in her voice and on the song’s tightly crafted lyric. Highly recommended listening.

JON PARDI/Night Shift
Writers: Tofer Brown/Phillip LaRue/Billy Montana; Producers: Bart Butler; Publishers: Maxx/Let the Road Pave Itself/Razor & Tie/Bicycle/Mike Curb/Rain Town, BMI; Capitol
-It’s a wailing, workingman’s-romance country rocker. It’s been a tough week, but the weekend lovin’ is gonna make the overtime worthwhile.

ANITA COCRHAN/Fight Like A Girl
Writers: none listed; Producers: none listed; Publishers: none listed; AC
– The multi-talented Anita has been battling breast cancer for all of this past year. This is her survivor anthem, with a powerfully throbbing rhythm, a rocking production and a piercing, high-voiced chorus. The gal needs medical bucks, folks. Buy this and/or contribute to her GoFundMe page.

DAVID LEE MURPHY/I Won’t Be Sorry
Writers: David Lee Murphy/Paul Jenkins/Jason Sellers; Producer: none listed; Publishers: none listed; Reviver/Blue Chair
– This seriously rocks. Murphy looks at life with the pedal pushed firmly to the metal, knowing that he’ll go out in a blaze of glory with nary a backward glance. This has summertime branded on its hiney.

RACHEL WAMMACK/Damage
Writers: Rachel Wammack/Tom Douglas/David Hodges; Producer: Dann Huff; Publishers: none listed; RCA
– Wow. This packs an emotional wallop. A splendid illustration of how real and artistic this genre can be, it’s a the tale of a bartender who sees the grief and loss and ruin that comes from our mighty human capacity for love. Essential listening. This is the second straight time that this woman has pinned my ears back. Make her a star.

JOHN SCOTT SHERRILL/Mr. Honky Tonk
Writers: Sherrill/Robbins/Wright; Producers: John Scott Sherrill, Josh Matheny, Brad Stella; Publishers: Lobo Libre/TreCor/Blair’s Boy/ClearBox Rights, BMI/ASCAP; Lobro Libre/DeFacto
– Scotty has been writing giant hits for others for four decades. But apart from his stint in Billy Hill, he hasn’t made records. This is the title tune of a debut solo album that changes all that. Sung in a pleading folkie tenor, it’s a solid country two-step produced with finesse. The CD is dominated by new tunes, but also contains ear-opening versions of JSS hits better known in versions by such stars as Patty Loveless (”Nothin’ But the Wheel”), Josh Turner (”Would You Go With Me”), Steve Wariner (”Some Fools Never Learn”) and John Anderson (”Wild and Blue”).

LORRIE MORGAN & PAM TILLIS/Come See Me and Come Lonely
Writers: Red Lane; Producer: Richard Landis; Publishers: Sony/ATV Tree, BMI; Goldenlane
– This was a terrific 1978 single by Dottie West that I have always loved. Its revival as a duet by these two sterling voices is a splendid listening experience. It is the title tune of an album that also revisits such gems as K.T. Oslin’s “Do Ya,” Skeeter Davis’ “End of the World,” Roy Orbison’s “It’s Over,” Dwight Yoakam’s “Guitars Cadillacs,” Billie Jo Spears’ “Blanket on the Ground” and more. Joy abounds.

LARRY STEWART/What’s That Cowgirl See In Me
Writers: none listed; Producers: Gordon Kennedy; Publishers: none listed; 5West
– Lilting and innocent sounding, with just the right seasoning of Larry’s usual vocal “heart.”

SCOTT SOUTHWORTH/Hey Hillbilly Singer
Writers: Scott Southworth/Marc Alan Barnette; Producers: Buddy Hyatt; Publishers: none listed, SESAC/ASCAP; Scott Likes Pie
– As you might expect from the title, this is a bawling, honky-tonk, beer-drinkin’ blazer. It doesn’t get more in-your-face country than this.

DISClaimer: The Perfect Country Record?

July 5, 2018/by Robert K Oermann

Is there such a thing as a perfect country record?

Thriving bluegrass darlings Darin & Brooke Aldridge might have created just such a thing. With the assistance of former Statler Brother Jimmy Fortune, they have breathed new life into The Louvin Brothers classic “Everytime You Leave.” It thrilled me so much that I played it five times in succession.

Needless to say, it is the Disc of the Day.

The rest of our DisClaimer bluegrass survey today reveals excellent works by The John Jorgenson Bluegrass Band, by David Davis & The Warrior River Boys, by Balsam Range and by banjo maestro Ned Luberecki.

The DisCovery Award goes to Sideline, who have it all going on in every department.

DAVID DAVIS & THE WARRIOR RIVER BOYS/He Rambled
Writers: Will Handy; Producers: Robert Montgomery & David Davis; Publisher: PD; Rounder (track)
– The band’s latest is a tribute to the music of the legendary Charlie Poole (1892-1931). They take his old-time tunes and ably reinterpret them as bluegrass numbers. In addition to this lively romp, the set includes versions of such timeless faves as “If the River Was Whiskey,” “Sweet Sunny South,” “White House Blues” and “May I Sleep In Your Barn Tonight Mister,” but oddly not Poole’s most famous song, “Don’t Let Your Deal Go Down.” Recommended.

O’CONNOR BAND/Emily’s Reel
Writers: Mark O’Connor; Producers: Mark O’Connor/Forrest O’Connor; Publishers: M.O.M.I., BMI; OMAC (track)
– Grammy winner O’Connor continues his journey with his family band with a live album. It kicks off with this triple-fiddled toe tapper. A smile and a delight.

HIGHER GROUND/Ned Luberecki & Dale Ann Bradley
Writers: Kelley Luberecki/Dale Ann Bradley; Producer: none listed; Publishers: Clement Luberecki/Dale Ann Bradley, BMI; CLM (track)
– Take Five is Luberecki’s deluxe banjo album. He’s bolstered on it by such guests as Missy Raines, Chris Jones & The Night Drivers, Amanda Smith, Becky Buller and, here, the splendid Kentucky bluegrass diva Dale Ann Bradley. Steve Martin and Tony Trischka provide liner notes, which should give you some idea of how classy this project is.

JOHN JORGENSON BLUEGRASS BAND/Beautiful Sound
Writers: John Jorgenson/Chris Hillman; Producer: John Jorgenson; Publishers: Jorgensongs/Bar None, BMI; Cleopatra (track)
– Jorgenson is best known to country fans via his work in The Desert Rose Band. But his talent has also led to stints with everyone from Elton John to Bob Dylan. Willie, Emmylou, Cash, Hank Jr., Seger and Bonnie Raitt have also tapped his multi-instrumental abilities. His latest project, titled From the Crows Nest sets him in a stellar bluegrass band with Herb Pedersen, Jon Randall and Mark Fain. It drops on July 13. Randall takes the lead on this tune, which sounds like a an instant anthem for the entire bluegrass industry. Indeed, the whole CD seems to be filled with songs that could become classics of the genre — “I Will Shelter You,” “Travelin’ Angels” and “Die Tryin,’” for instance.

LARRY CORDLE/I’ll Meet You In The Morning
Writers: Albert E. Brumley; Producer: Larry Cordle; Publishers: ClearBox Rights, no performance rights listed; MightyCord (track)
– A cappella gospel quartet singing done with panache. Larry’s lead vocal is backed by The Joyful Noise Quartet — Carl Jackson, Val Storey and Bradley Walker. The album is titled Give Me Jesus.

BECK BULLER/Calamity Jane
Writers: Becky Buller/Tim Stafford; Producer: Stephen Mougin; Publishers: Goodnight Sparky/Daniel House, BMI; Dark Shadow
– Fiddler-singer Buller sits at No. 1 on the Bluegrass Unlimited chart this month with this rapid-fire dazzler. That’s Rhonda Vincent singing high harmony. The female-outlaw song is on Buller’s current Crepe Paper Heart collection. In addition to Vincent, it is packed with celebs including Rob Ickes, The Fairfield Four, Claire Lynch and Sam Bush.

RALPH STANLEY II & THE CLINCH MOUNTAIN BOYS/Raining In My Heart
Writers: Ralph Edmond Stanley II/Alex Leach/Joe Rose; Producer: John Rigsby; Publishers: Two Pop S, BMI; Stanley Family
-Pleasant, easy-listening ‘grass. As a singer, he lacks his famous father’s Appalachian “edge.”

SIDELINE/Thunder Dan
Writer: Josh Manning; Producer: Tim Surrett; Publishers: Daynezanezinn, BMI; Mountain Home
– This has just entered the top-10 on the Bluegrass Unlimited chart. It has a very cool backbeat and a groovy, minor-key mode. Not to mention a murder lyric, a keening tenor lead vocal and sizzling mandolin, fiddle and banjo chops. Sign me up for the fan club.

BALSAM RANGE & THE ATLANTA POPS ORCHESTRA ENSEMBLE/Trains I Missed
Writers: none listed; Producer: Balsam Range; Publishers: none listed; Mountain Home
– “Trains I Missed” was the IBMA Song of the Year in 2011, and Balsam Range is a longtime favorite in the genre. Its current Mountain Overture project places the band’s biggest songs in an orchestral context. Needless to say, I approached this with skepticism. In general, the Atlanta Pops ensemble stays in the background, out of the way, adding washes of strings behind the band and providing evocative sighs of sound. Of course, the songs are still wonderful. So the experiment works.

DARIN & BROOKE ALDREDGE & JIMMY FORTUNE/Everytime You Leave
Writers: Charlie & Ira Louvin; Producer: none listed; Publishers: none listed; Mountain Home
– Exquisite in every way. Brooke is the reigning IBMA Female Vocalist of the Year. But Darin has always touched my heart with his Deep-Dixie vocal harmony and dexterous guitar work. They begin this in classic Louvin duet mode, which is heavenly. Then Fortune stepped in with a third harmony part and the top of my head lifted off. Absolutely essential listening. There’s a video, too.

DISClaimer: Dierks Bentley, Brothers Osborne, Mags Top New Releases

June 28, 2018/by Robert K Oermann

It’s a country-rocking day here at DisClaimer.

Ashley McBryde, Luke Combs, newcomer Chuck Edson and Darius Rucker and his pals are all offering tempo tunes for your summer playlists.

So are Disc of the Day winners Dierks Bentley & Brothers Osborne, as well as DisCovery Award winner Mags.

Rock on, citizens.

RYAN SIMS/American Things
Writer: Ryan Sims; Producer: Justin Gray; Publishers: none listed; High 4
– There is something muffled and cloudy about this sound. He has a rather raspy vocal delivery to start with, and a mix this muddy doesn’t enhance it in the least. The abundant, rocking electric guitar and too-busy drumming are also demerits.

DIERKS BENTLEY & BROTHERS OSBORNE/Burning Man
Writers: Luke Dick/Bobby Pinson; Producers: Ross Copperman & Jon Randall Stewart; Publishers: Emileon/Little Louder/Songs of Kobalt/New Writers of Sea Gayle/Not a Track Guy/ClearBox Rights, BMI; Capitol (BMI)
– A frothing inferno of excitement. Fiery, intense, furiously rocking, blazing, fabulously sweaty and brilliant. If this isn’t a No. 1 country summer hit, I’ve never heard one.

MAGS/Strong Enough
Writers: Mags McCarthy/Michael Anthony/Ryan Martinez; Producer: Michael Anthony; Publishers: none listed; Emerald Fields
-Upbeat in the face of heartbreak. He might be splitting, but she’s a tough cookie. “You took my time, but not my heart.” A stuttering, nervous rhythm track and a propulsive arrangement underscore her survivor mood.

ASHLEY MCBRYDE/Radioland
Writers: Ashley McBryde/Autumn McEntire/Chris Roberts; Producer: Jay Joyce; Publishers: Songs of Song Factory/Catch This, BMI/ASCAP; Atlantic (track)
– The joys of living in the heavenly audio of the family’s car radio. The peppy production and her sunny delivery put a big ol’ smile across my face. This is one dreamy, dynamite performance. Play the heck out of it.

SHENANDOAH/That’s Where I Grew Up
Writers: Neil Thrasher/Ashley Gorley/Kelley Lovelace; Producer: Jay DeMarcus; Publishers: Sony-ATV/Warner-Chappell/BMG Rights Management, no performance rights listed; BMG/WMG
– Marty’s voice can still melt solid rock. And given a solidly country lyric this powerful and heartfelt, this band still stands head and shoulders above the rest. This is lump-in-throat stuff. It also blows the earlier Kenny Chesney version of the song right out of the water.

LUKE COMBS/She Got The Best Of Me
Writers: Luke Combs/Rob Snyder/Channing Wilson; Producers: Scott Moffatt; Publishers: Big Music Machine/50 Egg/Straight Dimes/Little Extra Songs and Such/No Cats Round Here/Kobalt/Heart Scarred/Super LCS/Warner Tamerlane, BMI/ASCAP; River House/Columbia (track)
– His hearty singing voice has never sounded better. The song is a super hooky heartache lament with plenty of oomph in the tempo. He’s a mighty, mighty man.

CHUCK EDSON/Let’s Go For A Ride
Writer: Chuck Edson; Producer: David Hammonds; Publisher: none listed; Charles Eugene Edson (track)
– The throbbing, steady tempo sets the “outlaw” mood from the get-go. His drawling, urgent delivery of the wanderlust-biker lyric is solid. A little bit of echo would give the vocal a “wet” quality it needs to be more effective.

SHOOTER JENNINGS/Rhinestone Eyes
Writers: none listed; Producer: Dave Cobb; Publishers: none listed; Low Country Sound
– And speaking of outlaws, here’s a strummy, jangling, toe-tapping evocation of that era from a man who grew up in it. Unless I miss my guess, that’s his mom Jessi Colter singing harmony. Classic sounding.

DAVID FRIZZELL/MARTY HAGGARD/Lefty, Merle & Me
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Nashville America
-More nostalgia. This time recalling honky-tonk great Lefty Frizzell and working-man poet Merle Haggard. Both singers phrase like their illustrious relations, but with more vibrato. The arrangement is languid and perhaps a tad too slow. The Hawaiian steel is super.

DARIUS RUCKER & THE TROUBLEMAKERS/Straight To Hell
Writer: Kevin Kinney; Producer: Ross Copperman; Publisher: Universal Songs of Polygram, BMI
– The Troublemakers are Jason Aldean, Luke Bryan and Charles Kelley. The four whip up a bad-boy, rebel-rousing, honky-tonk sound. The religious right might bristle at this celebration of sin. But it sure is catchy.

DISClaimer: Florida Georgia Line, Joshua Hedley Pack Banjos, Fiddles On New Tracks

June 21, 2018/by Robert K Oermann

Is it hot enough for ya?

Country music has summer sounds to either cool you down or heat you up. Your choice.

In the “cool” department is our Disc of the Day winner, Florida Georgia Line. These boys have never sounded better than they do on “Simple.”

The DisCovery Award honoree is the coolest dude in today’s listening session, a retro man named Joshua Hedley.

As for turning up the heat, I suggest Kane Brown, Garth Brooks and/or newcomer Rachel Wammack.

RACHEL WAMMACK/Hard to Believe
Writers: Rachel Wammack/Jason Reeves/Jimmy Robbins; Producer: Dann Huff; Publisher: none listed; RCA
– The stuttering, double-time rhythm creates an undertow of excitement as the track commences. Her personable, conversational delivery of the verses shifts into a shimmering soprano pay-off on the choruses. Astonishingly accomplished. Play it.

FLORIDA GEORGIA LINE/Simple
Writers: Mark L. Holman/Michael Wilson Hardy/Tyler Reed Hubbard; Producer: none listed; Publishers: Universal/Kobalt, no performance rights listed; Big Machine
– Wow. Utterly charming and utterly country, this is a perfectly delightful, toe-tapping summer song. The clear, uncluttered production and innocent, catchy-as-can-be song are both fabulously refreshing. All it takes is one listen, and you fall in love with it. Banjo. Whistling. Spelling. Yippee!

JOSHUA HEDLEY/I Never Shed A Tear
Writer: Joshua Hedley; Producer: none listed; Publishers: none listed; Third Man Records
– This man is our latest retro, back-to-basics country hero. His resonant baritone recalls Ray Price, and so does his steel-bedecked honky-tonk shuffle. The album is called Mr. Jukebox. If you love real country music, complete with twin fiddles, buy it now.

GARTH BROOKS/All Day Long
Writers: Brooks/Mitch Rossell/Bryan Kennedy; Producer: none listed; Publishers: none listed; Pearl
– It’s deliberately crafted to sound like rowdy, old-school, honky-tonk Garth. And it succeeds admirably. Summer fun.

DANIELLE BRADBERY/Worth It
Writers: Danielle Bradbery/Jeff Pardo/Molly Reed; Producer: Josh Kerr; Publishers: Songs of Universal/One Voice Global/Canal/Meaux Jeaux/Da Bears Da Bears Da Bears/Capitol CMG/Dayspring/Goes Something Like This/Warner-Tamerlane, SESAC/BMI; Big Machine (track)
– I remain a fan. This soaring ballad winningly asserts her self-worth in the most simple, direct fashion. She sings her face off on it.

LeANN RIMES & STEVIE NICKS/Borrowed
Writers: LeAnn Rimes/Darrell Brown/Dan Wilson; Producers: Darrell Brown, Waddy Wachtel, LeAnn Rimes & Stevie Nicks; Publishers: none listed; Thirty Tigers
– The Rimes project is an EP titled Re-Imagined that reinterprets some of her classics in mostly stripped-down arrangements. None is more stunning than this awesome duet. Stevie’s low-alto vocal harmony shadows LeAnn at every turn. These are two, for-real, sensational singing ladies.

KANE BROWN/Lose It
Writers: Chase McGill/Kane Brown/William Bradfore Jr. Weatherly; Producer: none listed; Publishers: Warner-Chappell/Universal, no performance rights listed; RCA (download)
– Rocked-up young country that’s light on melody and heavy on rhythm. Lyrically, it’s a come-on that’s meant to sound sexy and exciting.

ELI YOUNG BAND/Love Ain’t
Writers: Ross Copperman/Ashley Gorley/Shane McAnally; Producer: Dann Huff; Publishers: none listed; Valory Music Co.
– Zippy and meaningful at the same time. You can bop along in oblivion or dig the message. It works either way. The song’s video about a vet’s rehab and his steadfast lover is stunning.

LEE BRICE/Rumor
Writers: Ashley Gorley/Kyle Jacobs/Lee Brice; Producer: none listed; Publishers: Warner-Chappell/Mike Curb, no performance rights listed; Curb
– I’m a big fan of this guy. This time around, he’s adopted a slightly gospel-y, blue-eyed soul vibe that sounds really cool. The small-town romance in the lyric is so warm and attractive.

KELLY WILLIS/Back Being Blue
Writers: none listed; Producer: Bruce Robison; Publishers: none listed; Premium/Thirty Tigers
– I’ve always loved her singing, and it has been way too long since she had a solo album. Its title tune is a languid lament about being cheated on in a familiar, sad, resigned kinda way. Hubby/producer Robison keeps the track uncluttered and soulful. The electric guitar work is particularly groovy.

DISClaimer: Survey Of Current Music City Pop/Rock

June 14, 2018/by Robert K Oermann

Old favorites and new dancefloor darlings mix and mingle in today’s survey of current Music City pop/rock.

The enduring Nashville popsters of yore are Los Straitjackets, Take 6 and Webb Wilder. The electronic wunderkinds are Cappa, Mona and Davis Mallory.

The Disc of the Day award belongs to, of course, Taylor Swift, who is currently conquering the world (again) on tour.

The DisCovery Award goes to Birdtalker, a Nashville quintet that’s about to issue its debut album.

BAD COP/Dreamer Man
Producer: Chris Grainger
—It’s been a long wait for the new album by this Nashville post-punk outfit. But Hello Mr. Sunshine is out now, and so is this snarky emphasis track. Lead singer Adam Moult has a classic tenor snarl/whine that delivers sarcastic and/or ironic lyrics with flair. The band is minimalist thrashy, featuring old-school, small-kit drumming and jangling electric guitar. In previous seasons, Bad Cop’s music has had network syncs (ESPN, Showtime), been used in a Capri Sun ad and has enjoyed in-store promotion by Converse sneakers.

TAKE 6/Change the World
Writer: Tommy Sims/Gordon Kennedy/Wayne Kirkpatrick; Producer: Mark Kibble & David Thomas
—This Grammy winning a cappella jazz vocal ensemble has titled its new CD Iconic because it contains Take 6 versions of modern pop chestnuts. The group’s gospel background is revealed in “Nothing But the Blood.” It does a particularly nice job with the Christopher Cross oldie “Sailing.” And its Music City roots are showing with this groovy cover of Eric Clapton’s anthem, penned by three of Nashville’s best tunesmiths. The ballad is turned inside out via tempo shifts, melodic improvisations and background scatting. Ear opening.

WEBB WILDER & THE BEATNECKS/Powerful Stuff
Writer: R. Field; Publisher: Sharp Circle, ASCAP
—Written by Beatneck R.S. Field, this steaming, unrelenting, power-pounding blues rocker was originally recorded by Wilder 30 years ago. But The Fabulous Thunderbirds picked it up and made it a 1988 hit, so the original sat on the shelf. Now it’s the title of Wilder’s new collection of previously unreleased stompers. Clap hands and shout, “Hallelujah” at this rock ‘n’ roll evangelist. Then get up and dance to his muscular takes on Little Richard’s “Lucille,” Lightnin’ Hopkins,’ “I’m Wild About You Baby” and Sam & Dave’s “Ain’t That a Lot of Love.”

MONA/Thought Provoked
—I was initially smitten with this Music City band last year via its sex-positive viral-hit video “Kiss Like a Woman.” Mona’s new Soldier On CD drops June 22, and it has sent out this tease track to promote it. The hallmarks here are a hooky, soaring, anthem-like chorus, crunching guitars and a searing high-tenor lead vocal. Stomping and glam infected, evoking nouveau Queen.

TAYLOR SWIFT/Delicate
Writer: Taylor Swift/Max Martin/Shellback; Producer: Max Martin & Shellback; Publisher: Sony-ATV Tree/Taylor Swift/MXM/Kobalt, BMI/ASCAP; Big Machine
—Now that she’s launched her tour, sales of Taylor’s Reputation CD are bound to spike. This thumpy, seductive, swoony single sure won’t hurt. A dreamy track to get lost in.

CAPPA/Tension
—This EDM lady splits her time between L.A. and Nashville. Her new single is a catchy, light-hearted, bubbling bopper with winsome vocals and rhythmic pops, drops and dollops. Very promising. Cappa showcased her sounds at the Hutton Hotel’s cool Analog venue on Wednesday evening.

DAVIS MALLORY/Sun and Moon
Producer: Lopic Panillo
—With the Nashville Pride Festival approaching (June 23-24), this singer-songwriter’s music is timely indeed. His “Pride Edition Music Video” for this poppy track is out now. The infectious track highlights his breathy vocals, steady beats and synth accents. Mallory first achieved notoriety on MTV’s Real World Denver and three seasons on the game show The Challenge. Since moving to Nashville about four years ago, he’s written more than 300 dancefloor songs, including “Not That Far Away,” “Loud,” “Dance With Me,” “Be Without You” and “Anyone Would Know” all of which have internet videos.

LOS STRAITJACKETS/(What’s So Funny ‘Bout) Peace, Love and Understanding
Writer: Nick Lowe; Producer: Neil Brockbank; Yep Roc
—These masked marvels have this instrumental twanger as the title tune of their tribute CD to Nick Lowe. He’s often noted for his witty lyrics, but the Nashville surf rockers shine their spotlight on what a cool melody maker he is as well.

SWING SET/Make Mine a Double
Writer: Bois/Mosser/Scheinman/Shropshire/Spencer; Producer: Eight O’Five Jive; Publisher: Red Rudy Too Tunes, BMI; Red Rudy Too Tunes
—This came out last year, so I am quite tardy in getting to it. The quintet dresses in period costumes of the ‘30s and ‘40s when it plays its jump-blues tunes. The sound may be vintage, but the tunes are originals. Liven up your next cocktail party with this.

BIRDTALKER/Feel Like a Broken Heart
Missing Piece
—This is the advance tune for this Nashville band’s debut CD, which drops on June 22. It’s an upbeat, lo-fi outing with folk-flavored vocals backed by a crunchy rhythm track and nifty electric guitar licks. A previous Birdtalker track, “Heavy” amassed 21 million Spotify streams, I am told. Also check out the band’s delectable “One” lyric video and amusing dance clip “Graveclothes.”

DISClaimer: Craig Campbell’s Sexy, Country “See You Try”

June 7, 2018/by Robert K Oermann

Look who has new music for the thousands of fans who are attending the CMA Music Festival this week.

Step right up, Little Big Town, Thomas Rhett, Luke Combs, Brett Eldredge and Kacey Musgraves. The DisClaimer spotlight is on you.

Despite the presence of these big-time artists, it’s underdog Craig Campbell who has the Disc of the Day. Running close behind him are Combs and Eldredge, both of whom also have dandy offerings.

We have no newcomers this week, so the DisCovery Award goes unclaimed.

GRANGER SMITH/You’re In It
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publishers: none listed; Wheelhouse (ERG)
– Small-town good times blah blah blah.

BRETT ELDREDGE/Love Someone
Writers: Brett Eldredge/Ross Copperman/Heather Morgan; Producers: Ross Copperman & Brett Eldredge; Atlantic (track)
– Joyous. I love the way this guy delivers a lyric. And you can’t beat a track this bouncy and delightful.

JASON BOLAND & THE STRAGGLERS/Hard Times Are Relative
Writers: none listed; Producers: The Stragglers, David Percefull, Adam Odor; Publishers: none listed; Thirty Tigers
– The title tune to the band’s new CD is a story song about tough times on the frontier. It has a vintage, folkie quality that is quite evocative and appealing. Be patient with it, because the rhythm track doesn’t kick in until it’s almost halfway through.

LITTLE BIG TOWN/Summer Fever
Writers: Jesse Frasure/Cary Barlowe/Sam Romans/Karen Fairchild; Producers: Jesse Frasure/Shane McAnally; Publishers: none listed; Capitol
– If you had any doubt that the sunshine season has arrived, this will erase it. This sways and simmers with an irresistible groove. Breezy and then some.

THE BURRITO BROTHERS/Between Your Hands and Mind
Writers: Gram Parsons/Chris P. James; Producer: John Sturdivant, Jr.; Publishers: GPJ/Blue Meteor, ASCAP/BMI; Junction (track)
– Still Going Strong, this ensemble’s latest CD, kicks off with a wafting, airy song originated by its founder, Parsons. Alas, it lacks a strong lead vocal, as does the rest of the album. The venerable group is now populated entirely by Nashvillians. Chris P. James is the Burrito veteran, having first worked with the group in 1986. Steel guitarist Tony Paoletta is a disciple of the late Burrito Sneaky Pete Kleinow. Bob Hatter is a Music City session man, and Larry Marrs is well known as a country bass player. Producer, guitarist and drummer John Sturdivant Jr. is the grandson of Kitty Wells & Johnny Wright and the son of the late Record World/Music City News media maven whose name he bears.

THOMAS RHETT/Leave Right Now
Writers: Thomas Rhett/Julian Bunetta/Edward Drewett/John Henry Ryan; Producers: Julian Bunetta/Thomas Rhett; Valory (track)
– I don’t care for all the tempo-shifting electronic phasing and wooshing in the production. Nor the compressed vocal.

LUKE COMBS/Beautiful Crazy
Writers: Luke Combs/Wyatt B. Durrette III/Robert Williford; Producer: Scott Moffatt; Publishers: Big Music Machine/50 Egg/Straight Dimes/Island South/Rosest/Works of RHA, BMI/SESAC; Columbia/River House
– A very nice change of pace. Combs unveils a gentler side here, softly crooning about an offbeat, unpredictable lover he’s just head-over-heels about. Ernest and endearing.

JANA KRAMER/Dammit
Writers: Nicolle Galyon/Elizabeth Huett; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Sophie Dog
– No longer with Warner, Jana has her own imprint now. This stunning ballad is righteous evidence that she’s still got the goods. The torrid tale finds her ruminating about a ruined relationship in the house they used to share. Painful and real and powerful.

CRAIG CAMPBELL/See You Try
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publishers: none listed; Red Bow
– Very catchy, very sexy and very country. This thumper boasts a terrific lead vocal and a dandy, rumbling, barroom production. Addictive.

KACEY MUSGRAVES/Butterflies
Writers: Luke Laird/Natalie Hemby/Kacey Musgraves; Producers: Ian Fitchuk, Daniel Tashian & Kacey Musgraves; Publisher: none listed; MCA (track)
– Very pretty pop music. Her voice has never sounded better. But you will seek in vain for the grit and wit of the country artist who previously created “Merry Go ’Round,” “Follow Your Arrow,” “Dime Store Cowgirl” and “Blowin’ Smoke.”

DISClaimer: Country Polishes Its Pop Aspirations

May 24, 2018/by Robert K Oermann

Country polishes its pop aspirations this week.

The new singles by Clare Dunn, Sam Hunt, Kalie Shorr and (gasp) Joe Diffie all burble and burp with electronic liveliness. WEA stars-on-the-rise Dan + Shay and Michael Ray continue to straddle the line between pop and country.

Our most “country” contenders of the week are Jason Aldean and Disc of the Day winner Luke Bryan.

The DisCovery Award goes to a new female, Abi.

CLARE DUNN/More
Writers: Clare Dunn/Gordie Sampson/Josh Kear; Producer: none listed; Publishers: none listed; MCA Nashville
– Lustrous and lovely. The tune is super catchy, her throaty alto is a glittering jewel and the layered production shimmers. A simply stunning pop listening experience that deserves massive radio airplay.

JASON ALDEAN/Drowns The Whiskey
Writers: Brandon Kinney/Jeff Middleton/Josh Thompson; Producer: none listed; Publishers: Sony-ATV, no performance rights listed; BBR (download)
– The shuddering, deep-twang guitar work give the production its power. He can’t shake her memory, no matter how much he drinks. Miranda Lambert provides the harmony vocal on this solidly country outing.

JOE DIFFIE/I Got This
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publishers: none listed; Silverado
– Diffie’s first country single in five years squanders his spectacular country singing voice on a tuneless, quasi-spoken ditty with a jumbled production heavy on electronic effects. He’s a dirt-authentic honky-tonk singer who seems to be trying way too hard to sound “contemporary.”

SAM HUNT/Downtown’s Dead
Writers: Sam Hunt/Zach Crowell/Josh Osborne/Shane McAnally/Charlie Handsome; Producers: none listed; Publishers: none listed; MCA Nashville
– He again deploys his hushed-voice phrasing on the verses, then turns more shouting and explosive on the heartache choruses. With his click-tracked, looped productions and sampled sounds Hunt remains in a sonic country category all his own.

KALIE SHORR/Candy
Writers: none listed; Producers: none listed; Publishers: none listed; KS (download)
– Pert pop with an endearingly chirpy tone. As you might guess from the title, this is tasty sweet, if lacking in nutritional value.

LUKE BRYAN/Sunrise Sunburn Sunset
Writers: Zach Crowell/Ryan Hurd/Chase McGill; Producers: Jeff Stevens/Jody Stevens; Publishers: Highly Coumbustible/Songs of Southside Independent/Atlas/Who Wants to Buy My Publishing/I Love Pizza/Universal/Lake Allegan/Plum Nelly, ASCAP/BMI; Capitol (track)
– Bryan is coming off one of the finest singles of his career (”Most People Are Good”). He has another winning effort with this nicely written, nostalgic reminiscence of a summer romance that faded when the temperature cooled.

HARPER GRAE/Bloodline
Writers: Harper Grae/Jennifer Hanson/Nick Brophy/ Fred Wilhelm; Producers: Jennifer Hanson/Nick Brophy; Publishers: Oliver Ann Music (BMI), peermusic III/Miss Marvelle Music (BMI)/Songs of Sanchez (BMI)/Farm Thang Music (BMI); Grae Area
– Her best yet. She delivers this song of existential regret in a penetrating soprano wail. Despite the toe-tapping tempo and upbeat mood, the underlying message is a desperate quest to know the mother she never had. Very involving.

DAN+SHAY/Speechless
Writers: Dan Smyers/Shay Mooney/Jordan Reynolds/Laura Veltz; Producers: Dan Smyers/Scott Hendricks; Publishers: none listed; Warner Bros.
– Ultra romantic. The video features footage of both men’s weddings. As usual, the sonic production values are as flawless as the team’s vocals on this melodic ballad. Their star continues to rise.

ABI/A Day Without
Writers: Andrew Dorff/Jimmy Robbins/Lucie Silvas; Producer: none listed; Publishers: none listed; One Country/Nine North
– The busy, echoey track crashes and clicks around her. But her clear, pristine vocal commands center stage regardless. Next time, simplify the production.

MICHAEL RAY/One That Got Away
Writers: Josh Osborne/Matthew Ramsey/Josh Rosen/Jesse Frasure; Producer: none listed; Publishers: none listed; Atlantic (download)
– He seems to piling one release on top of another, which seems to be a mini trend these days. This is a nicely bouncy, mid-tempo outing with loads of hooks. She might only be his for one night, but that’s okay because she’s going to make a helluva memory.