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DISClaimer: Championing The Underdogs

July 9, 2014/by Robert K Oermann

Old Crow Medicine Show

Yes, Luke Bryan has a new single, and, yes, it sounds good, and, yes, it is a hit. Nevertheless, my Disc of the Day award is going to the underdog Grand Ole Opry stars Old Crow Medicine Show. The real story du jour is the battle for the DisCovery Award. Dean Alexander, Kristian Bush, Chris Lane and Ben Rau are all worthy contenders. In a close call, I’m giving it to Chris Lane.
BEN RUE/I Can’t Wait (Be My Wife)
Writers:Ryan Ogren/James Bailey/Jon Berry/Peter Munters/James Ulrich; Producer: Kyle Lehning; Publisher: none listed; ASCAP/BMI; Arista (CDX)
-This pretty ballad has lyrics that are woven with vivid details. His singing voice is sincere, if a little generic sounding. I think I hear a hit.
DYLAN SCOTT/Mmm, Mmm, Mmm
Writers: Dylan Scott/Forest Glen Whitehead; Producer: Jim Ed Norman; Publishers: Curb/Want a Fresh One/Black River, ASCAP; Sidewalk (CDX)
-A little swampy. A little funky. A little saucy. A whole lot Southern.
LUKE BRYAN/Roller Coaster
Writers: Cole Swindell/Michael Carter; Producer: Jeff Stevens; Publishers: Sony-ATV Tree/Sony-ATV Cross Keys/243 Music, BMI/ASCAP; Capitol
-This rolls with verve and spirit. I like it that the vocal is mixed up bright and high, while the percussion is kept simple and steady. Very, very summer-y.
KRISTIAN BUSH/Trailer Hitch
Writers: Kristian Bush/Brandon Bush/Tim Owens; Producers: Kristian Bush/Tom Tapley; Publishers: Songs of the Architect/Another Song of the Architect/Archuleta, ASCAP; Streamsound
-I have always maintained it’s a shame that this fine singer was so consistently overshadowed in Sugarland. This bopping, percolating disc reveals a performer with jaunty personality to spare. The bonus is that there’s a nifty message beneath the happy rhythm: You can’t take it with you when you go.
AMERICAN YOUNG/Wasn’t Gonna Drink Tonight
Writers: Lee Brice/Billy Montana/Jon Stone; Producers: Jon Stone/Justin Niebank/Lee Brice; Publishers: Mike Curb/Dandon Ranch/Hears That Skyline/Adios Pantalones/BMG, BMI/SESAC; Curb (CDX)
-The jittery rhythm track is nervous sounding. It doesn’t go with the smooth singing. And that gliding vocal performance doesn’t match the downbeat lyric.
SARA EVANS & ISSAC SLADE/Can’t Stop Loving You
Writers: Victoria Banks/Phil Barton/Emily Shackleton; Producer: Mark Bright & Sara Evans; Publishers: Chrysalis/45th Parallel/Sixteen Stars/Horipro/Liz Rose/Songs of Kobalt, ASCAP/BMI; RCA
-Duet partner Slade is the lead singer of the pop/rock band The Fray. Evans dominates the track, which is loudly busy and bombastic. They try to redeem it by repeating the title over and over and over again as the noise crashes around them. Pass.

Chris Lane

CHRIS LANE/Broken Windshield View
Writers: Rodney Clawson/David Lee Murphy/Shane Minor; Producer: Joey Moi; Publishers: Big Red Toe/Big Loud Bucks/Old Desperados/N2D/Sony-ATV Tree/Code Six Charles, BMI/ASCAP; Big Loud Mountain
-This backwoods rocker packs a punch. Lane’s passionate vocal rides atop a churning track and delivers a dirt-road anthem with panache. Ear catching.
JUSTIN MOORE & VINCE NEIL/Home Sweet Home
Writers: Nikki Sixx/Tommy Lee/Vince Neil; Producer: Jeremy Stover; Publishers: Sixx Gunner/Downtown/Tommyland/Safe N Sound/WB/Mars Mountain/Cherry Lane, ASCAP; Valory
-The song wasn’t even a hit when Motley Crue sang it. Pointless.
DEAN ALEXANDER/Live a Little
Writers: Dean Alexander/Laura Veltz; Producers: Justin Weaver/Dean Alexander; Publishers: Warner-Tamerlane/Get Along/Hits of Parallel, BMI; Elektra
-Hooky. The title is interjected with stacked harmonies throughout the performance. The choppy rhythms, sunny guitar solo, urgently boyish vocal and overall groove all scream summer. Irresistible.
OLD CROW MEDICINE SHOW/Sweet Amarillo
Writers: Dylan/Secor/Fuqua; Producer: Ted Hutt; Publishers: Special Rider/Blood Donor, SESAC/BMI; ATO (track)
-Old Crow Medicine Show had a Gold Record with “Wagon Wheel” long before Darius Rucker covered the tune. Can lightning strike twice in the same place? I think so, especially when there’s a performance this charming, propulsive, thumpy, rootsy and earnestly relentless. The Dylan/Secor combination repeats its winning ways.

DISCLAIMER: Twin Towers of Talent

July 2, 2014/by Robert K Oermann

This listening session starred two twin towers of talent.
The two best records of the week belong to Craig Morgan and Brett Eldredge. Both of them are superb country singers. They have the two best-written songs of the day. And Craig’s “We’ll Come Back Around” and Brett’s “Mean to Me” are both produced perfectly.
I love these two singles so much that they are going to have to share this week’s Disc of the Day award.
We have two feisty female acts this week — Erica Nicole and The Pfeiffer Twins. But the DisCovery Award goes to a tender-hearted male outing by the Johnny Orr Band.
THE PFEIFFER TWINS/Nobody’s Puppet
Writers: C. & L. Pfeiffer/A. Krizan; Producer: Anthony Krizan; Publishers: Pfeiffer Twins/Krizan, ASCAP; Pfeiffer Twins
-Bluesy, with a Southern-rock edge and definite lady-sass attitude. Caution: strong language occurs.
BRETT ELDREDGE/Mean To Me
Writers: Brett Eldredge/Scooter Carusoe; Producer: Luke Laird; Publishers: Sony-ATV/Countryside/Paris Not France/Scrambler/Abbotts Creek/Carnival, BMI/ASCAP; Atlantic
-Completely enchanting. If the essence of songwriting is coming up with new ways to say, “I love you,” then this is at the beating heart of our art. A lovely song deserves a soul-saturated vocal performance and a beautiful confection of a production, and this one has them both. An out-of-the-park home run.
JOHNNY ORR BAND/We’ll Get By
Writers: J. Orr; Producer: Johnny Orr; Publisher: none listed, BMI; JOB
-Subtitled “The Autism Song,” this moving ballad is sung from the point of view of a child affected by that condition. If it doesn’t bring a tear to your eye and a lump in your throat, you’re made of stone.

Craig Morgan

SAMMY KERSHAW/Do You Know Me
Writers: Johnny Holland/Billy Lawson; Publisher: Sammy Kershaw; Producer: House of Fame/Cal IV, ASCAP; Bit Hit
-Throughout his career, Sammy has made no secret of his emulation for George Jones, and he can sound eerily exactly like his idol. This is the title ballad to Sammy’s tribute album to George. It offers effective, vivid vignettes from the life and career of the late Hall of Fame member. Elsewhere on this collection of 12 revivals of the legend’s greatest hits, check out Sammy’s version of “Near You” with Georgette Jones singing the part of her late mother, Tammy Wynette.
ERICA NICOLE/I Listen To My Bad Girl
Writers: Debbie Pascarella/Dani Jamerson; Producer: Kent Wells; Publisher: Wrapped in Songs, ASCAP; EN/PCL
-Despite her better judgment, she gets tangled up with the nothing-but-trouble guy. Drums slam and guitars scream.
JERROD NIEMANN/Buzz Back Girl
Writers: Lee Brice/Kyle Jacobs/Phillip Lammonds; Producers: Jimmie Lee Sloas & Jerrod Niemann; Publishers: Mike Curb/Curb Songs/Jacobsong/BrainTwang, BMI/ASCAP; Arista (track)
-As usual, the backing track is ultra cool, with ear-catching percussive effects, electro voices and quirky guitars. His bopping vocal carries a song about a fellow falling hard. Groovy.
DEBBIE COCHRAN/Everything Changes
Writers: Debbie Cochran; Producer: Kent Wells; Publisher: DMC Anniston, BMI; GTR
-Her singing voice has resonance, but the song’s lyrics are riddled with cliches.
COLT FORD/Workin’ On
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Average Joes
-It begins as a fairly routine hick-hop outing, name checking various blue-collar thangs. But the choruses find Ford actually kinda singing. In his own way, mind you. Hooky and listenable.

Johnny Orr

CHANDLER MARIE/Breaking Down
Writers: Chandler Marie Picerne/Kris Bergsnes/Angie Broberg/Grant Austin Taylor; Producer: Sorted Noise; Publishers: CMP/SB21/Bluewater/Splendiferous/DHM /Grant Austin Taylor, BMI/ASCAP; CMP
-You’d think one of those four writers could have come up with a melody.
CRAIG MORGAN/We’ll Come Back Around
Writers: Trevor Rosen/Brandy Clark/Jessi Jo Dillon; Producer: Craig Morgan & Phil O’Donnell; Publishers: ReHits/Smacktown/Smack Blue/Wrensong/Nettwerk One B/Revelry/Jay Gatsby/Limited Songs of Parallel/Amplified/Vista Loma, ASCAP/BMI; Black River
-They scrap and fight, but in the end they really love one another and will wind up back together again. This fiery vocalist is the just the guy to sell this well-written throbber. I got so into it, I played it twice in a row. You will too.

DISClaimer: Messina, Houser Deliver Solid Songs, Superb Vocals

June 25, 2014/by Robert K Oermann

Cowboy Up! Randy Houser

When you get right down to it, I’m still a sucker for a great singer and/or a well-crafted song.

These are the things that made me a country fan in the first place, and they are still what I love about the genre. They are also the things that power the two best singles of this week’s listening session.
Both Jo Dee Messina and Randy Houser powered past the major-label releases with efforts that are both solid slabs of songwriting and superb vocal performances. Randy Houser’s flame-thrower vocal delivery, in fact, earns him a Disc of the Day.
All three of our DisCovery Award contenders are female—RaeLynn, Kayla Adams and our winner, Ali Dee. I’m all ears: Send more.
KAYLA ADAMS/Sober & Sorry
Writer: Kayla Adams/Billy Atherholt/Pete Nanney; Producer: Marlon “Dean” Scanlon; Publisher: Kayla Adams/Atherholt/Shootin Straight, BMI; SSM (615-254-2053)
—It’s another one of those modern country compositions that substitutes attitude for melody.
RANDY HOUSER /Like a Cowboy
Writer: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Stoney Creek (ERG)
—Randy sings his face off on this power ballad about life on the rodeo circuit. The metaphors about a relationship are well drawn, but even if they weren’t, his leather-lunged, barn-burning delivery will make you a believer. What a hoss.
MERLE HAGGARD & MARY SARAH/Fightin’ Side of Me
Writer: Merle Haggard; Producer: Kent Wells & Freddy Powers; Publisher: none listed, BMI; 144 E (CDX) (www.marysarah.com)
—She sounds completely ridiculous singing these lyrics in that childish voice. The Hag seems comfortable riding along on the country-rock track. But there’s no escaping how “dated” the song is.
ROBBY JOHNSON/Feel Good Song
Writer: Robby Johnson/Frank Myers/Jill Spencer/Michael Gresham; Producer: Frank Myers & Jimmy Nichols; Publisher: Maleva/Ole/Contrast/Brand, BMI/SOCAN/ASCAP/SESAC; OMR (CDX) (www.robby-johnson.com)
—He’s trying awfully hard to sound rough and tough on this quasi-shouted, lead-foot stomper. I’d like it better if he would just sing.

Ali Dee

LITTLE BIG TOWN/Day Drinking
Writer: Karen Fairchild/Philip Sweet/Jimi Westbrook/Barry Dean/Troy Verges; Producer: Jay Joyce; Publisher: Warner-Tamerlane/Little Big Town/Songs of Universal/Creative Nation/Country Paper/Pulse Nation/Magnolia Beach, BMI; Capitol Nashville (CDX)
—From the moment the mandolin chops begin, your ears perk up. Then the whistling interjections pop in during the choruses. Audio addiction. A summer smash.
KENNY CHESNEY/American Kids
Writer: Rodney Clawson/Shane McAnally/Luke Laird; Producer: Buddy Cannon & Kenny Chesney; Publisher: Big Red Toe/Farm Town/Big Loud Bucks/Universal/Smack Ink/Creative Nation/Twangin and Slangin, ASCAP/BMI; Columbia/Blue Chair
—Kenny’s return to disc is a relaxed-sounding bopper with a summertime vibe. The lyric paints portraits of young folks trying to shed their innocence that most of us can relate to.
RAELYNN/God Made Girls
Writer: RaeLynn/Nicolle Galyon/Lori McKenna/Liz Rose; Producer: Joey Moi; Publisher: Super Big/Big Machine/Prescription/Kobalt/I Take the Bull By the Horns/Warner-Tamerlane/Songs of Crazy Girl, ASCAP/BMI; Valory
—The song is extraordinarily well written. The production is packed with catchy audio hooks. But her singing voice is so girlie and chirpy, it almost sounds like a cartoon. A fine single, albeit one that takes some getting used to.
ALI DEE/Just a Broken Heart
Writer: Maren Morris/Chase McGill/Carrie Manolakos/Ichabod; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Ali Dee (www.alidee.com)
—Her drawling accent is her charming calling card. It helps her deliver this loping, loose groover with enormous panache. “No, that knife in my back ain’t sharp/It’s just a broken heart,” she shrugs. The twanging production, whistling passages and merry instrumental support are as ear catching as her performance. A complete winner.
JO DEE MESSINA/A Woman’s Rant
Writer: Jo Dee Messina; Producer: Jo Dee Messina & Julian King; Publisher: Dreambound, ASCAP; Dreambound (track) (www.jodeemessina.com)
—I have always loved her feisty personality, and this performance is the most perfect distillation of it to date. The country-rock band cooks with gas while she spews out the lickety-split lady’s lament with a boat load of wit and sass. A super single.
MISS JEANIE/Fool Chain
Writer: David Davidson/Judy M. Rodman/Kristin Maryka Wilkinson; Producer: Lonnie Spiker; Publisher: Black Lagoon/Warner-Tamerlane, BMI; Miss Jeanie (track)
—You’re kidding, right? I’m expected to review this? I’m sure she’s a lovely person, but her singing, um, leaves a lot to be desired.

DISClaimer: Nashville's Pop/Rock Scene On Fire

June 18, 2014/by Robert K Oermann

The Black Keys

The Nashville pop/rock community is on fire this summer. Last month, The Black Keys’ new album debuted at No. 1 on the pop charts, ahead of Michael Jackson. This month, Paramore notches a Top 10 single, and Jack White is on the cover of Rolling Stone.
Kings of Leon, Cage the Elephant, Ben Folds and The Features continue to kick butt. Wild Cub and The Wild Feathers are buzz bands. Veterans like Leon Russell and John Hiatt are proving they still have the goods. Our honorees in this stack of current Nashville pop/rock platters are The Black Keys, who win the Disc of the Day award, and Cherub, the dance-mad kids who earn this week’s DisCovery Award.
PUJOL/Circles
Writers: Daniel Pujol; Producer: D. Shroader; Publishers: Hard Days Pete, BMI; Saddle Creek
-The sophomore album by Nashville’s PUJOL is titled Kludge, and it RAWKS. The single is a fast, frenetic, fuzz fest with a sonically processed snotty tenor vocal. It is made for fist pumping, pogo dancing, physical thrashing and all other manner of post-punk aggressive behavior. Bob your head and shake your brain.
PARAMORE/Ain’t It Fun
Writers: Hayley Williams/Taylor York; Producer: Justin Meldal-Johnsen; Publishers: WB/But Father I Just Want To Sing/FBR/Hunterboro, ASCAP; Atlantic (track)
-Paramore has had two other hit singles from its current, self-titled CD, including DisClaimer’s previously reviewed “Still Into You.” Now this choppy bopper has become a bona fide top-10 smash. You get totally hooked by its catchy pop verses, then knocked out by its breezy, vindictive-smiley choruses. Stay tuned for the group-chanted, addictive-repetitive bridge.
CHERUB/Doses & Mimosas
Writers: Jordan Kelley/Jason Huber/Nick Curtis; Producers: Cherub & Nick Curtis; Publishers: none listed; Columbia (track)
-Everybody dance now! This Nashville electro-pop duo has been signed to a major-label deal thanks to the three-million-plus views of this creamy-smooth track’s video. The word-of-mouth momentum continued with a big-stage slot at last week’s Bonnaroo Festival. Lilting, high vocals are punctuated with synth hand claps and plenty of bass undertow for a thoroughly trippy and delightful ear tickle.
JOHN HAITT/Terms of My Surrender
Writers: none listed; Producer: Doug Lanclo; Publisher: none listed; New West (track)
-This Music City rock vet previews his upcoming 22nd album with its title tune. Hiatt’s trademark, mordant, wry, gritty voice glides through this languid blues ballad with the wit and panache of the master stylist he is. If you’re not already in love with this Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame member, your musical education is in serious remedial trouble.
MOON TAXI/Running Wild
Writers: Bailey/Turndrup/Thomson; Producer: Spencer Thomson; Publishers: none listed; 12th South (track)
-The group’s current Mountains Beaches Cities CD kicks off with this plea for an escape into good times. The band rumbles nicely with multiple percussion licks and echoey electronic figures while the vocalists shout their desires heavenward. Pleasingly plaintive pop.
THE BLACK KEYS/Fever
Writers: D. Auerbach/D. Carney/B. Burton; Producer: Danger Mouse & The Black Keys; Publishers: none listed; Nonesuch (track)
-The lead single from The Black Keys’ new Turn Blue album is a neo-’80s, new-wavey track with a relentless beat and goofy-cheesy-cool keyboard flourishes in a herky-jerky tune sung with a winsome pop vocal and wacky, twangy guitar touches. In other words, fantastically listenable.
CLEAR PLASTIC MASKS/So Real
Writers: Clear Plastic Masks; Producer: Andrija Tokic; Publishers: Clear Plastic Masks, ASCAP; Serpents & Snakes
-This Nashville combo’s CD is titled Being There. Its single is a jumbled rocker with jangly ‘60s guitars and a simple, blues-based chord progression. Garage rock for moderns.
JACK WHITE/High Ball Stepper
Writers: Jack White III; Producer: Jack White III; Publishers: Third String, BMI; Third Man (track)
-The first single from White’s just-released Lazaretto is a squawking, time-shifting, spazzy-guitar, instrumental workout. Being different is good. Being perverse, not so much.
CLAY McCLINTON/Stories We Can Tell
Writers: Clay McClinton/Gary Nicholson; Producer: Gary Nicholson; Publisher: none listed; Red Chili (track)
-The shadow of Clay’s dad, Delbert McClinton, looms large over the Nashville blues-rock landscape. Perhaps that’s why the son plies his trade in Austin. He calls his blues-rock-country sound “Texas gumbo,” which is pretty accurate. This righteous, rollicking “outlaw” sounding country-rocker appears on Clay’s Bitin’ at the Bit CD. The disc includes reworkings of such classics as “Poison Love,” “Just Dropped In” and his pop’s “Victim of Life’s Circumstances,” as well as a clutch of excellent originals like this. Nashville luminaries in on the sessions include Dan Dugmore, Guthrie Trapp, Bob Britt, Kenny Vaughn and Colin Linden, as well as producer/writer Nicholson and Delbert, hisself.
ED FITZGERALD & CIVIC DUTY/Left Handed Gun
Writers: Ed Fitzgerald; Producer: Gary Laney & Ed Fitzgerald; Publisher: none listed; Telephone (track)
-Return with us now to those thrilling days of the Nashville pop/rock scene of the 1980s. Bands like Warm Dark Pocket, Government Cheese, The Thieves, Jet Black Factory, Factual/Actuel, The Royal Court of China, Raging Fire, Dessau, Chagall Guevera, Velcro Pygmies, The Bisquits, Fur Trade, Valentine Saloon, The Movement, The Grinning Plowmen, Bedlam, The Nerve, Radio One, The Questionnaires, Little Saints, In Pursuit, Clockhammer, Guilt and more filled our clubs. One of them is still putting out records, Ed Fitzgerald & Civic Duty. This guitar groover kicks off a CD titled Shelter. It has echoes of Talking Heads or Television with a doomy dash of Lou Reed, but infused with Fitzgerald’s special vocal personality and his undeniably gripping guitar style. Recommended without reservation.

DISClaimer: Veterans Vs. Youngsters

June 11, 2014/by Robert K Oermann

Lucy Hale

Today’s column pits veterans against youngsters. In the former column are such established talents as Craig Bickhardt, Alabama and Gene Watson. In the latter, we have Rachele Lynae, Lucy Hale, and Mickey & The Motorcars. So I’m giving two Disc of the Day awards. The first goes to the enduringly great Gene Watson. The second goes to today’s red-hot Miranda Lambert & Carrie Underwood.
The DisCovery Award goes to Lucy Hale. TV stars have had a hit-or-miss history of translating their fan followings into country-singing success. Here’s hoping she’s in the “hit” column.
LUCY HALE/You Sound Good To Me
Writers: Ashley Gorley/Luke Laird/Hillary Lindsey; Producer: Mike Daly; Publishers: External Combustion/Out of the Taperoom/Songs of Southside Independent/Songs of Universal/Creative Nation/Twangin and Slangin/BMG Gold, ASCAP/BMI; DMG Nashville
-The Pretty Little Liars TV star delivers the goods with this ultra-catchy toe tapper. The song is super well crafted, and her vocal is full of verve and confidence. Make room for her on your playlists.
JAY JOLLEY/High and Mighty
Writers: Sarah Majors/Phillip Lammons/Matt King; Producer: Chuck Alkazian; Publishers: Tazmaraz/KadaLaNa/Motochez/Brain Twang, BMI/ASCAP; Double J (CDX)
-I have liked this guy several times in the past. As before, he sings with passion and grit here. The production on this country rocker is a little messy sounding, but there’s definite propulsion.
GENE WATSON/Turn Out the Lights (The Party’s Over)
Writers: Hank Craig/Willie Nelson; Producer: Dirk Johnson; Publishers: Glad/Pappy Daily, BMI; Fourteen Carat
-Gene’s new My Heroes Have Always Been Country CD dropped yesterday. On it, he revives songs associated with Lefty Frizzell, Dottie West, Merle Haggard, George Jones and the like. Mostly, they’re not overly familiar songs, which is cool. This Willie Nelson chestnut, for instance, sounds wonderfully fresh in the throat of this master stylist. Here’s my advice: Put this record on, put your feet up, close your eyes and let this awesome voice roll over you, bathing you in country-music greatness.
DAVID LOVING/Potato in Rio
Writers: David Loving; Producer: David Loving; Publisher: Tender Wolf, BMI; Tall Horse (track)
-He can just barely sing. Accompanying his weak, lung-less vocal attempt is a band that seems incapable of locking into a groove.

Lambert and Underwood debut “Somethin’ Bad.”

MIRANDA LAMBERT & CARRIE UNDERWOOD/Somethin’ Bad
Writers: Chris DeStefano/Brett James/Priscilla Renea; Producers: Frank Liddell/Chuck Ainlay/Glenn Worf; Publishers: EMI April/Sugar Glider/EMI Blackwood/WB/Songs of Brett/External Combustion, Keep It Simple Stupid, ASCAP; RCA (track)
-Country’s two reigning divas team up on a Thelma-and-Louise stomper that will make you reach for a drink and turn up the jukebox. Attitude with pizzazz. Miranda’s entire Platinum CD is a mini masterpiece. Buy it.
MICKEY & THE MOTORCARS
Writers: Mickey Braun/Willy Braun; Producer: Willy Braun with Mickey & The Motorcars; Publishers: none listed; MB
-This has a wide-open-spaces sonic quality that’s attractive. Mickey’s voice isn’t a powerhouse, but has a pleasing drawl. I would have mixed it up above the band more. The way it is now, the guitar playing and drumming are as prominent as the singing, so he sounds like he’s drowning.
WADE BOWEN & BRANDY CLARK/Love In The First Degree
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publishers: none listed; Lightning Rod
-This track from last fall’s High Cotton tribute CD to Alabama has become a hit on the Texas charts, and I can hear why. The excellent song has been slowed to a pulsing throbber, and these two voices are perfectly matched. They alternate verses beautifully, and on the choruses Brandy sings lead while Wade provides flawless harmony. Fascinating listening.

Gene Watson

LUKE BRYAN/Love In The First Degree
Writers: Tim DuBois/Jim Hurt; Producer: Jeff Stevens; Publishers: none listed; Show Dog-Universal
-The High Cotton tribute CD is comprised of Americana artists. Alabama & Friends is its mainstream-country tribute counterpart. Luke Bryan essays the same song as Brandy and Wade, demonstrating by contrast how pedestrian a Nashville approach can be. It’s speeded up slightly, but otherwise apes Alabama’s original arrangement faithfully. For a more creative outing, try Rascal Flatt’s version of “Old Flame.”
CRAIG BICKHARDT/It Opens
Writers: Craig Bickhardt; Producers: Glenn Barratt & Craig Bickhardt; Publishers: Stone Barn, ASCAP; Stone Barn (track)
-Country hit writer and former Schuyler-Knobloch-Bickhardt member (1988’s “Givers and Takers,” etc.) now makes simply produced, singer-songwriter solo CDs. This track from his latest, The More I Wonder, illustrates how thoughtful and enriching his composing continues to be. Persevere through life, it says, and press on because often, “It don’t look like a door, but it opens.”
RACHELE LYNAE/Touch The Stars
Writers: Rachele Lynae/Danick Dupelle/Patricia Conroy; Producer: Jamie O’Neal; Publisher: none listed
-The latest from this ingenue is a rippling, upbeat celebration of young love. Her sunny vocal rides atop a punchy, percolating track. O’Neal’s production touch is just right for this bopping youngster.

DISClaimer: The "Unstoppable" Hunter Hayes

June 4, 2014/by Robert K Oermann

Hunter Hayes

The trend in today’s column is female singer-songwriters on self-made, indie discs. Cyndi Harvell, Nora Collins, Michael-Ann and Maddie Deneault are all promising in various ways. But it’s Michael-Ann who waltzes off with this week’s DisCovery Award.
The Disc of the Day prize unquestionably belongs to Hunter Hayes. The boy is unstoppable.
CYNDI HARVELL/Flood
Writers: Cyndi Harvell; Producer: Jim Greer; Publishers: Yellow Door, ASCAP; CH (track)
-Artfully done, with darkly chiming piano chords, Everly-sisters harmonies, a drama-infused string section, nervous percussion and poetic lyrics. Americana programmers, take special note.
JIM LAUDERDALE/I’m A Song
Writers: Jim Lauderdale; Producer: Jim Lauderdale; Publishers: Wudang Mountain/Bug, SESAC; Say Crunch (track)
-Next up for this oh-so-country hit songsmith is a 20-track showcase of his talents that includes his own version of his Strait smash “The King of Broken Hearts.” Guest harmonizers include Patty Loveless, Lee Ann Womack and Buddy Miller, and his songwriting collaborators include Bobby Bare, Elvis Costello and John Oates. The set’s title tune is a gently swaying, super-melodic sing-along that will have you nodding in time with a smile on your face. To know him is to love him.
HUNTER HAYES/Tattoo
Writers: Hunter Hayes/Barry Dean/Troy Verges; Producers: Hunter Hayes/Dann Huff; Publishers: Songs of Universal/Ogden Avenue/Magnolia Beach/Creative Nation/Country Paper/Pulse Nation, BMI; Atlantic (track)
-Jaunty and endearing, this bubbly romance tune is as bright as summer sunshine. “Your name would be a good tattoo,” he croons to his honey.
BYRON HILL/Red Leather Couch
Writers: Byron Hill; Producer: Byron Hill; Publishers: Byron Hill, ASCAP; BHP (track)
-The title tune of hit songwriter Hill’s new, 15-track showcase has an easy-going, loping tempo with a “beach-y” vibe. It’s a charming ode to loafing, creating, thinking, sleeping, relaxing and having fun on a well-worn item of living-room furniture. Listening to this record might make you fall in love with Music Row song craftsmanship all over again.
TRENT TOMLINSON/Come Back to Bed
Writers: Trent Tomlinson/Ashe Underwood/Terri Jo Box; Producers: none listed; Publishers: Big Spaces/Big Mosquito/Geormac/Songs of Merf, no performance rights listed; Gluseppe
-Tomlinson’s comeback single is a moody, feverish outing that finds him beckoning for S-E-X. The throbbing beat, swirling melody and suggestive lyrics all work together spectacularly. Play it.
NORA COLLINS/Only The Beginning
Writers: Nora Collins/Willy Porter; Producers: Kenn Fox; Publishers: Don’t Slow Down/Terra Perfuma; SESAC/ASCAP; NC (track)
-Collins is a Wisconsin teen who has won numerous “rising star” awards in her home state. Her debut CD is an acoustic effort (guitar and fiddle only) that showcases six of her original compositions, plus four covers. On its title tune, her lyrics are solid, if a mite wordy. Her soprano vocal delivery is very, very young sounding. You’re on the right path: Keep at it.
TIM MENZIES/His Way of Loving Me
Writers: Tim Menzies; Producer: Ben Isaacs; Publishers: House of Sea Gayle/Wind in My Sails, ASCAP; By Grace (track)
-Tim Mensy has reverted to the original spelling of his name for his billing on his first country-gospel collection. Its title ballad is a terrific message song about the different ways that love reveals itself. As always, he is a spectacular country baritone with immense reservoirs of feeling. Apart from the standards “Swing Low Sweet Chariot,” “I’m Working on a Building” and “I Surrender All,” he wrote or co-wrote all of these moving tunes. I remain an enormous fan.
MICHAEL-ANN/Heavy Load
Writers: Michael-Ann; Producer: Randy Ray Mitchell; Publisher: November Phoenix, ASCAP; MA (track)
-This L.A. singer-songwriter emotes beautifully on the title tune of her CD. Her moaning alto breaks in all the right places while dobro, fiddle and her own acoustic guitar drawl along in a bluesy river of sound. The rest of the album proves this track isn’t a fluke: These are all first-rate songs. Extremely promising.
RASCAL FLATTS/Payback
Writers: Aaron Eshuis/Neil Mason/Ryan Hurd; Producer: Howard Benson; Publishers: WB/Nevada House/Revelry/Nettwerk One/Universal, ASCAP/BMI; Big Machine (track)
-The beefy rock guitars are perfect for this thumper about a lady who’s out on the town trying to get over a broken heart. He’s offering to be her payback to get even with the old boyfriend. Rousing and inescapably catchy.
MADDIE DENEAULT/She Don’t Play Guitar
Writers: Mason Douglas/Courtney Cole; Producer: Kim Copeland; Publishers: Wild Cataclysm/Chobe/Little Biscuit/Words & Music/Songs of Black River, BMI/ASCAP; MD (track)
-This teenage Texan displays plenty of moxie on her sassy single. She dishes a rival by admitting her good looks, but telling the boyfriend, “She can’t carry a tune in a bucket.” Yes, she has a “pretty good chest,” knows how dance, wears tight jeans and is blonde. But that gal, “don’t play guitar.” Sprightly and lotsa fun.

DISClaimer: Enduring Stars and Charming Newcomers

May 28, 2014/by Robert K Oermann

With the CMA Music Fest right around the corner, it’s no surprise that this week’s stack of country releases is packed with star power.
Despite the presence of so many marquee names, there are really only two selections here that make headlines. One of them belongs to the enduringly fine Tim McGraw, with a vocal assist from his better half, Faith Hill. The other is more of a surprise, a maybe-smash charmer from left field by up-and-comer Jana Kramer. These two share the Disc of the Day award.
There’s only one newcomer here, so by default, Sarah Davidson takes home a DisCovery Award.
SARAH DAVIDSON/Drink You Up
Writers: Caitlyn Smith/Gordie Sampson/Steve McEwan; Producer: Brian Kolb/Dino Paredes; Publisher: none listed; Suretone
-Since she was on the Private Lives of Nashville Wives reality TV show, I was prepared to loathe this. But the mid-tempo outing is actually pretty well done. Catchy and romantic.
THOMPSON SQUARE/Testing The Water
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publishers: none listed; Broken Bow (ERG)
-Funk rhythm, wah-wah guitar and spoken-word passages are not things we generally associate with these two. So this definitely perks up the ears. A nice and nifty change of pace.

Sarah Davidson

TIM McGRAW & FAITH HILL/Meanwhile Back at Mama’s
Writers: Tom Douglas, Jaren Johnston, Jeffrey Steele; Producer: Tim McGraw and Byron Gallimore; Publishers: none listed; Big Machine (ERG)
-Rippling acoustic guitars set the stage, then Tim comes in with a beautifully nuanced delivery of this lovely paean to passing pastoral pleasures. Faith’s harmony vocals on the choruses shadow him note for note. A gorgeous little single.
ZAC BROWN BAND/All Alright
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publishers: none listed; Southern Ground
-Stately and majestic. It’s a heartache song, but the heavenly chorale harmonies make it sound almost celebratory. Blue-eyed soul is the overall vibe here. Still in this fan club.
BREELAN ANGEL/Double Standards
Writers: Breelan Angel/Lacy Green; Producer: Ray Barnette; Publishers: Breelan Angel/Lacy Green, BMI; MisBhavin’
-Her pert, girlish voice hardly sounds old enough to drink, fight and cuss, never mind complain about double standards for women that tell them not to. Still, it sounds sprightly and is well written.
BRANTLEY GILBERT/Small Town Throwdown
Writers: Brantley Gilbert/Ben Hayslip/Rhett Akins/Dallas Davidson; Producer: Dann Huff; Publishers: Warner-Tamerlane/Indiana Angel/WB/Get a Load of This/EMI Blackwood, BMI/ASCAP; Valory Music
-Featuring vocal contributions from Justin Moore and Thomas Rhett, this rocker is otherwise a routine bro-country thang. You know the drill: keg of beer, babes in cutoffs, tailgates, party in the country, blah blah blah.

Jana Kramer

JANA KRAMER/Love
Writers: Catt Gravitt/Jimmy Robbins; Producer: Scott Hendricks; Publishers: Ink Pen Mama/Tunes of R and T Direct/Extraordinary Alien, SESAC/ASCAP; Elektra
-This superbly written single has “hit” engraved on it. In fact, this could be her career record. Beautifully constructed, perfectly produced and sung with intense, sunny believability.
KEITH URBAN/Somewhere In My Car
Writers: J.T. Harding/Keith Urban; Producers: Dann Huff/Keith Urban; Publishers: SONGS/Mighty Seven/Songs of SMP/Heavy Metal Disco/Songs of Universal/Mary Rose, ASCAP/BMI; Capitol (CDX)
-It’s a pulse-quickening, toe-tapping, upbeat sound. But all of his singles sorta sound the same, don’t they?
LADY ANTEBELLUM/Bartender
Writers: Dave Haywood/Charles Kelley/Hillary Scott/Rodney Clawson; Producers: Nathan Chapman/Lady Antebellum; Publishers: Beards and Bullets/3OA Getaway/Hobbs Hill/Kobalt/Big Red Toe/Big Loud Bucks, ASCAP/BMI; Capitol (CDX)
-She wants to get lost in the booze and the noise and the lights so she can get over him. But don’t get any ideas, boys, ‘cause this is a night to dance with the gal pals. Rousing, if not quite up to the standards of their greatest works.
J.T. Hodges/Already High
Writers: J.T. Hodges/Kevin Griffin; Producer: Kevin Griffin; Publishers: Songs of Universal/Adeline 29/Sing Station/Boomer Sooie, BMI; Show Dog-Universal
-Cool and thumping, with plenty of beats and boom. He name-drops brands of drinks and smokes to get to the point: He doesn’t need any outside stimulation, because he’s already stoned on love. Very, very listenable. I remain a big fan.

DISClaimer: Americana Offers Overflow of Musical Riches

May 21, 2014/by Robert K Oermann

Rosanne Cash

Americana music is much in the news this month.
Its organization announced its 2014 award nominees two weeks ago. This week, the AMA issued a press release stating that its annual convention has a $5 million impact on Nashville’s economy. Next week, it stages a one-day festival in Franklin that shines a spotlight on some of its greatest artists (see the Parker Millsap review for more details).
And so we turn our attention to Americana platters in this edition of DisClaimer. There’s an awful lot to like. Vying for places of honor are collections by Radney Foster, Leon Russell, Paul Burch and John Oates.
Amid a field of outstanding efforts, endearingly serene Rosanne Cash wins the Disc of the Day award. There’s an embarrassment of riches in today’s list of newcomers. So much so that I’m giving DisCovery Awards to one male, Parker Millsap; one female, Hannah Aldridge and one group, the pop delight that is Johnnyswim.
BLUE MOTHER TUPELO/Only Sunshine
Writers: Micol Davis/Ricky Davis; Producer: Ricky Davis; Publisher: Go Ahead On/Squeeze Me Tight, BMI/ASCAP; Juke Tonk (track)
-The title tune of this Hendersonville based duo’s new CD is a haunting pastiche of their unusual, folk-ish harmonies, electric guitar noodling and shimmering washes of violin. I think “kookie” is the word I’m looking for.
RADNEY FOSTER/Everything I Should Have Said
Writers: Radney Foster/Darrell Brown; Producers: Justin Tocket/Radney Foster; Publishers: Alamo Lounge/Kobalt/BMG Gold/We Jam Writers Group/Black Dragonfly, ASCAP; Devil’s River
-With his awesome songwriting ability and ringing, warm singing voice, this guy should have been a country superstar. As it is, he remains one of Nashville’s finest record makers. This ballad of regret and self recrimination anchors a stunning collection that has a gem around every corner.
HANNAH ALDRIDGE/Howlin’ Bones
Writer: Hannah Aldridge; Producer: none listed; Publishers: Bar, ASCAP; Trodden Black
-Hannah is the daughter of songwriting great Walt Aldridge. Her debut CD is proof of the old adage that the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. On this track from her Razor Wire collection, she demonstrates a talent for gripping song craft as well as a searing, soulful vocal style. While electric rock guitar screams, she wails a warning to an intimate. Fantastic listening. Get on board.
JOHN OATES/Stone Cold Love
Writers: John Oates/Ryan Tedder; Producers: Ryan Tedder/John Oates; Publishers: Oates Shui/Primary Wave/Write 2 Live, BMI/ASCAP; Elektra (track)
-This pop great has been coming in and out of Nashville for the past couple of years assembling the three-disc set of tunes that is titled Good Road to Follow. It leads off with this groove-soaked stomper that wouldn’t be out of place on a classic Hall & Oates record. This super catchy thump fest shows you just why he’s a new Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame inductee. The collection includes contributions from such notables as Hot Chelle Rae, Bekka Bramlett, Jim Hoke, Tommy Sims, Vince Gill, Colin Linden, Dan Dugmore and lots of other Music City names you know. Recommended.
PARKER MILLSAP/Truck Stop Gospel
Writers: Parker Millsap; Producer: Wes Sharon; Publishers: Northwentz, BMI; Okrahoma (track)
-I totally dig this guy. Nominated as an Emerging Artist at this year’s upcoming Americana Music Awards, Millsap’s superb, self-titled CD includes this cool fusion of trucker ambiance and gospel revival. His raspy vocal hooks you, and the joyous, country-rock track chugs relentlessly. Millsap is on the bill of the Americana festival taking place on May 31 in Franklin at The Park at Harlinsdale Farm on Franklin Road. Headliners include John Hiatt and Patty Griffin, not to mention Brandy Clark and Ashley Monroe. Sounds good, don’t it?
JOHNNYSWIM/Heart Beats
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publishers: none listed; Big Picnic (track)
-You’ll find this as the title track of a highly promising seven-song EP. The sound here is loaded with dance-happy shouting, poly rhythms and catchy pop song craftsmanship. Johnnyswim is a strikingly attractive duo comprised of Abner Ramirez and Amanda Sudano. She is the daughter of the late, great Donna Summer, and he sings with just as much yearning and fire.
LEON RUSSELL/Down in Dixieland
Writers: Leon Russell; Producers: Tommy LiPuma; Publishers: Young Carney, ASCAP; Universal (track)
-The latest from this living legend is titled Life Journey. The repertoire consists of songs that influenced the Master of Space and Time such as “Georgia on My Mind,” “That Lucky Old Sun,” “Fever,” “I Got It Bad and That’s Ain’t Good” and “The Masquerade Is Over.” There are two Leon originals on the album, including this set closing New Orleans piano romp embellished with Dixieland horns. He still sings with more soul than thousands who are half his age.
NIKKI LAKE/All Or Nothin’
Writers: Nikki Lane/Dan Auerbach; Producer: Dan Auerbach; Publishers: Cannily Freeload/BMG Platinum/Iamsound/Hour Box, BMI; New West (track)
-Dan Auerbach of The Black Keys produced this gal’s album. On the title tune, she’s a languid chanteuse with a bluesy lilt fronting a neo-soul track. Kenny Vaughn’s lead guitar work is outstandingly inventive. Elsewhere, MVP’s The McCrary Sisters offer backing vocals.
PAUL BURCH/Sagrada
Writers: Paul Burch; Producers: Paul Burch/Fats Kaplan; Publishers: Borrowed and Broke, BMI; Plowboy (track)
-Paul is one of my perennial favorites. His new CD, titled Fevers, includes this charming, lo-fi, Latin-flavored, bopping ode to fleeting romance in Barcelona. As always, his jaunty tenor veers just this side of jazzy.
ROSANNE CASH/A Feather’s Not A Bird
Writers: Rosanne Cash/John Leventhal; Producer: John Leventhal; Publishers: Chlcait/Measurable Music/Lev-A-Tunes, BMI/ASCAP; Blue Note (track)
-Rosanne is one of the most nominated artists at this year’s Americana Music Awards. Her The River & the Thread is an Album of the Year contender, and this track from it is competing for Song of the Year. It is a swampy evocation of Memphis and the Mississippi River. The rhythmic undertow is as compelling as her poetic lyric. This is one reason why she is also up for Artist of the Year.

DISClaimer: Day of the Duos

May 14, 2014/by Robert K Oermann

Duos rule in DisClaimer today.
The Disc of the Day prize goes to Dan + Shay, who are headed directly for stardom, in my opinion.
As far as having perfect vocal harmonies, that prize goes to the twin sisters who comprise Ward Thomas. They nailed down the DisCovery Award with ease.
Honorable mentions this week go to Sheryl Crow, Eric Church and Sawyer Brown. Play and believe.
WARD THOMAS/The Good and the Right
Writers: Lizzy Ward Thomas/Catherine Ward Thomas; Producers: Chris Rodriguez/Bobby Blazier; Publishers: WTW/Matt Greaves/Copyright Control/Ann Bailey/Bambino, no performance rights listed; WTW (track)
-Catherine and Lizzy Ward Thomas are British twins who came to Music City to record their A Different Country EP. I met ‘em at the Grammy Block Party, and they gave me a copy. Its fizzy single is a sprightly, uptempo, carbonated ditty wherein their perfectly matched voices shout and soar in search of higher meaning. Bonus points for songwriting talent. Promising in the extreme.
MIKE AIKEN/Put a Sail on It
Writers: Mike Aiken/Tim Buppert; Producers: Dan Baird/Ben Strano/Mike Aiken; Publishers: Big Boat/Saddle Blanket/Buffrin Boy, SESAC; Northwind (CDX)
-The old guy at the seaside bar has this advice: “Put a sail on it/Let your troubles catch the wind.” And, “Put a sail on it/Let your troubles float away.” And, “Doncha dwell on it.” Relaxing and reggae-fied.
SAWYER BROWN/Walk Out of the Rain
Writers: Harley Allen; Producer: Mark A. Miller; Publisher: Coburn, BMI; Beach Street (CDX)
-Sweetly lulling and summer-sun kissed. This cleanly recorded, mid-tempo delight features sighing steel and a lovely lyric that invites a loved one out of her blues and into romance. Very, very nicely done.

Ward Thomas

BLACKHAWK/Brothers of the Southland
Writers: Henry Paul/Dave Robbins/Jim Peterick; Producers: Dave Oliver/Henry Paul/Dave Robbins; Publishers: Henry Paul/Dave Robbins/Jim Peterick/Penny Farthing/Bicycle, BMI/ASCAP; Loud & Proud/Tenacity (CDX)
-It’s a stately salute to the Southern-rock brotherhood, name checking The Marshall Tucker Band, Lynyrd Skynyrd and The Allman Brothers, complete with twin-guitar playing.
ERIC CHURCH/Cold One
Writers: Eric Church/Jeff Hyde/Lynn Hutton; Producer: Jay Joyce; Publishers: Sony-ATV Tree/Longer and Louder/Bug/Mammaw’s Cornbread/Little Louder/House of Sea/Vestal Boy, BMI/ASCAP; EMI (track)
-Loose-limbed and funky, this cool romp concerns a southern boy left high and dry by a gal who splits, leaving him “one beer short of a 12 pack.” I could have done without the rapid-fire electric guitar solo in the middle, but otherwise it’s a groove-o-matic.
SHERYL CROW/Shotgun
Writers: Sheryl Crow/Chris DuBois/Kelley Lovelace/John Shanks; Producer: Sheryl Crow & Justin Niebank; Publishers: Old Green Barn/House of Sea Gayle/EMI April/Didn’t Have to Be/Imagine Sounds, BMI/ASCAP; Warner Bros.
-Sheryl puts pedal to the metal on this stomping, driving song of escape. My favorite line: “Drive it like it’s stolen/Park it like it’s rented.” Get up off your fanny and dance.
LIVEWIRE/Drivin’ You Outta My Mind
Writers: Andrew Eutsler/Daniel Bell/Landon Rolfe/Johnny Bulford; Producers: Paul Carabello/Justin Woods/Clif Doyal; Publishers: Real Man/Parrot Island/Warner-Tamerlance/3JB, BMI; Way Out West
-Performed with drama and passion, this has a doom-y, minor-key vibe. On the Southern-rock side of country.
JOHNNY RIVERS/By Your Side
Writers: Johnny Rivers; Producer: Johnny Rivers; Publisher: none listed; Soul City
-This pop legend continues his quest for country acceptance with this mellow dab of romance. It is smooth, lovely and lilting, but it takes forever to get to the title.
WAYLON SPEED/Until It All Ends
Writers: Waylon Speed; Producers: Mark Spencer/Waylon Speed; Publishers: Crow on Ten, ASCAP; Crow on Ten
-This Vermont-based, country-rock band evidently didn’t get the “keep it bland” memo from Nashville. They are full-speed-ahead and headed straight for the wall on this outing.
DAN+SHAY/Show You Off
Writers: Dan Smyers/Shay Mooney/Danny Orton; Producer: Dan Smyers; Publishers: WB/Beats and Banjos/Warner-Tamerlane/Shay Mooney/50 Toes, ASCAP/BMI; Warner Bros.
-This densely packed production includes “Hay-oh” shouting, perfect vocal harmony, thumping percussion and whistling (!). Not to mention a fabulously catchy melody and a charming, love-struck lyric. I really like these guys.

DISClaimer: Gentlemen and a Lady

May 7, 2014/by Robert K Oermann

Just about everyone’s rocking this week, so summer must be just around the corner.
The contest for the Disc of the Day prize was a three-way battle of the rockers among Brad Paisley, Jerrod Niemann and our winner in a very close call, Kip Moore.
I am happy to report that there are loads of newcomers in this week’s stack of platters. So many, in fact, that I’m handing out two DisCovery Awards. Our male winner is the Casey Donahew Band, and our female honoree is Ally Lindeen.
MISTY RAE CARSON/Woke Up One Day
Writers: Misty Rae Carson/Robert Ellis Orrall; Producers: Jeff Savage/Jason Carson; Publishers: Higilly Pigilly/Orrall Fixation, ASCAP; LLR (CDX)
-Housewives and mothers leading dead-end lives dream of what might have been. Her soprano grates a little in its upper register, but the song is so well put together that it scarcely matters.

DANNY GRIEGO/The Coast Is Clear
Writers: Scotty Emerick/Red Lane; Producers: Scotty Emerick, Ed Seay & Danny Griego; Publishers: Big Yellow Dog/Florida Cracker/Redairlane/Sony-ATV, BMI; Amerimonte (CDX)
-Lost on a deserted beach with tropical breezes wafting over your face while you dream of a love to come. Simply gorgeous. A heavenly little record.
ALLY LINDEEN/Teardrops Dry
Writers: Ally Lindeen/Mark Dowdy/Joie Scott; Producer: Mark Dowdy; Publisher: Audio Illusion, BMI; Rivercrest (CDX)
-She is a solid vocalist, using her throaty lower register with great emotional effect. The imaginative production supports her effectively at every turn of this mid-tempo message of encouragement. Recommended.

Casey Donahew Band

JERROD NIEMANN/Donkey
Writers: Kyle Jacobs/David Tolliver/Fred Wilhelm; Producers: Jimmie Lee Sloas/Jerrod Niemann; Publishers: Curb/Jacobsong/StyleSonic/Meaux Mercy/Float/CapitolCMG, ASCAP/BMI; Arista (track)
-This will have you smiling from ear to ear, plus dancing your butt off. Hee-haw!
JOHNNY ORR BAND/Down South
Writer: Johnny Orr; Producers: Johnny Orr/Shale Martin; Publishers: Johnny Orr, BMI; John and John
-The truck, the girl, the beer, the cooler full of ice. Ho hum.
COREY KANE BAND/Cheating on a Country Girl
Writers: Corey Vanderhoof; Producer: Corey Vanderhoof; Publishers: none listed; Sagi-Ta-Rus (CDX)
-Under produced by a country mile. It takes more than a fiddle and a drum, son. Also: stop trying to sound like Garth Brooks when you sing.

Ally Lindeen

CASEY DONAHEW BAND/Lovin’ Out of Control
Writers: Matt Fleener/Brandon Lynn Kinney/Trent Summar; Producer: Casey Donahew; Publishers: Songs of Universal/EMI Blackwood, no performance rights listed; Almost Country
-This big and beefy rocker is packed with electric guitar and slamming rhythm. Donahew sings with country-boy authenticity. A winner.
BRAD PAISLEY/River Bank
Writers: Brad Paisley/Kelley Lovelace; Producer: Brad Paisley/Kendal Marcy/Luke Wooten; Publisher: none listed; ASCAP/BMI; Arista (CDX)
– The crunchy, punchy production touches are an audio delight. As usual, the guitar work is stellar. Brad gets vocal support from a “gang” choir. The sound of summer.
KIP MOORE/Dirt Road
Writers: Kip Moore/Dan Couch/Westin Davis; Producer: Brett James; Publishers: Warner-Tamberlane/Against the Wind/Songs Of the Corn/Songs From the Couch/Magic Mustang/Reefer Road/Big Loud Bucks, BMI; MCA Nashville
– Gripping, intense and soulful, this is anchored by throbbing bass work and heart-attack drumming. The bro-country subject matter is hardly revolutionary, but when it is delivered with this much passion, it sounds extraordinary.

Brad Paisley

BUZZ CASON/That’s What I Love About the South
Writers: Buzz Cason; Producer: Buzz Cason; Publisher: Buzz Cason, ASCAP; Plowboy (track)
-Buzz formed Nashville’s first rock ‘n’ roll band, had a pop smash called “Look for a Star,” formed the Berry Hill entertainment district with his Creative Workshop studio (now Blackbird), published Jimmy Buffett and co-wrote “Everlasting Love,” “Love’s the Only House,” “Timeless and True Love,” “Soldier of Love” and more. Decades down the road, he’s still at it with a self-produced CD titled Troubadour Heart. Its single is a funky, rocking delight with dandy, Dixie-fied lyrics.