Reviews Archives - Page 48 of 74

DISClaimer: Using Country's Not-So-Secret Weapon

April 23, 2014/by Robert K Oermann

There wasn’t a dud in this week’s stack of platters, which is unusual.
Faced with a uniformly good smorgasbord of flavors, I’m falling back on songwriting quality as the deciding factor. That means that Ronnie Dunn has the Disc of the Day and that Kira Isabella is the DisCovery Award winner. They both have songs that tell a story. And that’s the not-so-secret weapon of country music.
CARLENE CARTER/Little Black Train
Writer: A.P. Carter; Producer: Don Was; Publisher: Peer, BMI; Rounder (track)
-Carlene’s Carter Girl CD is a former Disc of the Day winner in this column. Now it has a single and video. This apocalyptic Carter Family classic from 1935 becomes a rumbling, atmospheric rocker in her dramatic re-imagining with producer Don Was. Exciting, to say the least.
LEVI RIGGS/I’m Good
Writers: Mark Nesler/Marty Dodson; Producer: Matt McClure; Publishers: Songs of Universal/ole Black in the Saddle/Romantic Fiction/ole, BMI/ASCAP; Windridge (track)
-A bopping pleasure. All he’s asking the Lord for is a girl. Which makes me smile.
RONNIE DUNN/I Wish I Still Smoked Cigarettes
Writers: none listed; Producers: Ronnie Dunn/ Jeff Balding; Publisher: none listed; Little Will-E (track)
-Yearning for lost innocence, lost freedom, lost youth, lost love. No one can make you feel a lyric like this awesome singer. What a mighty, mighty country-music man.

Kira Isabella

KIRA ISABELLA/Quarterback
Writers: Rivers Rutherford/Marti Dodson/Bobby Hamrick; Producers: Mark Liggett/Jerry Lane; Publishers: Universal/Memphianna/Painted Desert/EMI April, ASCAP; HitShop
-Ear opening. She takes her first drink, has date-rape sex and winds up with her compromising photos on the internet. She’s a freshman, marching-band, no-name nerd and he’s the town’s football star, so she winds up carrying the blame. A brilliant piece of songwriting, delivered with pitch-perfect emotion.
RODNEY CROWELL/Fever on the Bayou
Writers: Rodney Crowell/Will Jennings; Producers: Rodney Crowell/ Steuart Smith; Publishers: Sony-ATV Tunes/Irving/Will Jennings, ASCAP/BMI; New West (track)
-The slapping snare and deep bass form the base of this ode to Louisiana romance. Cool backing vocals, a sawing fiddle and a French-language verse are all pluses. Highly recommended.
DAKOTA BRADLEY/Won’t Be Young Forever
Writers: Dakota Bradley/Lance Miller/Brad Warren/Brett Warren; Producers: Byron Gallimore/ Tim McGraw; Publishers: Red Vinyl/EMI Blackwood/Farmlove/Sagequinnjude/Songs of StyleSonic/Melvin’s Bullets/Melvin’s Pistol, BMI/SESAC; Streamsound
-The nifty choppy rhythm propels him forward as he sings of a life lived well. “I’ll try never to say never: I’ll be forever young, but I won’t be young forever.” Amen to that, bro.
BUCKY COVINGTON/Buzzin’
Writer: Brad Hull; Producers: Bucky Covington/Dale Oliver; Publishers: Offer You Can’t Refuse/Black River, BMI; Bare Footin’ (CDX)
-A languid pace, banjo droplet notes and a dreamy vibe create a heat-wave, summertime mood here. Seasonally perfect.
JOSH THOMPSON/Wanted Me Gone
Writers: Josh Thompson/Brett Warren/Brad Warren; Producers: Mark Wright/Cliff Audretch III; Publishers: Sony-ATV Tree/Songs of Better Angel/Blank Sheet/EMI Blackwood/Sagequinnjude/Farmlove, BMI; Show Dog-Universal
-This upbeat ditty is characterized by babbling, repetitive, rapid-fire lyric delivery in the choruses. Catchy as all get out.
DIERKS BENTLEY/Drunk On A Plane
Writers: Chris Tompkins/Josh Kear/Dierks Bentley; Producer: Ross Copperman; Publishers: Big Loud Songs/Play Animal/Big Loud Bucks/Global Dog/Lunelight/Big White Tracks, ASCAP; Capitol (CDX)
-He’s wasted, traveling and missing her on a trip to Mexico they were supposed to take together. Best line of this roaring rocker: “Kiss my ass.” Actually, I think there are FAA regulations against over-serving airline passengers.
LEAH TURNER/Pull Me Back
Writers: Leah Turner/Jon Nite/Jimmy Robbins; Producers: Jim Catino/Cary Barlowe/Jesse Frasure; Publishers: WB/Rockin T/Thankful For This/EMI April/Jon Mark Nite/Universal/Extraordinary Alien, ASCAP; Columbia
-There’s something kinda cool about her vocal’s liquid, throaty quality. The stomping production keeps steady time while she emotes about her conflicting emotions. Even when she pushes him away, she wants him to pull her back. Super listening.

DISClaimer: Baby Acts Steal The Musical Thunder

April 16, 2014/by Robert K Oermann

John King

The baby acts stole the thunder from the established stars this week. As much as I loved the performances by Jamie O’Neal, Blake Shelton and Johnny Cash, my heart was captured by record makers who have far less experience than those three. Blake looked like he was sailing straight for a Disc of the Day prize, until he was trumped by his label-mate, Frankie Ballard. And then Frankie got the award snatched from him by the even newer Brothers Osborne.
And just as delightful was a total unknown, John King. He wins this edition’s DisCovery Award.
BROTHERS OSBORNE/Rum
Writers: John Osborne/T.J. Osborne/Barry Dean; Producers: Brothers Osborne & Brad Hill; Publishers: WB/All the Kings Pens/Universal-Careers/Barrytones, ASCAP/BMI; EMI Nashville
-Can I have the hands of everyone who’s ready for beach weather? That’s what I thought. Brothers Osborne have a single that will take you there in your mind. Everything is right about this: the hearty singing, the crunchy rhythms, the cool lyric, the vibe, the good-time mood. Play this massively.
COLE SWINDELL/Hope You Get Lonely Tonight
Writers: Cole Swindell/Michael Carter/Tyler Hubbard/Brian Kelley; Producer: Michael Carter; Publishers: Sony-ATV Tree/Sony-ATV Cross Keys/243/Big Loud Mountain, ASCAP/BMI; Warner Bros.
-Swindell’s sophomore single is a torrid invitation to romance with a roaring track backing a fierce tenor vocal performance. Radio ready.

Brothers Osborne

CARISSA LEIGH/Bad Boy
Writers: Carissa Leigh/Marty Dodson/Andrew Fromm; Producer: ToneDef; Publisher: none listed, BMI; 9 North/Little
-The production is messy with too much going on. The melodically weak song does nothing for me.
JOHN KING/Tonight Tonight
Writers: Marshall Altman/Dylan Altman/Andy Cortes; Producer: Marshall Altman & Doug Johnson; Songs of the Galt Line/Razor & Tie/Music of Cal IV/Andy Cortes, BMI; Black River
– Working for a paycheck, but looking forward to nighttime fun. EVERYBODY can relate to this. Especially since it is ridiculously hooky and completely ebullient. Love the guitar-crazy production, frothing rhythm and little electro touches. Who is this guy?
FRANKIE BALLARD/Sunshine & Whiskey
Writers: Luke Laird/Jaren Johnston; Producer: Marshall Altman; Publisher: Songs of Univeral/Creative Nation/Twanging and Slangin/Sony-ATV/Texa Rae, BMI/ASCAP; Warner Bros.
-This one gets bonus points for being sung in a super catchy, slightly raspy, country soulman style. Plus, the lyric is super clever: “Every time you kiss me/It’s like sunshine and whiskey.” Ain’t that cool?
SCOTTY MCCREERY/Feelin’ It
Writers: Frank Rogers/Matthew West; Producer: Frank Rogers; Publishers: House of Sea Gayle/External Combustion/Songs for Delaney/Songs of Southside Independent, ASCAP; Mercury/19 (CDX)
-The burbling, bubbling production is an audio delight and his vocal is totally assured. I’m even willing to overlook the fact that this is the one millionth summer-country-party lyric.
JAMIE O’NEAL/Wide Awake
Writers: Jamie O’Neal/Jimmy Murphy; Producer: Rodney Good & Jamie O’Neal; Publishers: EMI Pakimo, ASCAP; Shanachie (CDX)
-Jamie’s Eternal CD is mostly reinterpretations of country classics. It’s lone original tune starts out as a dreamy ballad, then takes a hard left turn into a honky-tonk lament about her guy who snores in bed. Wonderfully country-humorous, extremely listenable and sung like a hillbilly goddess.
BLAKE SHELTON/My Eyes
Writers: Josh Osborne/Tommy Lee James/Andrew Dorff; Producer: Scott Hendricks; Publishers: Want a Fresh One/Black River/Pretty Woman/Super Phonic/BMG/Songs of Universal/Endorffin, ASCAP/BMI; Warner Bros.
-Introduced on the ACM telecast this month, Shelton’s latest is an ultra sultry, swaying, sensuous delight. Gwen Sebastian provides the harmony vocal.
DANIELLE BRADBERY/Young In America
Writers: Jaren Johnston/Kylie Sackley/Whitney Duncan; Producer: Dann Huff; Publishers: Sony-ATV/Texa Rae/BMG Gold/We Jam Writers Group, ASCAP; Big Machine
-As long as we’re young, what do you say that we see the country and enjoy being in love? Sounds like a plan to me.
JOHNNY CASH/She Used To Love Me A Lot
Writers: Rhonda Fleming/Dennis Morgan/Charles Quillen; Producers: Billy Sherrill, John Carter Cash & Steve Berkowitz; Publishers: none listed; Columbia Legacy
-Johnny is in fine voice on his “lost” album, Out Among the Stars. Originally recorded in 1984, this dark saga of lost love has a burning, driving quality that is super engaging. The album also includes two June Carter Cash duets, a duet with Waylon Jennings and a remix/production “bonus” track of this song by Elvis Costello. All in all, a fine listening outing.

DISClaimer: Americana Serves Up Irresistible Tunes

April 9, 2014/by Robert K Oermann

There’s a lot to like in today’s survey of current Americana records. Both of the bands here, The Devil Makes Three and Reckless Kelly, sport terrific graphics on their CD jackets and inserts. Reckless Kelly even includes a tiny flashlight (moonlight?). It is also the Disc of the Day. Of the singer-songwriters, my favorite recordings were by Rod Picott, Jimmy Webb (of course), Jeff Black and our DisCovery Award winner, Dan Cohen.
THE DEVIL MAKES THREE/Stranger
Writers: Pete Bernhard; Producer: Buddy Miller; Publisher: none listed
-This Vermont punk/folk/old-time trio traveled to Music City to record its fourth and best album, I’m a Stranger Here. It kicks off with this echoey, wailing, toe-tapping ditty. It’s like old-time string band music on acid. These three have played festivals from Bonaroo to Lollapalooza, from Newport to Austin, and along the way they’ve opened for stars like Emmylou Harris, Willie Nelson and Rodney Crowell. Get on board.
ROD PICOTT/I Might Be Broken Now
Writers: Rod Picott/Amanda Shires; Producer: R.S. Field; Publishers: Welding Rod/Little LambsEatIvy, BMI; Welding Rod
-This former New England welder is now six albums into a widely heralded career as a singer-songwriter. His latest, Hang Your Hopes on a Crooked Nail has yielded this atmospheric track as his latest video offering, plus a free download on his website. Its beautifully produced sound almost obscures how bleak and dark the lyric is. Highly recommended. He writes like no one else: I remain an enormous fan.

Dan Cohen

DAN COHEN/Bluebird
Writers: Dan Cohen/Matt King; Producer: Dan Cohen; Publishers: Weston Boys/BME, BMI; Weston Boys
-Cohen has worked as a hotshot guitarist backing folks like Steve Wariner, Tracy Byrd, T. Graham Brown, Andy Griggs and others. But he’s also been making solo records since 2007. This is the title tune of his latest collection. It builds from a hushed, quasi-whispered beginning to a throbbing, bass-heavy shout of exultation. Cohen plays most of the instruments heard in this fabulous mix.
RECKLESS KELLY/Long Night Moon
Writers: Willy Braun; Producers: David Abeyta, Cody Braun, and Willy Braun; Publisher: FAH-Q, BMI; No Big Deal (track)
-Long Night Moon is the eighth album by these longtime Americana favorites and the first Reckless Kelly CD since 2011’s Grammy-nominated Good Luck & True Love. The new record’s title tune is a moody, Texas-drawled saga of traveling homeward while yearning for the touch of a lover. The album’s singles include the airy country-rocker “The Last Goodbye,” the twanging “The Girl I Knew” and the melodic invitation “Be My Friend.” Even if the music wasn’t as spectacular as it is, the record would be worth having for its gorgeous packaging.
KEB’ MO’/Rock Me on the Water
Writers: Jackson Browne; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Music Road (track)
-Nashville’s Keb’ Mo’ joins an all-star lineup on Looking Into You: A Tribute to Jackson Browne. Others with saluting tracks include Bonnie Raitt, Don Henley, Lyle Lovett, Lucinda Williams, Bruce Springsteen and J.D. Souther (who is also a Nashvillian). The neo-bluesman’s interpretation of this iconic 1972 hit is taut, simple and punchy. He brings a cool, soul-gospel groove to the familiar classic.
JEFF BLACK/Rider Coming
Writers: Jeff Black; Producer: Jeff Black; Publisher: Lotos Nile, BMI; Lotos Nile (track)
-This Nashville troubadour’s 11th album is his most stripped-down, hence its title, Folklore.The collection begins with this haunting guitar-vocal that has become Black’s latest video. As always, his almost-hoarse, emotionally compelling singing keeps you fully involved and hanging on every line.
JASON EADY/Daylight & Dark
Writers: none listed; Producer: Kevin Welch; Publisher: none listed; 4D2 (track)
-This Texan’s current album title tune is about a laconic loser with no direction home. The loping track follows his downcast, dusty vocal at a respectful distance. Listenable.
WYATT EASTERLING/A Shot in the Dark
Writers: Wyatt Easterling/Robbie Hecht; Producers: Bill McDermott/Wyatt Easterling; Publishers: Considerable/Old Man Henry; ASCAP/SESAC; Phoenix Rising
-Nashville songsmith Easterling has had cuts by Dierks Bentley, Joe Diffie, Neal McCoy, Sons of the Desert and others. His current Goodbye Hello CD contains this ballad about a guy who had no future until a lady took “a shot in the dark” at kindling romance. Its melody meanders somewhat, in a pleasing, almost jazzy way.
JIMMY WEBB/Still Within The Sound of My Voice
Writers: Jimmy Webb; Producer: Fred Mollin; Publishers: none listed; entertainmentone
-One of my favorite Jimmy Webb songs is the title tune of his current CD. He performs the lilting, soaring song with British female singer Rumer. Other guests on the album include Keith Urban, Carly Simon, Joe Cocker, Amy Grant, Kris Kristofferson and Art Garfunkel.
ROBIN & LINDA WILLIAMS/On and On
Writers: Robin & Linda Williams; Producer: Jim Rooney; Publishers: Songs for Dixie/Southern Melody; BMI; Red House (track)
-These Prairie Home Companion regulars are celebrating 40 years of being on the road together with a new collection titled Back 40. Recorded in Music City, it revives songs that have appeared on their 23 prior albums, many of which are vinyl and out of print. Covers of Hank Williams, Bob Dylan and Joni Mitchell are interspersed with their original folkie/bluegrass tunes. The new Robin & Linda composition of the album is this jaunty, upbeat ode to the endless roadwork they still do to this day. As ever, their harmony singing is a delight.

DISClaimer: The Dueling Divas

April 2, 2014/by Robert K Oermann

It’s Dueling Divas Day!
Unquestionably the two best records in this stack of platters belong to Martina McBride and Carlene Carter. Ironically, both are produced by Don Was and both are due for release next Tuesday, April 8.
Carter’s comeback finds her touching home with her family’s distinguished musical roots. It earns her a Disc of the Day prize. Honorable Mention nods go to Ray Price and the Brian Lavender Band, as well as the divine Martina.
I have no earthly idea who Cody Jinks is. His single doesn’t contain any clues. But he is still the DisCovery Award winner today.
BRIAN LAVENDER BAND/Good Ole Country Boy
Writer: Joe Vulpis; Producer: Steve Pope; Publisher: none listed; Lavender (track)
-The song is strictly generic, but his cool, raspy vocal and the kickin’ band elevate it well beyond what it deserves. There’s a cool, processed-vocal interlude that perks it up, too. Very listenable.
LONESTAR/Just The Rain
Writers: Richie McDonald/Jeremy Bussey; Producer: Lonestar; Publisher: NuState/Buzzcutt; BMI/SESAC; 4Star (track)
-It’s a power ballad of emotional loss. Richie’s vocal is, as usual, a thing of wonder. The song could use a chorus melody with more hooks.
ALLISON VELTZ/Bright Side
Writers: Allison Veltz/Jess Cates/Dan Muckala; Producers: Mark Bright & Dan Muckala; Publishers: Sony ATV Cross Keys/My Good Girl/EMI April/Very High/Wintergone/Kobalt, ASCAP; Blaster
-The poppy production is crunchy and catchy. Her youthful-sounding singing voice needs some seasoning and experience.
GARTH BROOKS/Tonight The Bottle Let Me Down
Writer: Merle Haggard; Producer: Mark Miller; Publisher: Sony-ATV Tree; BMI; BBR (track)
–Working Man’s Poet is a tribute to the titanic Merle Haggard that includes contributions from Jason Aldean, Luke Bryan, Dierks Bentley, Toby Keith, Joe Nichols, Jake Owen and more. Garth drops by to offer a steel-soaked two-step rendition of this classic honky-tonk tune. Country, country, country.
RICK DROIT & SARA HICKMAN/Wild Mustangs
Writers: none listed; Producer: Rick Droit; Publisher: none listed; MoonGarden
-Perplexing. It has a certain throwback, hippie vibe with its quasi-poetic lyrics. The track is kinda bouncy. Their voices are ultra-white and bland-ish. But it is oddly listenable.
CARLENE CARTER/Me and the Wildwood Rose
Writers: Carlene Carter; Producer: Don Was; Publisher: none listed; Rounder (track)
– Carlene’s Carter Girl CD features seven Carter Family classics, modernized, plus tunes from Helen, June and Maybelle. Her own songwriting contribution is this lilting piece of nostalgia for her lost girlhood and her sister who died too young. The album, which is lovely, drops next week. Be there or be square.
CODY JINKS/Alone
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Codyjinks
-He definitely has vocal “presence.” This resonant, baritone performance arrives backed by equally ringing steel and electric-guitar riffs. The lonesome song is pretty cool, too. Who is this guy?
RAY PRICE/Beauty Lies in the Eyes
Writers: Rich Grissom/Jon P. Gray; Producer: Fred Foster; Publishers: Life’s a Pitch/Pitch Pitch/It’s a Matter of Music, ASCAP/BMI; AmeriMonte (track)
-How many of us get to leave this world doing what we love the most? Ray Price knew he was dying when he came back to Nashville to record his final album. This lovely ballad leads off a collection that showcases one of the music world’s most iconic and legendary voices. Vince Gill provides the harmony singing, but it’s Ray who tugs at your heartstrings all the way. Essential.
JEFF MADDOX/Running
Writers: Jeff Maddox; Producer: Robert Metzgar; Publishers: Bobby & Billy/Sony-ATV, BMI; Platinum (CDX)
-This guy has definitely listened to his fair share of Haggard and Jennings. The peppy, hillbilly track keeps him on his toes, pushing him forward even though he doesn’t have a rockin’ bone in his body.
MARTINA MCBRIDE/Suspicious Minds
Writers: Mark James; Producer: Don Was; Publisher: Sony-ATV, BMI; Vinyl (track)
-The mark of a great interpreter is the ability to own a song, even a familiar one. McBride’s Everlasting CD showcases this peerless stylist reviving hits from the ‘60s and ‘70s, making you hear them afresh. Tackling this Elvis classic, she brings out the essentially “female” nature of the lyric, what with its references to crying and male jealousy. The honking baritone sax is the perfect underscore. The album drops next Tuesday, when you can catch her and her blue-eyed soul band performing this on the Today show. Actually, she’ll be pretty much inescapable next week, since she’s also appearing on VH-1, GAC, Arsenio Hall and on the cover of Country Weekly.

DISClaimer: Tin Pan South Week

March 26, 2014/by Robert K Oermann

Gary Burr

Since this is Tin Pan South week, it’s appropriate that this stack of platters is dominated by singer-songwriters.
Happily, tunesmiths Adrian Duffy, Cotton Wine, Ronnie Dunn, Jeremy Phifer, Scott Stepakoff and Gary Burr are all as terrific as performers as they are as writers. So good, in fact, that two of them took home our Disc prizes, instead of any major-label stars.
The Disc of the Day belongs to Gary Burr. I always look forward to his records. His songwriting is an inspiration, and his singing voice is a balm. His Juggler’s Logic set of tunes will set you free. The DisCovery Award goes to Scott Stepakoff, who is sort of a Nashville version of James Taylor. Check out his Unlived Lives collection.
JEREMY PHIFER/Take The L Out of Lover
Writers: Jeremy Phifer; Producer: none listed; Publisher: Jeremy Phifer, BMI; HMG
– He has a slight vocal rasp. That, plus the highly rhythmic track, give the single an audio “edge.” The country-rock outing has a dandy electric guitar solo, as well.
LOVE AND THEFT/Night That You’ll Never Forget
Writers: Dallas Davidson/Ashley Gorley; Producer: Josh Leo; Publishers: EMI Blackwood/Two Chord Georgia/External Combustion/Out of the Taperoom/Songs of Southside Independent, BMI/ASCAP; RCA
– Breezy, fluffy, easy-going, pleasant, tuneful.
JOHN McVEY/Meet Me In Houston
Writers: John McVey; Producer: John McVey/Andrew Reed; Publishers: Artists International Broadcasting Corporation, BMI; Artists
– The guitar instrumental intro of this blues tune moves slower than frozen molasses. When the vocal finally comes in, it is practically somnambulant.
LUKE BRYAN/Play It Again
Writers: Ashley Gorley/Dallas Davidson; Producer: Jeff Stevens; Publishers: Songs of Southside Independent/Out of the Taperoom/External Combustion/EMI; Capitol Nashville
– Single #4 from the Crash My Party CD is a well written romance ditty comparing a favorite song to a favorite kiss. You want them both to be repeated. Groovy and innocent sounding.
GARY BURR/Love Is Out There
Writers: Gary Burr; Producer: none listed; Publisher: Connboy, SESAC; GB (track)
-In addition to garnering rave reviews for his work in Blue Sky Riders, Gary Burr continues to make solo discs. His current one, Juggler’s Logic, consists entirely of solo-penned gems. Its lead-off song is a dizzy melodic delight with his charming tenor riding atop deft guitar and banjo plucking. This Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame member is a true Music City treasure. Buy this.

Scott Stepakoff

SCOTT STEPAKOFF and BRANDY CLARK/Unlived Lives
Writers: Scott Stepakoff/Brandy Clark; Producer: Scott Stepakoff/Dave Pacula; Publisher: none listed; Ten Ten (track)
– Stepakoff is a Ten Ten Music Group writer who is issuing a solo album. Its title tune is a mid-tempo meditation performed as a duet with co-writer Clark. The orchestration ramps up the excitement, but their entwined voices give even more audio thrills. Lend this man your ears.
RONNIE DUNN/Peace Love and Country Music
Writers: none listed; Producers: Ronnie Dunn/Jeff Balding; Publisher: none listed; Little Will-E (track)
-The title tune of Dunn’s new album is a simple, anthemic ballad that prays for a better world. As usual, he sings his face off. The collection’s first single is the previously reviewed “Kiss You There.”
SOUL CIRCUS COWBOYS/That’s The Way We Roll
Writers: Frank J. Myers/Anthony Smith; Producers: Frank J. Myers/Jimmy Nichols; Publisher: none listed; Kismet (track)
– Bro country has become so repetitive that it’s practically making photocopies of itself. I offer as proof the fact that there is also a current bro-country single titled “This Is How We Roll” (by Florida Georgia Line & Luke Bryan). This one does contain more working-man lyrics than the other one.
COTTON WINE/Murder Song
Writers: Cotton Wine/Jason Land; Producer: Femke; Publishers: Ten Ten/Marvelous Hands, ASCAP; Ten Ten (track)
-Cotton Wine is a male-female duo with pop and folk overtones. The act’s six-song, Americana-leaning EP kicks off with this haunting, languid tune embellished with electronic washes and stark percussive effects. Extremely promising.
ADRIAN DUFFY & THE MAYO BROTHERS/Someone Like You
Writers: Adrian Duffy; Producer: Matt Kemp; Publishers: none listed; SR (U.K.) (track)
-These three Irish Duffy brothers (Adrian, Chris and Melvin) have scored a No. 1 country hit in their homeland with this title tune of their five-song EP. It’s a jaunty outing that bounces right along as guitars twang and a steel chimes in. This defines “feel good” music.

DISClaimer: Curing Country Radio's Dearth of Female Artists

March 19, 2014/by Robert K Oermann

It is pathetic how few women are on the country charts these days. Meanwhile, pop radio embraces Katy Perry, Miley Cyrus, Lorde, Beyonce, Britney Spears, Lady Gaga, Pink, Kesha and on and on. You can’t tell me that Country listeners are any different, so why aren’t those programmers doing the same?
Let me offer some suggestions. This column is ALL female, and you’d have to be deaf to deny the latest from Rachel Holder, Jamie O’Neal, Ashton Shepherd and Rachael Turner. Not to mention our Disc of the Day winner, Kacey Musgraves. The DisCovery Award goes to The Haden Triplets, with Hailey Whitters a close second.
THE HADEN TRIPLETS/Single Girl, Married Girl
Writers: none listed; Producer: Ry Cooder; Publisher: none listed; Third Man (track)
-Their father is legendary jazz double bassist Charlie Haden, who grew up playing country music in the midwest and was once a sideman on The Ozark Jubilee. In 2008, he saluted his roots with the CD Rambling Boy, and that is where I first heard his talented offspring. The triplets’ self-titled album is out now on Jack White’s label, and it is completely addictive listening. This Carter Family classic is just one of its delights. They also cover Webb Pierce, Kitty Wells, The Louvin Brothers and more. Their names are Tanya, Rachel and Petra Haden. Buy their record now.
HAILEY WHITTERS/Friday Night Laundry
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; HW (track)
-I like her drawling delivery, the working-gal lyric, the soulful backing guitar work and the girlfriend chit-chat touches. Very, very promising. Keep your ears on this newcomer. Love the six-song sampler. Send more.
JAMIE O’NEAL/Born To Run
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Shanachie (track)
-O’Neal’s Eternal CD drops next month. It’s a collection of country oldies. Based on this lead-off revival of Emmylou Harris’s 1982 toe tapper, we’re in for a treat. O’Neal’s forceful voice is stronger than ever. Check it out when she changes keys upward toward the finale. Very cool.
KRISTY COX/One Heartbreak Away
Writers: Jerry Salley/Gerald Crabb; Producer: Jerry Salley; Publishers: Universal/Brentwood Benson/Lasso the Moon/Hatchie Bottom/Capital CMG, SESAC/BMI; Pisgah Ridge
– The instrumentation is bluegrass, but her vocal is crystal-clear country. Sweet sounding: As rippling and frothy as a mountain stream.
RACHEL HOLDER/Shining Now
Writers: Bill Luther/Bob Regan; Producers: Chuck Howard/Wilbur Rimes; Publishers: Sony-ATV Tree/This Town/Dixie Stars/Regan, BMI/ASCAP; Curb (CDX)
-I have always loved this lady’s work. She is a for-real singer, and this time out she kicks serious butt with a frothing, churning country rocker. Go get ‘em, honey. And whoever that guy singing harmony with you is, take him on the road with ya.
EILEEN CAREY/Let It Go
Writers: Eileen Carey/Kathryn Grimm; Producer: Travis Allen Childress; Publishers: Rolleycstr/Grimm Girl, BMI; Rolleycstr (track)
– The song is okay. But the track is too busy, and her singing voice is too generic.

Kacey Musgraves. Photographer Credit: KLRU-TV Austin City Limits. Photo by Scott Newton

KACEY MUSGRAVES/Keep It To Yourself
Writers: Kacey Musgraves/Luke Laird/Shane McAnally; Producers: Kacey Musgraves/Luke Laird/Shane McAnally; Publishers: Warner-Tamerlane/351/Songs of Universal/Creative Nation/Twangin and Slangin/Crazy Water/Smack Songs/Little Blue Egg/Kobalt, BMI/ASCAP; Mercury Nashville
– Enchanting. The percolating production bobs and swirls around her tart/sweet vocal as she details an unraveling relationship. This woman is audio magic. Embrace her.
TORI MARTIN/Done Deal
Writers: Tori Martin/Bart Rose; Producer: Bart Rose; Publisher: none listed; Martin 3
-It’s a bluesy Southern rocker, punctuated by wailing harmonica and a searing guitar solo. The gist of the lyric is that the new boyfriend is a big liar, so she’s giving him some lip.
ASHTON SHEPHERD/Seventeen Again
Writers: Ashton Shepherd; Producers: Larry Baird/Ronnie Rodgers; Publishers: Gin Road, BMI; Pickin’ Shed (CDX)
-Very enjoyable. In this lilting ditty, she figures out how to live in the moment, like she did when she was a kid. Breezy and spring-like.
RACHEL TURNER/Meet Me In The Middle
Writers: Jeff Cohen/Nathan Chapman/Cheyenne Kimball; Producer: Zach Abend; Publisher: none listed; Rustic
-The veteran indie label Rustic is back and marking its comeback with this splendid country rocker. Turner sings with power and range, nailing even the toughest notes with confidence. The spirited production has the sass to back her up, too. This gal has the goods.

DISClaimer: Two Vocal Beacons of Light

March 12, 2014/by Robert K Oermann

David Nail

Amid a sea of mediocrity, we have two vocal beacons of light this week.
They are David Nail and Joe Nichols, who duke it out for the Disc of the Day award. In a close race, soulman David Nail takes home the honor.
Even if you combined their abilities, this week’s two newcomers couldn’t manage to be one viable artist. Therefore, there is no DisCovery Award.
There are some honorable mentions to be made, however. I was quite fond of the Sundy Best record, of the T.G. Sheppard & Kelly Lang duets platter and of Ralph Stanley II’s vocal performance. Give ‘em a spin.
JOE NICHOLS/Yeah
Writers: Bryan Simpson/Ashley Gorley; Producer: Tony Brown; Publishers: Writers of Sea Gayle/WAWA/Esternal Combustion/Songs of Southside Independent/Out of the Taperoom, BMI/SESAC; Red Bow (track)
-Whatever she wants, thinks or does, the answer is an enthusiastic, “Yeah,” with a bob of the head. The track is echoey, big and beefy, but producer Brown wisely mixes the star’s magnificently burnished vocal front and center. This man is a sure ‘nuff singer.
DAVID NAIL/Kiss You Tonight
Writers: David Cook/Jay Knowles/Trent Summar; Producers: Frank Liddell/Chuck Ainlay/Glenn Worf; Publishers: Analog Heart/The Haber Corporation/RanDill/Acme Nashville/Songs of Universal/Songs of NTN, BMI; MCA Nashville
-The power of this record is in the restraint and tension in his vocal performance. As we all know, he is capable of burning the building down with his singing. As this rumbling, relentless production drives forward he simmers with heat, yet never boils over. The new album is called I’m a Fire. And he is.
SUNDY BEST/Until I Met You
Writers: Nick Jamerson; Producer: R.S. Field; Publisher: ALMAR/BMI; Entertainment One
-He sowed his wild oats, but then he fell in love. The tenor lead vocal rides on top of a track that’s so bopping it practically smiles. I remain a fan.
BIG & RICH/Look At You
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Big & Rich
-Listenable and pleasant. But the repetitive song is just barely there, and the production is never anything more than background noise.
ABBI WALKER/Kiss Kiss Bang Bang
Writers: Abbi Walker; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; AW
-If you are going to sing a rowdy lyric, at least have the smarts to kick it in the production. Can a single be feisty and plodding at the same time?
CHARLIE DANIELS/Tangled Up In Blue
Writers: Bob Dylan; Producers: Charlie Daniels/Casey Wood; Publishers: Rams Horn, SESAC; Blue Hat (track)
-In case you didn’t know, once upon a time Charlie was a Nashville session musician. And once upon a time, he backed Bob Dylan, who really liked his playing. That’s why his new CD is Doin’ It Dylan. The CDB tackles “Mr. Tambourine Man,” “I’ll Be Your Baby Tonight,” “I Shall Be Released,” “Just Like a Woman,” “Hard Rain’s A-Gonna Fall,” “The Times They Are A-Changin,’” and other classics. The set kicks off with this acoustic romp, which is an accurate introduction to the album’s overall folk-thump approach to this renowned catalog.
T.G. SHEPPARD & KELLY LANG/Islands In The Stream
Writers: Barry Gibb/Maurice Gibb/Robin Gibb; Producers: T.G. Sheppard/Kelly Lang; Publishers: Crompton Songs/Gibb Brothers, no performance rights listed; Leopard
-In recent months, Kelly has become buddies with Barry Gibb, singing with him on the Opry and at the Hall of Fame induction of Kenny Rogers. Husband T.G. Sheppard steps into Barry’s shoes for this take on the hugely successful Gibb song. In the original version, Dolly sang lead and Kenny sang harmony throughout. Kelly and T.G. swap parts instead, which makes it sound new and lively. Just in case you were wondering: The slightly slower arrangement doesn’t mean the lyric makes any more sense than it did before. The track can be found on the couple’s excellent new Iconic Duets collection. Pay special attention to the album’s one new tune, the lovely, wistful “Lonely on Lake Shasta,” co-written by Kelly with Lorrie Morgan and Mark Oliverius.
CASSADEE POPE/I Wish I Could Break Your Heart
Writers: Gordie Sampson/Ashley Monroe/Jon Green; Producer: Dann Huff; Publishers: Bughouse/Dash8/Bug/Reynsong/Ayden/Dalmatian/Universal, ASCAP/BMI; Republic Nashville
-This pageant singer has yet to demonstrate that she has any earthly idea how to get inside a lyric and truly feel a song.
RALPH STANLEY & RALPH STANLEY II/Dirty Black Coal
Writers: Ralph Stanley/Earl Sykes; Producers: Ralph Stanley II/John Rigsby; Publisher: Mountain Empire, BMI; Rebel (track)
-Unlike his Appalachian-stylist dad, Ralph II is essentially a honky-tonk vocalist, albeit one with a decided mountain moan. What that means is that this mournful bluegrass song has an extra dose of soul with him singing lead and his legendary father providing tenor harmony on the choruses. Their new CD is titled Side By Side.
KENNY DAVIN FINE/Dreamin’
Writers: Kenny Davin Fine; Producer: Michael Lloyd; Publisher: FinerMusic, BMI; Finer
-This guy is billed as “A Physician-Musician on a Mission.” He evidently lectures on nutrition and healing and such. Whatever. His neo-rockabilly single has plenty of instrumental punch, but he’s merely adequate as a singer.

DISClaimer: Sounds of Spring

February 26, 2014/by Robert K Oermann

Eli Young Band

I think I hear sounds of warmer days to come. Branch & Dean, Gwen Sebastian and Eric Paslay all have tempo tunes tailored to spring and summer playlists. So does the Eli Young Band. In fact, the group’s “Dust” is the rockin’ Disc of the Day. And now for something completely — and refreshingly — different. I present for your listening pleasure, Home Free. This week’s DisCovery Award winner is Country’s first a cappella singing group. I think you will find them as delightfully listenable as I did.
RAY PRICE & MARY SARAH/Heartaches By The Number
Writers: Harlan Howard; Producer: Kent Wells/Freddy Powers; Publisher: none listed, BMI; 144e (track)
-What’s the point? Ray’s 1959 original was a perfect country record in every way. All this remake proves is that he was still singing as flawlessly as ever as he aged. Her voice, on the other hand, is utterly superfluous.
BRANCH & DEAN/Glad She’s Not An Angel
Writers: Michael Huffman/Joy Harris/Tim Curtis; Producers: Dean Scallan/Michael Huffman/Jeff Silvey; Publisher: Hori Pro, ASCAP; SSM (CDX)
-I like the moxie in the records that these guys make. While an insistent beat and relentless guitar licks pump beneath their vocals, they praise a babe with a few rough edges and some not-so-prim personality. Totally groovy.
GWEN SEBASTIAN/Annie’s New Gun
Writers: Maher/Stover/West; Producer: Lewis Newman; Publishers: West Moraine/Songs of Welk/Universal/Z-Tunes/Hits and Smashes/That’s How I Roll/MGB/Desnemoiresmusic, ASCAP; Flying Island (CDX)
-She’s pert and perky, bopping and blissful, because she doesn’t give a flip that her boyfriend left her yesterday. There are plenty more guys out there, and she’s on a merry hunt for a “new gun.”
ERIC PASLAY/Song About A Girl
Writers: Eric Pasley/Jessi Alexander/Gordie Sampson; Producer: Marshall Altman; Publishers: Cal IV/Five Stone/Party of Five/Kobalt/Bughouse/Dash8/Bug/BMG Chrysalis, ASCAP; EMI (track)
-I liked Eric’s stripped-down introduction of this minor-key gem at CRS. And I like this atmospheric-production version even better. He’s on a roll: the boy goes two for two.
JENNIFER NETTLES/Me Without You
Writers: Jennifer Nettles/Tim Owens/Derek George; Producer: Rick Rubin; Publishers: Jennifer Nettles/Pedal Down/Tejuilla/Ampolified/WB/Funky Hair, ASCAP; Mercury Nashville
-The delicate acoustic accompaniment is gently persuasive. Her forcefully direct delivery of the ballad is as sure footed as can be, and remarkably free of the molasses mannerisms of her previous vocal drawl.

Home Free

HOME FREE/Wake Me Up
Writers: Tim Bergling/Michael Einziger/Aloe Blacc; Producers: Darren Rust/Home Free; Publishers: EMI Blackwood/Elementary Particle/Aloe Blacc, BMI/ASCAP; Columbia (track)
-Is country music ready for an a cappella group? I sure hope so. These five Minnesota natives won first place on TV’s The Sing Off and are now headed for a radio station near you. This wildly catchy tune (already a hit by Avicii), fabulous harmonies and beatbox propulsion send them on their way in marvelous style. Home Free’s Crazy Life CD also includes an ear-opening rearrangement of “Ring of Fire,” plus a Hunter Hayes medley of “Everybody’s Got Somebody But Me,” “Wanted” and “I Want Crazy.” Essential listening.
TRACY LAWRENCE/Lie
Writers: Ruben Estevez/Brad Ramsey/Jason Massey; Producers: Flip Anderson & Tracy Lawrence; Publishers: Sweet Red Mango/Torez/Tasty Red Mango/Egg Suckin’ Dog/I-Forty/Jason Massey, BMI/ASCAP; LMG (track)
-He desperately wants to know about his ex, but can’t face the truth if she’s happy without him and has moved on with another. Hence the instruction to lie. The power ballad is very well written, and Tracy remains a terrific communicator in song. Recommended.
PAPA DON McMINN/Pick A Dream
Writers: Larry Raspberry; Producer: Don Nix; Publisher: Shifryleepole, BMI; SLG (track)
-McMinn is a Memphis blues performer and Beale Street club owner who dreamed of making a country record. Producer Nix made that dream a reality in 1989. Well, almost. Shunned by Music Row for being too r&b, the tapes were shelved for 25 years. Now dusted off and released at last, they showcase an effortlessly soulful vocalist and a band that knows its way around.
ELI YOUNG BAND/Dust
Writers: Jon Jones/James Young/Kyle Jacobs/Josh Osborne; Producers: Justin Niebank/Frank Liddell/Eli Young Band; Publishers: Agent 4T5/Young James Young/NATC/Curb Songs/Jacobsong/Wizard of Os/Songs of Black River, BMI/ASCAP; Republic Nashville
-It’s a rocker with a double-time backbeat and some wailin’ guitar work. In the lyric, she’s splitting, hitting the road, turning up the radio, cranking the windows down and leaving nothing but the title substance. Raise your hands, dance around, get dizzy and sing along.
ASHLEY ROBERTSON/Wild & Free
Writers: Ashley Robertson; Producers: John Nicholson/Ashley Robertson; Publisher: none listed; SOCAN; AR
-She has a sweetly aching delivery on this languid, torn-between-two-lovers ballad. The piano-dominated production is wonderfully sympathetic, soulful and understated. I was quite charmed by the whole thing.

DISClaimer: Welcome To CRS

February 19, 2014/by Robert K Oermann

Lee Brice

Welcome to Country Radio Seminar. Rolling out the red carpet for our broadcasting visitors this week are a Country Music Hall of Fame member, one of Nashville’s hottest vocal trios, a hearty male up-and-comer and a band that’s just beginning to make waves. They are, in order, Don Williams, The Band Perry, Lee Brice and Parmalee. It gives me great pleasure to declare that a really great guy, Lee Brice, earns this week’s Disc of the Day prize.
The DisCovery Award goes to Lexi Larsen. I know very little about her, except for the facts that she is a native Nebraskan who is now a Nashville singer-songwriter. I do know this: The lady can sing.
LEXI LARSEN/You Can Leave
Writers: Lexi Larsen/Felicia Fay King/Karin Paparelli; Producer: Stephen Leiweke; Publisher: Fell Off The Truck/Lexi Larsen/Music Envy; SESAC/ASCAP/BMI; O.W.C. (CDX)
-Very promising. Loaded with vocal dynamics. She sings the verses in a husky, expressive alto, then belts out the choruses in a confident, shiny soprano. This woman certainly knows her way around a song.
NORTH 40/Tell Me Somethin’ Good
Writers: Paige/Logan/Heather Looney; Producer: Leigh Reynolds/Mills Logan; Publisher: Molly Jack; ASCAP; Rhymetown (CDX)
-This female led ensemble bops energetically here, but it seems to take forever to get to the hook.
MELISSA GREENWOOD/Roller Coaster Ride
Writers: Carole Ciaciosco; Producer: Jack Gale/Jim Pierce; Publishers: Royal Palm; ASCAP; Playback (CDX)
-She sings with vim on this tempo tune, and the slightly amateurish delivery only adds to its charm. The steel and lead guitarists match her lick for lick.
PARMALEE/Close Your Eyes
Writers: Adam Craig/Trent Tomlinson/Shane Minor; Publishers: Sony-ATV Tree/Big Spaces/Amplified Administration/BootHeel/Big Mosquito/Code Six Charles, BMI; Stoney Creek
-Spring and summer might seem a long way off. When they finally do get here, these guys have the perfect romance tune for those long, slow, dreamy nights.
DON WILLIAMS/I’ll Be Here In The Morning
Writers: none listed; Producers: none listed; Publishers: none listed; Sugar Hill (track)
-You could warm your hands to the sound of this voice. The Hall of Famer lopes through this ode to fidelity with the gentle ease of a champion cowboy. Utter audio excellence.
CARRIE ANN CARROLL/Honeymoon
Writers: Carrie Ann Carroll; Producer: Joe Carroll; Publisher: carrieanncarrollsongs, BMI; Treehouse (track)
-This Austin gal has a songwriter showcase CD titled You Should Know. It kicks off with this easy-going, rolling tune with a dandy guitar-driven backing track. Her singing voice is rather wispy, pitch-y and bland.

Lexi Larsen

THE BAND PERRY/Chainsaw
Writers: Shane McAnally/Josh Osborne/Matt Ramsey; Producer: Dann Huff; Publishers: Universal/Smack Ink/Want a Fresh One/Black River/Music of RPM/Sonic Geo, ASCAP; Republic Nashville
-Snappy and sassy. She’s out to cut down the tree they once carved their initials on. “It’s hard to bury the hatchet, holdin’ a chainsaw.” Fierce and feisty.
SCOTT CONER/Feels Like Friday
Writers: none listed; Producer: Greg Wright; Publishers: none listed; Reedy’s Dream
-It’s a country-rock thang, with a “live” feeling, a Skynyrd vibe and some soul-band horns and backup singers.
LEE BRICE/I Don’t Dance
Writers: Lee Brice/Rob Hatch/Dallas Davidson; Producer: Lee Brice; Publishers: Mike Curb/Legends of Mustang/Way Down the Hatch/Big Loud Bucks/EMI Blackwood, BMI/SESAC; Curb
-I really like the guy-next-door quality of this man’s performances. This delightfully rhythmic song is about a guy who is so in love that he’ll even dance with her, despite the fact that he can’t. The icing on the cake is a fantastic production with tremendous bass undertow, zippy electro effects and swirling atmosphere. As a singer, as a songwriter and now as a producer, Lee Brice rules.
STEVIE LEE WOODS/Hey What Do I Know
Writers: Patrick McManus/Rich Alves/John Colgen; Producer: Patrick McManus; Publishers: Freshly Brewed/Hard Luck/Bollywood, ASCAP/BMI; Krazy Town (CDX)
-The song is cutely written. His voice is just average, and the production sounds like it is approximately 25 years old.

DISClaimer (2/12/14)

February 12, 2014/by Robert K Oermann

When you have so many cool newcomers that it is hard to pick your award winner, that is a good day. This week marks the DisClaimer column debuts of Erica Hoyt, Leather & Lace and Chad Sullins & The Last Call Coalition. Any or all of them could be the DisCovery Award winner. With a toss of the coin, I’m giving the award to the family band, Leather & Lace.
Many of the rest of the discs reviewed here are flawed in one way or another. Miranda Lambert’s song doesn’t scan terribly well. Florida Georgia Line’s single with Luke Bryan is hardly a song at all. Maggie Rose has a terrific lyric, but can’t seem to deliver it with apt emotion. The only true piece of perfection is the Clinton Gregory/Collin Raye effort “Some Real Good People.” I’d give it some kind of song award if anybody had bothered to tell me who wrote it.
That leaves us with the disc which is offering something that’s always reliable, a grand vocalist performing classic songs. The Disc of the Day prize goes to the always classy Suzy Bogguss.
JJ LAWHORN/Good Ol’ Boys Like Us
Writer: Jonathan Lawhorn; Producer: Jeremy Stover; Publishers: EMI April/Songs of Hanover Holler/You Gotta Want It, ASCAP; Average Joe’s
-I still like his drawling accent, and this is his best written song to date. Once you get past the premise that God has a special place in Heaven for guys splattering mud in pickup trucks.
CLINTON GREGORY & COLLIN RAYE/Some Real Good People
Writer: none listed; Producers: Tammy Hyler/Larry Beaird; Publishers: none listed; Melody Roundup
-You wouldn’t think these two voices would go together, but they do. And what both men share is an appreciation for a well-written message song. Which this driving, uplifting number most certainly is. Richly deserving of massive airplay.
SUZY BOGGUSS/I Always Get Lucky With You
Writers: Merle Haggard/Gary Church/Freddy Powers/Bobby Whitson; Producers: Suzy Bogguss/Doug Crider; Publishers: Sony-ATV Tree/Shade Tree, BMI; Loyal Duchess
-There is something about this woman’s voice that I have always found completely captivating. Her trademark lustrous warmth is all over Lucky, her just-released collection of Merle Haggard songs. She gives this 1983 George Jones hit co-written by the Hag a sweetly bluesy lilt that makes it sound brand new. This whole album is an audio gift with its emphasis on simple arrangements and pristine instrumental solos as well as its songs and their singer.
MAGGIE ROSE/Looking Back Now
Writer: Lisa Carver; Producers: Blake Chancey/James Stroud/Stephony Smith; Publishers: Sony-ATV Cross Keys/Big Alpha Writers Group, ASCAP; RPM (track)
-This tale of betrayal, murder and prison execution is pretty dang cool. Her delivery of it, however, is bafflingly “sunny.” The purse doesn’t match the shoes.
FLORIDA GEORGIA LINE & LUKE BRYAN/This Is How We Roll
Writers: Brian Kelley/Tyler Hubbard/Cole Swindell/Luke Bryan; Producer: Joey Moi; Publishers: Big Loud Mountain/Big Loud Bucks/Sony-ATV Tree/Peanut Mill, BMI; Republic Nashville
-Catchy bro country with beats to spare and a repetitive, repetitive, repetitive chorus that infects your mind.

Erica Hoyt

CHAD SULLINS & THE LAST CALL COALITION/Couple 1,000 Miles
Writer: Chad Sullins; Producer: Mike McClure; Publisher: Madcor; no performance rights listed; Madcor (track)
-He sings in a macho, world-weary baritone, and the band backs him with an appropriately muscular tone. Steel, electric guitar, organ and percussion are as important here as the wandering-man lyric. The album is titled Wicked Spell, and it casts one. Very promising.
MIRANDA LAMBERT/Automatic
Writers: Miranda Lambert/Nicolle Galyon/Natalie Hemby; Producers: Frank Liddell/Chuck Ainlay/Glenn Worf; Publishers: Sony-ATV Tree/Pink Dog/Warner-Tamerlane/EMI Blackwood/Wruckestrike, BMI; RCA
-The thrilling track churns and froths and foams all around her. Amid the excitement, Lambert yearns for a simpler time when everything wasn’t automatic. The song is somewhat word-y and hardly ever rhymes, but I guarantee you’ll hang on every line.
ERICA HOYT/Love Me For Me
Writers: Armstrong/Hoyt/Rossebo/Waters; Producers: Jon Armstrong/Ryan Rossebo; Publisher: none listed; EH (track)
-Sweet and girl-y. Well produced, well written and well sung. But you might want to double check your insulin level before listening.
KELLIE PICKLER/Closer To Nowhere
Writers: Carson Chamberlain/Wade Kirby/Phil O’Donnell; Producers: Luke Wooten/Frank Liddell; Publishers: none listed; Black River (track)
-La Pickler’s latest is a rhythmic sultry suggestion about going out, making out, acting out or just being alone together. I remain a huge fan, and this sensuous song is splendid.

Leather & Lace

LEATHER & LACE/Red
Writers: Sam Tinnesz/Jennifer Zuffinetti/Blake Bollinger/Lisa Carver; Producer: Kim Copeland; Publishers: none listed; Leather & Lace
-This is a sibling band of three brothers and a sister, so the CD is titled Family Tree. On its kick-off single, the sound is faintly menacing, minor-key, “outlaw” country rock, and the lyric has a roulette-wheel gambling romantic theme. Hot stuff.