DISClaimer Single Reviews (3/9/11)

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Can you be fabulously famous and a new face at the same time?
If your name is Jennette McCurdy, you can. Known by millions of teens for her role as sassy “Sam” on the Nickelodeon TV comedy series iCarly, 18-year-old Jeanette can’t go out to a restaurant without being mobbed. But in country music, she is a newcomer. Her handlers are currently taking her on a mall tour to introduce “Generation Love.” In my opinion, you’d have to be made of stone to resist it. Give the gal a DisCovery Award.
It will come as no surprise that Taylor Swift has the Disc of the Day. She may be out conquering the planet on her world tour right now, but she left behind plenty of killer tunes on her Speak Now album to keep on delighting us folks back home. “Mean” is definitely one of them.
LEAH SEAWRIGHT/On The Backroads
Writer: Leah Seawright/Frank Green; Producer: none listed; Publisher: Ineylue/Frank Thomas Green, ASCAP; SkyTone (www.leahseawright.com)
—She has an attractive little vocal rasp, but it is somewhat overwhelmed by the driving, rocking track.
ASHLEY GEARING/Five More Minutes
Writer: Ashley Gearing/Tiffany Goss/Nicole Witt; Producer: Byron Gallimore; Publisher: Curb/Curb Congregation/Mike Curb/Sweet Hysteria, ASCAP/SESAC/BMI; Curb
—She needs five more minutes saying goodnight to her boyfriend on the back porch. Daddy needs five more minutes before he gives his daughter away. And, you guessed it, the husband needs five more minutes at his dying wife’s bedside. Pretty, if predictable.
PAUL NUNN/Dead And Gone
Writer: Paul Nunn; Producer: none listed; Publisher: Paul Nunn, BMI; PN (www.paulnunnbanc.com)
—He sings with force and feeling, the production is perfect and the band is tight. The song, however, is way too wordy and meandering. Programmers will also not be thrilled to find that it clocks in at over four minutes.
TAYLOR SWIFT/Mean
Writer: Taylor Swift; Producer: Nathan Chapman & Taylor Swift; Publisher: Sony-ATV Tree/Taylor Swift, BMI; Big Machine (track)
—The wispy, melodic “Back to December” was just about a perfect single. This chunky little bopper goes in a totally different direction. Toe tapping, tongue tripping and terrific. Hang on for the multi-voiced finale.
THE STEVEN L. SMITH BAND/Pieces
Writer: Steven L. Smith; Producer: Bob Bender; Publisher: none listed, ASCAP; Vinyl (track) (www.slsmith.info)
—The title tune to Smith’s new CD is a stark, dark ballad. His shredded, barely-there voice is extremely effective in conveying the soul of a broken man. Celebrity guests on the album include Joe Bonsall, Jimmy Van Zant, Crystal Gayle and Glenn Duncan.
JENNETTE McCURDY/Generation Love
Writer: Tom Douglas/Heather Morgan/Ross Copperman; Producer: Jay DeMarcus; Publisher: Sony-ATV Tree/Tomdouglasmusic/EMI Blackwood, BMI; Capitol Nashville
—Introduced at last week’s Capitol CRS luncheon, this soaring, inspirational and completely captivating anthem makes my heart pound with pleasure. She sings like a bird, Jay’s production is fabulous and the song is a minor masterpiece. Play this.
KIP BOARDMAN/Runnin’ Right
Writer: Kip Boardman; Producer: none listed; Publisher: Kip Boardman, no performance rights listed; Ridisculous (track)
—The groove is hypnotic, and his pop vocal has a drowsy, dreamy quality. Americana music programmers are probably the best audience for this.
EDEN’S EDGE/Amen
Writer: Skip Black/Hannah Blaylock/Catt Gravitt/Gerald O’Brien; Producer: Mark Bright; Publisher: Sony-ATV/401 Kye/Fouche River/Kye ya con Dios/Ink Pen Mama/Songs of Maxx/Tunes of R and T Direct/Syd and Sophie, BMI/SESAC/SOCAN/ASCAP; Big Machine
—The no-good girlfriend has split, and the whole town is celebrating Jimmy’s liberation. Airy harmonies and a sunny lead vocal are just two of this single’s many charms.
ELI YOUNG BAND/Crazy Girl
Writer: Lee Brice/Liz Rose; Producer: Frank Liddell & Mike Wrucke; Publisher: Mike Curb/Sweet Hysteria/Sony-ATV Timber/Hillsboro Valley, BMI/SESAC; Republic (CDX)
—When are the rest of you people going to get with it? Every single this Texas group has released has been splendid. This oomphy, mid-tempo outing is, too. I am going to keep raving about these guys until they get the big hit they deserve.
COLT FORD/Country Thang
Writer: Colt Ford/Dallas Davidson/Rhett Akins/Ben Hayslip; Producer: Jason Chance, Michael Zeuhsow & Dustin Burnett; Publisher: Average ZJS/Rhettneck/EMI Blackwood/Melissa’s Money/Get a Load of This/WB, BMI/ASCAP; Average Joe (CDX) (615-733-9983)
—The big guy rawks. He growls the verses, then bursts into melody on the choruses. Upbeat and infectious.

DISClaimer Single Reviews (3/1/11)

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Welcome to Country Radio Seminar.
You registrants are going to be hearing a lot of great new music this week. Alas, very little of it was on my desk today. There are only a few real highlights.
One of them is Little Big Town. The group’s “The Reason Why” is hands-down the Disc of the Day
And I am always happy when I find a newcomer who shines brightly. Today, the DisCovery Award goes to singer-songwriter Caitlin Rose. She positively sparkles.
KEVIN DEAL/If You Hurt The Ones You Love
Writer: Kevin Deal; Producer: Lloyd Maines; Publisher: Piedrero, ASCAP; Blind Nello (track)
—Drenched in steel guitar, this is decidedly “old school” country music. His singing voice is a mite thin, but the song is so simple and straightforward that it really doesn’t matter.
THE JANEDEAR GIRLS/Shotgun Girl
Writer: Danielle Leverett/Deric Ruttan; Producer: John Rich; Publisher: Sony ATV/Danielle Leverett, ASCAP; Warner Bros.
—The sound is rather compressed, but there’s no denying the infectious drive of this open-road bopper. A winner.
CAITLIN ROSE/Own Side
Writer: Caitlin Rose; Producer: Mark Nevers, Skylar Wilson & Caitlin Rose; Publisher: none listed; Theory 8 (track) (www.thecaitlinrose.com)
—This singer-songwriter really turned heads with her debut EP a couple of years ago. Her first full-length CD is a minor masterpiece. This title tune trembles with yearning and loneliness. Her fragile-rose delivery is completely captivating.
LITTLE BIG TOWN/The Reason Why
Writer: Karen Fairchild/Wayne Kirkpatrick/Kimberly Schlapman/Phillip Sweet/Jimi Westbrook; Producer: Wayne Kirkpatrick & Little Big Town; Publisher: Warner Tamerlane/Tower One/Mad Mother/Manatt Phelps & Phillips, BMI; Capitol Nashville (track)
—The title track to this foursome’s current album is a chugging, relentless slab of sound. It goes without saying that the stacked vocal harmonies are delicious.
JULIE FORESTER/You Only Love Me When I’m Leavin’
Writer: Julie Forester/Mark Stephen Jones; Producer: Bill Warner; Publisher: Texoma Ten/Julie Forester/Harlan Howard, ASCAP/BMI; JF (track) (www.julieforester.com)
—Recorded live and analog—with no auto tuning—this has terrific presence and audio depth. Her soulful phrasing and the lumbering low guitars contrast beautifully. Music to get lost in.
CHARLEY PRIDE/Except For You
Writer: Ben Peters; Producer: Charley Pride; Publisher: Ben Peters/Songs for the Planet, BMI; Music City (track) (www.charleypride.com)
—Are you feeling the need for an ultra romantic love ballad? Step right up. Charley’s got the goods, complete with synth strings.
LUCINDA WILLIAMS/Buttercup
Writer: Lucinda Williams; Producer: Don Was, Eric Liljestrand & Thomas Overby; Publisher: Lucinda Williams, no performance rights listed; Lost Highway (track)
—Blessed, the latest CD by this supremely gifted writer-artist, kicks off with this drawling, bluesy, cautionary ode. He’s a no-account trying to get back in her good graces, and she’s having none of it. Loaded with Southern attitude and rocking sass.
SUSAN GIBSON/Tightrope
Writer: Susan Gibson; Producer: Gabe Rhodes & Susan Gibson; Publisher: Susing Gibsongs/Bug, BMI; FoxTheRecords (track) (www.susangibson.com)
—Susan was the writer behind the 1998 CMA Single of the Year, “Wide Open Spaces,” as performed by the Dixie Chicks. The title tune to her latest solo collection is a lilting little ditty full of lightly poetic imagery. The production surrounding her breathy soprano is minimal, acoustic guitar accompaniment with a tentative-sounding mandolin solo in the middle.
SCOTT GIBSON/Just Keep Drivin’
Writer: Scott Gibson; Producer: Mac McNabb; Publisher: none listed; MMX (track) (www.scottgibsonmusic.com)
—Recorded in Austin, this has a somewhat ragged, raw sound. His plain spoken delivery is adequate, but rather passionless.
BRADLEY MATTHEW/Common Man
Writer: Adrian David Payne; Producer: Les Butler; Publisher: Dreamer’s Road, BMI; CDX (track) (www.bradleymatthewonline.com)
—The track bops and swings. The lyric is a blue-collar dandy. Unfortunately, he can just barely sing.

DISClaimer Single Reviews (2/23/11)

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Music City is Boys Town today.
The ladies are evidently taking the week off, since every platter here on the reviewing desk comes from a solo male. Let the testosterone festival begin.
Your top choices for airplay come from David Nail, Keith Bryant, Steve Azar, Walker Hayes, Kip Moore and Toby Keith. I know nothing whatsoever about Kip Moore, except that he is an exceptional singer with a sensationally well written song. Give him the DisCovery Award.
The Disc of the Day was a contest among Steve Azar, David Nail and Toby Keith. For melodic inventiveness and for daring to do something different, Toby Keith is my man of the hour.
JON WOLFE/Let a Country Boy Love You
Writer: Jon Wolfe/Britton Cameron; Producer: Lex Lipsitz & Jon Wolfe; Publisher: Fool Hearted/Big Music Machine/Golden Gears/Super 98, SESAC/BMI; Fool Hearted (track) (www.jonwolfecountry.com)
—There already is a George Strait. Find your own style.
TOBY KEITH/Somewhere Else
Writer: Toby Keith/Bobby Pinson; Producer: Toby Keith; Publisher: Tokeco Tunes/Music of Stage Three/Bobby’s Song & Salvage, BMI; Show Dog Universal
—This has a very cool, tongue-tripping groove and unexpectedly jazzy chord changes. He fires the lyric at you, but holds back just a wee bit of bluesy drawl. A terrific, addictive change of pace.
ALLEN KARL/That’s All Behind Me Now
Writer: Larry Alderman; Producer: Tom Manche; Publisher: Aldersong, ASCAP; Century II (track)
—The title tune to this artist’s latest CD is taken at a glacial pace, without the global warming.
STEVE AZAR/Hard Road
Writer: Steve Azar/James House; Producer: Steve Azar & Justin Niebank; Publisher: Webbie Writin’/Nice Shot/Kobalt/Jamshare/Friday Records/Evergreen, BMI; Ride (track) (www.steveazar.com)
—The sound is marvelously crisp as this shambles its way into your heart. It’s a traveling-the-highway song with just the right touch of blue-collar angst. Play and believe.
THE PEAR RATZ/Ozona
Writer: Joe Talbert; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; KSB (www.pearratz.com)
—The vocal is mired in sonic muck to thick you can hardly hear it. Incompetence preserved forever on plastic.
DAVID NAIL/Let It Rain
Writer: David Nail/Jonathan Singleton; Producer: Chuck Ainley & Frank Liddell; Publisher: Scrambler/Carnival/BMG Gold Songs/Glassbean and We Jam Writers Group, ASCAP; MCA Nashville (CDX)
—This man’s winning streak continues. His heart is shredded to pieces in this midtempo meditation, and it shows in every vocal inflection.
KEITH BRYANT/The Note
Writer: George Teren/Tom Hambridge; Producer: none listed; Publisher: Songs of Elevation/Teren It Down, BMI; Jordash (www.jordashrecords.com)
—I have always liked this guy’s singing, and I’ve always been a sucker for story songs. His clear phrasing is just right for this tale of old lovers reconnecting in the wake of her father’s passing.
HAYES CARLL/KMAG YOYO
Writer: Hayes Carll/Scott Davis/John Evans; Producer: Brad Jones; Publisher: Highway 87/Bug/Scott Davis/Shakeabush, SESAC/BMI; Lost Highway
—This nightmare imagery of wartime Army drug experimentation is equal parts Jerry Lee Lewis and Bob Dylan, with a dash of Hendrix electric guitar tossed in for spice. It probably rocks too hard for country radio, but is mighty potent nonetheless.
WALKER HAYES/Why Wait for Summer
Writer: Walker Hayes/Fred Wilhelm; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Capitol Nashville (track)
—I loved everything about his debut single, “Pants.” This shiny, bright follow-up bops right along with its good-times message. Sunny, to say the least.
KIP MOORE/Mary Was the Marrying Kind
Writer: Kip Moore/Scott Stepakoff/Dan Couch; Producer: Brett James; Publisher: Music of Stage Three/Songs of Connan/Roll Though/BMG Rights Management/Sony-ATV/Songs From the Couch, BMI/ASCAP; MCA Nashville (CDX)
—He sings with terrific urgency, and the thumping production matches him lick for lick. As he goes through a laundry list of lovers, he realizes what an awful mistake he’s made in romance. The heartbeat rhythm section is perfection.

DISClaimer Single Reviews (2/16/11)

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Contemporary country music sounds wildly diverse this week.
We have bluegrass flavored The Roys, outlaw sounds from the George Brothers, rollicking pop-country by Kenny Chesney and southern, guitar-slinger rock via Frankie Ballard. How’s that for variety?
The expert instrumental work on the George Brothers single earns the duo a DiscCovery Award.
I have a three-way tie for the Disc of the Day. For songwriting excellence, the winner is Jamey Johnson. For poetry in production, the prize goes to Gretchen Wilson. And for all-out vocal splendor, give one to Chris Young.
GEORGE BROTHERS/Brothers, Friends And Outlaws Forever
Writer: Dandall George/Leslie Wright; Producer: George Brothers & Leslie Wright; Publisher: none listed, BMI/ASCAP; Velma Jean (870-715-2867)
—I like it that the two electric guitars “answer” each other from opposite speakers. The duo’s single is a stomping southern rocker that name-checks Waylon, Willie, Johnny Cash, Jesse James, John Wayne, farmers, the troops, mama, Jack Daniels, Bud Light and the like. They won’t win any prizes as singers, but they get the job done, and the track is smokin.’
TIM McGRAW & GWYNETH PALTROW/Me And Tennessee
Writer: A. Martin; Producer: Byron Gallimore, Tim McGraw & A. Martin; Publisher: none listed, ASCAP; Curb
—Taken from the soundtrack of Country Strong, this echo-soaked ballad of rekindling faded love never actually gets around to singing its title. All atmosphere and little substance.
VINCE HATFIELD/Beth
Writer: Robert Alan Ezrin/Stanley Penridge/Peter Criss; Producer: Vince Hatfield & Eric Paul; Publisher: Rock Steady/Intersong/Cafe Americana/Irving/All By Myself/Peter Criss, ASCAP; Blue Moon (www.vincehatfield.com)
—Vince thinks this 1976 ballad by Kiss would make a good country single. I don’t.
CHRIS YOUNG/Tomorrow
Writer: Chris Young/Frank Myers/Anthony Smith; Producer: James Stroud; Publisher: Runnin’ Behind/EMI April/Sixteen Stars/Frank Myers/Grand Poobah/Dreams To Music, ASCAP/BMI/SESAC; RCA
—He sings with so much heat you can practically warm your hands by the speakers. This ultra-melodic ballad of conflicted romance sounds like a major, major hit. Straight from his beating heart.
THE ROYS/Coal Minin’ Man
Writer: Lee Roy/Matt Rogers; Producer: The Roys & Andy Leftwich; Publisher: none listed; Rural Rhythm (track) (www.theroysonline.com)
—This single from The Roys’ upcoming Rural Rhythm debut (due in March), is a sparkling acoustic gem. The lilting dobro licks, weaving fiddle lines and rippling guitars create an enchanting tapestry of sound around their plaintive voices. In a word, delightful.
FRANKIE BALLARD/A Buncha Girls
Writer: Frankie Ballard/Rhett Akins/Dallas Davidson/Ben Hayslip; Producer: Michael Knox; Publisher: Sony-ATV Tree/EMI Blackwood/Rhettneck/String Stretcher/WB/Melissa’s Money/Get a Load of This, BMI/ASCAP; Warner Bros.
—This exudes potent self confidence and musical muscle. Put some rocking sass in your playlist.
KENNY CHESNEY/Live A Little
Writer: Shane Minor/David Lee Murphy; Producer: Buddy Cannon & Kenny Chesney; Publisher: none listed, BMI/ASCAP; BNA (track)
—It may be February outside, but Kenny is already bopping into the summer season. A single with a built-in smile. Tap your toes and sing along.
GRETCHEN WILSON/I’d Love To Be Your Last
Writer: Rivers Rutherford/Sam & Annie Tate; Producer: Gretchen Wilson & Blake Chancey; Publisher: none listed, ASCAP/SESAC; Redneck (track) (www.gretchenwilson.com)
—I guess there are just some things we weren’t meant to understand in our lifetimes. Like how a track on an independent-label CD that was never even released as a single winds up with two Grammy nominations. Now it is finally a single, and a spectacularly lovely one. Gretchen sings the ballad with breathy, aching emotion, and the super-tasteful, guitars-and-cello arrangement is simply gorgeous. Awesome.
JAMEY JOHNSON/Heartache
Writer: Jamey Johnson/Rivers Rutherford; Producer: the Kent Herdly Playboys; Publisher: EMI Blackwood/Big Gassed Hitties/Universal/Macirhcyco, BMI/ASCAP; Mercury (CDX)
—This darkly ominous composition takes the unusual perspective of treating Heartache as though it were a sentient, threatening predator. Jamey growls his way through a tale that takes you through the historical past and into a smoldering, sexual present. Brilliantly creative and fabulously listenable.
MARK WILLS/Looking For America
Writer: Bernie Nelson/Philip Douglas/Jeremy Bussey; Producer: Phil O’Donnell; Publisher: Lisa Marie/SongsStarters/Buzz Cut, SESAC; Big Red M (CDX) (615-772-8868)
—He misses the good old days, surrounded by a stellar audio production.

DISClaimer Single Reviews (2/9/11)

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This week, we have two superstars at the peak of their powers and two newcomers vying to rock your world.
The superstars in question are Ronnie Dunn and Keith Urban. The understated, restrained performance by the latter won my heart as the Disc of the Day.
The two rocking first timers are Bridgette Tatum and actor-singer Christian Kane. Despite my reservations about his using a rock producer, Christian Kane’s songwriting ability and undeniable vocal talent led me to crown him with a DisCovery Award.
For less thunderous experiences, check out the gently lovely work being done this week by Billy Dean, Due West and Justin Moore.
TOMMY GOBEL/If You Can’t Do the Time
Writer: Lisa Gobel/Tommie Gobel; Producer: Leo J. Eiffert, Jr.; Publisher: Boodle O/Three Labs/Young Country, BMI; Boodle O
—Your tipsy uncle and his friends are camped out in your garage. The neighbors are complaining about the racket they’re making.
KEITH URBAN/Without You
Writer: Dave Pahanish/Joe West; Producer: Dann Huff & Keith Urban; Publisher: Wrighteous/Big Loud Bucks/Sony ATV Tree/Songs for My Good Girl, BMI; Capitol Nashville (track)
—He’s such a hotshot guitarist and such a top flight songwriter, that we tend to forget what a dynamite vocalist he is. This lilting, simply arranged love song is a showcase for some wonderfully expressive singing.
JONI RAE JACK/Western Bling
Writer: Joni Rae Jack/Robby Turner; Producer: none listed; Publisher: Michelle Rose/Robby Turner, BMI; JRJ (www.joniraejack.com)
—Tuneless noise.
JUSTIN MOORE/If Heaven Wasn’t So Far Away
Writer: Dallas Davidson/Rob Hatch/Brett Jones; Producer: Jeremy Stover; Publisher: Big Borassa/Universal-Careers/Down the Hatch/Jonesbone, BMI/ASCAP; Valory Music
—I confess that I’ve never been overly impressed with this artist’s seemingly endless string of redneck-rocker releases. This time out he’s found a first-class piece of material. The song has loads of heart, the production is solid and his emotional performance is right on the money.
BRIDGETTE TATUM/Hillbilly Rockstar
Writer: Bridgette Tatum/Danny Myrick; Producer: Danny Myrick; Publisher: Root 49/Cackalacki Twang/Danny Myrick, BMI; Root 49 (www.bridgettetatum.com)
—The title pretty much sums it up. The surprise is her husky, throaty alto delivery that is positively “macho” in its impact. It is such a striking vocal sound that it even manages to dominate the screaming-guitars production.
RONNIE DUNN/Bleed Red
Writer: Andrew Dorff/Tommy Lee James; Producer: Ronnie Dunn; Publisher: Songs of Universal/Super Phonic/Pretty Woman/EverGreen, BMI; Arista
—The message is peace. The ballad is powerful. The performance is thrilling. This veteran voice can still send chills all over your body.
SABASTIAN ROBERTS/It’s Still Country to Me
Writer: Gary Nicholson; Producer: none listed; Publisher: Gary Nicholson/Sony ATV Cross Keys, ASCAP; Homage/Spinville (www.sabastianroberts.com)
—Yes, I know that’s not how most people spell “Sabastian.” This is, however, how most people in contemporary Nashville music seem to think: If you fuse Hank and Van Halen, you’re still “country.”
BILLY DEAN/The Greatest Man I Never Knew
Writer: none listed; Producer: Ray Barnett; Publisher: EMI April/Lion-Hearted/Layng Martine Jr., no performance rights listed; BDMG (track) ()
—Billy’s latest CD, released on his own imprint, is a tribute to songwriter Richard Leigh.  It does not include such Leigh-penned Billy Dean hits as “Somewhere in My Broken Heart” or “Only Here for a Little While.” It does feature covers of Crystal Gayle’s “Don’t It Make My Brown Eyes Blue” and this 1992 Reba classic. Billy’s delivery is enormously touching, as always. A very worthy remake of an extraordinary song.
DUE WEST/When the Smoke Clears
Writer: Matt Lopez/Don Rollins; Producer: Jason Deere & Jimmy Nichols; Publisher: Deere Lights/Recognizant/Warner Tamerlane/Songs of BDAS, BMI; Black River (track) (615-353-2778)
—This trio’s sophomore single is a textbook example of harmony vocalizing. The ballad has a dreamy, almost jazzy tone, like smoke curling up to the ceiling at midnight. Very classy stuff.
CHRISTIAN KANE/The House Rules
Writer: none listed; Producer: Bob Ezrin &  Jimmie Lee Sloas; Publisher: none listed; Outlaw Saints/Bigger Picture (track) (www.christiankane.com)
—This fellow stars on the TNT television series Leverage as a Harley-riding justice seeker. His style of country is of the amped-up, sweat-stained, guitar-screaming variety. The title tune and first single from his CD is pretty cool, saying that at the end of a week, you owe yourself a rowdy good time. He sings it quite well. Get rid of the rock production, and you might have yourself something.

DISClaimer Single Reviews (2/2/11)

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Country music’s major labels seem to be slumbering in winter doldrums, but Nashville’s pop/rock community is livelier than ever.

So much so that there are three Disc of the Day winners in this edition of DisClaimer.
The Black Keys are nominated for three Grammy Awards. Welcome to Music City, boys.
Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Famer Wanda Jackson has returned with hurricane strength on her comeback The Party Ain’t Over CD produced by the always hyper-active Jack White.
And then there’s the overnight stardom of The Civil Wars. The duo staged its national television debut on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno on Jan. 13. It’s “Poison & Wine” video has 500,000 views on YouTube, and “Barton Hollow” is getting raves in The New York Post, USA Today, L.A. Weekly and Paste. It is also rapidly picking up radio airplay. The Civil Wars are playing The Belcourt tonight and The Basement tomorrow. I’d urge you to go, except both gigs are sold out, as are five others on its just-announced tour.
Best of all, out of the blue, we have a DisCovery Award to report. Like The Black Keys and The Civil Wars, it’s a duo. Travis & Julie are homegrown Nashville charmers. Lend them your ears.
THE CIVIL WARS/Barton Hollow
Writer: none listed; Producer: Charlie Peacock; Publisher: none listed; Sensibility (track)
—This duo is comprised of John Paul White and East Nashvillian Joy Williams. “Poison & Wine,” which appears on its Barton Hollow CD, has been featured on TV’s Grey’s Anatomy. The title tune is currently iTune’s Single of the Week and propelled the album to No. 1 on the iTunes chart when it came out this week. With its dark undertow of a beat, wailed ghostly harmonized vocals and majestic, minor-key melody, “Barton Hollow” is pretty darn addictive and hypnotic. Taylor Swift calls the sound “exquisite.” I couldn’t agree more. A must listen.
MICHAEL FORD, JR. & THE APACHE RELAY/Magnolia Street Heartbreaker
Writer: Michael Ford, Jr.; Producer: Doug Williams, Michael Ford, Jr., The Apache Relay and Noah Denney; Publisher: 1988, ASCAP; MF (track)
—This foursome hails from the halls of Belmont University. On this track from their album titled 1988, they wistfully drawl a winsome, lovelorn, acoustic folk ballad. The wobbling fiddle lines and feathery falsetto vocals weave a delicate pop tapestry.
THE BLACK KEYS/Tighten Up
Writer: The Black Keys; Producer: Danger Mouse; Publisher: McMoore McLeest/Wixen, BMI; Nonesuch (track) (www.theblackkeys.com)
—These new Nashvillians (Patrick Carney and Dan Auerbach comprise the group) have two tracks from their Brothers CD up for Grammy Awards. “Black Mud” is nominated as Rock Instrumental. And the shuddering, spare, thumpy, soulful, strangled “Tighten Up” is competing for Best Rock Group Performance. The whole album is nominated as Alternative Album of the Year, and it is an alt delight.
TRAVIS & JULIE/Osmosis
Writer: Travis/Julie; Producer: none listed; Publisher: Rockstar/Nickel Man; TJ (track) (www.travisjulie.com)
—This Nashville duo has a CD called Moon Girl that is a pop-music amusement-park ride. On this track they lay down a deliciously danceable rhythm and positively twirl in melody. Where have these folks been all my life?
RED/Faceless
Writer: Anthony Armstrong/Rob Graves/Jasen Rauch/Mark Holman; Producer: Rob Graves; Publisher: none listed; Provident/Integrity/Sony (track) (www.redmusiconline.com)
—Goths for Jesus? I guess so. This Christian band makes a thrashing, metal-machine, in-your-face sound that’s as loud and proud as Korn, Staind, Linkin Park or any other mainstream hard rockers you can name. The new CD, which dropped yesterday, is called Until We Have Faces. The previous two were nominated for Grammys. This one might make your ears bleed, in an aggressive-yet-melodic way.
RACHEL LOY/Stay
Writer: Rachel Loy; Producer: Carl Thel; Publisher: none listed; RL (track) (www.rachelloymusic.com)
—This Nashvillian has a self-titled, five-song EP that is quite a singer-songwriter showcase. Here, she is a pleading romantic. Elsewhere, she gets the pop-rhythm treatment. Rachel makes her living playing bass in studios and on the road with stars such as Julianne Hough. But this collection of relationship-centric compositions sounds like she’s ready to move into the center-stage spotlight.
WANDA JACKSON/Shakin’ All Over
Writer: Johnny Kidd; Producer: Jack White III; Publisher: EMI Mills/Filmtrax, no performance rights listed; Nonesuch/Third Man (track)
—Unlike Loretta Lynn, whom Jack White previously produced, Wanda Jackson didn’t bring her own songs to the table. So Jack’s musical personality sometimes tends to overwhelm her. He did bring her some splendid songs, including this dandy 1960 Brit hit by Johnny Kidd & The Pirates. Other gems include her cover of Amy Winehouse’s “You Know I’m No Good,” Bob Dylan’s “Thunder on the Mountain” and Little Richard’s “Rip It Up.”
REVIVE/Blink
Writer: Dave Hanbury/Rich Thompson/Mike Tenkate/Jason Ingram; Producer: Jason Ingram & Rusty Varenkamp; Publisher: Up and Over/Revive/EMI CMG/Sony-ATV Timber/West Main/Windsor Hill, SESAC; Provident-Integrity/Essential/Sony (track) (www.reviveband.com)
—The title tune to this Christian foursome’s current CD has a slowly building majesty about it. It says, “The only thing that matters is how we have loved,” in this too-brief life. Inspiring, in the best kind of way.
BOBBY BARE JR. /A Storm, A Tree, My Mother’s Head
Writer: Bobby Bare Jr.; Producer: Bobby Bare Jr. & David Vandervelde; Publisher: Bella Beckham, BMI; Naked Albino/Thirty Tigers (track) (www.bobbybarejr.com)
—The title tune to this fellow’s current CD tells a true tale in a languid, dreamy way. His echoey voice is sparsely accompanied by brushed drumming, keening steel and electric-guitar sighing. And, yes, Mama Jeannie Bare is screaming in the background. Elsewhere on this sideways collection, you’ll find  “Liz Taylor’s Lipstick Gun,” “Rock and Roll Halloween,” “Your Goat Is on Fire” and “Jesus Sandals.” In other words, you absolutely need to own this.
UNCLE SKELETON/Renfro
Writer: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: Upright T-Rex, BMI; Upright T-Rex (track)
—Outside of his pop band Kindercastle, Ross Wariner (Steve’s son) has a different sound with Uncle Skeleton. This ensemble has two CDs, Pancho Chumley and the more recent Warm Under the Covers. You’ll find this track on the former. Its synth-y, rapidly rhythmic tone typifies the spaceship, E.L.O. electronic vibe of Uncle Skeleton, which recently featured high on The Nashville Scene’s “Best of 2010” list.

DISClaimer Single Reviews (1/26/11)

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The lesson in today’s stack of platters is that there is life after major labels.
Elizabeth Cook, Jeff Bates, Josh Gracin and Jason D. Williams are all here to tell us they’re still standing tall. So is singer-songwriter extraordinaire Lori McKenna, who wins the Disc of the Day with a stunning album that dropped just yesterday.
Give a DisCovery Award to Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real. That lesson is, the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.
SARAH DARLING/Something To Do With Your Hands
Writer: Sarah Darling/Jason Deere; Producer: Jimmy Nichols; Publisher: Want a Fresh One/Sarah Darling/Songwriters of Platinum Pen/Big Bad Deere, ASCAP/BMI; Black River (track) (www.sarahdarling.com)
—The tune is somewhat simplistic and sing-songy, but the production is so crunchy, crisp and captivating that you hardly notice it. A winner.
JASON D. WILLIAMS/You Look Like I Could Use A Drink
Writer: Jason D. Williams/Todd Snider/Dan Baird/Keith Christopher; Producer: Todd Snider; Publisher: This Name Doesn’t Make Any Sense/Nobody’s Collecting on These Songs/Bug/Where’s the Check/Bag Daddio, BMI; Rockabilly (track) (www.rockinjasondwilliams.com)
—It has been six years since this piano-pumping wild man and Jerry Lee Lewis disciple has issued a new CD. Fear not, his Killer Instincts collection finds his powers undimmed. This baby rawks. Recorded in Music City, the cast includes not only producer Snider, but Bobby Bare Jr., Jim Hoke, Amy LaVere, Dan Baird and Kenny Lovelace, among others.
JENNY & ASHLEY/Indescribable
Writer: Ashley Cooke/Jonathan George/Anthony Mazza; Producer: Darran Smith; Publisher: none listed; Lofton Creek
—Youthful, bopping and pop-ish, with more than a nod toward the Taylor Swift audience.
JEFF BATES/One Day Closer
Writer: Patrick Jason Matthews/Jeff Bates; Producer: Jimmy Nichols & Jeff Bates; Publisher: Steel Wheels/Matthews Millions/Big Loud Bucks/Melrose Nashville/Landa, BMI; Black River (track)
—Jeff’s disc reentry is a six-song EP with a gospel theme. Its title tune is a stirring, soulful ballad wherein he looks forward to the day when the Lord will resolve all his unanswered questions here on earth. Wisely mixed with his gripping voice and the involving lyric right up front.
CARTER’S CHORD/A Little Less Comfortable
Writer: Phillip White/Emily Robertson/Joanna Robertson; Producer: Toby Keith & Mark Wright; Publisher: Songs of Universal/Jorjax/Sing Station/Boomer Sooie/Emily Robertson, BMI; Show Dog Universal
—The verses throb with yearning, and the thing truly comes alive when the trio harmonies kick in on the choruses. The shuddering, twanging, echoey guitar passages are cool, too.
LUKAS NELSON & PROMISE OF THE REAL/Four Letter Word
Writer: Lukas Nelson; Producer: Lukas Nelson, Anthony LoGerfo, John Avila & Tato Melgar; Publisher: none listed; POTR (track) (www.promiseofthereal.com)
—Lukas is Willie’s son, and the two are touring together this year. In this romping, lead-off track to his debut CD, Lukas sings in a tenor twang while the band gallops along behind him. He won’t be tied down, because, “forever is a four-letter word.” Highly enjoyable. Also check out the chiming ballad “The Sound of Your Memory” and the electrified, political, Willie-penned “Peaceful Solution.”
ELIZABETH COOK/All The Time
Writer: Elizabeth Cook; Producer: Don Was; Publisher: Agent Love, SESAC; 31 Tigers (track) (www.elizabeth-cook.com)
—Elizabeth’s Welder CD came out last summer, but somehow got lost in my ever-expanding pile of things-to-be-reviewed. New producer Was, plus her Nashville instrumental buddies, have finally come up with a sound that perfectly captures her hillbilly-yet-hip personna. This lively lead-off track sort of fuses Appalachia with India, if you can imagine that. This whole record is a masterpiece, from “Heroin Addict Sister” to “Mama’s Funeral” to “El Camino” to “Yes to Booty.” If you haven’t bought this yet, do so at once.
RECKLESS KELLY/I Hold The Bottle, You Hold The Wheel
Writer: Pinto Bennett; Producer: none listed; Publisher: Famous Motel Cowboy, BMI; RK (972-800-0004)
—The song is a dandy. The mix is muddy.
STAR DeAZLAN/A Man Who Can Dance
Writer: James Slater/Tim Nichols; Producer: Doug Johnson; Publisher: Warner-Tamerlane/Green Ivy/Bug, BMI; Curb
—Pert and perky, with just a splash of Latina spice.
JOSH GRACIN/Only When It Rains
Writer: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Average Joe/Full Scope (track) (www.joshgracin.com)
—Josh has a five-song sampler that includes this atmospheric, drama-packed anthem of lost love. The choruses give him plenty of room to show off his range. How did Lonestar let this one get away?
LORI McKENNA/Buy This Town
Writer: Lori McKenna; Producer: Barry Dean; Publisher: Universal, no performance rights listed; LM (track) (www/lorimckenna.com)
—This brilliant song crafter is self-releasing her newest collection. I was immediately drawn to this stately, poetic, yearning ballad of need and longing. Half the songwriters in this city surely wish they could come up with something as shining as this polished little gem. The title tune, “Lorraine” paints motherhood with a series of vivid, scintillating everyday details. “The Luxury of Knowing” will floor anyone who has ever been in a difficult relationship. Everywhere you turn, there’s a touch of genius here. I am completely in love with this record.

DISClaimer Single Reviews (1/19/11)

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Let’s do a little Grammy gazing, shall we?

For starters, let’s look beyond the stunning and well-deserved six nominations for Lady Antebellum. What Nashville act has the second most? Surprise! It’s the quintuple nominated outing by the Nashville Symphony Orchestra. Which, by the way, wins our Disc of the Day.
I’d also like to give a shout-out to Darrell Scott, who not only has a Country Instrumental nomination, but is also a crucial component of Band of Joy, the twice nominated CD by Robert Plant.
Casting our eyes further down the 109 (!) category list, we find our town’s denizens scattered everywhere. As I predicted, Kings of Leon and Paramore are well represented in the pop/rock fields. Leon Russell picks up a nod for his collaboration with Elton John.
Over in Pop Instrumental, you’ll find our own Larry Carlton. Legendary Johnny Mathis came to Music City to make his nominated CD. BeBe & CeCe Winans picked up a pair of nominations in the gospel categories. So hooray for that. You’ll find The John Hartford String Band as a contender in the Traditional Folk race. Bela Fleck is a nominee in exotic Category 75 (Best Contemporary World Music Album).
Our own Doug Seroff has a liner-notes nomination for a Fisk Jubilee set. And Colin Escott is back with another Best Historical nomination for a Hank Williams package, co-produced by Jett Williams and Mike Jason and engineered by Joe Palmaccio.
The country categories contain, as usual, a few head scratchers. No to Kenny
Chesney, but yes to David Nail? No to Reba, but yes to Gretchen Wilson? But it is nice to see Dailey & Vincent sneaking in for a Group nomination.
Here are a few other Nashville notables “in the hunt.”
GUY CLARK/Hemingway’s Whiskey
Writer: Guy Clark/Joe Leathers/Ray Stephenson; Producer: Guy Clark, Verlon Thompson & Chris Latham; Publisher: EMI April/Curb/Ghermkyle, BMI/ASCAP; Dualtone (track)
—Let’s face it: This guy is proudly and steadfastly “folk” in all the best senses of the term. So it’s no wonder that his Somedays the Song Writes You album is up for a Best Contemporary Folk Grammy. And just to prove (again) that a great song knows no genre, this insightful, gentle, metaphoric, evocative track emerged from it to become the title tune of Kenny Chesney’s new blockbuster.
SAM BUSH/Circles Around Me
Writer: Jeff Black/Sam Bush; Producer: Sam Bush; Publisher: Lotos Nile/Samanda Lynn/Bug, BMI; Sugar Hill (www.sambush.com)
—If you don’t absolutely love Sam Bush, pack your bags and get out of town. This mandolin master, songwriting wunderkind, singer and personality-plus fellow is up for Best Bluegrass Album, Category 65. Its trilling, trippy title tune is just one of 14 reasons to love this music-packed set. Co-writer Jeff Black, by the way, is also responsible for the album’s standout track, “Gold Heart Locket.”
THE INFAMOUS STRINGDUSTERS/Magic #9
Writer: Jesse Cobb/Chris Pandolfi; Producer: The Infamous Stringdusters & Gary Paczosa; Publisher: Cobbstrumental/Deep Home, ASCAP; Sugar Hill (track) (www.thestringdusters.com)
—Where would the Country Instrumental Category be without bluegrass bands? Brad Paisley, Keith Urban, Vince Gill, Steve Wariner, Frankie Ballard, the Dixie Chicks, Diamond Rio and the rest of country’s hot pickers need to get on the job. As it is, “Magic #9” by The Infamous Stringdusters is a mandolin, banjo, fiddle, guitar and dobro plucked tune that is a worthy, lilting, breezy and merry sounding nominee.
STEVEN CURTIS CHAPMAN/Beauty Will Rise
Writer: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Sparrow
—This singer-songwriter is a Nashville treasure. You’ll find him in Grammy Category 53: Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album. Its title tune is a rocking, magnificently uplifting, aching-yet-hopeful ode. Rising from personal and spiritual pain, he sings of the endurance of our souls like no one else. I remain an awestruck fan.
TY HERNDON/The Rest Of My Life
Writer: Matthew S. Garringer/Ty Herndon; Producer: Ty Herndon & Wayne Haun; Publisher: Sunset Gallery/Journey On, no performance rights listed; Funl (track)
—Former country chart topper Herndon bounces back with a Grammy nomination in gospel Category 54 for his Journey On album. It kicks off with this densely scored pop pounder, complete with a quasi-choral backing. Rousing.
RICKY SKAGGS/Return To Sender
Writer: Gordon Kennedy; Producer: Ricky Skaggs & Gordon Kennedy; Publisher: Glennjoy, ASCAP; Skaggs Family (track)
—If you put on Ricky’s Mosaic collection expecting to hear a bluegrass record, you are in for a shock. Co-produced by Gordon Kennedy, it is a collage of pop sounds, united by spiritual lyrics. The whole CD has a nomination in Category 53: Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album. This gorgeously melodic, Celtic-flavored, string-embellished thumper is up for Best Gospel Song. It is a beautiful sounding mini-masterpiece. Ricky’s third nomination is in the Traditional Folk list (Category 68), for his Songs My Dad Loved album.
NASHVILLE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA/Metropolis Symphony
Writer: Michael Daugherty; Producer: Blanton Alspaugh; Publisher: Peermusic Classical, BMI; Naxos
—This is a brilliant performance of a challenging composition. Daugherty’s work often demands that all instruments play at the top of their registers and incorporates such sounds as whistles, siren, brake drum, chimes and whip cracks. The fifth movement, “Red Cape Tango,” is the most melodic, dramatic and extended of the symphony. It’s not exactly dinner music, but this is the classical record to beat.
DARRELL SCOTT/Willow Creek
Writer: Darrell Scott; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Full Light
—Darrell has often been celebrated as the Nashville tunesmith of “It’s a Great Day to Be Alive,” “Born to Fly,” “Longtime Gone,” “Heartbreak Town,” “You’ll Never Leave Harlan Alive” and more. He has also been lauded for a series of seven great solo CDs. It’s about time someone noticed that he is also a first-call Music Row instrumentalist. This charming, jaunty ditty appears on his A Crooked Road CD and has a nomination in Category 40: Best Country Instrumental. From an indie-label album, no less. Mazel tov.
CHERRYHOLMES/Tattoo Of A Smudge
Writer: B.J. Cherryholmes/Molly Cherryholmes; Producer: Ben Isaacs, Jere Cherryholmes & B.J. Cherryholmes; Publisher: Hey, Knucklehead, ASCAP; Skaggs Family (track) (www.cherryholmes.com)
—This fiddle-and-mandolin dominated rapid romp landed Cherryholmes in the Best Country Instrumental category. Which makes this a strange time for the family band to be announcing that it’s calling it quits this spring.
THE STEELDRIVERS/Where Rainbows Never Die
Writer: Chris Stapleton/Mike Henderson; Producer: Luke Wooten & The SteelDrivers; Publisher: none listed; Rounder (track)
—The SteelDrivers are also in a time of transition. Lead singer Chris Stapleton left the band after recording the current Reckless CD. That’s him singing on this atmospheric meditation on aging. It’s such a terrific song and performance that it did my heart good to see it competing against the major-label biggies in Category 38: Best Country Group. Yes, Lady A will win. But this is still such a class nomination.
MARTY STUART & CONNIE SMITH/I Run To You
Writer: Marty Stuart/Connie Smith; Producer: Marty Stuart; Publisher: Marty Stuart/Connie Smith/Bug, BMI; Sugar Hill (track) (www.martystuart.net)
—Marty is up for two Grammy Awards. “Hummingbyrd” is in the running for Country Instrumental. And this steel-soaked duet with his gold-standard vocalist bride is competing in the Country Collaboration race. Is that cool or what? Both nominees can be found on his current Ghost Train album.
ROBERT PLANT/Silver Rider
Writer: Zachary Micheletti/Mimi Parker/George Sparhawk; Producer: Robert Plant & Buddy Miller; Publisher: 1238/Spinney/Domino, BMI/PRS; Rounder (track)
—Plant’s Nashville-recorded Band of Joy CD features an all-star cast of Nashvillians, including Buddy Miller, Darrell Scott, Bekka Bramlett and Byron House. It is justifiably a nominee in Category 64: Americana Album. And this track pops up competing in the Best Rock Vocal, Category 15. His spectral reading of the echoey throbber—shadowed by the hushed, haunted harmony of Patty Griffin—is simply mesmerizing.

DISClaimer Single Reviews (1/12/11)

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I am loving this format today.
I love its diversity. I love the quality of its song craftsmanship. I love its mix of youth and maturity. Country music rules.
In celebration, I am crowning three Disc of the Day winners. The Group prize goes to Rascal Flatts for its chesty vow of steadfastness. The Male winner is Randy Montana, who has a sonic masterpiece to offer. The Female prize, and the surprise of the day, is Ashton Shepherd. Every other gal in town is going to kick herself for not finding “Look It Up” first.
That’s not all. Be sure and lend your ears, also, to Reba McEntire, Joanna Smith, The Dirt Drifters and the new duo Curtis & Luckey. They add to this week’s tasty country goulash of musical diversity.
JEFF TALMADGE/Sometimes You Choose Love
Writer: Talmadge; Producer: Thomm Jutz; Publisher: Tot Ziens, BMI; Berkalin (track) (www.jefftalmadge.com)
—Recorded in Nashville, this folk-country stylist from Texas has a gentle, acoustic sound that goes down easy in this swaying, mid-tempo meditation. The album, titled Kind of Everything, is his seventh.
REBA/If I Were A Boy
Writer: Brittany Jean Carlson/Toby Gad; Producer: Dann Huff; Publisher: Songs of Universal/BC Jean/Cherry Lane/Liedela/Gad, BMI/ASCAP; Valory Music/Starstruck(track)
—This country take on the Beyonce hit is a pulsing power ballad with exactly the right dynamics in the production to put the spotlight on Reba’s delivery of the extraordinary lyric. Her best single in ages.
CURTIS & LUCKEY/Eye Candy
Writer: Brian Curtis/Luckey Moore/Shawn Rhem; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; KMG Music Group (515-269-0474)
—Sprightly and good humored, with creamy harmonies and shiny-bright production.
RASCAL FLATTS/I Won’t Let Go
Writer: Steve Robson/Jason Sellers; Producer: Dann Huff & Rascal Flatts; Publisher: Stage Three/Sony-ATV Cross Keys/Becky’s Boy, ASCAP; Big Machine
—Stately and inspirational. A ballad where you relish every step along the way. An exemplary piece of work. My only quibble is that the Joe Don and Jay harmony vocals are too far down in the mix.
CAMILLE ALVEY & DICKEY LEE/She Thinks I Still Care
Writer: Dickey Lee; Producer: Don Sullivan; Publisher: Universal, BMI; Calisse (track) (www.camillealvey.com)
—Camille takes this classic at a confident, crisp pace. Dickey takes over in the second verse, sounding remarkably youthful, I might add. She harmonizes to his lead in the bridge and in the final verse. It’s all quite listenable.
RANDY MONTANA/1,000 Faces
Writer: Randy Montana/Tom Douglas; Producer: Jay Joyce; Publisher: Sony-ATV/tomdouglasmusic, BMI; Mercury Nashville (CDX)
—I am a big fan of this guy, and this ultra-melodic outing is the kind of single that makes a star. It starts off quietly, but when the second verse kicks in, the production and his funky-raspy vocal take off like a stallion bolting from the barn. Hang on for the finale where his various vocal phrases are layered dazzlingly on top of one another. Go, boy, go.
JOANNA SMITH/Georgia Mud
Writer: Joanna Smith/Jim McCormick/Aaron Scherz; Producer: Philip White; Publisher: none listed, BMI; Columbia (CDX)
—Like Randy, Joanna is an artist who ably showcased her material in our office. So I can tell you for a fact that these kids are both real singers. She was so charming on her rollicking debut single, “Gettin’ Married.” This one is more sweetly romantic, with a cool, crunchy backbeat and a vocal performance with a built-in smile.
ASHTON SHEPHERD/Look It Up
Writer: Angaleena Presley/Robert Ellis Orrall; Producer: Buddy Cannon; Publisher: Ten Ten/Orrall Fixation, ASCAP; MCA Nashville (CDX)
—Ashton struts with plenty of moxie on this attitude number. “The word is ‘faithful.’ Look it up,” she snaps. Plenty of other bon mots ensue, until you get to, “The word is ‘over.’ Look it up.” The rumbling “outlaw” thump in the rhythm section matches her vocal flair lick for lick. I would LOVE to hear this on the radio.
AARON LEWIS/Country Boy
Writer: Aaron Lewis; Producer: James Stroud & Aaron Lewis; Publisher: Greenfund, ASCAP; Stroudavarious (www.stroudavarious.com)
—How many times are we going to write various versions of this same song. Dirt road? Check. Blue jeans and t-shirt wardrobe? Check. Guns? Check. Tractor, diesel truck? Check and check. American flag? You bet. Also: It is four, dirge-like, minutes long. The version with cameos by George Jones and Charlie Daniels drags it out, endlessly, to 4:49.
THE DIRT DRIFTERS/Something Better
Writer: Jeff Middleton/Matt Fleener/Nick Diamond; Producer: Justin Niebank; Publisher: Music of Stage Three/Jersey South/Stage Three/EMI Blackwood/Steeltoe Dreamer/Sony-ATV Tree/Buddy Lloyd/nickfakenamemusic, BMI/ASCAP; Warner Bros.
—It’s a blue-collar rocker about a worker waiting for some improvement in his dead-end life. Heck, he even thinks his girlfriend is waiting for something better than him to come along.

DISClaimer Single Reviews (1/5/11)

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Happy New Year.
What a great way to start 2011: There’s not a stinker in this stack of platters.
You’ll find two DisCovery Award contenders here, The Don Ray Band and our winners, Brother Slade. Both of them are Nashvillians, by the way.
Similarly, we have two pop veterans in attendance, Johnny Mathis and Johnny Rivers.
But the Disc of the Day has no companions. The Zac Brown Band stands alone in its greatness.
BROTHER SLADE/Tom Petty Song
Writer: Marc Christian; Producer: Marc Christian; Publisher: Brother Slade, SESAC; Sully Boy (traqck) (www.brotherslade.com)
—This winsome four-piece band is based south of Music City in Franklin. On its debut single, the group sports a jangling, jaunty sound that’s mighty fine. The rootsy, drawling, conversational vocals are just right for the down-home lyric. The album is called No Relation, and it’s recommended.
THE BAND PERRY/You Lie
Writer: Brian Henningsen/Chris Henningsen/Aaron Henningsen; Producer: Paul Worley; Publisher: EMI Blackwood/How Bout That Skyline/Cactus Moser, BMI; Republic Nashville
—This trio of siblings broke through with a tender ballad in 2010. The follow-up is a slab of sass. Don’t be misled by the acoustic mandolin intro—this little doggie bites with sharp teeth. Attitude with a capital A.
MIKE DEKLE/Ode To Bob Dylan
Writer: Mike Dekle; Producer: Byron Hill; Publisher: Square D, ASCAP; Parlay (track) (www.mikedekle.com)
—Dekle is a Georgia songwriter noted for “Scarlet Fever” (Kenny Rogers), “Don’t Love Make a Diamond Shine” (Tracy Byrd), “Size Matters” (Joe Nichols) and “A Day in the Life of a Fool” (George Jones, Keith Whitley, Mark Chesnutt). His new Nashville-produced album is called Tributes. He sings with great country “heart.” Despite his hillbilly grit, he says in this song that he was inspired to become a songwriter by Dylan, rather than Haggard. It’s totally cool that he “wanted to be Mr. Tambourine Man.”
ZAC BROWN BAND/Colder Weather
Writer: Zac Brown/Wyatt Durrette/Levi Lowrey/Coy Bowles; Producer: Keith Stegall & Zac Brown; Publisher: Weimerhound/Lil’ Dub/Angelika/Southern Ground/Poppsolotamus, BMI; Atlantic (track)
—Zac sounds like a hillbilly James Taylor on this highly-melodic, folkie ballad. And, man, can his bandmates harmonize. Hang on to your hat when they get to the soaring midsection. I can’t get over how fantastic this group is. We are not worthy.
DON RAY BAND/On Top Of The Heap
Writer: Don Ray/Curt Ryle; Producer: Don Ray; Publisher: Margdon/Big Matador, BMI; Margdon (track) (www.donrayband.com)
—This Nashvillian has a growling, bluesy, bruiser delivery. On the title tune to his current CD, he is a working-class moaner with more than a little Southern-rock punch. For some grins, spin “Perfect Ten,” wherein he digs a fat chick to a rocking backbeat. “So Wicked” is voodoo swamper. “Boom Chika Wah Wah” and “Good Bad Boy” are irresistibly sexy. Heck, this whole album rawks. I bet these guys are great live.
JOHNNY RIVERS/New Home
Writer: Eric C. Bibb; Producer: Johnny Rivers & Oren Waters; Publisher: Bug, no performance rights listed; Soul City (www.johnnyrivers.com)
—This pop legend’s second country-leaning single is written by nouveau blues practitioner Eric Bibb (the son of folk star Leon Bibb), and that gives the lyric tremendous believability. Johnny has always enacted the poor boy effectively, and he continues that tradition here.
DANIELLE CAR/Walk Of Shame
Writer: Danielle Car; Producer: Chuck Alkazian & Danielle Car; Publisher: none listed; DC (track) (www.daniellecarmusic.com)
—I first encountered this Detroit country gal in last year’s Christmas column. It turns out that she also has a five-song EP that kicks off with this blistering, breakneck country rocker. Promising in the extreme.
JOHNNY MATHIS & ALISON KRAUSS/Let It Be Me
Writer: Gilbert Becaud/Mann Curtis; Producer: Fred Mollin; Publisher: France/Universal, ASCAP/SDRM; Columbia (track)
—This legendary crooner came to Nashville last year to make his latest CD. But despite the Music Row players and Music City repertoire (”Make the World Go Away,” “Crazy,” “I Can’t Stop Loving You,” “Please Help Me, I’m Falling,” “You Don’t Know Me” etc.), this is not an attempt at a “country” record. However, it is—as this string-embellished Everly Brothers remake perfectly illustrates—very, very pretty.
D.J. MILLER/A Little Naughty Is Nice
Writer: Charlie Black/Don Goodman/Robert Resnick; Producer: Morris, Goodman & Resnick; Publisher: none listed; Evegreen (615-327-3213)
—With its merry tempo and insistent guitar groove, it has the feel of a fun-ride Tilt-a-Whirl. Miller sings with verve and gusto while the track spins along.
PETE ANDERSON/Even Things Up
Writer: Pete Anderson; Producer: Pete Anderson, Michael Murphy & Tony Rambo; Publisher: Jessee Lee, BMI; Little Dog (track) (www.peteanderson.com)
—Guitar wonder and Dwight Yoakam hit producer Pete Anderson sings with a cool, sandpapery whisper on his current Even Things Up CD. The bluesy title tune has rumbling percussion and plenty of Pete-played harmonica and electric guitar. Music City’s Becca Bramlett is the esteemed guest lead vocalist on “Still in Love,” but otherwise this is Mr. Anderson’s showcase from top to bottom.