Tag Archives | album review

Album Review: Chris Young | LOSING SLEEP

By on October 25, 2017 in Album & Song Reviews, Music

Chris Young has just released his 7th studio project entitled, LOSING SLEEP, on RCA.

The 10-track project is a strong effort with thoughtful lyrics and several standout tunes that are sure to become future number one hits for the extremely-talented artist.

A first for him is Young co-wrote every song on the album this time.  He also co-produced like with his last 2 projects.  This is his third release in 3 years.  He is clearly on a roll, staying extremely busy, and fresh off his Opry induction, which is so richly-deserved for him.  He has worked very hard to get where he is over the course of many years and maintains a strong work ethic throughout, which is why he has seen such success.

As usual, Young’s voice is perfection on this release.  Basically, he could sing the phonebook and make it sound good with his distictive baritone voice.  Young exhibits such control with his voice, as always.  He can be a powerhouse vocalist when he wants to or sing a beautiful, slower ballad flawlessly.

Heartbreaking and beautiful are: “Losing Sleep”, “Where I Go When I Drink”, and the album’s signature song, “Blacked Out.”  You can’t say that these are anything other than pure country.

My personal favorite off the album that I can’t seem to get enough of playing over and over is the uptempo & lighter, “She’s Got A Way”.

Buy this album now.  Just released October 20th.  It will appeal to all country fans whether you are into a more traditional sound or contemporary, there is something for everyone on this.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars.

Track list for LOSING SLEEP:

1. “Losing Sleep” (Chris Young, Chris DeStefano, Josh Hoge)
2. “Hangin’ On” (Chris Young, Corey Crowder, Josh Hoge)
3. “Holiday” (Chris Young, Cary Barlowe, Johnny Bulford, Corey Crowder)
4. “Radio and the Rain” (Chris Young, Corey Crowder, Josh Hoge)
5. “Where I Go When I Drink” (Chris Young, Tyler Reeve, Trent Tomlinson)
6. “She’s Got a Way” (Chris Young, Cary Barlowe, Corey Crowder)
7. “Leave Me Wanting More” (Chris Young, Corey Crowder, John Pierce)
8. “Trouble Looking” (Chris Young, Corey Crowder, Liz Rose)
9. “Woke Up Like This” (Chris Young, Corey Crowder, Josh Hoge)
10. “Blacked Out” (Chris Young, Josh Hoge, Jon Randall)

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Album Review: Chris Young | “I’m Comin’ Over”

By on December 22, 2015 in Album & Song Reviews

Chris Young Chris Young is easily one of the best male vocalists on country radio today with his rich, smooth baritone vocals.  With his newest studio release, I’M COMIN’ OVER, Young storms back onto country radio with a record 3 weeks holding the #1 spot for the sultry title track “I’m Comin’ Over” and the #1 country album on Billboard.  
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Album Review: CAM | “Untamed”

By on December 3, 2015 in Album & Song Reviews

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Last night, I had the pleasure of attending the album release party for RCA country artist CAM’s debut CD entitled ‘Untamed’  at the Cordelle in Nashville.

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Album Review: Kelsea Ballerini | ‘The First Time’

By on May 19, 2015 in Album & Song Reviews

Produced by Forest Glen Whitehead and Jason Massey, THE FIRST TIME highlights Ballerini’s skillful songwriting and contagious personality on all 12 songs.

This debut effort from Black River Entertainment artist Kelsea Ballerina can be summed up in one word by me: FABULOUS!

It is rare that a song, let along an entire album captivates me so.  Since I received the advance copy last Wednesday, it has not left my CD player.  I have even worn it out to the point that it is skipping now!

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From the catchy, upbeat first song “XO” to the last song, a beautiful ballad, “Underage”, you will be drawn into Kelsea’s engaging world.  I literally can not get enough of it.  A perfect fit for summer to roll the windows down to and sing along with her fresh, contemporary country grooves.

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Album Review: Brad Paisley | “Moonshine in the Trunk”

By on October 8, 2014 in Album & Song Reviews

Moonshine in the Trunk by Brad Paisley country musicBrad Paisley’s Moonshine in the Trunk is exactly what you’d expect of the country star’s 10th studio album – party songs mixed with a little love, quirky lyrics and his signature guitar licks. Its release was infused with just as much humor as some of its songs, in true Paisley fashion. After a few months of #LeakingMoonshine on Paisley’s Twitter, the album officially dropped Aug. 26 and became his eighth to hit #1 on Billboard’s Country Albums chart. Paisley stirred up attention releasing tracks without permission from his label, Arista Nashville, and had fellow celebrities contribute to his fun.

Paisley tweeted that he was looking for a CD he really thought he had in his truck, and this quickly followed:

But Paisley certainly brought the album to life with his leaking locations.

“I wanted this to be a modern honky-tonk record, but not one that’s a ‘cry in your beer’ honky-tonk record,” Paisley said in a “Rolling Stone” magazine interview. “More like a honky-tonk record that Buck Owens would’ve made.”

He accomplished that goal in the first four songs on the album, which represent the themes running through all 15 tracks.

1. The crisp pop of a beer can usually signifies the start of a great night out or a relaxing day on the water. In this case, it kicks off the album by opening the first track, “Crushin’ It.” The promise of crushin’ cold Bud Light cans every weekend carries many of us through the workweek and keeps us livin’ for the weekend. He co-wrote the song with Kelley Lovelace and Lee Thomas Miller.

2. Just when you’re longing for the weekend to arrive, “Riverbank,” the lead single off the album, follows in perfect time. It peaked at #2 on the Billboard Country Airplay chart and quickly became a song of the summer. It will have you daydreaming of a simple afternoon on the river with an inner tube, friends and plenty of laughter. “Riverbank” was co-produced by Paisley and Luke Wooten. Paisley also co-wrote this one with Lovelace, and their clever rhymes prove they’re a dynamic songwriting duo.

“We’d sail around the world and go to shore in a dingy / But ‘til that dream comes true, why don’t ya grab your bikini.”

“Crushin’ It” and “Riverbank” along with two more party tracks from the album – “Moonshine in the Trunk” and “Limes” – certainly accomplish the modern honky-tonk goal Paisley was shooting for.

3. Paisley slows down with the second single from the album, “Perfect Storm.” It paints a beautiful picture of a woman using a potentially record-breaking number of analogies in just under four minutes.

If she was a drink she’d be single-barrel bourbon on ice – smooth with a kick, a chill and a burn, all at the same time / She ain’t just the song, she’s the whole mixed tape / She’s sunshine mixed with a little hurricane.

This love song leaves ladies with a desire to be depicted like this. Men, it might not be a bad time to help your kids with their homework. Remember thinking, “When will we use this in real life?” Your time is now, my friends. Paisley also co-wrote this one with Miller and co-produced it with Wooten. “Shattered Glass,” “You Shouldn’t Have To” and “Cover Girl” are three more tracks on the album that illustrate Paisley’s sweet side.

4. “High Life” brings the first bit of humor to the album. The classic upbeat Paisley song depicts a “low life” family’s journey to becoming “thousandaires.” Grandpa dyin’, Mama slippin’ on ice out front of Chick-fil-A and Carrie Underwood singin’ a song like a poem Brother wrote took this family to the top. Paisley and Underwood collaborated on the track as a joke inspired by a lawsuit claiming they ripped off the song “Remind Me.” Paisley co-wrote “High Life” with Chris DuBois, Brent Anderson and Lovelace. Three more songs – “4WDP,” “Gone Green” and “JFK 1962” – add Paisley’s quirkiness to the album.

Overall, Moonshine in the Trunk is everything Paisley’s fans could hope for. He distributed party, love and humor throughout the album to make it flow. It’s nothing drastically new or groundbreaking, but why change a good thing?

Twitter: @BradPaisley

Rated 5 out of 5 Stars

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Album Review: Lucy Hale | ‘Road Between’

By on June 2, 2014 in Album & Song Reviews

lucy_album_covere4f30aNew country artist Lucy Hale’s 11-track debut cd entitled ‘Road Between’ produced by Mark Bright and Mike Daly releases Tuesday available at both iTunes and Amazon. Continue Reading →

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Album Review: Eric Church | ‘The Outsiders’

By on May 10, 2014 in Album & Song Reviews

Eric ChurchWell, it’s taken me a bit to get to this album review for Eric Church‘s ‘The Outsiders‘, but I’m finally getting around to it.  Continue Reading →

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Album Review: Charlie Worsham | ‘Rubberband’

By on March 3, 2014 in Album & Song Reviews

Charlie Worsham Took me a bit getting around to the debut 12-track release by Charlie Worsham entitled ‘Rubberband’, but here it is at last.

The songwriting is solid, songs are radio-friendly, great musicianship, and it’s traditional country at its very core.

The lead track “Could It be” (my favorite) almost put me in mind of the country group Alabama.  “Tools Of The Trade” a mid-tempo song with Vince Gill and Marty Stuart is another standout.

Charlie’s voice is strong and he sings with ease.  I love the distinctive breaks in his voice at different points in songs, just a stylistic choice that sets him apart from other male artists.

The album has a very organic feel to it, not overly-produced, and a very introspective feel to it.  I highly-recommend it.

Rated 4 1/2 out of 5 stars.

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Album Review: Will Hoge | ‘Never Give In’

By on March 3, 2014 in Album & Song Reviews

Will HogeHow in the heck has it taken me so long to review this album?!? I got a little backlogged, what can I say? Anyway… Continue Reading →

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Album Review: Jennifer Nettles | ‘That Girl’

By on March 2, 2014 in Album & Song Reviews

Jennifer NettlesTo be honest, I always felt like it was only a matter of time before Jennifer Nettles became a solo artist.  She has always been the stand out person from Sugarland.  No disrespect to Kristian Bush.  He is very talented.  It’s just she always shone more brightly.  Even when Sugarland was a trio back on the very first album. Continue Reading →

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