The most striking scenes of Kenny Chesney‘s ‘Come Over’ video aren’t those of the bikini-clad beauty in the swimming pool or the panoramic shoreline. It’s the singer himself… without a hat on. As it turns out, those images are something of a metaphor for Chesney’s new ‘Welcome to the Fishbowl’ album.
We’re at the last leg of the audition tour, and boy has it been a ride so far. We’ve seen some amazing acts and, well, others we wish we could just forget. But we’re watching ‘America’s Got Talent,’ so we’re pretty much prepared to see anything happen on that stage.
Country newcomer Michael Dean Church shows talent with his new single ‘That’s How We Roll,’ a song that needs a more experienced hand to take it past average. Vocally the Rome, Ga. raised singer is sound, but his voice buries some of the most enjoyable parts of this country rocker.
Tim McGraw‘s final album on Curb records was far from his best, yet the singles keep coming months after the singer was granted his release. ‘Better Than I Used to Be’ was an impressive Top 10 record — it’s difficult to gather airplay with no support from the artist — but ‘Right Back Atcha Babe’ will be lucky to crack the Top 40.
I rushed home after my show last night to catch the premier of "Dallas" . I have to say I was kind of disappointed.
First, how many explosive plots do you possibly need in a season premiere? My heck, it seemed like my head was spinning trying to keep up with everything! JR was JR, and Bobby was Bobby, and that was nice. I
Gretchen Wilson may not be one of country music’s top female vocalists any longer. No, she’s transcended the genre, in a way Alison Krauss did hers years ago. Except Wilson’s not getting any of the recognition, until maybe now. ‘One Good Friend’ is a brilliant ballad about the meaning of friendship. However, it’s perhaps too professional to fit between the stars on modern country radio — a problem Krauss, and more recently Vince Gill, know very well.
‘Blown Away’ is the signature song on Carrie Underwood‘s new album of the same name. It’s the dangerous storm cloud that looms over the other tracks on a surprisingly dark project. Is this really the same woman who cut ‘All-American Girl?’ This is what critics are talking about when they hammer the importance of subtly reinventing one’s self with each new album. The singer has built to this point over three previous albums.
What makes Florida so great? No, not the faux zombie apocalypse, but rather the people. There’s all sorts of individuals residing in Tampa Bay, Florida who are yearning to have their chance in the spotlight. Luckily for them, ‘America’s Got Talent‘ gives them that opportunity. But the question is: will they shine or flub on their first try out on that stage.
There’s a thread of instability that weaves in and out of each song on ‘Edens Edge’ that makes it an album you look forward to finding in the morning. Lead vocalist Hannah Blaylock tells stories like a woman who’s lived through a few too many bad boyfriends, but still wants to show her friends she can smile about it. She’s all over the place — country’s equivalent of Jess from ‘New Girl’ on Fox.
Josh Turner‘s booming bass voice has never sounded better than on songs from his fifth studio album ‘Punching Bag,’ in stores June 12. However, it’s not enough to lift many of the tracks past mediocre.
Every once in awhile, an artist like Miranda Lambert needs to remind the country music community what crazy looks like. All this talk of marriage, babies and puppy dogs could have left some (unwisely) wondering if Nashville’s most explosive firecracker had settled into life as a domestic diva. ‘Fastest Girl in Town’ is Lambert breathing fire again.
She’s beautiful and talented, but where Jana Kramer really shines on her debut country album is in her ability to select songs. Not only has she found 12 tightly-packaged, colorful ballads and pop-country cuts to make her own, but she’s found songs that fit her like the perfect pair of broken-in cowboy boots.
