Reviews

At his best, Dustin Lynch falls in line with the George Strait tradition of good, solid country music sung with enviable ease. The newcomer doesn’t have a dynamic voice, but he’s certainly not a hum-drum bore. Highlights from his self-titled debut album are melodic and in control.

Kix Brooks‘ solo material has a Bad Blake quality to it. He hasn’t lived quite the same wayward life as the ‘Crazy Heart’ (2009) character (played by Jeff Bridges), but songs like his second single, ‘Bring It on Home,’ share similar pacing and sincerity.

Tyler Farr offers a perspective on the breakup song that country fans haven’t heard in awhile. He’s the one walking away from the girl in ‘Hello Goodbye,’ as opposed to being the broken man trying to solve the puzzle of love gone wrong.

Men and women will be divided on ‘We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together,’ Taylor Swift‘s new single. On one (woman’s) hand, it’s an empowering breakup song that slams the door on every no-good loser who’s come crawling back with apologies and “I love yous” (and maybe flowers or a sack of White Castle hamburgers) at all hours of the night. From the male perspective: “Get over it.”

A solo album every four or five years leaves Heidi Newfield sounding like a new woman with each lead single. Much like ‘Johnny and June’ in 2008, the former lead singer of Trick Pony throws every ounce of herself into ‘Why’d You Have to Be So Good,’ a heartbreakingly wonderful ballad.

Dierks Bentley has done something interesting with his new single ‘Tip It on Back’ from the ‘Home’ album. The singer marries the spirit of songs like ‘Free and Easy’ — and more recently, ‘Am I the Only One’ — with the sexy pace of his most famous ballads (think ‘Come a Little Closer’ and ‘Feel That Fire’).

On previous albums, Colt Ford backed himself into a tight corner, insisting he’s not rap while spitting rap-like messages of country life, love and fun. The singer admits that by aiming to please everyone, he left most feeling a few bites short of a full meal. This isn’t a problem on ‘Declaration of Independence.’

The new single from the Lost Trailers continues down a singer-songwriter path the now-duo began to cut with ‘Underdog’ in 2011. While once a party band, their new sound is more Jason Mraz than Jason Aldean. The change fits.

Kelleigh Bannen‘s scorn is anything but manufactured on her debut single ‘Sorry on the Rocks.’ The country newcomer — who signed to EMI Nashville barely two months ago — introduces herself to country music fans as a strong female artist willing to take no mistreatment.

Rachel Holder’s new single ‘In Your Arms’ is a showcase for a singer who’s skilled vocally, but in need of life experience to carry such a majestic and cathartic love ballad. She’ll draw comparisons to Martina McBride and Shania Twain, but the 19-year-old doesn’t own the fragility of love like a more experienced singer might.

For Love and Theft, it’s addition by subtraction. The loss of a record label and a band member resulted in a project that is tighter and more accessible than anything on the group’s 2009 debut album. The best songs on ‘Love and Theft‘ are those that tell simple stories and those that rely on simple melodies. That’s most of the album.

Toby Keith has found a fast racecar, and he’s not getting out of it until it falls apart. ‘I Like Girls That Drink Beer’ is his 12th booze-fueled single in 20 years, including three recent ones in a row. The man sings what he knows, and it works… mostly.