August 21, 2012 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.
August 7, 2012 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.'
August 2, 2012 On their sophomore album, Gloriana lay down 11 tight, polished and harmonious country songs that collectively fall short of providing an identity for a group working through year four together. The trio feels like the shy kid in class who knows all the answers, but doesn't want to raise his or her hand.
July 25, 2012 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.
July 18, 2012 Tight harmonies, vivid lyrics and skilled instrumentalists are enough to make a decent country music album, but it takes a talented producer to make it great. 'The FARM' is a fun 43 minute wall of sound, but there's a polish on the record that's difficult to penetrate.
July 10, 2012 On paper, 'Uncaged' should not work as an album, let alone a country music album. The new release from Zac Brown Band redefines "something for everybody." Country, reggae, bedroom R&B... Brown and his ever-growing motley crew stretch the Nashville sound further than any other artist. If they weren't so talented, this project would fall apart long before the title-track.
June 20, 2012 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.
June 12, 2012 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.
June 12, 2012 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.
June 7, 2012 There's a song on Alan Jackson's 'Thirty Miles West' album that could be the title-track. Actually, 'Nothin' Fancy' could be the title-track for his entire career. This isn't the best song on the project -- one gets lost in the long, sleepy melody -- but it's a message that speaks to why we love this country legend.
