November 21, 2011 Sherrie Austin's first studio album in eight years contains a surprising lack of new material. No fewer than four of the 13 songs on 'Circus Girl' have been previously recorded by other artists, with three going on to be singles, two of which stalled on the charts. But the collection is a female empowerment record, and an effective one at that.
November 16, 2011 David Nail's new album is a thinking man's album. The 11 songs require an investment of time and energy. Much like lablemate Gary Allan, Nail refuses to record anything with a trace of a pop-country scent.
November 14, 2011 The new Rascal Flatts album is a collection of live moments from the trio during their time with Lyric Street Records. The band didn't leave the label on bad terms (although break-ups are never fun), but it's doubtful they spearheaded the effort to press these songs to disc.
November 8, 2011 Josh Gracin wrote or co-wrote 16 of the 17 songs on his new album 'Redemption.' He also co-produced the project. Doing both was a mistake because it takes an experienced hand to scrap high quality material for the betterment of the whole.
November 8, 2011 Joe Nichols is as smooth as ever on his new album 'It's All Good.' The 10 songs are as easy as a Sunday morning cup of coffee. Vocally, he never gets you too riled up. One can take his or her time enjoying the traditional purity of his voice.
November 4, 2011 It's difficult to listen to the remaining five songs on Julie Roberts's 'Who Needs Mistletoe' EP with a virginal mind after hearing the title track. 'Who Needs Mistletoe' the song may become every man in America's favorite Christmas standard.
November 2, 2011 Craig Morgan is giving fans a sneak peek of what to expect on his first album from Black River Entertainment. 'This Ole Boy' is scheduled for an early 2012 release, but the 'This Ole Boy' EP was made available on Nov. 1.
November 1, 2011 One thought comes to mind after listening to Miranda Lambert's new 'Four the Record' album: The 27-year-old now has two of the century's top country albums.
October 25, 2011 In some ways it's impossible for Vince Gill to make a lousy country album. That'd be like Paula Dean mixing up a bad batch of muffins; even her worst would be better than the average baker's blue ribbon best.
October 24, 2011 Few songs affect an entire album quite like the title track of Toby Keith's 'Clancy's Tavern.' The rolling, Irish pub-inspired country ditty plays conductor to a group of artistically satisfying songs that would otherwise be lost in a chaotic mess of converging styles. The project works from start to finish because of this one song.
