February 26, 2013 Not since their debut effort has the Band Perry released a song as fun as 'Done,' the second single from the trio's upcoming sophomore album 'Pioneer.' It's a track that makes the hair on your arms stand straight up as you pound along to the beat.
February 25, 2013 While Tim McGraw and Taylor Swift's vocals on 'Highway Don't Care' would be enough to make the song a hit and one of the best of 2013, it's Keith Urban's guitar that makes the track one of the best collaborations of the decade -- maybe even ever. Each artist brings his or her best effort to the song from McGraw's 'Two Lanes of Freedom' album. It's a sterling example of what can happen when artists are left to be artists, without the handcuffs of music business politics.
February 25, 2013 Brad Paisley wasn't joking when he said he was working to push himself places never gone before on his upcoming album, 'Wheelhouse.' The second single, 'Beat This Summer,' is a double-take sort of record in that after it begins, you do a double-take toward your stereo or computer to try to make sense of what's going on.
February 24, 2013 Country newcomer Rachel Farley shows off a powerful voice and more attitude than any parent would want from their 17-year-old in her debut single 'Ain't Easy.' The mix works well coming from radio speakers, and the Georgia teen proves she's an artist to keep an eye on.
February 21, 2013 There are certain songs that non-country fans just can't understand. Talk to your city slicker friends about the greatness of 'Honky Tonk Badonkadonk' or 'Save a Horse, Ride a Cowboy' and you're likely to get pretentious, blank stares in return. Even some country fans may hate on songs like 'Red Solo Cup' and 'Achy Breaky Heart,' but sales figures reveal that not everyone is being truthful about their distaste... And it's time to own up. What is your favorite guilty pleasure country song?
February 21, 2013 Much like he does on the lead single from 'How Country Feels,' Randy Houser forces you to smile on 'Runnin' Outta Moonlight.' His vocal performance demands attention and offers a pleasing reward in a story of two lovers enjoying a date in the country.
Miranda Lambert's Pistol Annies bandmate Ashley Monroe is branching out on her own with her solo effort 'Like a Rose,' out on March 5. But she is doing so with a little help. Monroe made use Lambert's husband Blake Shelton for a duet on the throwback song 'You Ain't Dolly (And You Ain't Porter.)'
February 19, 2013 Jason Aldean's nostalgic trip to a time of mullets and loud, heavily-starched cowboy shirts is a fun novelty on the 'Night Train' album. But if '1994' had a cinematic equivalent from that same year, it'd be 'It's Pat.' Like the movie, the song is cute the first time, and maybe fun when it's late and you're drunk, but after that ...
February 17, 2013 Mindy McCready's career was as promising as anyone could dream when she released 'Ten Thousand Angels' to country radio in 1996. Fans loved her voice and style, which got a little sassy quickly, but in a good way. A string of Top 10 hits followed (all with BNA Records) -- in total, McCready charted over 10 singles from five studio albums.
February 13, 2013 'X Factor' winner Tate Stevens plays it safe with his debut country single. 'Power of a Love Song' is a soaring ballad that showcases his vocal talents -- Stevens is a truly fine vocalist -- but prevents him from revealing the slightest bit of personality to those who didn't watch the Fox television show.
