I doubt Pat Monahan and Ashley Monroe recorded the vocals in the same booth together. Even so, it’s not often lately that you hear records that at the very least attempt a call-and-response effect in song, as though you are peeping on a basic conversation. The songwriting isn’t anything deep, but it is convincing and all in all, I help Ashley Monroe gets even more visibility through that release’s likely success.

I already get the impression that The Band Perry are currently aiming to differentiate themselves from, well, themselves with their decision to collaborate with an established rock-leaning producer, as well as the Huff-led electric guitar crunches on “Better Dig Two”. By default, this would give Eden’s Edge the distinction of the new acoustic-heavy trio of the roost, while The Henningsens are purporting themselves as the face of power pop in the genre.

Seems like Blaylock’s got great control as a singer; I just think her tone is so sugar-sweet that it can be a little much in big doses, particularly since she spends a lot of time belting it full-out. I want them to explore some new “colors.” But they’re young yet, and the goods are there.

From the descending first five notes of the intro, this cover brims with confidence. The strings are twangy and foreboding—the musical embodiment of a Texas way of walking and a sexy way of talking. So, in the second verse, are Bremmer’s and Green’s harmonies. And with that buildup as her catapult, Blaylock asserts herself to devastating effect, conveying the last line of each verse and the chorus as a declaration rather than a mere narrative. When I first heard Amen, I wasn’t sure about her vocals; she doesn’t have a great voice. But, it turns out, she is a very good singer who plays to her strengths.

l often hear critics slam productions for not allowing a song to speak for itself, and I often agree with them. But here, Eden’s Edge demonstrates the positive role that production can play, just as Pam Tillis did with Deep Down, which Kevin writes wonderfully about here: http://www.countryuniverse.net/2005/11/06/400-best-contemporary-country-singles-75-51/

In any case, I think the net result is both a work of art and a blast. I also think Eden’s Edge is one of the best things going right now, and I can’t wait to hear what they come out with next.

I love “Bruises”.

I like the EE album.

Positivity is a good thing people.