2015 – Page 4 – Country Universe

The Telegraph Names the Thirty Best Dolly Parton Songs

October 18, 2015 Kevin John Coyne 4

The Telegraph, a United Kingdom publication, has ranked the thirty best Dolly Parton songs. It’s an interesting list that balances classics with lesser-known album cuts.

Album Review: Allison Moorer, Down to Believing

October 4, 2015 Jonathan Keefe 2

Since making her debut with 1997’s Alabama Song, Allison Moorer has been one of country music’s most consistent albums artists. The singer-songwriter has three unqualified masterpieces to her credit— the flawless stone-country heartbreak cycle of The Hardest Part, the politically charged The Duel, and the somber, heady Southern Gothic of Crows. Despite having those triumphs— and other excellent albums like Alabama Song and Good Fortune— to her credit, Moorer’s latest effort, Down to Believing, is perhaps the finest album of her career because it finds Moorer challenging both her singing and her songwriting voices to plumb truly difficult emotional depths.

Album Review: George Strait, Cold Beer Conversation

October 1, 2015 Kevin John Coyne 10

Stop me if you’ve heard this one before.

George Strait has released a new album that is consistently good, with strong vocal performances that elevate even the middling material.

Starter Kit: Ryan Adams

September 29, 2015 Jonathan Keefe 12

The pop music world is still buzzing over last week’s release of 1989: Not Taylor Swift’s pop-cultural juggernaut, but alt-country singer-songwriter Ryan Adams’ cover album of 1989 “in the style of The Smiths.” A quick

Album Review: Kacey Musgraves, Pageant Material

September 29, 2015 Kevin John Coyne 12

It isn’t easy to follow up a universally praised debut album, especially when you don’t have the novelty of the new in your corner. Sometimes what sounds so fresh is just by the virtue of being the first time your voice has been heard. The second time around, you can only rely on the strength of your material. Being different is no longer enough.

Album Review: Willie Nelson & Merle Haggard, Django and Jimmie

September 28, 2015 Kevin John Coyne 3

Django and Jimmie derives its title from the names of two of the biggest influences of Willie Nelson and Merle Haggard – Django Reinhardt and Jimmie Rodgers.

Single Review: Toby Keith, “Rum is the Reason”

September 24, 2015 Kevin John Coyne 4

I can’t figure out why Toby Keith can’t get any mileage off of the singles from his new album. It’s not even out yet, and this is the third release.

Single Review: George Strait, “Cold Beer Conversation”

September 24, 2015 Kevin John Coyne 1

After the comparatively euphoric “Let it Go,” George Strait’s new single captures the same “take it as it comes” attitude toward life, but this time with somber resignation as the dominant feeling.

Single Review: Jon Pardi, “Head Over Boots”

September 12, 2015 Leeann Ward 7

Aside from people who don’t mind that country music doesn’t sound like country music anymore, one of the common complaints that we get for our criticism of the current major country music players is that we’re expecting too much and that not every song has to be deep and meaningful.

Single Review: Tami Neilson (feat. Marlon Williams), “Lonely”

September 11, 2015 Jonathan Keefe 6

New Zealand’s Tami Neilson made some inroads with US country audiences with 2014’s extraordinary Dynamite!, and “Lonely,” the first single from her upcoming follow-up, Don’t Be Afraid, is an exquisite throwback of a record that mines a real sense of heartbreak from its subtlety and restraint.