Country Universe has reviewed more than a thousand singles during its ten year run. Some of them have been real turkeys. Here are some of the worst, with highlights and links to the original reviews.
“Party Like Cowboyz”
Big & Rich
“Yes, from the opening cry of ‘Come on, cowboys and cowgirls, it’s time to par-tay!’ to the stupid ‘Z’ slapped onto the end of the title, this is just bad, bad, bad.” – Ben Foster
As part of our tenth anniversary, the staff of Country Universe decided to celebrate a year that came ten years before our decade-old website: 1994. What can we say? We always look forward to looking backward!
Over the next few days, we’ll reveal our choices for the forty best singles and twenty best albums of 1994. We considered all charted singles and albums for inclusion on our list, along with additional selections that didn’t chart but are of notable critical and/or historical significance.
Filed under Best of 1994, CU10, Site News
News broke today that the Civil Wars have officially broken up, after a year-long hiatus. It was just under five years ago that we first wrote about the Grammy winning duo, back when they were still without a label. – KJC
The Civil Wars – A New Music Discovery
August 10, 2009
Out of all the writers at Country Universe, I’m probably the one who is least likely to discover an unsigned artist’s music online and fall in love with it. But thanks to a friend’s shout-out on Facebook, I’ve discovered The Civil Wars, a Nashville-based duo that is nothing short of completely awesome.
Filed under CU Archives, CU10, News, Site News
It’s fun to think of our favorite endearing songs about dads. We’ve even done it here at Country Universe a time or two. But let’s face it, dad’s aren’t always right and they’re not always wise. Here are a few songs that show villainous fathers.
While I’m so fond of my dad that I almost feel guilty about writing this Song Talk installment, my guilt is eased by knowing that he would actually be amused by the topic. So, here we go! Feel free to add your selections in the comments.
Lefty Frizzell, “Saginaw, Michigan”
I was listening to this song the other day and it’s what inspired this list. It’s the classic scenario of the dad thinking that his daughter’s suitor isn’t good enough for her, but the twist at the end takes a hilarious turn!
Filed under CU10, Discussion, Song Talk
In 2008, I was finishing up my degree in journalism and trying to understand what it meant to be a professional writer. I wanted to write about music, but the divide between fan and critic felt, at times, insurmountable.
That fall, I stumbled onto Country Universe through this post, and it changed my perspective. As both a writer and leader, Kevin was thoughtful, rational and personally invested in the country music genre. He showed a deep respect for the genre’s history, but wrote about new artists with tolerance and curiosity. Best of all, he held readers and writers alike to the highest standards of decency.
It’s for that reason that this post shines. Kevin’s ability to take a stand while cultivating constructive dialogue is unmatched. He cut through the divisive hype around Carrie Underwood –an artist who is as special to me now as she was back then—and underlined the real issue at hand: country music’s staggering, frustrating gender bias. Six years and a truckload of interchangeable male artists later, it’s more imperative than ever that we continue this discussion. – Tara Seetharam
Discussion: Carrie Underwood, Shania Twain and Gender in Country Music
by Kevin John Coyne
August 29, 2008
I fear this post won’t quite live up to its ambitious title, and I realize that I’m stirring the tempest pot a bit by putting those two artists in the same sentence. But the tone that surfaces whenever Carrie Underwood is discussed here is something that I find increasingly frustrating, so I’m going to talk about it. Hopefully, I’ll get a meaningful conversation going along the way.
Ten years ago, in the dog days of Summer 2004, blogging was catching on in the political world. I thought it would be cool to do a country music and politics blog. I think it had the tagline of “Where Music Row meets Pennsylvania Avenue.”
Anyway, the politics was dropped pretty quickly, as writing about country music was more than enough ground to cover! Country Universe slowly built an audience, becoming a place for refugee fans from the nineties boom, to debate the latest singles and albums, and at our best, to write about the present in a way that is informed by the past.
Much like they dominated the Country Universe lists, Nashville Scene’s 14th Annual Country Music Critics’ Poll finds Kacey Musgraves, Brandy Clark, and Ashley Monroe on top.
This year, six of our seven Country Universe writers voted in the poll, with Sam Gazdziak featuring heavily in the comments section!
Congratulations to Sam, and to all of the artists who did so well this year!
Way back in July 2004, Country Universe went live on its original Blogspot home. This month marks its eighth anniversary. Today, our writers are sharing their thoughts about the site and some of their favorite posts from the past eight years.
As the founder of Country Universe, it is amazing to me that what started as a quite self-indulgent little blog has become a showcase for so many talented writers. I remember being a lone voice in the wilderness. Now, there is such a sprawling and diverse community of country music blogs and websites that I believe Country Universe would have lost any relevance years ago, had it not been expanded by the new perspectives of a rotating writing staff.
I’ve written so many things over the years that I’m proud of, along with a few posts (and several comments) that I’d like to see disappear down the memory hole. But the piece that I’m most proud of these days wasn’t well-received upon publication: Single Review: Brad Paisley, “Online.”
In retrospect, it feels prescient. At the time I wrote it, bullying hadn’t yet emerged as part of the national dialogue, at least not outside of educational circles. Hearing “Online”, I immediately related it to the realities that I saw regularly, but I think that the connection was difficult for readers to make if they weren’t directly involved with education. Today, I think that there would be a greater understanding of my concerns with the record. At least I hope so. Either way, it remains my favorite personal piece of writing from the past eight years.
Among my colleagues’ best work, I must single out Dan Milliken’s “The Jealous Heart”, which showcases his ability to interweave his vast knowledge of music with originality and wit. Ben Foster’s “Pop Goes Country – A Cover Song Report Card”, which critiques many successful and not-so-successful attempts to make a pop song country. From Tara Seetharam, I particularly loved her conversation starter, “Discussion: Music and Lyrics”, which managed to make The Breakfast Club relevant to a discussion about country music. Total win!
Last, but never least, my first and longest partner at Country Universe. I’ve said many times that we didn’t really become Country Universe until Leeann Ward joined the staff. Before then, it was just Kevin’s blog. But her unique perspective, and more important, her ability to be magnanimous with even our harshest critics, set the climate of mutual respect that would ultimately distinguish our site for the better. She brought the same dignity to a discussion regarding a quite undignified personality in her piece, “The Trouble with John Rich.” Most other country commentators eventually voiced the same concerns she outlined way back when.
There have been many great moments from both our former writers and current contributors as well, as you’ll soon discover from our other anniversary posts. Follow the links below to read the rest of our anniversary coverage, and share your favorites in the comments!
Country Universe Turns Eight:
Filed under Eighth Anniversary, Site News
I distinctly remember the google search that first led me to Country Universe back in early 2006. I was listening to Joy Lynn White’s “comeback” album, One More Time, and I was curious about the songwriter behind her mid-90s single “Wild Love,” the cassingle for which I had somehow misplaced.
All Music Guide didn’t have the information I wanted– typical of the gaps in their catalogue at that time when it came to somewhat obscure country acts– so I turned to google, which led me promptly to entry #395 on Country Universe’s “400 Best Contemporary Country Singles” countdown. A few hours later, having read through the rest of that feature and a host of single and album reviews, the site had officially made it onto the list of music review and news sources I check daily. And, give or take a day or two, I’ve kept up with Country Universe ever since.
The way people write about country music has changed dramatically – for the better, I’d argue – in the past
few years. And, though the exact roster of contributors to Country Universe has remained in flux during its eight years online, it has consistently offered writing that is passionate, authoritative, and distinctive: A testament to everything that the much ballyhooed “democratization” of internet criticism gets right. I find it humbling that this crew keeps me in their company.
The piece that best captures what I think makes Country Universe such a unique and essential source for writing about contemporary country music is the spectacularly-titled editorial Kevin posted after Taylor Swift’s much maligned performance of “You Belong With Me” at the Grammy awards. Not only is the article itself thoughtfully composed and smart, but note how the comments section plays out: The lengthy discussion that followed the post is every bit as revelatory as the original piece, with an exchange of actual ideas that’s as well-reasoned, civil, and rare as anything you’ll find online.
Country Universe Turns Eight:
Filed under Eighth Anniversary
The eight-year mark is definitely a noteworthy milestone in the transitory world of the internet. Country Universe’s longevity is both a substantial accomplishment –particularly on Kevin’s part – as well as a testament to the site’s enduring appeal.
There are few country music web sites that have been as near and dear to my heart as Country Universe, and it’s hard to sum up why. The high caliber of writing is definitely a major factor, but perhaps what drew me to this site above all else is the way that it absolutely radiates a sincere passion for music on the part of all of the writers, while creating a warm and inviting environment conducive to free and open discussion.
Each writer brings a unique set of gifts to the table – Kevin’s substantial genre knowledge and deep sincerity; Leeann’s simple straightforwardness and attention to detail; Dan’s knack for keeping things fun whenever possible, yet serious when necessary; Tara’s ability to discuss good and bad music alike with eloquence and class; Jonathan’s ability to analyze different qualities of music on a deep, insightful level; Noah’s uniquely colorful writing style; and Sam’s signature sense of humor.
Country Universe is a site that I’ve always just plain loved and been excited about, regardless of whether I had any part in writing for it. Though I still feel like a newbie in some ways, having been with the site for only one year so far, words scarcely express how genuinely privileged I feel to be a part of the Country Universe family, as well as a part of its history.
Favorite post I’ve written: Single Review: Scotty McCreery, “Water Tower Town”
I am a very repetitive writer, and I know it. I am constantly fighting the tendency to keep using the same descriptions over and over again, but at the same time I find it difficult not to do so when each new release often sounds very much like the one before it. I was determined to find a way to shake things up with my review of Scotty McCreery’s “Water Tower Town.” I found an approach through which I felt I was able to highlight the weaknesses of McCreery’s single while simultaneously poking fun at my own repetitive tendencies, and bucking that trend by doing so. At any rate, I had a lot of fun writing the review, and it’s one piece that I always look back on with fondness.
Favorite post by another writer: Single Review: Taylor Swift, “Mean” (Kevin John Coyne)
I had always enjoyed Swift’s “Mean,” mostly because of the cool arrangement. But when Kevin posted a review of the song, I fully expected it to be a single sentence takedown, particularly since Kevin was not known for being a Taylor Swift enthusiast. My jaw dropped as I read. I found myself agreeing with Kevin’s praise of the song, and the purpose the lyric served. I found “Mean” quickly becoming my favorite Taylor Swift song, as well my favorite single of 2011 (I was even privileged to write the caption for it on our Best of 2011 countdown). Though there have been many excellent writers who have extended influence over my own view of music, this was by
far the most outstanding instance in which a review caused me to gain a whole new appreciation for a song – a testament to the power of a carefully thought out, well-written review.
Country Universe Turns Eight:
Filed under Eighth Anniversary
on Single Review: Lee Ann Womack, “Send it On Down”
on Single Review: Lee Ann Womack, “Send it On Down”
on Single Review: Drake White, “It Feels Good”
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