“She Don’t Love You”
Eric Paslay
Written by Eric Paslay and Jennifer Wayne
Any time a new country single invites comparisons to “Life Turned Her That Way”, you know you’re in for something good.
Tag Archives: Eric Paslay
Single Review: Eric Paslay, “She Don’t Love You”
Filed under Single Reviews
Single Review: The Swon Brothers, “Pray For You”
“Pray For You”
The Swon Brothers
Written by Jessi Alexander, Tommy Lee James, and Eric Paslay
If you thought the only thing missing from today’s warmed-over, wannabe rock but we’re calling it country was mixing it with the worst of the genre’s previous obsession with suburban tales of faith and inspiration, I present to you…The Swon Brothers. “Pray For You” manages to evoke the worst sonic habits of today’s country music trends while also borrowing liberally from the Hallmark Hallelujah phase the genre went through at the turn of the century.
Filed under Single Reviews
Single Review: Rascal Flatts, “Rewind”
Using the word rewind in 2014 is a bit dated and quaint, don’t you think?
But it’s better than “re-fall” and “re-fly”, the uses of which nearly derail in the bridge what has been a satisfactory journey so far. The concept might be old school, but the Rascal Flatts boys are still very much in the present, turning in a nice variation on their trademark harmonies that allow Gary LeVox to let loose a little bit. He’s not as nasal as he’s been in the past, and when he goes for the power vocals toward the end, he sounds a lot more raw than I can ever remember hearing him.
There’s something slightly melancholy about Rascal Flatts these days. A major commercial act that was never known for its artistry has begun to fade. Their relevance is on shaky ground, almost sadly dependent on the whims of radio and consumer interests. I don’t know why their sound slowly went out of style, any more than I can tell you why they were moving four million units an album at their peak.
But against today’s landscape, there’s something comforting about the way that they’re still doing things. They may not be at the top of the game, but at least they’re still playing.
Written by Chris DeStefano, Ashley Gorley, and Eric Paslay
Grade: B-
Filed under Single Reviews
Single Review: Eric Paslay, “Friday Night”
A breakthrough single that’s as notable for what it isn’t as for what it is.
“Friday Night” is nothing special in terms of lyrical content, and while Paslay is a competent singer, there’s nothing on the track that indicates he’s the next Keith Urban, or even the next Blake Shelton. But he’s learned a few lessons along the way about what not to do. The arrangement is simple, the musicianship clean and crisp, and the banjo drives the hook, rather than loud electric guitars or cumbersome percussion.
But I think what I like the best about “Friday Night” is its brevity. Clocking in at just under three minutes, Paslay’s single ends a little abruptly, just when you think it’s going to devolve into an endless chorus with louder vocals and busier instrumentation. It’s a production approach that makes a great song go on for too long, and a tolerable one become insufferable.
So kudos to Eric Paslay for not wearing out his welcome the first time around.
Written by Rob Crosby, Rose Falcon, and Eric Paslay
Grade: B
Filed under Single Reviews
2012 CMA Nominations
The list of nominees for the 46th annual Country Music Association Awards has been released. Eric Church had a big breakthrough this past year, and such is reflected in the nominee list – Church leads the pack with five nominations. Power couple Blake Shelton and Miranda Lambert follow with four each, including a shared Song of the Year nod for their co-write “Over You.”
What’s your take on this year’s field of CMA nominees? Whose nominations were deserved, and whose were not? Who got snubbed? Share your thoughts in the comments section.
The live presentation airs Thursday, November 1 at 8pm Eastern on ABC-TV. The Country Universe Staff Picks & Predictions will be released the week of the show. Feel free to join us on show night for some live-blogging fun!
Entertainer of the Year
- Jason Aldean
- Kenny Chesney
- Brad Paisley
- Blake Shelton
- Taylor Swift
Who’s in: Kenny Chesney
Who’s out: Keith Urban
No real surprises here. This year we swapped out Urban for Chesney, but all of these nominees have been here at least once before.
Female Vocalist of the Year
- Kelly Clarkson
- Miranda Lambert
- Martina McBride
- Taylor Swift
- Carrie Underwood
Who’s in: Kelly Clarkson
Who’s out: Sara Evans
Well, I was hoping for some new blood in this category, and that’s definitely what I got. Pop crossover star Kelly Clarkson scores her first nomination in the Female Vocalist field, displacing Sara Evans. There will likely be some amount of upset over Clarkson receiving such an accolade, as she had one #21-peaking country hit in the past year with “Mr. Know It All,” but has yet to release a full-length country album. And…that makes her one of the top five leading female vocalists in the country format? Okay…
Male Vocalist of the Year
- Jason Aldean
- Luke Bryan
- Eric Church
- Blake Shelton
- Keith Urban
Who’s in: Luke Bryan, Eric Church
Who’s out: Kenny Chesney, Brad Paisley
Bryan and Church’s recent career strides are rewarded
with their first nominations in the always-competitive Male Vocalist race.
Vocal Group of the Year
- The Band Perry
- Eli Young Band
- Lady Antebellum
- Little Big Town
- Zac Brown Band
Who’s in: Eli Young Band
Who’s out: Rascal Flatts (!!!)
Eli Young Band scores a pair of huge radio hits, and thus squeezes out a former staple of the Vocal Group race.
Vocal Duo of the Year
- Big & Rich
- Love and Theft
- Sugarland
- The Civil Wars
- Thompson Square
Who’s in: Big & Rich, Love and Theft
Who’s out: Montgomery Gentry, Steel Magnolia
New Artist of the Year
- Lee Brice
- Brantley Gilbert
- Hunter Hayes
- Love and Theft
- Thompson Square
Who’s in: Lee Brice, Brantley Gilbert, Hunter Hayes, Love and Theft
Who’s out: The Band Perry (won), Luke Bryan, Eric Church, Chris Young (So, everyone except Thompson Square)
Album of the Year (Awarded to artist and producer)
- Luke Bryan, Tailgates and Tanlines
Produced by Jeff Stevens and Mark Bright - Eric Church, Chief
Produced by Jay Joyce - Miranda Lambert, Four the Record
Produced by Frank Liddell, Chuck Ainlay, and Glenn Worf - Dierks Bentley, Home
Produced by Brett Beavers, Luke Wooten, and Jon Randall Stewart - Lady Antebellum, Own the Night
Produced by Paul Worley and Lady Antebellum
Song of the Year (Awarded to songwriters)
- Eli Young Band, “Even if It Breaks Your Heart”
Written by Will Hoge and Eric Paslay - Blake Shelton, “God Gave Me You”
Written by Dave Barnes - Dierks Bentley, “Home”
Written by Dierks Bentley, Dan Wilson and Brett Beavers - Miranda Lambert, “Over You”
Written by Miranda Lambert and Blake Shelton - Eric Church, “Springsteen”
Written by Eric Church, Jeff Hyde and Ryan Tyndell
Single of the Year (Awarded to artist and producer)
- Jason Aldean, “Dirt Road Anthem”
Produced by Michael Knox - Blake Shelton, “God Gave Me You”
Produced by Scott Hendricks - Dierks Bentley, “Home”
Produced by Brett Beavers and Luke Wooten - Little Big Town, “Pontoon”
Produced by Jay Joyce - Eric Church, “Springsteen”
Produced by Jay Joyce
Musical Event of the Year
- Alan Jackson and Zac Brown Band, “Dixie Highway”
- Kenny Chesney and Tim McGraw, “Feel Like a Rock Star”
- Willie Nelson featuring Snoop Dogg, Kris Kristofferson and Jamey Johnson, “Roll Me Up and Smoke Me When I Die”
- Taylor Swift featuring the Civil Wars, “Safe and Sound”
- Lionel Richie and Darius Rucker, “Stuck on You”
Music Video of the Year (Awarded to artist and director)
- Eric Church, “Springsteen”
Directed by Peter Zavadil - Kenny Chesney, “Come Over”
Directed by Shaun Silva - Miranda Lambert, “Over You”
Directed by Trey Fanjoy - Little Big Town, “Pontoon”
Directed by Declan Whitebloom - Toby Keith, “Red Solo Cup”
Directed by Michael Salomon
Musician of the Year
Sam Bush
Paul Franklin
Dann Huff
Brent Mason
Mac McAnally
Filed under CMA Awards
