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Grammy Awards 2011: Staff Picks & Predictions

Saturday, February 12th, 2011

It’s hard to believe, but it’s that time of year again: the 2011 Grammy Awards air this Sunday at 8 p.m. Eastern. Country music has its hand in the Grammy pot via major nominations for Lady Antebellum, performances by Miranda Lambert, Lady A and Martina McBride, and appearances by Keith Urban, Zac Brown, Blake Shelton and Kris Kristofferson. We’ve picked and predicted the awards below – chime in with your own thoughts, and stop by on Sunday night for our live blog!

Album of the Year

Should Win

• Arcade Fire, The Suburbs - Dan
• Eminem, Recovery - Kevin, Tara
• Lady Antebellum, Need You Now
• Lady Gaga, The Fame Monster
• Katy Perry, Teenage Dream

Will Win

• Arcade Fire, The Suburbs
• Eminem, Recovery - Kevin, Dan, Tara
• Lady Antebellum, Need You Now
• Lady Gaga, The Fame Monster
• Katy Perry, Teenage Dream

Kevin: In a field of newer artists, Eminem is the established veteran that is overdue for this award. It helps that he also made the best album of his career, as well as of the five nominees.

Dan: I could actually see Lady A coming out on top, since they’ve moved a lot of units and are the least divisive act here. But Recovery was a big comeback, and NARAS likes to use this award as a lifetime achievement thing. I don’t like that tendency, though; I’d rather we just reward the best set. To me, that was Arcade Fire’s ambitious concept album.

Tara: I really respect The Suburbs and really dig Recovery. Both are deserving, but Eminem probably has the edge with NARAS for the reasons stated above. (PS – I’m still not over it. TEENAGE DREAM?)

Record of the Year

Should Win

• B.O.B featuring Bruno Mars, “Nothin’ On You”
• Eminem featuring Rihanna, “Love the Way You Lie”
• Cee Lo Green, “F*** You” - Dan, Tara
• Jay-Z featuring Alicia Keys, “Empire State of Mind” - Kevin
• Lady Antebellum, “Need You Now”

Will Win

• B.O.B featuring Bruno Mars, “Nothin’ On You”
• Eminem featuring Rihanna, “Love the Way You Lie”
• Cee Lo Green, “F*** You”
• Jay-Z featuring Alicia Keys, “Empire State of Mind”
• Lady Antebellum, “Need You Now” - Kevin, Dan, Tara

Kevin: Perhaps it’s an instinctual reaction as a native New Yorker, but I still get chills every time I hear “Empire State of Mind.” Jay-Z’s casual “Long live the World Trade” in the second verse perfectly captures how our city moved briskly forward after 9/11 like we always do, but we haven’t forgotten it.

No Urban or Hip-Hop record has ever won this award, so it pains me to predict that Lady Antebellum will triumph over four better records. I hope I’m wrong.

Dan: Cee Lo’s viral novelty hit was one of last year’s biggest delights. I could see this award going to any track but “Nothin’ On You,” but suspect voters will probably go with the least edgy track.

Tara: I could make an argument for four of the five songs here, but I can’t peel myself away from Green’s personality-packed throwback hit that practically begs you to love it. And do I. I agree with Dan and Kevin, though, that Lady A will take this.

Song of the Year

Should Win

• “Beg, Steal, or Borrow” – Ray LaMontagne
• “F*** You!” – Brody Brown, Cee Lo Green, Philip Lawrence & Bruno Mars
• “The House That Built Me” – Tom Douglas & Allen Shamblin - Kevin, Tara
• “Love the Way You Lie” – Alexander Grant, Skylar Grey & Marshall Mathers
• “Need You Now” – Dave Haywood, Josh Kear, Charles Kelley & Hillary Scott

Will Win

• “Beg, Steal, or Borrow” – Ray LaMontagne
• “F*** You!” – Brody Brown, Cee Lo Green, Philip Lawrence & Bruno Mars
• “The House That Built Me” – Tom Douglas & Allen Shamblin – Kevin, Tara
• “Love the Way You Lie” – Alexander Grant, Skylar Grey & Marshall Mathers
• “Need You Now” – Dave Haywood, Josh Kear, Charles Kelley & Hillary Scott

Kevin: I think the biggest hurdle for “The House That Built Me” was getting the nomination. It really stands out in this field. It used to be rare for the Song victor to not be nominated for Record, but it has happened three times in the last seven years, including last year.

Tara: I’d honestly be happy to see any of these songs win. I’ll back “The House That Built Me” and just take a guess that the voters will, too.

Best New Artist

Should Win

• Justin Bieber
• Drake
• Florence + the Machine
• Mumford & Sons - Dan, Kevin, Tara
• Esperanza Spalding

Will Win

• Justin Bieber
• Drake – Kevin, Dan, Tara
• Florence + the Machine
• Mumford & Sons
• Esperanza Spalding

Kevin: I dig Mumford & Sons the most, but Drake seems to be the guy to beat.

Dan: I think Mumford has the most potential going forward. They’re got a dark-horse shot at the win, too, though Drake does seem like the most logical choice. Bieber’s by far the biggest name right now, but NARAS didn’t give it to tween-fave forerunners Hanson or Jonas Brothers, so…

Tara: Ditto. Although I have an unexplainable inkling that the Bieber might nab the award.

Best Country Album

Should Win

• Dierks Bentley, Up on the Ridge – Kevin, Tara, Leeann
• Zac Brown Band, You Get What You Give
• Jamey Johnson, The Guitar Song - Dan
• Lady Antebellum, Need You Now
• Miranda Lambert, Revolution

Will Win

• Dierks Bentley, Up on the Ridge
• Zac Brown Band, You Get What You Give
• Jamey Johnson, The Guitar Song
• Lady Antebellum, Need You Now – Dan
• Miranda Lambert, Revolution - Kevin, Tara, Leeann

Kevin: I think Bentley made the best record, and perhaps the slew of collaborators will help raise its profile with voters. Usually the country album nominated for overall Album wins this award, but I’m thinking that Lambert’s recent awards streak will continue here.

Dan: I pick Johnson by a nose, but genuinely like every album here besides Need You Now. Hoping Kevin’s right about that one.

Leeann: Like Kevin said, Bentley deserves to win and I hope he does, but I think Lambert’s album may win due to accessibility and her reputation for artistic integrity.

Tara: Up on the Ridge and Revolution both hit my sweet spot: they straddle the line between reverent and relevant and make me genuinely excited about country music’s future. Bentley’s album is the better of the two (and the best of the bunch) – but I think Lambert’s will pick up the most votes.

Best Female Country Vocal Performance

Should Win

• Jewel, “Satisfied”
• Miranda Lambert, “The House That Built Me” - Dan, Kevin, Tara, Leeann
• LeAnn Rimes, “Swingin’”
• Carrie Underwood, “Temporary Home”
• Gretchen Wilson, “I’d Love to Be Your Last”

Will Win

• Jewel, “Satisfied”
• Miranda Lambert, “The House That Built Me” - Dan, Kevin, Tara, Leeann
• LeAnn Rimes, “Swingin’”
• Carrie Underwood, “Temporary Home”
• Gretchen Wilson, “I’d Love to Be Your Last”

Kevin: This is Lambert’s best shot at a Grammy. Underwood will threaten, as always, but I think the strength of this song makes it tough to beat.

Leeann: Lambert’s signature song is the strongest and likely most long-lasting of the bunch.

Tara: Lambert and Underwood turn in two of the most emotive, powerful performances of their careers, but “The House That Built Me” is undeniably the better song. Since Underwood’s Grammy streak seems to be up for now, I think the voters will side with Lambert.

Best Male Country Vocal Performance

Should Win

• Jamey Johnson, “Macon”
• Toby Keith, “Cryin’ For Me (Wayman’s Song)” - Kevin, Leeann
• David Nail, “Turning Home” - Dan
• Keith Urban, “‘Til Summer Comes Around”
• Chris Young, “Gettin’ You Home (The Black Dress Song)”  - Tara

Will Win

• Jamey Johnson, “Macon”
• Toby Keith, “Cryin’ For Me (Wayman’s Song)”
• David Nail, “Turning Home”
• Keith Urban, “‘Til Summer Comes Around” - Dan, Kevin, Tara, Leeann
• Chris Young, “Gettin’ You Home (The Black Dress Song)”

Kevin: I am not going to complain about Urban winning again for my favorite single from his last two albums. But Toby Keith is way overdue in this category, and he’s nominated for one of his best vocal performances to date.

Dan: Nail’s nuanced performance brought what could have been a very rote song to life. And his career could use the boost.

Leeann: I think the Grammy voters will reflexively give the award to Keith Urban, but Toby Keith’s song is the most poignant of the nominees.

Tara: Urban’s got his hold on this category, but I’m in Young’s corner. His slow-burning hit is as charming as it is sexy, which isn’t an easy thing to pull off. And that voice.

Best Duo/Group Country Vocal Performance

Should Win

• Zac Brown Band, “Free”
• Dailey & Vincent, “Elizabeth”
• Lady Antebellum, “Need You Now”
• Little Big Town, “Little White Church”- Tara
• The SteelDrivers, “Where Rainbows Never Die” - Kevin, Leeann

Will Win

• Zac Brown Band, “Free”
• Dailey & Vincent, “Elizabeth”
• Lady Antebellum, “Need You Now” - Kevin, Tara, Leeann
• Little Big Town, “Little White Church”
• The SteelDrivers, “Where Rainbows Never Die”

Kevin: I think it’s a race between Lady Antbellum and Zac Brown Band, with LA in the lead. But the SteelDrivers get the annual “song I discovered because it was nominated for a Grammy and fell in love with after hearing it” award from me.

Leeann: The SteelDriver’s song is my favorite with Little Big Town at a close second, but I suspect that Lady A won’t be shut out for such a hugely popular radio hit across the board.

Tara: Dear NARAS: since “Single Ladies” got screwed over for ROTY last year, please show Little Big Town some love for their crazy awesome countrified version. It’s just as good…maybe even better?

Best Country Collaboration with Vocals

Should Win

• “Bad Angel” — Dierks Bentley, Miranda Lambert & Jamey Johnson
• “Pride (In The Name Of Love)” — Dierks Bentley, Del McCoury & The Punch Brothers
• “As She’s Walking Away” — Zac Brown Band & Alan Jackson – Kevin, Tara, Leeann
• “Hillbilly Bone” — Blake Shelton & Trace Adkins
• “I Run To You” — Marty Stuart & Connie Smith

Will Win

• “Bad Angel” — Dierks Bentley, Miranda Lambert & Jamey Johnson
• “Pride (In The Name Of Love)” — Dierks Bentley, Del McCoury & The Punch Brothers
• “As She’s Walking Away” — Zac Brown Band & Alan Jackson – Kevin, Tara, Leeann
• “Hillbilly Bone” — Blake Shelton & Trace Adkins
• “I Run To You” — Marty Stuart & Connie Smith

Kevin: Best collaboration in a very long time. Love hearing an artist from my youth playing elder statesman so well.

Leeann: It’s difficult for me to imagine that “As She’s Walking Away” won’t be rewarded for both its popularity and the significance of the still active veteran, Alan Jackson, dispensing wisdom to the up-and-coming bright stars of country music in the Zac Brown Band.

Tara: I love the groove of “Bad Angel,” but its collaboration isn’t nearly as dynamic nor as fitting as that of “As She’s Walking Way.” I can’t imagine any “wise man” but Jackson pulling up a stool next to Brown in this song.

Best Country Instrumental Performance

Should Win

• Cherryholmes, “Tattoo of a Smudge”
• The Infamous Stringdusters, “Magic #9″
• Punch Brothers, “New Chance Blues” – Kevin, Leeann
• Darrell Scott, ‘Willow Creek”
• Marty Stuart, “Hummingbyrd”

Will Win

• Cherryholmes, “Tattoo of a Smudge”
• The Infamous Stringdusters, “Magic #9″
• Punch Brothers, “New Chance Blues” - Kevin, Leeann
• Darrell Scott, ‘Willow Creek”
• Marty Stuart, “Hummingbyrd”

Kevin: Punch Brothers are approaching Nickel Creek levels of awesomeness. Possibly exceeding them.

Leeann: Kevin’s right. Even as someone who isn’t typically fond of instrumentals, I dig those of the Punch Brothers.

Best Country Song

Should Win

• “The Breath You Take” — Casey Beathard, Dean Dillon & Jessie Jo Dillon
• “Free” — Zac Brown
• “The House That Built Me” — Tom Douglas & Allen Shamblin - Dan, Kevin, Tara, Leeann
• “I’d Love To Be Your Last” — Rivers Rutherford, Annie Tate & Sam Tate
• “If I Die Young” — Kimberly Perry
• “Need You Now” — Dave Haywood, Josh Kear, Charles Kelley & Hillary Scott

Will Win

• “The Breath You Take” — written by Casey Beathard, Dean Dillon & Jessie Jo Dillon
• “Free” — written by Zac Brown
• “The House That Built Me” — written by Tom Douglas & Allen Shamblin – Kevin, Tara, Leeann
• “I’d Love To Be Your Last” — written by Rivers Rutherford, Annie Tate & Sam Tate
• “If I Die Young” — written by Kimberly Perry
• “Need You Now” — written by Dave Haywood, Josh Kear, Charles Kelley & Hillary Scott

Kevin: My heart is owned by “If I Die Young”, but I think that “The House That Built Me” is objectively the best song.

Leeann: While The Band Perry’s song sounds the coolest, the writing for “The House That Built Me” is clear frontrunner for the best song of the year.  It deserves and likely will be recognized as such, especially since it was both very critically acclaimed and successful as a single.

Tara: No question “The House That Built Me” is the best written song of the group, and I think it’ll be recognized as such.

Best Bluegrass Album

Should Win

• Sam Bush, Circles Around Me
• Patty Loveless, Mountain Soul II
• The Del McCoury Band, Family Circle
• Peter Rowan Bluegrass Band, Legacy
• The SteelDrivers, Reckless – Kevin

Will Win

• Sam Bush, Circles Around Me
• Patty Loveless, Mountain Soul II
• The Del McCoury Band, Family Circle – Kevin
• Peter Rowan Bluegrass Band, Legacy
• The SteelDrivers, Reckless

Kevin: Kudos to Loveless for her nomination, but I like the SteelDrivers set more.

Best Americana Album

Should Win

• Rosanne Cash, The List
• Los Lobos, Tin Can Trust
• Willie Nelson, Country Music – Dan, Kevin
• Robert Plant, Band of Joy
• Mavis Staples, You Are Not Alone

Will Win

• Rosanne Cash, The List
• Los Lobos, Tin Can Trust
• Willie Nelson, Country Music
• Robert Plant, Band of Joy
• Mavis Staples, You Are Not Alone - Kevin

Kevin: So I think Staples is nominated for an awesome gospel album and Nelson for an awesome country album. This category is confusing.

Crunching the Numbers: January 2011

Thursday, January 27th, 2011

Feel that chill in the air?  It’s not just climate change, friends.  The music industry is suffering through historic lows in record sales, the worst since SoundScan started tallying them in 1991.

How are country artists faring?  Let’s take a look at cumulative sales for current albums. Sales are rounded to the nearest hundred.

Top Selling Current Country Albums

1. Taylor Swift, Fearless: 6,233,900
2. Taylor Swift, Taylor Swift: 4,955,000
3. Lady Antebellum, Need You Now: 3,138,700
4. Taylor Swift, Speak Now: 3,078,600
5. Zac Brown Band, The Foundation: 2,489,200
6. Carrie Underwood, Play On: 1,937,041
7. Lady Antebellum, Lady Antebellum: 1,835,800
8. Jason Aldean, Wide Open: 1,364,700
9. Miranda Lambert, Revolution: 1,149,000
10. Rascal Flatts, Greatest Hits Volume 1: 994,600
11. Sugarland, The Incredible Machine: 815,200
12. Jason Aldean, My Kinda Party:  766,300
13. Tim McGraw, Southern Voice: 749,200
14. George Strait, Twang: 670,200
15. Kenny Chesney, Hemingway’s Whiskey: 655,200
16. Zac Brown Band, You Get What You Give: 636,000
17. Rascal Flatts, Nothing Like This: 585,800
18. Luke Bryan, Doin’ My Thing: 509,200
19. Keith Urban, Get Closer: 508,200
20. Brooks & Dunn, #1′s…and Then Some: 479,700
21. Toby Keith, American Ride: 432,100
22. Chris Young, The Man I Want to Be: 408,000
23. Eric Church, Carolina: 380,600
24. Darius Rucker, Charleston, SC 1966: 376,700
25. The Band Perry, The Band Perry: 364,000
26. Josh Turner, Haywire: 361,800
27. Justin Moore, Justin Moore: 325,600
28. Easton Corbin, Easton Corbin: 314,000
29. Toby Keith, Bullets in the Gun: 279,400
30. Jamey Johnson, The Guitar Song: 256,300
31. Gary Allan, Get Off on the Pain: 238,000
32. Reba McEntire, All the Women I Am: 224,800
33. Jerron Niemann, Judge Jerron & The Hung Jury: 222,700
34. Billy Currington, Enjoy Yourself: 222,000
35. Tim McGraw, Number One Hits: 220,500
36. Dierks Bentley, Up on the Ridge: 204,900
37. Zac Brown Band, Pass the Jar: 202,100
38. Trace Adkins, Cowboy’s Back in Town: 194,200
39. Johnny Cash, American VI: Ain’t No Grave: 190,100
40. Brad Paisley, Hits Alive: 189,200
41. Alan Jackson, 34 Number Ones: 181,000
42. Blake Shelton, All About Tonight: 160,700
43. Little Big Town, The Reason Why: 158,300
44. Blake Shelton, Loaded: The Best of Blake Shelton : 142,300
45. Jaron and the Long Road to Love, Getting Dressed in the Dark: 119,700
46. Josh Thompson, Way Out Here: 107,000
47. Joe Nichols, Old Things New: 100,700
48. Brantley Gilbert, Halfway to Heaven: 81,400
49. Lee Brice, Love Like Crazy: 81,200
50. Steel Magnolia, Steel Magnolia: 41,000
51. Joey + Rory, Album Number Two: 34,100
52. Randy Houser, They Call Me Cadillac: 30,900

Single Review: Joanna Smith, “Georgia Mud”

Friday, January 21st, 2011

Is there anyone left in Nashville with a functioning memory of country music?

Trisha Yearwood put out “Georgia Rain” in 2005.  This is almost the same song.  The theme, storyline, geography, and even the weather are all identical.

The only differences?  It’s not written as well or sung as well.  Not even close.

Helpful hint to all aspiring female singers: Don’t get in the ring with Trisha Yearwood.  The very best female vocalists on radio today – Carrie Underwood, Miranda Lambert, Jennifer Nettles –   they shouldn’t get in the ring with Trisha Yearwood, unless they really are on the top of their game.

“Georgia Rain” isn’t even Trisha Yearwood at the top of her game. It’s one of her less notable singles.  But wow, does it wipe the floor with Joanna Smith and her “Georgia Mud.”

Then again, if I’m the only one who even remembers “Georgia Rain”, Smith has nothing to worry about. With the tasteful arrangement that is identifiably country, she might even be hailed as a visionary.  At least it’s not a rock record, right?

Grade: C

Listen: Georgia Mud

Single Review: Jamey Johnson, “Heartache”

Thursday, January 20th, 2011

When I was a very young child, maybe five or six, there was a song that used to scare me a little bit: “Maneater.”

When Hall & Oates sang about her only coming out at night and warned, “Watch out boy, she’ll chew you up,” my literal little mind thought she was a monster that was going around eating people.  It creeped me out.

Somewhere tonight, there must be another small boy or girl listening in terror to Jamey Johnson’s “Heartache.”

Written in the first person, no less, it has Johnson playing the role of heartache, which is “hungry and huntin’ someone I can eat alive.”  Johnson is all evil and growling as he vows to chow down on a cheating man later on, after he finishes “gnawin’ on your pretty little wife.”  If this is what heartache is truly like, it’s no wonder Suzy Bogguss failed to reason with it.

This is a record that could only be pulled off convincingly by Jamey Johnson.  I wrote recently that, like with Miranda Lambert, I get confused when he splits the difference between playing a character and being authentic and real.   Johnson is in full character mode here, and it’s the musical equivalent of Anthony Hopkins playing Hannibal Lecter.  It’s creepy, off-putting and deeply uncomfortable to listen to.

It works.

Written by Jamey Johnson and Rivers Rutherford

Grade: B+

Listen: Heartache

Single Review: Miranda Lambert, “Heart Like Mine”

Saturday, January 8th, 2011

It’s hard to tell when Miranda Lambert is being herself and when she’s posturing.  I think on “Heart Like Mine,” she’s doing both, which makes my head heart a little bit.

The chorus is solid, the second verse about her father and her brother are quietly revealing and fully believable. I love the message about Jesus and how he’d very well love her just the way she is.

But I don’t believe for a second that she’s the kind of girl that you don’t take home to mama. She expresses her love for family too openly in the rest of the song to think that she’d be someone who you couldn’t introduce to your mother. And I don’t believe that Christians are getting in her face about cigarette smoking, and she’s demurely saying “God Bless,” either.

Lambert’s a stunningly talented singer and songwriter, but like her rough male equivalent, Jamey Johnson, she has these “I’m an outlaw! Really! I mean it!” moments that ring hollow to me and distract from the overall excellence of her work.  Just being herself would be good enough.  An original is always worth more than a copy.

Written by Travis Howard, Miranda Lambert, and Ashley Monroe

Grade: B

Listen: Heart Like Mine

The Best Singles of 2010, Part 4: #10-#1

Thursday, December 23rd, 2010

Our look back at the year’s best singles comes to a close, with unprecedented CU consensus at the top of the list.  The top two singles of the year were ranked in that order by three of our four writers, and both appeared in the top ten of the fourth writer.

Here’s our ten best of 2010:

The Best Singles of 2010, Part 4: #10-#1

#10

Draw Me a Map
Dierks Bentley

Bentley is getting a lot of deserved attention for sonically diverging from the mainstream to create a bluegrass-inspired album. It’s an excellent album, but to his credit, “Draw Me A Map” isn’t so far removed from some of the unreleased songs on his first two mainstream projects; It’s just that he gets to shine a finer focus on it for this album, and therefore, this seemingly subversive song for radio gets to be released. The inspired blend of Bentley’s ragged voice with Alison Krauss’ angelic one takes the song to an even sweeter level. – Leeann Ward

#9

Broken
Chely Wright

Robert Louis Stevenson once remarked that “Hope lives on ignorance; open-eyed Faith is built upon a knowledge of our life, of the tyranny of circumstance and the frailty of human resolution.” He was talking, in context, about marriage. The truth is that no one enters a relationship completely free of burden, and only by submitting to the complications of that truth can we avoid being ruled by them. Wright, for her part, manages the task with simple, earnest grace, probably strengthening her relationship through mere acknowledgment of its weaknesses. – Dan Milliken

#8

Drop On By
Laura Bell Bundy

Unlike the year’s other booze-induced lover’s call, “Drop On By” isn’t rooted in emotional dependency; it’s fueled by Bundy’s earthy physical longing – and what a longing that is. Proving her masterful interpretative skills, Bundy churns out a slow-burning performance that’s both deftly controlled and achingly sensual, with just a tinge of playful warmth woven through. The song’s kicker, though, is the smoky throwback arrangement – a delicious mix of blues, jazz and country – that not only fits Bundy like a glove, but pushes the boundaries of what constitutes a great country record. – Tara Seetharam

#7

Giddy On Up
Laura Bell Bundy

The most interesting and surprising debut single that I can remember. So many creative and unexpected choices are made, but it is Bundy’s forceful personality that pulls it all together into something cohesive.  In an era of country music that is little more than dull shades of gray, “Giddy On Up” is a Technicolor marvel. – Kevin Coyne

#6

As She’s Walking Away
Zac Brown Band featuring Alan Jackson

A young man just about chickens out of approaching the radiant girl across the bar, panicking that “my heart won’t tell my mind to tell my mouth what it should say.” Luckily, Wise Older Man At Bar can see exactly what’s going on and nudges Junior into action. A bit silly, but the single radiates such warmth that you gobble it up. And if there was a more motivational moment in 2010 than Alan Jackson’s spoken “Go on, son,” well, I didn’t hear it. – DM

#5

Smoke a Little Smoke
Eric Church

Church finally puts his music where his mouth is, delivering an unapologetic, roguish (for country radio, anyway) ode to escapism by intoxication. The erratic musical flow evokes the very physical sensations the song celebrates, and Church’s swagger makes bumming sound almost appealing. Turns out that if you stop talking about being a badass for long enough, you may just manage to kinda be one. – DM

#4

If I Die Young
The Band Perry

“If I Die Young”  arrives like a gift from an alternate universe, one where the public’s embrace of Alison Krauss, Nickel Creek, and O Brother was treated as a road map  for the genre’s future, not just a passing interest that needn’t be cultivated.  – KC

#3

Stuck Like Glue
Sugarland

Every once and awhile, a piece of ear candy comes along that defies the term “ear candy.” That’s what “Stuck Like Glue” is, to be sure: an infectious acoustic-pop morsel, invigorated by Nettles’ insanely joyful performance and a genre-busting breakdown. But there’s something about the song that puts it on another plane. Maybe it’s the organic energy, or maybe it’s the lack of artistic inhibition. Or maybe it’s the simple fact that “Stuck Like Glue” doesn’t try to be anything that it’s not. It just is. And as a result, it’s that rare breed of song that taps into your spirit – that demands you to stop thinking, start feeling and have a damn good time. – TS

#2

Little White Church
Little Big Town

It probably owes some theme to “Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It),” but Little Big Town’s swampy sleeper hit is the coolest-sounding country single of the year all on its own. From handclaps to snarling electric licks, creepy whispers to gospel-esque call-and-response choruses, “Little White Church” is a potent reminder of all the creativity still bubbling under in Music City. – DM

#1

The House That Built Me
Miranda Lambert

Miranda Lambert’s career defining song is also our song of the year. Not much can be said about this gorgeous ode to childhood memories that hasn’t already been said better by countless writers before me, including our very own Dan Milliken, which helps make the case for what’s inevitably the song of the year on many 2010 countdowns.

Its all-acoustic, understated arrangement underscores the story of a woman who tries to find solace in the memories buried in a structure that was more than a house. Its descriptive lyrics move us as they detail memories from turning blueprints into the family dream home to the heartbreak of losing the family dog.

As it is always is with the best songs, “The House that Built Me” does not hit us over the head with its emotional resonance. It’s strong, it’s palpable, but it’s all done with gentleness, which is the most effective way to tug at the heartstrings. – LW

Check out the rest of the list:

• The Best Singles of 2010, Part 1: #40-#31
• The Best Singles of 2010, Part 2: #30-#21
• The Best Singles of 2010, Part 3: #20-#11

The Best Singles of 2010, Part 2: #30-#21

Tuesday, December 21st, 2010

The countdown continues, with appearances by popular new artists joined by a pair of nineties veterans.

The Best Singles of 2010, Part 2: #30-#21

#30

Roll With It
Easton Corbin

It’s easy to overlook Corbin’s second single as just another breezy summer tune, but it stands above the rest, thanks to its near-perfect execution. From the spirited delivery to the skillful handling of otherwise trite phrases –like the title phrase and “it won’t be no thang”— “Roll With It” makes a fresh, invigorating case for shedding everyday troubles and, well, rolling with it. – Tara Seetharam

#29

I Put My Ring Back On
Mary Chapin Carpenter

“I Put My Ring Back On” is a throwback to the sounds of Mary Chapin Carpenter’s glory days on the charts. It’s catchy with a message of relational perseverance. As a result, it’s one of the two most memorable songs on her latest album. – Leeann Ward

#28

Who Are You When I’m Not Looking
Blake Shelton

Blake Shelton has a strong voice, but it’s most expressive when he dials it back enough to allow the sensitivity to cut through. Exhibit A: “Who Are You When I’m Not Looking.” As one of the beautifully understated productions of the year, he loves everything that he knows about his woman, therefore, he can’t help but imagine and wonder about what he’s not seeing. – LW

#27

Put You in a Song
Keith Urban

Creating hooky pieces of ear candy is one of Urban’s defining talents, and the lead single from his November release is further proof. Blessedly, it’s devoid of the distracting electronic instrumentation that has lately plagued his recordings, which makes for one of Urban’s cleanest releases in recent years. – LW

#26

American Honey
Lady Antebellum

Look, I still don’t know what American honey is, and I’m guessing you don’t either. What I do know is this: Hillary Scott’s performance is layered, vulnerable and desperate – a perfect encapsulation of the wave of nostalgia that finds you in your early 20s. Coupled with the wistful melody, it’s enough to override the wacky metaphor and lift the song to one of the most poignant of the year. – TS

#25

A Father’s Love (The Only Way He Knew How)
Bucky Covington

This is probably Covington’s best performance to date. The song manages to be sweet without crossing the line to sickeningly cloying. It depicts a father who shows his love through action rather than verbal affirmation, which is something that the son ultimately accepts as just as good. – LW

#24

Playing the Part
Jamey Johnson

Something that Jamey Johnson isn’t afraid to do in this radio era of watered down, trite messages is expose himself as less than a perfect human being. Instead, he will sing about drug addiction (“High Cost of Living”) and depression, as we hear in this tale of disappointment that is a result of the crushing disappointment of unattained success. – LW

#23

Fearless
Taylor Swift

As a single release, it was little more than an afterthought, the album of the same name having already flexed most of its world-conquering muscles. As a sort of mission-statement album track, though, “Fearless” still rocks, adeptly capturing the jitters and giddiness of young romance and sort of arguing for embracing such sensations while you can. That Swift tells herself at a certain point to “capture it, remember it” suggests she knows there’s more loneliness and disappointment on the flip-side of this one elated moment. – Dan Milliken

#22

She Won’t Be Lonely Long
Clay Walker

Ringing with effortless charisma and playful sincerity, the lead single off Walker’s latest album was a welcomed reintroduction to his most beloved qualities. Interestingly, though the song serves as a tribute to his classic 90s sound, it fit snugly –and refreshingly– on country radio. – TS

#21

Only Prettier
Miranda Lambert

Lambert exposes the sneaky bitchery lurking behind so much Southern sweetness. Country radio is all like, “Whaaat?” – DM

Check out the rest of the list:

• The Best Singles of 2010, Part 1: #40-#31
• The Best Singles of 2010, Part 3: #20-#11
• The Best Singles of 2010, Part 4: #10-#1

Single Review: LeAnn Rimes, “Crazy Women”

Thursday, November 11th, 2010

Apparently wayward men make both honky tonk angels and crazy women, if LeAnn Rimes is to be believed.

This is a very cleverly written song, kicking off with the best opening line in recent memory: “Who’d have guessed that Aqua Net could start a fire with a single cigarette?”

What follows is a wry warning to all men who would underestimate the craziness that might be unleashed by a seemingly tame woman, should you decide to cross her.

Rimes turns in a typically wonderful vocal performance, coming off like an uptown Miranda Lambert.  But then again, what “Crazy Women” could really use is a little more of that Lambert grit.  The backing track lacks the frenetic energy that the lyric demands.

If she had done this a bit more in the vein of her “Swingin’” cover from earlier this year, it could’ve been a career high point.  But it’s a darn good single, nonetheless.

Written by Brandy Clark, Jessie Jo Dillon, and Shane McAnally

Grade: B+

Listen: Crazy Women

2010 CMA Awards: Staff Picks and Predictions

Monday, November 8th, 2010

So Hey…Feel Like Prejudging The Loretta Lynn Tribute Album?

Wednesday, September 15th, 2010

Info about the forthcoming RCA-helmed tribute to Lo-Lynn has been trickling out for a month or something, and now, thanks to our resourceful friends around the mighty internets, we have access to the track list and audio of the first single. Let’s gripe! (more…)