January 2015 – Country Universe

2015 ACM Awards: Nominations & Analysis

January 31, 2015 Kevin John Coyne 14

The third most prestigious country music industry award nominations – but the most important ones handed out in the spring – have been announced. Here’s a rundown of all the major categories, along with some

Album Review: Carrie Underwood, Greatest Hits: Decade #1

January 27, 2015 Kevin John Coyne 17

Carrie Underwood Greatest Hits: Decade #1 Hits compilations have become an odd thing in the digital age, as they give both hardcore and casual fans little reason to purchase. The new tracks can be downloaded

Album Review: Jon Pardi, Write You a Song

January 27, 2015 Kevin John Coyne 2

Jon Pardi Write You a Song A surprisingly entertaining debut effort, Jon Pardi’s relentless enthusiasm infuses even mediocre material with enough energy to make it listenable. Of course, that’s the advantage of a debut album.

Album Review: David Nail, I’m a Fire

January 27, 2015 Kevin John Coyne 7

David Nail I’m a Fire If he’s a fire, it’s one that doesn’t burn nearly enough. Three albums in, Nail continues to pair great potential with middling results. Despite having better pipes than most of

Kicking the Canon: Jonathan Keefe on Trisha Yearwood’s Hearts in Armor

January 24, 2015 Kevin John Coyne 1

Country Universe writer and editor Jonathan Keefe has contributed to an awesome new project called Kicking the Canon. Put together by In Review Online, Kicking the Canon attempts to expand on what has traditionally been

Miranda Lambert, Sturgill Simpson Dominate Nashville Scene Critics Poll

January 23, 2015 Kevin John Coyne 2

The results are in: Nashville Scene’s 15th Annual Country Music Critics Poll Miranda Lambert and Sturgill Simpson dominated this year’s results, with Maddie & Tae topping the Singles list for their progressive and timely hit,

Album Review: Zoe Muth, World of Strangers

January 18, 2015 Jonathan Keefe 0

Zoe Muth World of Strangers Few artists can make “weary” sound as engaging as Zoe Muth. Even though she rarely picks up the tempo past a casually swinging shuffle, Muth captivates with her artfully turned

Album Review: Little Big Town, Pain Killer

January 14, 2015 Jonathan Keefe 4

Little Big Town Pain Killer Rather than focusing on their unrivaled vocal skill, Little Big Town and producer Jay Joyce approach Pain Killer like a game of “Chicken”: Listening to the album, it appears that

Album Review: Garth Brooks, Man Against Machine

January 14, 2015 Kevin John Coyne 2

Garth Brooks Man Against Machine Garth’s first proper studio album in thirteen years is chock full of all of his best and worst traits, but thankfully errs more often on the side of subtlety over

Album Review: Blake Shelton, Bringing Back the Sunshine

January 13, 2015 Jonathan Keefe 2

Blake Shelton Bringing Back the Sunshine He’s been coasting on his celebrity status and his brand of aw-shucks humor for years, so it’s encouraging that Blake Shelton’s Bringing Back the Sunshine seems less phoned-in than