Kevin John Coyne

Single Review: Artists of Then, Now & Forever, “Forever Country”

September 24, 2016 Kevin John Coyne 11

What should be little more than an exercise in nostalgia is the most unexpectedly moving country recording in recent memory.

Single Review: Kenny Chesney featuring P!nk, “Setting the World On Fire”

September 8, 2016 Kevin John Coyne 10

Odd how a song about “Setting the World On Fire” is completely lacking in spark.

2016 CMA Nominations

August 31, 2016 Kevin John Coyne 13

This year’s CMA Nominations have been announced, and there are some major changes afoot, including some surprising inclusions (Maren Morris!) and even more surprising omissions (Blake Shelton!) Here’s who will compete this fall at the

Single Review: Miranda Lambert, “Vice”

July 28, 2016 Kevin John Coyne 8

“When it hurts this good, you’ve got to play it twice.”

Album Review: Brandy Clark, Big Day in a Small Town

July 18, 2016 Kevin John Coyne 3

One of the rare concept albums that lives up to its conceit while each song still able to stand on its own, Big Day in a Small Town demonstrates as well that Brandy Clark’s debut album wasn’t a fluke. She really is this good.

Single Review: Eric Church, “Record Year”

July 11, 2016 Kevin John Coyne 8

“Record Year” is cleverly written, intertwining turns of phrase with musical references that will satisfy everyone from the casual country fan (Red Headed Stranger) to the scholarly one (New Grass Revival.)