Kevin John Coyne

The Coping Power of Music

September 20, 2008 Kevin John Coyne 15

Back in February of this year, I reviewed “You Can Let Go”, a single by a new artist named Crystal Shawanda. The song hit home for me, having lost my father to cancer only a

Open Thread

September 17, 2008 Kevin John Coyne 41

For real this time. Not a leading question in sight. What’s on your mind?

Jessica Simpson, “Remember That”

September 17, 2008 Kevin John Coyne 22

Jessica Simpson’s second country single is a good deal better than her first. It’s still conversational in style, but instead of trying to convince a guy to come on over, she’s trying to convince a

Discussion: All-Female Country Tour

September 16, 2008 Kevin John Coyne 44

This topic was suggested by reader “vp”, who figured that Country Universe would be a good place to discuss this quote from Carrie Underwood: Meanwhile, Underwood has plans. Maybe these plans will even include Faith

Discussion: Country Cussing

September 14, 2008 Kevin John Coyne 48

I was a little taken aback by the language used by Toby Keith onstage this past Thursday, which was the seventh anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. I’m not going to quote his blue

Review: Sara Evans, “Low”

September 10, 2008 Kevin John Coyne 27

The few opening seconds sound like another pop-country throwaway. Then, a wonderful surprise: acoustic instruments! Banjo-picking, bluegrass style! Evans has a classic country voice that she rarely puts to use singing classic country, so it’s

Review: Dierks Bentley, “Feel That Fire”

September 10, 2008 Kevin John Coyne 11

Check it out: an uptempo song by Dierks Bentley that isn’t about being on the road! “Feel That Fire” has a cool rhythm, and the hook has an extra punch, thanks to the gravel in

Brad Paisley featuring Keith Urban, “Start a Band”

September 10, 2008 Kevin John Coyne 54

Brad Paisley may be in Keith Urban’s league as a guitarist, but having them trade off verses in a song just rams home the fact that Urban is leagues beyond Paisley as a vocalist. It’s

Discussion: Video Ruined the Song

September 9, 2008 Kevin John Coyne 7

Music videos can be quite powerful. The very best intensify the song’s message or reveal new ways to interpret it. Then there are those videos that absolutely ruin the song. They’re so bad that you

Discussion: Favorite Soundtrack

September 8, 2008 Kevin John Coyne 19

I was going to be conventional and just pick O Brother Where Art Thou, since it is the most significant movie soundtrack in country music history. But it would be a bald-faced lie to call