Single Reviews – Page 112 – Country Universe

Review: Brooks & Dunn featuring Reba McEntire, “Cowgirls Don’t Cry”

November 18, 2008 Dan Milliken 8

What a difference a voice makes. Mere weeks after its initial release, “Cowgirls Don’t Cry” has been re-released to incorporate Reba McEntire, who reprises her CMA show cameo with an added bonus of audibility (nice!).

Single Review: John Rich, “Another You”

November 17, 2008 Kevin John Coyne 7

As a singer, John Rich is a good songwriter. “Another You” is a decent song, and a great singer could hoodwink listeners into thinking it’s far better than it actually is. To be fair, if

Single Review: Jessica Andrews, “Everything”

November 17, 2008 Kevin John Coyne 10

This is not a country single. Not by any stretch of the imagination. It’s one of those pop songs with enough of a rock flavor to make it palatable to adult top 40 radio stations.

Review: Lance Miller, “Bacon Frying”

November 16, 2008 Guest Contributor 7

Lance Miller, a Nashville Star contestant in 2004, has won the favor of traditional fans with his plain-spoken songs and rich, rugged voice. His new release, “Bacon Frying” is a down-home heartbreaker about a lover’s

Single Review: Kenny Chesney with Mac McAnally, “Down the Road”

November 15, 2008 Kevin John Coyne 7

It stands to reason that a single that combines the talents of the reigning CMA Entertainer of the Year and Musician of the Year would be entertaining to listen to and musically interesting. But country

Single Review: Kellie Pickler, “Best Days of Your Life”

November 15, 2008 Kevin John Coyne 10

Swedish pop duo Roxette used to throw out picks to the audience during their concerts. Upon the picks, these words were emblazoned: “Don’t Bore Us! Get to the Chorus!” I couldn’t help but think of

Single Review: BlackHawk, “Love Like This”

November 15, 2008 Kevin John Coyne 1

For as long as it has been written, “Love Like This” has been a hit waiting to happen. It was composed by the same trio of writers behind “Safe in the Arms of Love”, and

Review: George Strait, “River of Love”

November 11, 2008 Guest Contributor 6

Country icon George Strait follows the title track of his latest album, Troubadour, with the new, calypso-laced “River of Love.” Troubador is light on radio-friendly material, and MCA leaves the Patty Loveless duet (“House of Cash”) and

Review: Keith Urban, “Sweet Thing”

November 9, 2008 Dan Milliken 7

Keith Urban and Monty Powell have always known their way around a shimmering pop hook, so it’s no surprise to hear their latest offering burst into a big, sunny, singalong chorus. What is surprising is

Review: Martina McBride, “Ride”

November 1, 2008 Kevin John Coyne 18

Martina McBride previews her forthcoming album with “Ride”, a high-energy single that surrounds one of her typical positive messages with atypically aggressive production. This is worth hearing for the guitar work alone, but stick around