Single Reviews – Page 48 – Country Universe

Single Review: Josh Turner, “Lay Low”

October 5, 2014 Leeann Ward 12

“Lay Low” Josh Turner Written by Ross Copperman, Tony Martin and Mark Nesler Good for Josh Turner for sticking with his neo-traditional country sound, even though he’s in the oft talked about minority nowadays. I

Single Review: Carrie Underwood, “Something in the Water”

September 29, 2014 Kevin John Coyne 46

“Something in the Water” Carrie Underwood Written by Chris DeStefano, Brett James, and Carrie Underwood If anybody’s going to sing a song about the power of the water to cleanse your soul, it should be

Single Review: Florida Georgia Line, “Anything Goes”

September 28, 2014 Kevin John Coyne 32

“Anything Goes” Florida Georgia Line Written by Felix McTeigue, Chris Tompkins, and Craig Wiseman A piece of trash so shamelessly awful that it is beyond parody. Beyond comprehension. Almost beyond comment. To observe that Florida

Single Review: Tim McGraw, “Shotgun Rider”

September 28, 2014 Kevin John Coyne 7

“Shotgun Rider” Tim McGraw Written by Marv Green, Hillary Lindsey, and Troy Verges Tim McGraw’s been getting his groove back lately. Much of his new album, Sundown Heaven Town, recalls the sound of his biggest

Single Review: Blake Shelton, “Neon Light”

September 28, 2014 Kevin John Coyne 6

“Neon Light” Blake Shelton Written by Andrew Dorff, Mark Irwin, and Josh Kear Brooks & Dunn made an entire career out of honky tonk puns and play on words. “Neon Light” is a throwback to

Single Review: Garth Brooks, “People Loving People”

September 5, 2014 Leeann Ward 22

“People Loving People” Garth Brooks Written by Michael Busbee, Lee Thomas Miller & Chris Wallin There is no nuanced way to say it. Garth Brooks’ long anticipated comeback single is really bad with a little

Single Review: Jason Aldean, “Burnin’ It Down”

August 9, 2014 Leeann Ward 29

“Burnin’ it Down” Jason Aldean Written by Rodney Clawson, Tyler Hubbard, Brian Kelley, and Chris Tompkins Country music isn’t historically prudish. It covers the topical gambit of love, drinking, cheating, murder and, yes, even passion.

Single Review: Jake Owen, “What We Ain’t Got”

August 7, 2014 Kevin John Coyne 16

“What We Ain’t Got” Jake Owen The power of simplicity is on full display here. Jake Owen’s new single is a powerful ballad because it’s not a power ballad. He pairs an intimate and quite

Single Review: Chris Young, “Lonely Eyes”

August 7, 2014 Kevin John Coyne 12

“Lonely Eyes” Chris Young The thing about Chris Young is that he’s a great traditional country singer. I think that’s his preference, too.

Single Review: Brad Paisley, “River Bank”

July 7, 2014 Ben Foster 13

“River Bank”
Brad Paisley

Written by Brad Paisley and Kelley Lovelace

Brad Paisley has become a fairly reliable competitor in country radio’s annual summer song rodeo. He offers a 2014 entry that is listenable and likable, if not as memorable as last year’s “Beat This Summer.”