Single Reviews
Sonically, newcomer Greg Bates’ debut hit is a pleasant, infectious slice of nineties-esque contemporary country with a moderate traditionalist bent. It’s the kind of song that country star Chris Young has made his calling card.
My natural inclination is to hate any song that employs the word “bikini” right in the opening verse, but there might actually be a decent feel-good country rock jam in here somewhere.
Pleasant enough, but it just feels a bit too safe.
Single Review: Taylor Swift, "Begin Again"
The title of Taylor Swift’s new single is oddly appropriate, as her label hits the reset button at country radio.
“We are Never Ever Getting Back Together” was apparently too pop for her genre home base, though it will certainly continue to dominate top forty for a good long while. Country radio is now getting its own single, and it’s quite the genre exercise.
At his best, Brad Paisley has at times demonstrated the rare ability to balance fresh and modern contemporary sounds with a nod toward traditional country genre conventions. On his tasteless new single “Southern Comfort Zone,” that strength sounds it’s been totally buried.
A delicious, absorbing slice of country storytelling, flavored with a strong dose of everyday realism.
Single Review: Darius Rucker, "True Believers"
Darius Rucker – the former Blowfish with the strong distinctive voice, and now a streak of six Top 3 country hits thanks to a reliable strategy of playing it safe. The #17-peaking “I Got Nothin'” may have interrupted Rucker’s hot streak for now, but his new release “True Believers” should be just mediocre enough to get him back into the automatic add club.