Country Universe

Sunday Selections: August 21, 2016

August 21, 2016 Jonathan Keefe 20

To paraphrase Beyonce: Sorry, we ain’t sorry.

Single Review: Aaron Lewis, “That Ain’t Country”

August 20, 2016 Leeann Ward 3

Rocker Aaron Lewis effectively schools current mainstream country radio on country music. By declaring that what’s being accepted as country music isn’t actually country, he demonstrates what country music is.

Sunday Selections: August 13, 2016

August 14, 2016 Jonathan Keefe 15

Country radio needs to be “Fix”ed.

Sunday Selections: July 31, 2016

July 31, 2016 Jonathan Keefe 18

You say, “tomato,” we say… actually, we’ll let Margo Price fill in the rest.

Single Review: Miranda Lambert, “Vice”

July 28, 2016 Kevin John Coyne 8

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

Sunday Selections: July 24, 2016

July 24, 2016 Jonathan Keefe 8

If you need us, we’ll be where our reputations don’t precede us.

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.

Artist Spotlight: Jeremy Nail

July 14, 2016 Sam Gazdziak 0

Texas singer/songwriter puts a health scare behind him with a stellar new album.

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.)

Single Review: Jason Aldean, “Lights Come On”

July 11, 2016 Kevin John Coyne 5

Perhaps this is a song best heard in its proper context.