Country Universe

Sunday Selections: May 1, 2016

May 1, 2016 Jonathan Keefe 12

Merle Haggard passed away on April 6th, and it has taken just about 20 days for people to try to politicize his death.

Single Review: Trisha Yearwood, “Broken”

April 25, 2016 Kevin John Coyne 2

One of six popular songs that Trisha Yearwood recorded for The Passion: New Orleans, “Broken” transcends its adult rock origins through its reinvention as Mary’s plaintive wail after the death of her son on the cross.

Sunday Selections: April 24, 2016

April 24, 2016 Jonathan Keefe 6

Another week, another music legend gone.

Sunday Selections: April 17, 2016

April 17, 2016 Jonathan Keefe 2

After what seems like months of ever-louder hype, Sturgill Simpson’s latest album finally arrived.

Sunday Selections: April 10, 2016

April 10, 2016 Jonathan Keefe 2

The death of Merle Haggard, a legend among legends, casts a pall over this week.

A Collection of Merle Haggard Favorites

April 9, 2016 Kevin John Coyne 6

Merle Haggard passing away isn’t only a huge loss because of his legacy. It’s a huge loss because he was still a vital artist making new, good music that added to that legacy.

In Memoriam: Merle Haggard, 1937-2016

April 8, 2016 Kevin John Coyne 1

Merle Haggard died on Wednesday at age 79. Juli Thanki writes for The Tennessean: Over the length of his half-century career, Mr. Haggard recorded 38 No. 1 country singles and wrote some of the genre’s most

Single Review: Kenny Chesney, “Noise”

April 5, 2016 Kevin John Coyne 5

“We didn’t turn it on, but we can’t turn it off.”

Single Review: Blake Shelton, “Came Here to Forget”

April 4, 2016 Kevin John Coyne 2

This is the strongest song that Blake Shelton has recorded in a very long time. It’s incisively bitter, with a cold cynicism that drips with the unvarnished truth.

Single Review: Carrie Underwood, “Church Bells”

April 4, 2016 Kevin John Coyne 15

Miranda Lambert may have the reputation as the genre’s rebel girl, but I’d be a lot more nervous about crossing Carrie Underwood.