Country Universe

CU's Top Albums of 2012

January 2, 2013 Ben Foster 39

As reflected by the title of our web site, our choices for Top 40 Albums of 2012 span the farthest reaches of the country music universe. In previous years, the Country Universe staff has counted down twenty albums and forty singles, but this year our album picks included such a wide variety that we were able to stretch our Top Albums countdown to a full forty slots. What did we miss? That’s where you, our readers, come in. Please join in the discussion, and share which albums you had in heavy rotation over the past year.

#40
The Garden of Love – Songs of William Blake
Martha Redbone Roots Project

CU's Top Singles of 2012

December 29, 2012 Ben Foster 47

2012 Something you probably already know about us here at Country Universe: We love country music. A lot. While truly great country music has become scarce on country radio, we are fortunate to live in an age in which modern technology has made great music more accessible than ever, regardless of whether Top 40 radio dares touch it.

At the close of each year we separate the grain from the chaff, and share the music we discovered over the past year that made us glad that we stuck with our genre of choice. We at Country Universe have put our heads together to create the following lists of favorite singles and albums of 2012.

Merry Christmas: A Christmas Card Playlist

December 24, 2012 Leeann Ward 0

I know that we’d love to send each of you a Christmas card from us, but since we can’t, here is a playlist of Christmas songs to enjoy as a stand-in, which is probably better than any card we could send anyway.

These songs are hand-picked by me as songs that I find particularly relaxing, yet still entertaining, during the chaos of the Christmas season. I hope you enjoy.

Single Review: George Strait, "Give It All We Got Tonight"

December 22, 2012 Ben Foster 9

It’s surely tempting to give George Strait a free pass based on the impressive strength of his back catalog, or even for his regular use of audible fiddle and steel. But this just doesn’t cut it.

Single Review: Miranda Lambert, "Mama's Broken Heart"

December 19, 2012 Ben Foster 7

After three weak singles from Four the Record, ranging from mediocre to flat-out dud, the Miranda we know and love is back.

Single Review: Gloriana, “Can’t Shake You”

December 16, 2012 Ben Foster 8

Surprisingly good, actually.

Single Review: LeAnn Rimes, “What Have I Done”

December 12, 2012 Dan Milliken 25

Long lost in the torrent of tabloids, lost in the fickle four-lady shuffle of country radio, is the truth that LeAnn Rimes – whatever her choices, relevance – is an exceptional country artist. An artist who hit her commercial peak early, but whose creative peak is still sloping up with each passing year, as her natural talent imbibes the wisdom and weather of age. The chipper tween who Patsy-parroted through “Blue” was charming, but nowhere near as compelling as the guarded optimist of “What I Cannot Change.” And even she, in turn, sounds a little simplistic compared to the woman we now encounter in “What Have I Done.”

Single Review: Big & Rich, "Party Like Cowboyz"

December 10, 2012 Ben Foster 10

I don’t even know how to review these types of songs anymore.

Single Review: Ashley Monroe, "Like a Rose"

December 6, 2012 Ben Foster 15

Ashley Monroe has a new album coming out December 18, and she’s offering the title track as a free download on her Facebook page. You just might find it to be the best non-purchase you’ve made in quite some time.

2013 Grammy Nominations

December 6, 2012 Ben Foster 9

The Grammy season is upon us. In some ways each year is different, and yet in some ways each year is the same. Some nods we see coming from a mile away (“Just Somebody That I Used to Know” for Record of the Year – Called it!), some come as pleasant surprises (Finally some recognition for “Cost of Livin'”!), and of course there are some records that sell well enough to score nominations even though they stink (Take your pick).