Country Universe

Single Review: Hunter Hayes, "Wanted"

June 14, 2012 Ben Foster 10

With song titles like “Storm Warning” and “Rainy Season,” one might very well wonder if Hunter Hayes had at one time been an aspiring meteorologist. At any rate, the frosty-haired twenty-year-old has been gradually making inroads on country radio with the support of his hordes of cheering female fans.

So far, it’s a familiar story: A strong voice crying out for strong material.

Retro Single Review: Shania Twain, &quot;Up!&quot;

June 12, 2012 Ben Foster 9

2oo3 | #12

The title track and second single of Shania Twain’s Up! album is arguably the finest and fullest realization of Twain’s signature positivity. It also perfectly exemplifies the sheer brilliance of the strategy behind the Up! album.

Retro Single Review: Alan Jackson, "Livin' on Love"

June 10, 2012 Kevin John Coyne 1

1994 | Peak: #1

So catchy, so charming, and so full of little funny details that you can forgive him for ripping off “Two Sparrows in a Hurricane” so blatantly.

Retro Single Review: George Strait, "Am I Blue"

June 10, 2012 Kevin John Coyne 3

1987 | Peak: #1

Another hit from Strait that revels in his Western Swing roots.

Retro Single Review: Tim McGraw, "Some Things Never Change"

June 10, 2012 Kevin John Coyne 3

2000 | Peak: #7

McGraw at his most listless. “Some Things Never Change” is an easy listening number that’s so easy to listen to, it might put you to sleep.

Retro Single Review: Porter Wagoner & Dolly Parton, "If Teardrops Were Pennies"

June 9, 2012 Kevin John Coyne 2

1973 | Peak: #3

Released just before Dolly Parton’s star would rise considerably, “If Teardrops Were Pennies” was a surprisingly big hit, becoming Porter & Dolly’s highest charting single to date.

Retro Single Review: Shania Twain, "I'm Gonna Getcha Good!"

June 8, 2012 Ben Foster 3

2002 | #7

A pop-country gold nugget that defies explanation.

Honestly, who’s even trying to pretend that this song is supposed to mean anything? Who’s trying to pretend that it needs to mean anything?

100 Greatest Men: #54. Hank Thompson

June 3, 2012 Kevin John Coyne 3

100 Greatest Men: The Complete List

A legendary star who performed for more than sixty years, Hank Thompson stayed relevant as country music slowly moved from a regional music to a national one.

100 Greatest Men: #55. Roy Clark

June 3, 2012 Kevin John Coyne 4

100 Greatest Men: The Complete List

Thanks to a long-running syndicated television show, well-rounded entertainer Roy Clark was one of the most familiar country music personalities for more than two decades.

Favorite Songs By Favorite Artists: Shania Twain

May 29, 2012 Ben Foster 7

Ben counts down his favorite songs by Shania Twain.