Country Universe

Album Review: Marty Stuart, <i>Nashville, Vol. 1: Tear the Woodpile Down</i>

April 24, 2012 Ben Foster 4

Marty Stuart
Nashville, Vol. 1: Tear the Woodpile Down

The casual listener may remember Marty Stuart for the string of country radio hits he enjoyed in the late eighties and early nineties. However, Stuart’s legacy was cemented by groundbreaking projects released after his commercial heyday had drawn to a close, particularly 1999’s landmark The Pilgrim as well as 2010’s career-best effort Ghost Train: The Studio B Sessions. Through such critically lauded work Stuart has built up a reputation as an elder statesman of country music, acting to preserve country music’s heritage and traditions, while simultaneously working to move the genre forward.

Single Review: George Strait, "Drinkin' Man"

April 22, 2012 Kevin John Coyne 17

More than thirty years into his legendary career, George Strait has released the most compelling single of his career with “Drinkin’ Man.”

Retro Single Review: Tim McGraw, "Something Like That"

April 18, 2012 Ben Foster 18

1999 | #1

You know what’s one of the best ways for a contemporary country song to worm its way into my heart? To display a mature and insightful perspective, or to tap into some universal truth, while dressing itself up with the catchiest of melodies and hooks.

Retro Single Review: Tim McGraw, "Please Remember Me"

April 15, 2012 Kevin John Coyne 10

1999 | Peak: #1

A lush and gorgeous ballad that is elevated by a Patty Loveless harmony vocal, this is arguably Tim McGraw’s finest moment on record.

Retro Single Review: Shania Twain, "Come On Over"

April 13, 2012 Ben Foster 4

1999 | #6

“Get a life, get a grip, get away somewhere, take a trip
Take a break, take control, take advice from someone you know

“Come on over, come on in
Pull up a seat, and take a load off your feet
Come on over, come on in
You can unwind, and take a load off your mind.”

Hmm. So the lyrics don’t seem to have a whole lot to say. The song is primarily simple series of feel-good platitudes.

Single Review: Edens Edge, "Too Good to Be True"

April 11, 2012 Ben Foster 3

Emerging with the slow-blooming Top 20 debut single “Amen” last year, Arkansas trio Edens Edge introduced themselves to the country audience as one of the genre’s brightest and most refreshing new talents. Their follow-up release “Too Good to Be True” lacks the distinct lyrical freshness that made “Amen” a winner, but continues to showcase the group’s unique, left-of-center musical style.

100 Greatest Men: #56. Bobby Bare

April 9, 2012 Kevin John Coyne 9

100 Greatest Men: The Complete List

With a career that has spanned seven decades, Bobby Bare’s body of work has made him one of the genre’s most influential and critically acclaimed recording artists.

Single Review: Kenny Chesney & Tim McGraw, "Feel Like a Rock Star"

April 9, 2012 Dan Milliken 21

I know it’s just a meaningless crowd-pleaser to them. I know better than to take it more seriously than that.

Single Review: Scotty McCreery, "Water Tower Town"

April 7, 2012 Ben Foster 22

Reviewing mainstream country singles can be mighty depressing these days. It often seems like we’re hearing the same song over and over again. Conversely, I often feel as if I’m writing the same review over and over again.

So how can I find a fresh angle from which to approach this new Scotty McCreery single?

100 Greatest Men: #57. Kenny Chesney

April 6, 2012 Kevin John Coyne 20

100 Greatest Men: The Complete List

After many years as a mid-level country artist, Kenny Chesney fused arena-size country with Caribbean rhythms to become one of the genre’s biggest stars of the 21st century.