Country Universe

Luke Bryan, “We Rode in Trucks”

October 10, 2007 Kevin John Coyne 0

I guess that when you’re still young and want to write a nostalgic song, you have to do it about your childhood. The problem is, unless you’re wise before your time, there isn’t much to

Cowboy Crush, “Miss Difficult”

October 10, 2007 Kevin John Coyne 0

Enough already. I am so tired of “attitude songs” always being coupled with loud, obnoxious production. The drumbeat is too in-your-face and the poor singers have to scream to be heard over it. What stinks

Cole Deggs & The Lonesome, “Girl Next Door”

October 10, 2007 Kevin John Coyne 3

Long story short: the girl next door that he falls for is really a hell-raiser. Cookie-cutter faux-Southern Rock, competently performed. There has to be more to this band than what we’ve heard so far, but

Billy Joe Shaver featuring Marty Stuart, “Winning Again”

October 10, 2007 Kevin John Coyne 1

Ever wonder what the Benny Hill music might sound like if it was twanged up from here to hog heaven? I do believe it would resemble the relentlessly addictive hillbilly jam that backs “Winning Again,”

Suzy Bogguss, Sweet Danger

October 8, 2007 Kevin John Coyne 0

Suzy Bogguss Sweet Danger Four years after exploring Western swing on the appropriately titled Swing, Suzy Bogguss delves into contemporary jazz on her latest independent release, Sweet Danger, and once again, the title fits. While

Faith Hill, The Hits

October 7, 2007 Kevin John Coyne 4

Faith Hill The Hits As I’ve made the case before, a good compilation must have a strong focus and concept about what it is trying to accomplish. Is it trying to be a definitive collection

Brooks & Dunn, Cowboy Town

October 7, 2007 Kevin John Coyne 1

Brooks & Dunn Cowboy Town The time has come for Ronnie Dunn to step aside. Not from Brooks & Dunn, mind you, but as the default lead singer of the duo. For the past sixteen

Kenny Chesney, Just Who I Am: Poets & Pirates

October 6, 2007 Kevin John Coyne 9

Kenny Chesney Just Who I Am: Poets & Pirates What’s the difference between a signature style and an artistic rut? It’s a question that’s hard to avoid contemplating when listening to Kenny Chesney’s latest record,

Reba McEntire, Reba Duets

October 6, 2007 Kevin John Coyne 4

Reba McEntire Reba Duets Fans of Reba McEntire who have been following her for the past two decades or so know that two things are true. One, she’s an effortlessly outstanding vocalist, who stands

Kim Richey, Chinese Boxes

October 6, 2007 Kevin John Coyne 4

Kim Richey Chinese Boxes It’s been five years since Rise, Richey’s final major label studio album. That alone would make it notable, as this is the longest Richey has gone between projects. Throw