Country Universe

Emerson Drive, “You Still Own Me”

June 21, 2007 Kevin John Coyne 2

Emerson Drive, “You Still Own Me” So about six months ago, “Moments” was sent to radio, and after hearing it, I pretty much had to take back everything mean that I’d ever said about this

Alison Krauss & Union Station, “Simple Love”

June 17, 2007 Kevin John Coyne 4

Alison Krauss & Union Station, “Simple Love” All of the new tracks from the recent Alison Krauss compilation A Hundred Miles or More are worth hearing, but this is one of the best. It’s

A Conversation With Pam Tillis

June 13, 2007 Kevin John Coyne 13

As regular readers know, Pam Tillis released the best album of her career earlier this year: Rhinestoned. I had the wonderful pleasure of talking to her about this project that is so close to her

Billy Currington, “Tangled Up”

June 13, 2007 Kevin John Coyne 52

Billy Currington, “Tangled Up” Currington follows up his multi-week #1 “Good Directions”, a charming country shuffle, with “Tangled Up”, which has Currington trying on Keith Urban’s boots and finding that they don’t quite fit. His

Big & Rich, <em>Between Raising Hell and Amazing Grace</em>

June 10, 2007 Kevin John Coyne 25

Big & Rich Between Raising Hell and Amazing Grace

Blake Shelton, “The More I Drink”

June 9, 2007 Kevin John Coyne 7

Blake Shelton, “The More I Drink” It’s hardly been noticed by the country music media, but Blake Shelton has turned in a surprisingly strong traditional country album, chock full of fantastic heartache and drinking songs.

Toby Keith, “Love Me If You Can”

June 8, 2007 Kevin John Coyne 22

Toby Keith, “Love Me If You Can” Toby makes a surprisingly earnest attempt to soften his image, wishing we could all just agree to disagree before our debates turn to angry words, and praying for

Kenny Chesney, “Never Wanted Nothing More”

June 2, 2007 Kevin John Coyne 34

Kenny Chesney, “Never Wanted Nothing More” Chesney previews his upcoming studio album with a surprisingly twangy single, all plucky banjos and the like. At first it seems it’s going to be another one of his

Sara Evans, “As If”

June 1, 2007 Kevin John Coyne 19

Sara Evans, “As If” I don’t think I can name another female country singer who has produced more consistently entertaining and interesting singles in the last decade than Sara Evans. “As If” is the

Brooks & Dunn, “Proud of the House We Built”

June 1, 2007 Kevin John Coyne 12

Brooks & Dunn, “Proud of the House We Built” It’s a decently good lyric that celebrates a love that started with nothing and still is fairly modest, but worthy of pride nonetheless. I have trouble