Chris DeStefano – Country Universe

Single Review Roundup: Vol. 2, No. 2 – February 2023

February 13, 2023 Jonathan Keefe 1

Nickel Creek is the consensus pick among this strong crop of singles.

The Best Singles of 2015, Part Two: #20-#1

December 20, 2015 Jonathan Keefe 15

Our singles list concludes with strong entries from new artists, established superstars, and alternative country stalwarts.

Single Review: Carrie Underwood, “Smoke Break”

August 21, 2015 Kevin John Coyne 24

“Smoke Break” is a remarkably good attempt at a working class anthem. It’s so stylistically different from the “rah rah, let’s party this weekend” approach that has made drinking synonymous with adolescent behavior in modern country music.

Single Review: Luke Bryan, “Kick the Dust Up”

May 23, 2015 Kevin John Coyne 13

“Kick the Dust Up” Luke Bryan Written by Dallas Davidson, Chris DeStefano, and Ashley Gorley I actually kinda like Luke Bryan. But I still hated this song before the first twenty seconds were up. He

Single Review: Jason Aldean, “Just Gettin’ Started”

March 1, 2015 Kevin John Coyne 12

“Just Gettin’ Started” Jason Aldean Written by Rhett Akins, Chris DeStefano, and Ashley Gorley Competently performed. Creatively stagnant. Completely unnecessary. Grade: D

Single Review: Carrie Underwood, “Little Toy Guns”

February 19, 2015 Kevin John Coyne 22

“Little Toy Guns” Carrie Underwood Written by Chris DeStefano, Hillary Lindsey, and Carrie Underwood With her latest single, Carrie Underwood once again reaffirms that she is among the best and most compelling artists of modern

Single Review: Carrie Underwood, “Something in the Water”

September 29, 2014 Kevin John Coyne 46

“Something in the Water” Carrie Underwood Written by Chris DeStefano, Brett James, and Carrie Underwood If anybody’s going to sing a song about the power of the water to cleanse your soul, it should be

Single Review: Miranda Lambert and Carrie Underwood, “Somethin’ Bad”

May 21, 2014 Kevin John Coyne 36

Miranda Lambert’s tempting fate with her titles, calling her upcoming album Platinum and her high-profile collaboration with Carrie Underwood, “Somethin’ Bad.”

No word for a while yet on whether the album will sell a million copies, but as far as the single goes, it lives up to the promise of the two singers more than it does to its title.

Single Review: Rascal Flatts, “Rewind”

January 22, 2014 Kevin John Coyne 5

Using the word rewind in 2014 is a bit dated and quaint, don’t you think?