DISClaimer: Three Promising Newcomers Earn DISCovery Honor

Pictured (clockwise from top left): Ben McPeak, Dylan Jakobsen, Midland

Pictured (clockwise from top left): Ben McPeak, Dylan Jakobsen, Midland

Happy New Year.

We’re starting 2017 the right way in DISClaimer, by showcasing artists who are new and promising. In a first for this column, we have a three-way tie for the DisCovery Award. Let me direct your attention to one of the most solid singers I’ve heard in a while, Ben McPeak. Next pay heed to a trio of hunks called Midland. Then lend the edgy Dylan Jakobsen your ears. All three are fine, fine listening experiences.

One theme of the day seemed to be weird band names — Australia’s Tornadoes, The Runaway Hamsters, The Easy Leaves — and that’s the most interesting thing about all three.

The Disc of the Day goes to veteran Billy Hardwick Jr. His “The Day Merle Haggard Died” is as country as it gets.

THE EASY LEAVES/Fresno
Writers: Sage Fifield; Producer: Brad Dollar; Publisher: none listed; Omega (track)
-The tempo slogs through sludge. The echo chamber is ten miles deep. The vocals are hillbilly nasal and way pitchy. It says here that it was recorded live.

BILLY HARDWICK JR./The Day Merle Haggard Died
Writers: Billy Hardwick Jr.; Publisher: Rusty Washboard, BMI; Producer: none listed
-Country to the core. It name-checks the Hag’s song titles as it tells the tale of a performer who yearns to be just like his idol. This veteran has always been considered “too country.” Which is fine with me.

THE RUNAWAY HAMSTERS/A Little Country
Writers: The Runaway Hamsters/Kent Wells; Producer: Kent Wells; Publisher: Way West/Creek Valley, BMI/ASCAP
– This acts consists of three sisters and a brother, all of whom are pre-teen. They sound exactly like little kids playing dress-up. Bouncy and bubblegummy.

MIDLAND/Drinkin’ Problem
Writers: Jess Carson/Cameron Duddy/Mark Wystrach/Shane McAnally/Josh Osborne; Producer: Shane McAnally, Dann Huff & Josh Osborne; Publisher: WB/Jess Carson/Warner-Tamerlane/Vaqueros Galacticos/Tropical Cowboy/Smack Hits/Kobalt/Songs of Black River/One Little Indian Creek, ASCAP/BMI/GMR; Big Machine 
-Airy and vaguely “western” sounding, with plenty of breezy steel and lightly twanging guitar work. Nicely understated vocal work on the gentle melody. Extremely promising.

 

GARY WEST/Right
Writer: Wynn Varble; Producer: Gary West; Publisher: none listed
-West’s new CD is a salute to The Man in Black, titled For the Love of Cash Volume 2. He offers his own take on standards like “Ring of Fire,” “Understand Your Man” and “Sunday Morning Coming Down,” mixed in with new tunes. This witty, tongue-in-cheek ditty is a catchy toe tapper with stuttering guitar and rumbled, Cash-like vocals. Also check out the equally catchy “I Ain’t Playin’ No Jason Aldean.”

JOSEPH WELZ/Save The Night
Writers: Joey Welz; Producer: Joey Welz; Publisher: Ursula, BMI
-His whispered vocal wobbles from note to note, seldom landing accurately. The cheesy, piano-and-saxophone production is a riot.

THE HAMMOND BROTHERS/Let It Rain On Me
Writers: Dale & Gale Hammond; Producers: Dale & Gale Hammond; Publishers: Vonger, no performance rights listed; Vonger (CDX)
– Pleasant and inoffensive, featuring good sibling harmony vocals. But I don’t know that I’d play it more than just this once.

AUSTRALIA’S TORNADOES/Cowboy For A Night
Writer: Darrell T. Ewing; Producers: Hillbilly Rick, Dave Goodger, Mark Borg; Publishers: none listed; BMI; HR (CDX)
– Basic neo rockabilly, with a rollicking piano, a honking sax and a jitterbug beat. There’s nothing special about the singing, but it gets the job done.

 

DYLAN JAKOBSEN/Silverado
Writer: Dylan Jakobsen; Producer: Dylan Jakobsen; Publishers: none listed, BMI; CB (CDX)
– I like the rasp in his voice and the powerful rhythm track. The lonesome lyric is sweet, too. This is very, very cool sounding. Who are you? Send more.

BEN McPEAK/Fix You Up
Writers: Hayslip/Wiseman/Akins; Producer: Billy Decker; Publisher: none listed; BMM (CDX)
– He’s gonna cure her heartache with a night on the town, followed by some smooching in the car. He sings with plenty of chesty oomph, and the track rocks nicely. Well done.

DISClaimer: Brothers Osborne Close Out 2016 With A Righteous Stomper

brothers-osborne

Some of country’s top stars are closing out the year in style.

Kenny Chesney, Little Big Town and Brothers Osborne are offering choice new singles to see us into 2017. Our endearing new choice as CMA Duo of the Year leads the way. Give a Disc of the Day honor to Brothers Osborne. But don’t overlook LBT and its Taylor Swift-penned song jewel.

Call it a tie for the DisCovery Award between a gal and a guy, namely Tenille Arts and AJ Hobbs.

THOMAS MICHAEL RILEY/Between The Tick n’ the Tock
Writer: Thomas Michael Riley; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; TMR
– The melody is pretty basic, with a ding-dong, nursery-rhyme quality. The production is fairly minimal, and his voice is just average. But there’s a certain sincerity here that I found appealing.

BROTHERS OSBORNE/It Ain’t My Fault
Writers: John Osborne/TJ Osborne/Lee Thomas Miller; Producer: Jay Joyce; Publishers: WB/Trampy McCauley/All the Kings Pens/Songstein/Warner-Tamerlane/The Country and Western Music, ASCAP/BMI; EMI (track)
– This righteous stomper features snarling electric guitar and a striking “outlaw” vocal on a very cool, torrent-of-words lyric. The stark, “ah” interjections are as ear catching as the chanted background singing. Play this all the dang time.

SAM BROOKER/Stay
Writers: Brent Anderson/Sam Brooker; Producers: Jamie Tate; Publishers: Sea Gayle/Artist Revolution, no performance rights listed; SB
– Softly plaintive and aching. His soft tenor swims in a pool of chiming guitars, gentle percussion, hushed harmonies and ringing sonic touches. Enchanting. We first encountered Sam several years ago in the pop duo Sam & Ruby. Since then, he has tasted success as the publisher of “Cruise” and other top tunes. As this illustrates, his skills as a writer-artist remain potent.

SHANE OWENS/All The Beer In Alabama
Writers: Shane Owens/Dan Murph/Phillip Douglas; Producer: James Stroud; Publishers: Oxi Rock/231 South/Sixteen Stars/Curb, SESAC/BMI/ASCAP; AmeriMontie (track)
-This guy continues to impress. This honky-tonk ballad gives him plenty of room to showcase his bent-note phrasing and expressive lyric skills. This is real country music, the way it’s meant to be sung.

AJ HOBBS/Too Much Is Never Enough
Writer: AJ Hobbs; Producers: Ted Russell Kamp/AJ Hobbs; Publishers: Tee Hobbs, ASCAP; Booker (track)
– The title tune of this fellow’s CD is a rockabilly rave-up that puts pedal to the metal and never lets up for one second. Need tempo on your playlist? Look no further than this barrelhouse romp.

KENNY CHESNEY/Bar at the End of the World
Writers: J.T. Harding/Aimee Mayo/David Lee Murphy; Producers: Buddy Cannon/Kenny Chesney; Publishers: Songs Music/Mighty Seven/Heavy Metal Disco/Songs of SMP/Warner-Tamerlane/The Queen of Dot Dot Dot/Old Desperados/N2D/Carol Vincent, ASCAP/BMI; Columbia/Blue
– Kenny’s inviting you to take a toe-tapping tropical journey. I’d go if I were you.

MIGHTY ORQ/The Possum Song
Writer: J. Davidson; Producer: none listed; Publishers: none listed, BMI; ORQ
– It turns out that it really is about a nocturnal marsupial. With a bluesy backing track, no less.

LITTLE BIG TOWN/Better Man
Writers: Taylor Swift; Producer: Jay Joyce; Publishers: none listed; Capitol (CDX)
– I am a hopeless fan of this foursome. Karen’s lead vocal on this dreamy track is extraordinarily intimate. When the other three join her on the choruses, it’s audio heaven. Close your eyes and let this fabulous production wash over you.

TENILLE ARTS/Wildfire and Whiskey
Writers: Tenille Arts/Jason Massey; Producers: Matt Rovey/Adam Wheeler; Publishers: Oven/Ole Red Cape/Apartment Studio, BMI/ASCAP; 19th & Grand
– She is a Canadian writer-artist with a winsome, piercing delivery. The song is a lightly rocking, ridiculously catchy, brightly shining gem about falling head over heels. Promising in the extreme.

REX ALLEN JR.
Writer: Greenback Dollar; Producer: Rex Allen Jr.; Publishers: none listed; BPR (track)
-Rex is usually a cowboy singer, but Garage Songs: The Folk Years salutes his background as a ‘60s folkie. His warm baritone takes on “Tom Dooley,” “Blowin’ in the Wind,” “Where Have All the Flowers Gone,” “Don’t Think Twice” and other fare such as that. The collection leads with a steady, solid rendition of this rounder’s anthem.

DisClaimer: John Oates & The Time Jumpers Are Swingin’ The Season

john-oates-time-jumpers

Last week, we explored the raft of new Nashville holiday albums, so this week we’re listening to some of the shorter gifts.

So thank you, again, to Chris Young, Amy Grant, Jennifer Nettles and Kacey Musgraves for the finest Christmas collections of 2016. Only two of today’s discs are full albums, the ones by Neil Diamond and Jenny & Tyler. The second one was a completely unexpected delight and wins this week’s DisCovery Award.

As for the singles, I am giving the Disc of the Day prize to John Oates & The Time Jumpers. They are swingin’ the season.

NEWSONG/The Christmas Shoes
Writer: Leonard Ahlstrom/Eddie Carswell; Producer: Leondard Ahlstrom; Publisher: WB/Jerry’s Haven/Sony-ATV, BMI; HHM (CDX) (newsongonline.com)
—This CCM group will melt your heart with this outing. A little boy is trying to buy his dying mom a pair of shoes so she can meet Jesus in them when she passes away on Christmas eve. Written in teardrops and sung with soul.

ROBBIE ROBINSON/Carolina Christmas
Writer: Robbie Robertson; Producer: Mark Prentice, Doug Wayne Holmquist & Robbie Robinson; Publisher: Greater Influence, BMI; GIM (CDX)
—The song is okay, but this guy sounds as vocally weak as a newborn reindeer.

OLIVIA LANE/Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree
Writer: Johnny Marks; Producer: Ilya Toshinsky; Publisher: St. Nicholas, no performance rights listed; Big Spark (CDX) (olivialane.com)
—This doesn’t rock with as much verve and personality as Brenda Lee’s original, but Lane is a strong vocalist with plenty of confidence, and Toshinsky’s production is flawless. Recommended.

NEIL DIAMOND/Christmas Prayers
Writer: Neil Diamond; Producer: Don Was & Jacknife Lee; Publisher: Diamondsongs/Universal Tunes, SESAC; Capitol (track)
—Diamond’s yuletide offering is titled Acoustic Christmas. Among the musicians are such longtime Nashville favorites as Richard Bennett and Matt Rollings. Seven of the tunes are public-domain standards given new arrangements by the star. Four are lesser-known holiday tunes written by others (including Leadbelly and The Weavers). And then there are his own two newly-penned numbers, “#1 Record for Christmas” and this ballad for loved ones who have passed away, but left cherished memories behind. Tender and sentimental.

The DisCovery Award goes to Jenny & Tyler.

The DisCovery Award goes to Jenny & Tyler.

JENNY & TYLER/Christmastime
Writer: Tyler Somers/Trent Monk/Jenny Somers; Producer: Ben Shive; Publisher: Residence/One Eyed Cat/Trent Monk Wholelotaracket, BMI/ASCAP; Residence (track) (jennyandtyler.com)
—This Nashville Americana duo’s CD is titled Christmas Stories. It leads off with this gently swaying ditty that’s infused with nostalgic holiday images. His slightly raspy voice has fireside warmth, and her wafting soprano is as soft as a snowflake. This collection is definitely the discovery of the season. Whether taking on standards like “Winter Wonderland” and “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” or offering originals like this and the piano instrumental “Gloria Immanuel” they are a sonic delight. And you have probably never heard more inventive arrangements of “O Holy Night” and “Handel’s Messiah” in your life.

JOHN OATES & THE TIME JUMPERS/Santa Be Good to Me
Writer: John Oates/Josh Charles/Steven Davis/Alissa Moreno; Producer: John Oates & David Kalmusky; Publisher: Oates Shul/Painted Desert/Nolanyc/Streams of Gold/First Second, BMI/ASCAP; Elektra
—This gets major bonus points for coming to us via a green-vinyl 45 r.p.m. single. With The Time Jumpers on board, you know it has to have the most delightful swing groove. The jazziest yule tune of the year.

RAY STEVENS/Mary and Joseph and the Baby and Me
Writer: Jeff Bates/John Ritter; Producer: Ray Stevens; Publisher: Melrose Nashville/Landa/Lutz, BMI; CabaRay (CDX) (raystevens.com)
—With a light Bo Diddley beat, groovy retro backup singers and synth strings backing him, Ray offers a very cute new Christmas tune, sung from the point of view of the donkey. Stay tuned for the mid-song braying and bop right along. Super enjoyable.

THE RICK CAVENDER BAND/Christmas Time Again
Writer: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; RCB
—Melodic and eminently listenable, with a confident, pop lead vocal, solid acoustic guitar work and a piano solo.

CYNDI LAUPER & ALISON KRAUSS/Hard Candy Christmas
Writer: Carol Hall; Producer: Tony Brown & Cyndi Lauper; Publisher: Daniel/Otay/Universal, ASCAP; Sire (track)
—I love the sad holiday songs, and this one’s one of the saddest. It has that smiling- through-tears quality that is so heart tugging. Krauss takes the second verse with a breathy whisper and shadows Lauper in perfect soprano harmony elsewhere. A lovely job on a lovely tune.

ROBBY JOHNSON/Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer
Writer: Johnny Marks; Producer: James Stroud; Publisher: none listed; Contrast Music (track) (robby-johnson.com)
—This is a lively, rocked-up version of this standard. Johnson has a solidly country delivery and the chorus folks shouting along sound like they’re really excited.

DISClaimer: Have Yourself A Merry, Music-Filled Christmas

jennifernettles-chrisyoung-christmas2

It’s beginning to look a lot like you-know-what.

And so, on this day, I am crowning Nashville’s king and queen of Christmas 2016. They are Chris Young and Jennifer Nettles, who have this year’s finest new Music Row holiday albums. They sing their faces off on It Must Be Christmas and To Celebrate Christmas, respectively. Buy them both, and your tree trimming party will be a smash.

Those two share the Disc of the Day award. Because we have no newcomers here, there is no DisCovery Award this week.

TRISHA YEARWOOD/Santa Baby
Writers: Joan Javits/Tony Springer/Phil Springer; Producer: Mark Miller; Publishers: Tamir (ASCAP); Pearl (track)
Christmas Together is the first duet album by Garth and Trisha. It is a Target exclusive. While he has his moments on it (”Ugly Christmas Sweater”), her solo performances steal the show. She brings just the right kittenish, mercenary purr to this perennially entertaining delight. “Hard Candy Christmas” and “What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve” are also Trisha standouts. He has a duet with James Taylor on a Thanksgiving tune.

KACEY MUSGRAVES/Mele Kalikimaka
Writer: R. Alex Anderson; Producers: Kacey Musgraves, Misa Arriaga & Kyle Ryan; Publishers: none listed; Mercury (track)
A Very Kacey Christmas is a blast from start to finish. Where else can you find cha-cha, reggae, western-swing and Hawaiian arrangements on one holiday collection? Her star collaborators include Leon Bridges (”Present Without a Bow”), Willie Nelson (the weed-themed “A Willie Nice Christmas”) and, most notably The Quebe Sisters on this Hawaiian tune as well as on “Let It Snow.” Heartily recommended.

BRETT ELDREDGE & MEGHAN TRAINOR/Baby It’s Cold Outside
Writers: Frank Loesser; Producers: Jay Newland/Rob Mounsey; Publisher: Frank, ASCAP; Warner Bros.
– Brett went to New York to record his Glow holiday collection, which is full of brassy, old-school pop charts. His imitation of Harry Connick Jr. is spot-on in the vocal department. So if that’s what you’re looking for this season, climb aboard. But if you are seeking a country Christmas album by a country singer, this is not it. Also, he and Trainor both lack the wit and wink that should be in this performance.

REBA/Winter Wonderland
Writers: Felix Bernard/Richard Smith; Producers: Reba/Doug Sizemore; Publishers: WB, ASCAP; Nash Icon (track)
– Reba’s My Kind of Christmas is a Cracker Barrel exclusive. This collection throws you a bit of a curve ball. There is no band. It is just a singer and a pianist. And, surprise, it works. When the singer is as ornamented as Reba and the piano player is as creative and inventive as Catherine Marx, you enjoy every note. It starts with this standard and adds 10 more very, very familiar tunes.

CHRIS YOUNG & ALAN JACKSON/There’s a New Kid in Town
Writers: Don Cook/Curly Putman/Keith Whitley; Producers: Corey Crowder/Chris Young; Publishers: none listed, ASCAP/BMI; RCA (track)
– Chris’s It Must Be Christmas is THE essential holiday country collection to own this year. Boyz II Men join him on “Silent Night.” Brad Paisley duets on “The First Noel.” Alan Jackson is his partner on this modern Nashville Christmas classic, which I never tire of hearing. Other stunners include a fantastic new seasonal song called “Under the Weather” and a ferociously rocking treatment of “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home).” This man is a singer’s singer, and you need this music in your life. What a gift.

JENNIFER NETTLES & IDINIA MENZEL/Little Drummer Boy
Writers: Katharine K. Davis/Henry Onorati/Harry Simeone; Producer: Julian Raymond; Publishers: EMI/International Korwin/EMI Mills/Sony-ATV; Big Machine (track)
– Jennifer’s To Celebrate Christmas is a triumph. This lady inhabits the holiday repertoire like few others can. She totally rocks “Go Tell It On the Mountain,” offers a completely unexpected delight with “Celebrate Me Home” and brings fellow vocal goddess Andra Day along with her on “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen.” Whether it’s “Do You Hear What I Hear,” “Circle of Love” or “Count Your Blessings Instead of Sheep,” these are performances that will pin your ears back. She doesn’t really have the pipes for “O Holy Night,” but more than makes up for that misstep via this collaboration with Idina Menzel. It is, simply, the best version of this standard ever.

RASCAL FLATTS/Deck The Halls
Writers: traditional; Producers: Jay DeMarcus/Rascal Flatts; Publisher: public domain; Big Machine (track)
– I’m all for creative arrangements. But here and in several other places on the CD The Greatest Gift of All, the group takes leave of traditional melody and goes off into aural parts unknown. At a slender 10 tracks, this is the briefest of this year’s Nashville holiday offerings.

AMY GRANT/Tennessee Christmas
Writers: none listed; Producers: none listed; Publishers: none listed; Capitol CMG
– Judging by my informal survey of local retailers, Amy’s new Christmas album is the hit of the season. It seems to be sold out everywhere and is hard to find. With reason: Tennessee Christmas is a lovely record. The arrangements twinkle like holiday lights. Her vocals are luminous. The repertoire is a wintery wonderland. One nice touch is the fact that she interjects spoken-word passages about her fondest holiday memories.

SELAH/Rose of Bethlehem
Writers: Lowell Alexander; Producers: Jason Kyle Saetveit, Todd Smith, Allan Hall & Nicol Sponberg; Publishers: Birdwing/EMI, ASCAP; Curb (track)
– File this one under “arty.” Selah is a CCM vocal trio with a penchant for elaborately arranged performances. No one is a hair-raising singer, but when they combine their voices, magic happens. Dolly Parton guests on her own tune “Once Upon a Christmas,” pop singer Plumb drops by for “Mary Sweet Mary” and the Annie Moses Band appears on a medley. This title tune is typical of the CD’s tone. The record gets bonus points for being dominated by newer songs, rather than standards. It is also l-o-n-n-n-ng, at 15 tracks.

LORETTA LYNN/White Christmas Blue
Writers: Lynn/Shawn Camp; Producers: Patsy Lynn Russell/John Carter Cash; Publishers: Sure Fire/Scamporee/International Dog, BMI; Legacy (track)
– Loretta Lynn and Shawn Camp win the award for the best new country Christmas song of 2016, and he harmonizes with the legend on its catchy choruses. It is the title tune and standout track of her new LP, which is available on vinyl. The other groovy tunes are her self-penned “To Heck With Old Santa Claus” and “Country Christmas.” But both of these were on her 1966 Christmas album, as were “Blue Christmas,” “Away in a Manger” and “Frosty the Snowman,” all of which are reprised here. More original material would have helped this project, since my thoughts drifted when she sang overly familiar standards. One other highlight is her reading of Clement Moore’s classic 1822 poem “Twas the Night Before Christmas.”

DISClaimer: Drake White, Miranda Lambert Tie In Battle Of The Sexes

Drake White Spark

Today, it’s the battle of the sexes.

We have ties in both of our award categories between guys and gals. For the Disc of the Day, it’s a dead heat between Drake White and Miranda Lambert. For the DisCovery Award, it’s Texan Bret Mullins versus Georgia peach Angie Lynn Carter.

Play them all.

ANGIE LYNN CARTER/Love You That Way
Writers: Angie Lynn Carter/Ryder Sanders; Producers: Jeff Tomei & Ryder Sanders; Publishers: none listed; Crucial (track)
– She has an attractive, throaty vocal quality. The title tune of her CD is a stately, languidly paced lament of lost love. The lead guitarist answers her phrasing eloquently. This lady has the goods. Listen and believe.

AARON WATSON/Outta Style
Writer: Aaron Watson; Producers: Marshall Altman/Aaron Watson; Publisher: Tunes From HTK, BMI; Big
-I have always liked this d.i.y. troubadour. His long, successful career gets another goose via this upbeat, romantic toe tapper. As always, he sings with assurance and writes like a total pro. Go, man, go.

MARK McHENRY/I’ll Bring The Beer
Writer: Mark McKinney; Producers: Chris Gill/Gaven Shea; Publishers: none listed; 3 Chords
– He shows promise as a budding songwriter. Vocally, he is just barely on pitch. The session musicians should be ashamed of themselves.

MIRANDA LAMBERT/We Should Be Friends
Writer: Miranda Lambert; Producers: Frank Liddell/Glenn Worf/Eric Masse; Publisher: Sony-ATV Tree/Pink Dog, BMI; RCA (track)
– Ordinarily, I am leery of double albums. They are usually padded and could easily be edited down to normal length. But Miranda’s The Weight of These Wings is the exception. To put it plainly, it is a stunning achievement, packed with one cool song after another. This second single from it is a wonderfully written, wry commentary on her quirky character. The grunge-y production is just right.

 

BRET MULLINS/Long Live
Writer: Andrew Dorff; Producers: Michael and Ron Morales; Publishers: none listed; BM (track)
– His smooth, Texas-accented baritone flows easily over this ode to country values. He’s an award winner in his native Lone Star State, and I can sure hear why. Country music, the way it is meant to be performed.

DRAKE WHITE/ Makin’ Me Look Good Again
Writers: Drake White/Monty Criswell/Shane Minor; Producers: Ross Copperman/Jeremy Stover; Publishers: EMI April/Reverend Jack/Sony-ATV Tree/Dixey Bar/Code Six Charles. ASCAP/BMI; Dot (track)
– I remain an enormous fan. This time around, he applies his ultra soulful voice to a love ballad that will melt the heart of every woman who hears it. Face it, this guy is a hoss.

RICK CAVENDER/Renegade Fire
Writers: Rick Cavender; Producer: Bobby Flores; Publisher: Ring Planet, BMI; RC (track)
-Mexicali trumpets flavor this uptempo ditty. He’s not the strongest singer I’ve ever heard, but he gets through it, thanks to the propelling arrangement.

PHIL VASSAR/American Soul
Writers: none listed; Producers: Phil Vassar/Jeffrey Smith; Publishers: none listed; American Soul
– I love this guy. Throbbing energy infuses this celebration of American pop culture. Phil invests everything he performs with intensity and fire. Well worth your spins.

 

 

MARK McKINNEY/Bridge
Writer: Mark McKinney; Producers: Eric McKinney/Mark McKinney; Publisher: none listed; MM
– He points his finger at his ex, pointedly telling her to, “quit throwing matches on that bridge we burned.” You see, she’s so melodramatic, she turns an ordinary rainy day into a hurricane. Exceptionally well written and performed with drawling conviction.

TWYLA FOREMAN/Sunday Kind of Love
Writers: Anita Nye/Barbara Belle/Louis Prima/Stanley Rhodes; Producer: Bobby Flores; Publishers: nonen listed; TF (track)
– She phrases like a classic big-band singer, sticking to the melody but embellishing just enough to give the standard a little jazz spin. The understated production is perfect.

DISClaimer: Songwriters’ Round

 

Troy Cartwright

Troy Cartwright

Songwriters and artists take a bow in this week’s DISClaimer reviews, with offerings from Rich Price, Jordan Rager, Hoyt Hughes, Bobby Tomberlin, Justin Peters, and more.

RICH PRICE/There’s A Table
Writers: Richard Price; Producer: Tom Pick, Harrison Tyner; Publishers: HTI, ASCAP; Adonda (track)
– It has a pleasant “retro” quality with a gut-string guitar, an aging-cowboy lead vocal and The Jordanaires harmonizing softly in the background. But the song has a simplistic, nursery-rhyme melody that drags the whole thing down.

JORDAN RAGER/Now That I Know Your Name
Writers: Jeremy Stover/Jason Gantt/Chris Janson; Producer: Jeremy Stover; Publishers: Ole Red Cape/Real Big Red/Sony-ATV Tree/Songs of Red Bandana/Red Vinyl/Words & Music/Big Red Deal, ASCAP/BMI; Broken Bow (track)
– He tries every hillbilly pickup line in the book. But a rube is a rube.

TROY CARTWRIGHT/Busted
Writers: none listed; Producers: Rob Baird/Brian Douglas Phillips; Publishers: none listed; Foolish Kings/Hard Luck (track)
– This former DisCovery Award winner continues to show enormous promise on his new single. His charismatic singing voice is loaded with heart, and you can’t beat the perfectly-mixed production. Having a broken heart has seldom sounded better. Somebody make this kid a star.

WILLIAM MICHAEL MORGAN/Missing
Writers: Rhett Akins/Marv Green; Producer: Jimmy Ritchey/Scott Hendricks; Producers: Jimmy Ritchey/Scott Hendricks; Publishers:EMI Blackwood/Warner-Tamerlane/The Good The Bad The Ugly, BMI; Warner Bros.
– Morgan shot out of the gate with a super hit, “I Met a Girl.” Now he’s out to show that it was no fluke. This lilting toe tapper has a jaunty mood as it extolls the virtues of dropping out of the rat race. Easy going, tuneful, solidly sung and immediately charming.

 

THE STRAY BIRDS/Third Day In A Row
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publishers: none listed; Yep Roc (track)
– Nicely done. The lead singer has just the right touch of drawl. The band is tight. The harmonies are engaging. The rolling rhythm is as relaxing as a hammock.

BOBBY TOMBERLIN/The Grand Ole Opry
Writers: J. P. Williams/Bobby Tomberlin; Producer: Bobby Tomberlin; Publishers: none listed; Curb Publishing
– Singer-songwriter Tomberlin has a dandy version of the Diamond Rio hit he wrote, “One More Day,” on his new Out of Road CD. But what is arguably the most striking song on the collection is this tale whose central character is a legendary radio show, singing in the first person. Vince Gill and Bill Anderson are guest vocalists. Elsewhere on the CD are such other guests as Mo Pitney, Sylvia, Bobby Bare and Linda Davis. Throughout this collection, Tomberlin stakes his claim as a major, major recording artist, as well as a superior songsmith.

BOBBY MARQUEZ/She’s Not From Texas
Writers: Karen Staley/Anita Cochran; Producers: Gerald Smith/Bobby Marquez; Publisher: none listed; Grande Star
– I have always liked this guy for his devoted commitment to Lonestar State sounds. This western swinger is as refreshing as a springtime prairie breeze.

HOYT HUGHES/Let It Rain
Writers: Hoyt Hughes/Ray Barnette; Producer: Kevin Savigar; Publishers: none listed; Cowboy (track)
– The airy production leaves plenty of space for him to gently phrase his saga of heartbreak and renewed love, but then steps to the forefront in mid song with an extended guitar workout. Ear catching.

 

WENDY JAGER/Run
Writers: Emma Kincaid; Producer: Jack Gale; Publishers: Speegra Music London, no performance rights listed; Playback (CDX)
– Our lone female of the day should have kept her bags packed and traveled on by. Her vocal performance is woefully flat.

JUSTIN PETERS/Then I’ll Be Over You
Writers: Ben Peters; Producer: Justin Peters; Publishers: Shelby Singleton, BMI; Platinum Planet
– A few weeks ago, I mentioned the trend of the children of country songwriters becoming artists (Thomas Rhett, Levi Hummon, Hillary Scott, Tucker Beathard, Ashley Campbell, Ryan Follese, Aubrie Sellers). Add another name to that list. The late Nashville Songwriters Hall of Famer Ben Peters has a son who handles a lushly produced heartache ballad like a seasoned pro. A terrific performance of a classic sounding song.

DISClaimer: Brad Paisley’s Heart-Tugging “Today” Rises Above

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Considering how good last week’s award show was, I was hoping the country genre would stage a stronger artistic showing this week.

Instead, there is quite a bit of well-polished mediocrity on tap. About half of these singles are routine and/or ordinary.

There are some bright spots, however. Our Disc of the Day belongs to the always reliable Brad Paisley, who is heart-tugging and thoughtful this time around with “Today.” He premiered it on the telecast, and it still sounds good to me.

It’s always a good thing when there are lots of newcomers around. So many, in fact, that I am dividing the DisCovery Award into thirds. The female winner is Kris Bradley. The male prize goes to Brian Milson. And today’s finest newcomer group is the daughter-mother duo I Am.

DONOVAN WOODS/They Don’t Make Anything In That Town
Writers: Donovan Woods; Producer: James Buntin; Publisher: none listed, SOCAN; Meant Well (track)
– This downbeat, piano-and-strings ballad echoes rural desolation and hopelessness. Very, very slow and very, very sad.

THOMAS RHETT/Star of the Show
Writers: Thomas Rhett/Rhett Akins/Ben Hayslip; Producers; Joe London, Julian Bunetta, Thomas Rhett; Publishers: EMI Blackwood/Cricket on the Line/Brooks County Boy/Sony=ATV/Thankful For This/WB, ASCAP; Valory Music
– Rolling and relaxing. She’s a babe, but doesn’t know it. Fortunately, he’s completely smitten and is all too aware. It’s not exactly what you’d call unforgettable, but it goes down smoothly.

THE BAND STEELE/Tan Lines
Writers: Bo Chandler Steele/Benjamin Burton Rubino; Producer: Bob Burrell/Stacy Stavola; Publishers: FMRG/Kadence Faith/B Rubino, BMI; Fire River (CDX)
– Summer love, bro-country style.

CAM/Half Broke Heart
Writers: Cameron Oches/Luke Laird/Tyler Johnson; Producers: Jeff Bhasker, Luke Laird, Tyler Johnson; Publishers: Marvelous Oak/Songs of Universal/Creative Nation/One Year Yesterday/Creative Pulse/These Are Pulse, BMI; Arista/RCA (track)
– She remains a immense vocal charmer. The crunchy track, stacked harmonies and catchy tune are all just right. Plus, the lyric is a clever as all get out. Bop along, with a wink and a smile.

 

CRYSTAL DAY/Brave
Writers: Tanya Hancheroff/Catt Gravitt/Jerold O’Brian; Producer: Biff Watson; Publishers: none listed; CD
-She sings well, and the production supports her at every turn. The song seems wordy to me.

HUNTER HAYES/Yesterday’s Song
Writers: Hunter Hayes, Barry Dean, Martin Johnson; Producers: Dann Huff, Hunter Hayes; Publishers: Songs of Universal, Ogden Avenue Publishing, Creative Pulse Muisc, Pulse Nation, Be Barry Quiet; ASCAP/BMI; Warner Music Nashville (ERG)

– Rocking away a broken romance. He spits her out like a sour grape. The chorus voices shout along with, “OOoos and Wooooos and Nah-nah-nahs.”

KRIS BRADLEY/We Don’t Paint The Town
Writers: Kris Bradley/Daniel Schwarz; Producers: Daniel Schwarz, Kris Bradley & Jeff Zacharski; Publishers: none listed; KB (track)
– She has a juicy, pert delivery with a spicy attitude. Waking up the next morning remembering only that she had a heck of a time. The twangy, punchy track matches her saucy vocal. A winner.

BRAD PAISLEY/Today
Writers: Brad Paisley, Ashley Gorley and Chris DuBois; Producers: Brad Paisley, Luke Wooten; Publisher: New Sea Gayle Music/S.A.R.L./Songs of Southside Independent Music Publishing/Music of Windswept; ASCAP; Arista (ERG)
– Lost in love, reflective, poetic and pensive. Living in a moment of perfection. You’ll want to hold onto this feeling.

 

I AM/Strings
Writers: Anna Pearson; Producer: none listed; Publisher: NayeBird, BMI; IAM (track)
– Anna Pearson is a 16-year-old Nashville singer-songwriter who performs around town with her mom, LeNaye Pearson. Their CD features this solo performance about a street performer who makes it big. It is quite well written. I’d keep an eye (and an ear) on this extremely promising kid.

BRIAN MILSON/Gonna Be A Song Someday
Writers: John Ozier/Josh Dorr/Phil O’Donnell/Wade Kirby; Producer: Anthony Smith; Publisher: Ole Purple Cape/Horipro/Round Hill/Ole Red Cape, BMI/ASCAP; First Short Road
– His baritone is warm, robust and super confident. This is a strong, strong entry with a hooky chorus, a pumping production and an undeniable power. Well worth your spins.

DisClaimer: Traditionalists, Radio Stars Make The Cut

Dierks Bentley

Dierks Bentley

Give me a neo-traditionalist any day of the week.

As a songwriter, Jamie Richards has had cuts by Hal Ketchum, Kevin Fowler and Ken Mellons. As a singer, he is on his sixth album and has had 12 top-10 tunes on various Texas charts. As an entertainer, he has carved out a comfy spot on the honky-tonk scene with a loyal fan base of followers. Best of all, he is a highly accomplished, back-to-basics country artist, and we can always use more of those. Despite his regional prominence, I believe this is his first appearance in DisClaimer. Give this man a round of raucous applause and a DisCovery Award.

We’re a mite light on star power this week. But we do have one bona fide twinkler. It’s Dierks Bentley, and he wins Disc of the Day.

JOE SCHMIDT/Buck on the Wall
Writers: Joe Schmidt/Tim Daley/Jon Grey; Producers: Joe Schmidt & Mark Burch; Publishers: JLM/Tim Daley/It’s A Matter of Music, BMI; JS (CDX)
– I don’t quite get it. He’s proud of what his daddy gave him, whether it was money in a frame or a hunting trophy. That’s it? Am I missing something?

BRADLEY WALKER/Call me Old Fashioned
Writers: Dave Turnbull/Jerry Salley; Producers: Rory Feek/Bradley Walker; Publishers: Dixie Stats/ole V Bulls/Country Gentlemen, ASCAP/SESAC; Gaither/Farm
– He believes in patriotism and faith and hard work and being polite and having traditions and family love. What? And the rest of us don’t?

RANDY ROGERS BAND/Tequila Eyes
Writers: none listed; Producer: Buddy Cannon; Publisher: none listed; Tommy
-He sings so expressively. The track drags and plods.

JERICHO WOODS/Better Now
Writers: Josh Mitchum/Paul Priest; Producer: Skidd Mills; Publisher: none listed, BMI; JWB
– Sincere sounding. The band instruments have their act together and their ensemble playing is polished just right. The vocals aren’t especially flashy, but there’s real heart here, and the song’s chorus is as commercial as all get out.

DIERKS BENTLEY/Black
Writers: Ashley Gorley/Ross Copperman/Dierks Bentley; Producer: Ross Copperman; Publishers: Combustion Engine/Sadie’s Favorite/WB/EMI Blackwood/Songs By Red Room/Big White Tracks, ASCAP/BMI; Capitol (track)
– The title tune to Bentley’s CD has an ear-catching bass/drum rumble and shiny-bright electric guitar work. It’s a plea for passion and romance with lots and lots of heat in the vocal performance. Irresistible.

 

 
ADAM SEARAN/Bumper Sticker
Writers: Adam Searan/Jon D’Agostino/John Milstead; Producers: Adam Searan, Jon D’Agostino & Jason Garner; Publishers: Demolition/Starstruck, SESAC/BMI; AS (track)
-I dig this guy. His writing has a creative flair, and his vocal performance ranges from hushy, brushy to tenor shout. You’d be a fool not to lend this your ears.

JUSTIN MOORE/Somebody Else Will
Writers: Kelly Archer/Adam Hambrick/Tebey Ottoh; Producers: Scott Borchetta/Jeremy Stover; Publishers: Stars and Stripes and Maple Leaf/Downtown DMP/ole Red Cape/Red Like the Sunset/BMG Platinum/Songs for Elle, BMI/ASCAP; Valory Music
– This fellow is coming off a big hit with “You Look Like I Need a Drink.” The follow-up is a rock ‘em, sock ‘em rave up wherein he’s all in a hurry to put the moves on her before someone else does. It’s all very loud and rock and furious sounding. Calm down, sonny.

STEPHANIE URBINA JONES/Vamonos
Writers: Stephanie Urbina Jones/Mark Marchetti/Will Robinson; Producer: Glenn Rosenstein; Publishers: Casa Del Rio/Baby Z/Detect an Intruder, SESAC/BMI; Casa Del Rio
– I have always like this singer. Here she tries her throaty pipes out on a beach-y ditty. As usual, she strikes paydirt.

JAMIE RICHARDS/Second Hand Smoke
Writers: Jamie Richards/Mark Powell; Producers: Jamie Richards/Bart Rose; Publishers: Okie Ranch, BMI; Okie Ranch (track)
– This ol’ boy stands tall on the Texas circuit, as well he should. Richards has one of those burnished barroom baritones that wears a solid country song like aged leather rodeo gloves. This is my kinda music — warm, inviting, downhome, earthy and by-god country. An A-plus performance.

BROOKE EDEN/Diamonds
Writers: Brooke Eden/Chris DeStefano/Brett James; Producers: Jacob Durrett/Nick Brophy; Publishers: Magic Mustang/Warner-Tamerlane/American Daughter/EMI April/WB/Songs of Brett, BMI/ASCAP; Red Bow/BBR
-She sings with moxie. The song is adequate, but not particularly melodic.

DISClaimer: Sylvia, Morgan Wallen, Paulina Jayne Offer Sterling New Tracks

cover-sylvia-960x960

I love listening sessions like this, where new sounds pop up moment after moment.

Therefore, we have a wealth of contenders for this week’s DisCovery Award. Tami Neilson, Morgan Wallen and Whiskey Myers are all worth your spins. And so is our winner. In fact, Paulina Jayne is an essential listening experience.

The Disc of the Day award goes to an old country favorite. It turns out that not only is Sylvia singing better than ever, she has also blossomed into a formidable lyricist. Her It’s All in the Family collection drops on Friday. Get it.

PAULINA JAYNE/Love’s Gonna Always Win
Writers: Paulina Jayne/Trey Bruce/Haley Steel; Producer: Trey Bruce; Publishers: none listed; Girl King (track)
– The atmosphere in this production is heavenly. Her vocal is a piercing arrow of truth. From the lyric to the searing lead guitar, from the pulsing tempo to her soprano swoops, this record has an audio delight around every corner. The layered, multi-voiced finale crescendo will set you free. It’s way more pop than country, but with a disc this well made, who cares what genre it fits into?

WILL CARTER/With You
Writers: Will Carter/Jude Dyllan/Kelly Logan; Producer: Judy Dyllan; Publishers: none listed; WC (track)
– The track is a twang stomper. His lightweight, generic voice doesn’t match it.

BILLY RAY CYRUS & SHELBY LYNNE/Thin Line
Writers: none listed; Producer: Brandon Friesen; Publisher: Brandon Friesen; Blue Cadillac
-Both vocals are almost buried in the mix. He’s singing at the muffled bottom of his range, and she’s seems to be wafting around aimlessly.

WHISKEY MYERS/Lightning Bugs and Rain
Writers: Cody Cannon/Aaron Raitiere/Mark Stephen Jones; Producer: Dave Cobb; Publishers: rougarou/One Tooth/Mark Stephen Jones, BMI; Wiggy Thump
-This is a band of Texas-bred Southern rockers. The drawl in the lead vocal and the crunchy track are both ear-catching. Don’t let the punctuating horns scare you off; this is still in the pocket, country-wise.

MORGAN WALLEN/The Way I Talk
Writers: Jessi Alexander, Ben Hayslip, Chase McGill; Producer: Joey Moi; Publishers: Warner Chappell/Universal; Big Loud (track)
– As you might expect from the title, you can cut his accent with a knife. It’s a cool little record, with a churning backing track that drives it relentlessly forward. Recommended listening.

 

SYLVIA/All In The Family
Writers: John Mock/Thom Schuyler/Sylvia Hutton; Producers: John Mock and Sylvia Hutton; Publishers: none listed; Red Pony (track)
– The 1980s country hit maker Sylvia has spent the past few seasons woodshedding as a songwriter. She co-wrote all but two of the songs on her new CD. On this title tune, she paints a vivid word portrait of a family’s personalities and issues told from the point of view of a matriarch who remembers all. A string section whispers behind her as the ballad unfolds. You’ll hang on every line.

MARK COLLIE & HIS RECKLESS COMPANIONS/Folsom Prison Blues
Writers: John R. Cash; Producer: Tony Brown Mark Collie & David Z; Publishers: House of Cash, BMI; 101 Ranch (track)
-Back in 2001, Collie and his pals staged a show for the inmates of Tennessee’s notorious (and now closed) Brushy Mountain Prison. Now released on CD, Alive at Brushy Mountain includes contributions from bluesman Clarence “Gatemouth” Brown, Texas thrush Kelly Willis and super tenor vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Shawn Camp, plus an all-star band. Collie, who has portrayed Cash on film (and is now acting on the TV series Nashville), tries on this classic like a comfy suit of (black) clothes. Gripping.

TAMI NEILSON/Holy Moses
Writers: T. Neilson/J. Neilson; Producers: Delaney Davidson and Ben Edwards; Publishers: none listed; Outside Music
– Soulful and steamy, prowling the back alleys with burning menace. Her rocking, throaty delivery has more than a little bluesy edge, and band is cooking with gas. This gal has the goods, for sure.

THE KENTUCKY HEADHUNTERS/Beaver Creek Mansion
Writers: Mark S. Orr; Producer: The Kentucky Headhunters; Publishers: Orr House, BMI; Plowboy (track)
– The band’s new one is called On Safari. It kicks off with this Southern-rock gem. Richard Young’s singing has terrific phrasing finesse here. Greg Martin’s lead guitar work is deliciously greasy. Fred Young’s drumming and Doug Phelps’s bass work are beyond solid. They are still one dynamite band.

ALYSSA BONAGURA/Rebel
Writers: Alyssa Bonagura; Producers: Alyssa Bonagura and Mark Petaccia; Publishers: This Is Gold/Scribblin’ Dixie, ASCAP; AB (track)
– I have always thought of her as a pop artist, but on this tender ballad, she aches with country heart. As usual, her young voice is simply lustrous. The track shimmers with piano and strings. I remain an enormous fan. By the way, get this track’s Road Less Traveled parent CD and check out its fabulous, deluxe packaging.

DISClaimer: Two Duets Tie For Disc Of The Day

Eric Church. Photo: Jensen Sutta

Eric Church. Photo: Jensen Sutta

Today’s listening session is the way things ought to be, split almost evenly between male and female voices.

A few of those females come to us courtesy of male collaborations. And two of those finished in a dead heat for the Disc of the Day award. They are Pink singing with Kenny Chesney and Rhiannon Giddens singing with Eric Church. If you have not heard “Setting the World on Fire” and “Kill a Word” yet, drop what you are doing and listen to them now.

The other essential listening (and viewing) experience this week is, of course, the CMA’s multi-artist extravaganza Forever Country.” It is awesome.

There is no DisCovery Award winner this week.

ERIC CHURCH & RHIANNON GIDDENS/Kill a Word
Writers: Eric Church/Jeff Hyde/Luke Dick; Producer: Jay Joyce; Publisher: Sony/ATV Tree Publishing/Longer and Louder Music/Little Louder Songs/Mammaw’s Friend Okra Music/Emileon Songs (BMI); EMI
– “I’d turn lies and hate to love and truth/If I could only kill a word.” To the accompaniment of a steady, thumping beat, Church chants one of his coolest songs to date. While he tries to wish away human unhappiness, Giddens shadows him in harmony, then lets fly with some wafting wailing. Love, love, love this.

 

BLAKE SHELTON/A Guy With a Girl
Writers: Ashley Gorley/Brian Simpson; Producer: Scott Hendricks; Publishers: Combustion Engine/Sadie’s Favorite/WB/Writers of Sea Gayle/Spirit Catalog Holdings/Spirit of Nashville, ASCAP/BMI; Warner Bros
– When he’s out with his darlin,’ she’s so beautiful that he becomes invisible. The rolling tempo never lets up for a second, but big-voiced Blake rides atop it like a pro.

 
AUBRIE SELLERS/Sit Here and Cry
Writers: Aubrie Sellers/Adam Wright; Producer: Frank Liddell; Publisher: Tiltawhirl/Casa de Casa, BMI; Warner Bros
– The song is a solid slab of hillbilly heartache. The dirty-guitar arrangement is a snarling garage-rock outing. Quite a combination.

 

RONNIE DUNN (With KIX BROOKS)/Damn Drunk
Writers: Liz Hengber/Alex Kline/Ben Stannis; Producer: Jay DeMarcus; Publisher: Starstruck Writers Group / Giving Out Wings Music/Vision Board Songs / Airplanes for Stars Music/The Stennis Mightier Music / Dead Aim Music / Young Guns Publishing (ASCAP/BMI/SESAC); Nash Icon
– Spectacularly well-written. Ronnie, as usual, sings the fire out of it. The pulsing production goes from a whisper to a scream, which puts you right on the edge of your seat. This is one righteous record.

 
KIM McABEE & TY HERNDON/Looking Back to See
Writers: Jim Ed Brown/Maxine Brown; Producer: Ty Herndon; Publisher: None listed; Soigne
– I have always loved this Jim Ed & Maxine Brown 1954 golden oldie. But part of its charm is the fact that it is such a bouncy, rapid-fire ditty. Slowing it down like this ruins it for me. Kim McAbee, by the way, is the featured singer with The Buckaroos and has opened The Bakersfield Music Hall of Fame. The venue will host its first induction ceremony next month.

 
KENNY CHESNEY Feat. PINK/Setting the World on Fire
Writer: Ross Copperman/Matt Jenkins/Josh Osborne; Producer: Kenny Chesney/Buddy Cannon; Publisher: EMI Blackwood Music Inc./Atlas Music/WB Music Corp/Smackville Music (ASCAP/BMI); Blue Chair/Columbia
– Rousing and resonant. This has a big, soulful sound, and both of them are singing their faces off. Massive airplay, please.

 

DOLLY PARTON/Head Over High Heels
Writer: Dolly Parton; Producer: Dolly Parton; Publisher: Velvet Apple, BMI; Dolly Records/RCA Nashville
– Cute and coy, with a slightly funky backbeat. She’s headed for a hot date with her honey, tricked out in all her finery.

 
GEORGE STRAIT/Goin’ Goin’ Gone
Writers: Wyatt Earp/Keith Gattis; Producer: Chuck Ainlay & George Strait; Publishers: Western Legend/Warner-Tamerlane/Gattis/Atta Baby, BMI; MCA Nashville
– A working man’s Friday-night plight, set to a bopping rhythm and accompanied by stuttering steel, twanging guitar and some rambunctious party people. His long vocal drawls are exquisite.

 
KELSEA BALLERINI/Yeah Boy
Writers: Kelsea Ballerini/Forest Glen Whitehead/Kelsea Timmer; Producer: Forest Glen Whitehead & Jason Massey; Publishers: Songs of Black River/KNB/Songs of Blue Guitar, ASCAP/BMI; Black River
– This is a pert, attractive come-on to a cute guy that arrives with built-in smiles and winks. Jaunty and likable. Open that car door and let her in for a ride.

 

JAKE OWEN/If He Ain’t Gonna Love You
Writers: Luke Laird/Shane McAnally/Chris Stapleton; Producers: Shane McAnally, Luke Laird & Ross Copperman; Publishers: Songs of Universal/Creative Nation/Universal/Smack Ink/WB/House of Sea Gayle, BMI/ASCAP; RCA
– A slamming rhythm track, an echoey production, some quasi-rapping, ghost background vocals and a dense soundscape are among the ingredients here. It ain’t exactly something you can sing along with, and it’s certainly not very “country,” but it is absorbing listening.