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MUSIC REVIEWS
Our music reviews are broken down into alpha order by performers last name (i.e. Kenny Chesney is listed under "C") and by band name. DVD and Album reviews are included in these sections.
"C"
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CADDLE
Raise Em High
Self-Released |
The term southern rock is being thrown around a lot these days, but where someone like Hank Williams III fails, Birmingham's Caddle succeed. Caddle has a great, upbeat energy to their vocals that make you want to listen to this and are the first thing that will suck you into "Raise Em High." (Think bands like Lost Trailers). Obviously when you mention the term southern rock in describing a sound to someone they automatically think bands like Lynyrd Skynyrd and at times, especially in the music on tracks like "Give Me A Dollar," I would have to agree, but overall Caddle is a lot more Hank Jr. then they are Skynyrd. 9 times out of 10 you will be stomping your boots along with Caddle. On songs like "Raise Em High" and "Work" you cannot help but stomp along and I dare you to listen to this and not be moving. While on other songs like "Had To Die" and "Afternoon Lies" you will instantly find yourself singing along with the catchiness in the choruses. It has been a long time since I heard a solid, boot stomping, album like this one, but Caddle is a band to keep your eyes on. This is a great record that combines a lot of spirit from the scene of yesteryear with a shot of energy thrown in for good measure.
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CADILLAC SKY
Blind Man Walking
Skaggs Family Records
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Skaggs Family Records, the label that Ricky Skaggs founded through his faith, has managed to find and sign some great bluegrass based artists in the past, but they may have even outdone themselves with the signing of Cadillac Sky. Dubbed as “progressive” bluegrass, Cadillac Sky combines the rich history of traditional bluegrass without holding themselves to being just your stereotypical bluegrass band on their debut album “Blind Man Walking.” The music for the most part is fun and bouncy, chalked full of outstanding musicianship on the mandolin, banjo, fiddle, etc… However, they go above and beyond most anything I have heard from the bluegrass community on tracks like “Neighboorhood Bully’s…” an instrumental that shows just how much rock influence you can add to bluegrass as they seem to channel Jimmy Page of Led Zeppelin fame at times throughout the song just before slowing it down and adding an old English feel to it. They wear their beliefs of their sleeve on songs like “Blind Man Walking” while offering a fun, catchy, sing-along on tracks like “Wish I Could Say I Was Drunk” Cadillac Sky is a bluegrass band by and large, but on their debut album they do everything that they can to stretch the limit of what modern bluegrass truly is and should sound like.
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CAGLE, CHRIS
My Life's Been A Country Song
Capitol Nashville |
Chris Cagle’s last album “Anywhere But Here” didn’t have the commercial success he had hoped it would though it arguably spawned some of his best material. So on his fourth release “My Life’s Been A Country Song,” he did things a little different than usual. Instead of penning the songs himself as he always has in the past, he got songs from some of Nashville’s top writers including Craig Wiseman, Brett James, and more. The thing Cagle did right where a lot of people fail when making a change like this, is that this is still a Chris Cagle album. The song selection is perfect for him. The first single, “What Kinda Gone” thrusts you into the album and that is only the beginning. On the rockers like “It’s Good To Be Back,” and on the songs like the title track, which gives us a clever look at Cagle’s influences as he describes his own life though their song titles, you get that same spunk and swagger that made you fall in love with his debut album “Play It Loud.” He does add a little something new with “No Love Songs” and “Little Sundress,” where he adds a Chesney feel to the album as he sings about beaches, drinking, and of course girls. In “No Love Songs” it is a conversation about a past love at a beachside bar and on “Little Sundress,” it’s about a girl that takes his breath away on the beaches of Cancun in you guessed it a “Little Sundress.” And what Chris Cagle is complete without some great love songs and I am not sure they get better than “I Don’t Wanna Live” and “Keep Me From Loving You.” This album is going to put Chris Cagle back on mainstream radio and the great thing is that if you love one song, you will love them all.
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CALDWELL, MATT
8-Song Demo
Self-Released |
When I have a chance to listen to a brand new, struggling artist that's working their way up the ladder of success the way Matt Caldwell is, I take that moment and savior it. In this case, Caldwell's self-produced 8-track demo is raw and a little rough around the edges which is part of the charm that makes this a must listen for any fan of rocking country with a Texas flare thrown in. He kicks off the album with a familiar song, "She Don't Love Me," that fans of Blake Shelton will recognize from his latest work "Pure B.S." From here Caldwell continues to bring catchy, modern country music to the listeners ears with great choruses that will have you singing along with relatable lyrics on songs geared towards relationships like "Don't Say You Don't," "Then Came The Night," and "I'm Gonna Love You." He closes out the demo with a great rocking song "Just Add Beer," which brings a taste of his live show to a record and will have you saying I am convinced, this is an artist that I have to see when he comes to my town. This demo is a great look at all the different sides of an up and coming artist that is one to keep your eyes on. Remember the name Matt Caldwell!
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CARRINGTON, RODNEY
King of the Mountainsr
Capitol Nashville |
Rodney Carrington is widely recognized from his 2-year run on the ABC Sitcom titled "Rodney," but if that wholesome show is what you know Carrington from, please use this as your warning: His stand up comedy is for mature audiences only as he displays on his new album "King of The Mountains." Unlike the Blue Collar Comedy foursome, this Oklahoma native uses vulgar language and adult topics, but through it all he delivers huge laughs and will have you rolling on the floor laughing as he talks about making homemade movies of a certain type with his wife, getting a massage, and taking a try at being gay. But Carrington's made a career out of mixing in his country driven, comedy blended music and he features it at the end of his performance on this album including songs like "Put Your Clothes Back On" and "Show Them To Me." You can do the math on what these song topics are. Carrington includes studio versions of his songs, a tribute to his friend Barry Martin (who was portrayed on his sitcom), as well as a whole barrel full of laughs. Overall, this is a really solid performance that showcases another side of blue-collar comedy that is not family orientated but geared towards the adults and is well worth a spin for mature audiences.
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CARROLL, JASON MICHAEL
Waitin' In The Country
Arista Nashville |
When an artist puts out a deep, meaningful song that catches on with people for so many different reasons like Jason Michael Carroll has with "Alyssa Lies," I always wonder if they will be able to follow it up. Then I heard the next single from Carroll, "Living Our Love Song" and any doubt that I may have had quickly vanished and the rest of the album pounded in the nail that Jason Michael Carroll may just be the next major star of country music. Granted, "Alyssa Lies" is a great song, but the album around it shows a whole side that you may not realize exists. There are some light-hearted, fun, upbeat songs on here like "I Can Sleep When I'm Dead," Anywhere USA" etc… Combine this with a duet with pop star Jewel ("No Good In Goodbye") and some great love songs like "Love Won't Let Me" and you have a solid album that is well worth a spin. No matter what style of modern country you like you will most likely find something on here that you will love. The lyrics are enough to draw you in, but Carroll's vocals that more often than not I found myself comparing to Chris Young and Lonestar are what will keep you listening. This is a great debut record and the start to a wonderful career.
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CHAMBERS, KASEY
Carnival
Warner Bros. Records |
Kasey Chambers made a splash in the country industry with songs like "Not Pretty Enough," "Cry Like A Baby," and "Like A River," but if she made a splash before she is about to create a huge wave with her latest album "Carnival." If you are in the hunt for a performer that has matured and grown into a complete artist from album to album, then this is who you are looking for. Chambers sticks to the sound that put her on mainstream radio with songs like the peppy "Sign on the Door," and the first single from the album "Nothing At All." These songs are great songs, but it's where Chambers expands her sound that she defines this album. The Nelly Furtado styled "Railroad" takes you into a world not explored in the past by Chambers, while other songs like "The Rain" and "You Make Me Sing" show signs of a KT Tunstall influence. This is Chambers most complete, all around album thus far and she has successfully separated herself from her past material while still remaining true to her craft. This is a wonderful album and a must have.
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CHARLIE DANIELS BAND
Dueces
Blue Hat Records/Koch Records
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The Charlie Daniels Band has more than stamped their name on the country scene over the past 30+ years, so now is as good a time as any for Charlie to lend his talents to a duet album that features Daniels unmistakable voice next to those of legendary performers and today’s stars. Charlie chose to not just feature a bunch of new versions of his old material, a good thing and an area where most duet records fail. Instead he showcases some of the more influential artists of the past few decades for a majority of the album. You get Travis Tritt and Charlie doing the Ray Charles classic, “What I’d Say,” a spot on duet of Johnny and June Carter Cash’s “Jackson” with Gretchen Wilson, or even the outstanding version of Bob Dylan’s “Like A Rolling Stone,” with Darius Rucker of Hootie and the Blowfish fame. Other duets include the vocal talents of Vince Gill, Brenda Lee, Dolly Parton, and more. The few Charlie Daniels Band classics that make the cut include a great version of “Long Haired Country Boy,” with Brooks and Dunn, “Drinkin’ My Baby Goodbye,” with Montgomery Gentry, and a brand new song titled “Jammin’ For Stevie,” an instrumental that welcomed the talented Brad Paisley to the studio as well as members of Stevie Ray Vaughn’s band. Duet albums are always pretty hit or miss, but this one offers a look at such a wide variety of genres from country to R&B to pop, that it offers a little something for everyone, while all the while Charlie Daniels vocal talents are displayed. |
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CHASIN MASON
5-Song Demo
Self-Released |
Wisconsin based Chasin' Mason have been building their name in the Midwest and around the country for the past few years and I finally found myself in the front row for a show of theirs and fell in love with them and had to have more. So when I found out they had a CD I had to have it and it is definitely worth picking up. The five-song EP leads you in with the southern rock tinged "You Are Mine" where if the catchy guitar hooks at the beginning don't grab your attention then the minute the vocals come in you will find yourself singing along and the thumping bass through the chorus will have you moving. From here you are brought into what can no doubt be a hit on modern country radio with "Back To My Tomorrow," where the story of the lyrics talk about someone looking to change their life and stop living for yesterday. It is certainly a story that we have all lived before. The great pop-driven, Keith Urban influenced music keeps on pumping through your speakers as "Gonna Be Alright" and "Loving You Is Easy" perfectly fit into this mix and by this point in the CD you will be hooked on Chasin' Mason. The only slower song that they include on here is the last track, "Love Again." It is a good song, but it's the rockers that will suck you into this disc and make you fall in love. Chasin' Mason play modern styled country mixed with rock and pop influences and the vocals are spot on and perfect for country radio. This is a great band, with catchy songs that you can't stop singing, and if there is one downfall to this disc, it is that I am wanting more and I only have 5 songs!
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CHESNEY, KENNY
Just Who I Am: Poets & Pirates
BNA Records |
Kenny Chesney is one of those artists that you know exactly what you are getting into the minute you hit play and though he stretches his limits every now and then on “Just Who I Am: Poets and Pirates” he sticks to the formula that has been working for him and delivers some of his best material to date. “Never Wanted Nothing More” and “Don’t Blink,” the two hottest singles of Chesney’s career kick off the album followed by “Shiftwork,” a duet with George Strait that has a sound that will take you back to Chesney’s days of playing for tips. The mid-portion of the album presents what I feel could be the next two singles. “Just Not Today,” a David Lee Murphy penned tune that talks about growing up but why it’s not happening today and “Wife and Kids” where you get the sense that this is Chesney singing from his heart, though he didn’t write it, about having everything except the things in life that really matter. The second half of the album is a bit more on the relaxing side with mostly slower paced songs that show Chesney stretching the subject matter of his lyrics more than ever before. A good example is “Dancin’ For Groceries,” where he tackles the subject of a mother doing what she has to do for her children. Eagles guitarist, Joe Walsh makes an appearance in the second half on Dwight Yoakam’s “Wild Ride” as well. A Kenny Chesney album is always a great addition to any collection, if for anything the lyrics, and on this album it is the lyrics that truly shine as he goes a bit deeper than usual to deliver songs that really make you think.
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CHILDERS, BILLY
A Man's Gotta Do What A Man's Gotta Do
Seld-Released
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As the drum roll tosses you into the upbeat album opener, “A Man’s Gotta Do…,” you get the feeling right away that you are in for one of Chicago’s (via North Carolina) best kept secrets in Billy Childers. The up tempo songs like “Cowboy Up” and the opening track are both great, fun songs that you will find yourself bopping along too, but Childers shines the most on the slower paced songs where he let’s the lyrics be the selling point. The wonderfully written “Lonely Side Of Love” perfectly captures the feelings that one goes through after a break up and “Best Love Letters” presents the feelings you only feel when you find that special someone. However, the sleeper hit of the album is a duet with Jamie O’Neal that will make the perfect wedding song called “This Night.” With an influence steeped in the traditional brand of country, mixed with a bit of 50’s era rock-n-roll and mixed up enough to put a modern spin on an old idea, you will have a hard time not falling in love with this album. The lyrics are wonderfully crafted and will run the gauntlet of your emotions and just for fun there are a few upbeat numbers scattered throughout to keep you moving. Billy Childers is well worth giving a spin too as it is only a matter of time before everyone is catching on to him.
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CLEAR BLUE 22
"Wild In The West" Single
Back to One Records
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It all began with a simple ad placed by singer Jasmine West that stated, “Vocalist seeks band.” Paul Reyes and Don Simpson answered that call and Clear Blue 22 was born. They carved out their name across the Nevada desert with a dynamic live show and are now ready to unleash their debut single, “Wild In The West” from their forthcoming debut album of the same name. So what does the single show us? I was quickly reminded of Trick Pony and with their future in question this is a very very good thing. “Wild In The West” displays a modern, honky tonk sound, with a guitar lick that grabs your attention from the opening notes and gets you off your butts and out on the dance floor. The whine of the fiddle in the intro makes you raise your eyebrow, as you know you may be in store for something new and exciting, and then Jasmine kicks in with her vocals and seals the deal. Her vocals beg to be compared to those of Heidi Newfield’s and the well-placed backups and thumping bass will no doubt have you moving throughout the duration of the three minute tune. This is a great way to start off the buzz about Clear Blue 22 and get the hype out there about their upcoming full-length album. |
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COCHRAN. TAMMY
Where I Am
Shanachie Records |
Tammy Cochran first found fame back in 2001 when she drew comparisons to Patsy Cline and her single "Angels In Waiting" reached the top ten on the country charts. 6 years have passed since then and Cochran has returned with "Where I Am," which is easily her most personal album to date and as she puts it "this is my chance to share with all of you who I am when I'm not on stage." Right from the opening you get the sense that Cochran is looking at where she is and where she is heading as she sings "Start a brand new day with a brand new slate" on the poppy, catchy opening track "So Long." The album continues to press forward with a pop-laden, modern country sound with lyrics that focus on the possibilities of new love (And More), getting rid of the past loves that went wrong (As Soon As I'm Over You), and the trials and tribulations of everyday life (The Ride of Your Life). Cochran sat down with all intentions of making this her most personal album and while she did accomplish that with "Where I Am," she may not have realized just how many people are going to be able to relate to these songs. With a modern country sound and a voice that rivals that of Martina McBride's, Cochran is primed and ready to be back at the forefront of mainstream country radio. There isn't a bad song on the album and the track layout is perfect and will keep you listening. "Where I Am" is a very solid album from the first track to the last and shows everything Tammy Cochran has to offer the country music industry. Great album!
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COLLINS, STACIE
The Lucky Spot
Rev Records
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In this day and age there is a lot of music coming out from the female side that would fall into the whiskey drinkin’, roadhouse, style from the likes of Miranda Lambert, Gretchen Wilson, Ashton Shepherd, etc… Stacie Collins brings a similar style of those mentioned, however she completely separates herself by adding a touch a blues to her brand of country with the addition of a wonderfully placed harmonica throughout the album combined with a hint of boogie thrown into the mix. Though Collins came to Nashville from California, there is a twang to her voice that will instantly catch your attention on the faster paced songs and will keep you listening. On tracks like “It Ain’t Love, “Long Gone,” and “Baby Sister,” you can’t help but kick your boots around the dance floor because you will not be able to keep your feet still. But, it isn’t all just bluesy driven country that Collins brings to the table. She shows off her more traditional side when she slows things down on tracks like “Lucky Spot,” and “Do You Miss Her.” With a top notch band including Dan Baird of Georgia Satellites fame behind her, Collins has perfectly taken a honky tonk style, kicked it up a notch, and made a sound that is sneaking it’s way back to the modern format of country radio fresh and new while showing off her influences. This is a great album and from the minute I put it on in my truck it has been the only CD that is in my CD player and it just doesn’t seem to want to come out yet.
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COOK, ELIZABETH
Balls
31 Tigers
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Elizabeth Cook has become a star to the legendary Grand Ole Opry stage with over 200 performances there and on her new album "Balls," Cook brings bluegrass flavored traditional styled country to our ears reminiscent of the older Opry from it's Ryman days. From the tongue and cheek single "Sometimes It Takes Balls To Be A Woman," to the upbeat album opener "Time Are Tough In Rock-N-Roll," you quickly recognize the bluegrass influence, especially in Cook's vocals. For the most part "Balls" is a jumpy record that will have you bouncing right along with it, but Cook does slow things down with "Sunday Morning" and offers up some great lyrics on "Mama's Prayers" where she offers the line "things go right things go wrong sometimes you hear me sing a song, but you'll always find me in my mama's prayers." Cook had a part in writing 9 of the 11 songs that make up "Balls," and with Rodney Crowell behind the production board, and appearances from Bobby Bare Jr. ("Rest Your Weary Mind") and Nanci Griffith with Crowell ("Down Girl") the traditional country crowd will quickly find themselves falling in love with this offering from Elizabeth Cook.
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COVINGTON, BUCKY
Self-Titled
Lyric Street Records
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I had an incredible opportunity to preview a few of the tracks from Bucky Covington's debut album a few weeks ago and he succeeded in making a believer out of me in just four tracks. I was warned that I hadn't heard anything yet, and the source that told me this was right. I stated it earlier and I will say it again with full confidence, Bucky Covington has put out what will be the hottest album of the Spring. From the opening notes of "American Friday Night" you get the feeling that Covington has found his style, honed in on it and delivered. Then, you are smacked with his current single "A Different World." As the album continues pressing forward the lyrics and his voice take over on great songs like "I'll Walk" that will really make you think about life and what it truly means. Covington continues to deliver a southern rocking influenced, good time through the remainder of the album as he sings about girls ("I'm Good"), his youth ("Back When We Were Gods"), and upbeat songs with a positive message ("It's Good To Be Us"). Bucky Covington may have come in 8th place on American Idol, but he has certainly proved that he is so much more than he was able to show on the program. This is a great album that takes everything you'd want in a record and then some and delivers it all from a great voice, to great lyrics, to upbeat songs that make you move, to slower songs that make you listen. This is a must have album and a new superstar is on the rise. Great Job! |
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COWBOY CRUSH
"Miss Diificult" single
Asylum/Curb Records
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The 4 woman that make up Cowboy Crush had all independently been working their way through the ever tough Nashville Music scene before meeting up in 2003 and forming the band we’ve come to know today. With a long list of shows behind them and a record deal with Asylum/Curb Records, Cowboy Crush has delivered their first single “Miss Difficult.” So what can you expect from this foursome? The lead vocals of Trenna Barnes beg to be compared to the Dixie Chicks, and you quickly notice the great 4 part harmonies as the chorus hits, but with the thumping bass lines and bouncy guitars you will quickly find yourself jumping along and possibly pumping a fist in the air with this radio friendly, up tempo tune. After stamping out their name playing live shows, the next phase of Cowboy Crush’s career has begun and I can’t think of a better way to kick-start their mainstream success then with a song like “Miss Difficult.” This is a perfect song for modern country radio and I suspect it won’t take too long for the girls to find their way to a radio station near you. |
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Country
Magazine for details. |
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