Love Me Like You Mean It-Kelsea Ballerini (Black River)

by

Well, going in to it, the first thirty seconds or so, it sounds just too ‘young’ for my tastes. But as it progresses, it’s clear the record has something most records coming out of NashVegas these days don’t have. That being a Hook. You can be singing along, humming along with this one from the … Read more

Something In The Water-Carrie Underwood (19/Arista)

by

A religious song, it is. Baptist, specifically. The water she’s describing is the river her own baptism. (does anybody even do the ceremony in a river anymore?) She didn’t write it, just testifies to it. It’s a Vegas production of a record, again, and about a minute longer than it needs to be. There’s really … Read more

Til It’s Gone-Kenny Chesney (Blue Chair)

by

Not the most exciting or even much original record he’s made. This is kinda like a retread of at least half a dozen songs he’s released before, many with much success. I’ll add it because of who he his, the good will he has, the fan-base and all that. There is some comfort in familiarity, … Read more

She Don’t Love You-Eric Paslay (EMI)

by

If this isn’t a monster hit, I’m ready to eat my ball cap. When the album came out the first of the year, the song just floored me. Added to the Edge rotation in February, it was. This description of the emotional state of a woman with a broken heart is knowing, sympathetic and gorgeous. … Read more

Gentle On My Mind-The Band Perry (Republic/ Nashville)

by

Young’uns got no history with this song, don’t know how monstrously huge it was back in the 60’s. Glenn Campbell’s stellar version was #1 on the Country chart, #5 on the Pop charts in ’67 and for several years beginning in January ’69 it was the opening and closing theme song of his TV variety … Read more

Breakup in a Small Town-Sam Hunt (MCA)

by

This here, kids, is a remarkable piece of work. I went looking for it when I saw it pop into the digital single sales list. His album’s selling some units, too. So, I fire it up the first time and it’s a show-stopper, jaw-dropper. Sam Hunt’s vocal virtuosity is profound. It hit me the way … Read more

Talledega-Eric Church (Capitol)

by

Since it’s been done so very many times before, writing a hit song about young men on a road trip is not an easy thing to do. Cliché comes easy. Church didn’t fall into that pothole. The song is one of the many stand-outs on what I think is one of the two best Country … Read more

Drinkin’ Class-Lee Brice (Curb)

by

I saw that title come down the tube and thought oh, crap! here comes another one. Woah! Turns out, it’s the most dynamic workin’ man’s song in, oh…maybe four decades. Back to Haggard and John Conlee days. Wait, I just remembered: “Shift Work”; that one qualifies at the top level of workin’ man songs, for … Read more

People Loving People-Garth Brooks (Pearl/RCA)

by

His return is good press for the Country biz as a whole, yes. He’s been away long enough for most of us to miss him. I’m sure the song is heart felt, but coming back to us with a “message” might not have been the best course to take. Kumbaya is fine with us all … Read more