Posted by: Cobra After almost everything on Tyler Farr’s first album (with a few exceptions), I was pretty much ready to write him off. But when he put out “A Guy Walks Into a Bar,” as the first single for his second album, I was cautiously optimistic. Florida Georgia Line deceived us a few months back, releasing “Dirt,” only to plague us with what many, myself included, have found to be the worst album ever.
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Posted by: Cobra
Kip Moore is an interesting sort. He started off with a debut single, "Something 'Bout a Truck," a song which had almost every cliche in the book. He then moved on to "Beer Money," which, while not a masterpiece, I'll admit to actually liking. It was a fun song to listen to. Then "Hey Pretty Girl" was released as a single which despite its deceptive title, was actually quite a good song, exploring the advancement of a relationship from first introduction through a long lasting relationship.
Posted by: Cobra Randy Rogers and Wade Bowen were right. There is room for country in country music. The numbers it’s been putting up on iTunes sales as well as on Amazon that there must be people out there who are hungry for something more when it comes to country music.
When I first heard of this album’s release, I couldn’t wait. I knew it was going to be something special. Two of my absolute favorite artists were putting out a collaborative studio album. Two artists with distinctive styles who frequently collaborate on writing and who do regular shows together were finally giving the nation a taste of what their region has known for years – these two are masters of the craft and among the best in the business. Posted by: Cobra April 21st saw the release of Canadian Country star Dean Brody’s fifth album, Gypsy Road. I’ve always been a fan of Brody and feel that he always puts out a solid and enjoyable album. His 2013 album, Crop Circles was strong, and while it seemed to delve into a few more Cheney-esqe songs, even those managed to feel authentic and relaxing coming from the easy-going Brody. As well, two of the album’s four singles, “Another Man’s Gold” and the Lindi Ortega duet “Bounty,” along with some stellar album cuts, really managed to make the album worth its price.
Posted by: Cobra Last night, after the ACM Awards ended, I delayed going to bed for a bit as I thought about how low the ACM Awards have sunk. And as I thought about it, I really began to ask myself what the real problem with the ACM Awards is (and the CMA Awards as well, to be honest).
Of course there’s the issue that at least half of the individuals nominated are not actually country, but Southern Pop or even just straight out Pop altogether. There is that. The ACM Awards are starting now. I will be live-bligging (and live-tweeting @CobraCountryFan) the whole event. My mood is low, and my expectations are lower, so be ready.
Posted by: Cobra Ever since 3 Pears, I’ve been anxiously awaiting new music from Dwight Yoakam. He’s one of my all-time favorite artists and he’s never disappointed me. His distinct and unique voice are unmistakable and have a flair to them that is largely unimitated.
When Dwight announced that his new album would be a return to his rock-a-billy style, I was excited. As great as 3 Pears was, there was a style that made Yoakam who he was. So much lately with artists who promise that their new album will be going in a “new direction” or be a “return to their roots,” it’s easy to get frustrated when these artists really just deliver something that really doesn’t sound anything different than the last album they’d put out. Posted by: Cobra Let’s invent a new genre name. Let’s create a category where we can lump together all of this wanna-be country music.
It can include the atrocious bro-country crap which was popular for the past couple years (even as it dies out). It can include this new metro-politan bullshit which Sam Hunt is responsible for inflicting upon the world. It can include all of this pure pop music which just throws in a little bit of twang to make gullible individuals believe that it’s country.
Posted by: Cobra
After several weeks off, I am returning to my Non-Country Recommendation of the Week. This week’s recommendation is from an artist whose music has a lot of Country music influences in it, but generally falls into a category of music referred to as Roots Rock.
The album is Dave Alvin’s 2011 release Eleven Eleven.
Posted by: Cobra
In this past week, Wade Bowen and Randy Rogers released a video for the lead single from their upcoming joint album Hold My Beer, Vol. 1.
I want to start by saying how fantastic the song is. It's a fun up-tempo country song. It's a got a great beat, it's fun, and has a great sound. In the song, Bowen and Rogers sing that "they don't have hits, they have standards," while rejecting a record executive's offer to give them a big hit song about a dirt road. |
LINKS
Here are some links to other pop culture websites and blogs worth checking out:
- Saving Country Music - Country Perspective - Farce the Music - Country Exclusive - This Is Country Music - Country Music Minds - Matt Lynn Digital Pop Culture Potpourri Writers
Cobra is a Human Resources professional from the Greater Cleveland Area with a love of good country music and a disdain for pop, rock, and rap mislabeled as country music. His favorite artists include (but are not limited to) Wade Bowen, Randy Rogers Band, George Strait, Alan Jackson, Turnpike Troubadours, Hayes Carll, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Trisha Yearwood, Dwight Yoakam, and Johnny Cash Archives
December 2017
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