Category Archives: Album Review

Pistol Annies Album Review

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Pistol Annies Come Out Guns Blazing! The Pistol Annies album Hell On Heels went on sale last week and has been sitting at the top of the iTunes charts ever since. The first time we got a glimpse of these girls performing together was on “ACM’s Girls Night Out” back in April. Luckily there wasn’t a very long wait between then and their album release. These girls have got some things on their minds and they want to make sure we hear them! I feel like this album is a good look at their attitudes towards life, basically they don’t take crap from anyone! The trio’s name alone tells you that, they are a bunch of pistols! “We ain’t ashamed of who we are, we like fast men and cheap guitars. Ain’t tryin’ to get rich, just tryin’ to get by…” “Hell On Heels” was a great first single and I love it as I’ve previously posted about, sugar daddies beware! “Bad Example” and “Takin’ Pills” are both awesome, upbeat and to me, funny stories. “Boys From The South” was perfectly written! It’s easy to sing along to and is one of those songs that take you down memory lane. By the way, who doesn’t love a southern drawl?! I can’t get enough of “Trailer For Rent“. There is no holding back in any of these 10 tracks and this song is a perfect example of that. Things happen, its life, and at least the girl in this tune is doing what she’s got to do to move on. “Lemon Drop“, “Beige“, “Housewife’s Prayer“, “The Hunter’s Wife“, and “Family Feud” follow the same pattern as the rest. These songs are most definitely not mainstream, but that is the beauty in what the Pistol Annies have created. No matter if you agree or disagree with the words they are singing, you can’t deny that these girls have some talent! To purchase the album head on over to iTunes or PistolAnnies.com. Track Listing 1. Hell On Heels 2. Lemon Drop 3. Beige 4. Bad Example 5. Housewife’s Prayer 6. Takin’ Pills 7. Boys From The South 8. The Hunter’s Wife 9. Trailer For Rent 10. Family Feud

Sunny Sweeney Album Review

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Sunny Sweeney Releases First Full Album: Concrete. East Texas nativeSunny Sweeney released her first full album, Concrete, Tuesday, August 23rd! Honestly, I find it very hard to tell my opinions about this album without being redundant. All that comes to mind is honesty and raw emotion. I saw where someone said if you are going through a divorce don’t spend the money on a therapist, just buy the Sunny Sweeney album…I’d have to say I agree! The first time I heard Sunny Sweeney on the radio was about a year ago. Her first single, “From A Table Away“, was very honest and spoke of a girl caught up in a liars game. It took quite a bit of time for her album, Concrete, to come out. To me that just says she was determined to make sure what she put out for the world to hear was something she firmly stands behind. She co-wrote 7 of the 10 tracks on this album, possibly showing us a little of the road she has traveled in her days. I’d say all but one song on this album are about a broken heart. “The Old Me” is about a bad girl gone good…for now. This track is the one that isn’t about a bad relationship (but I’m sure somewhere in there was cheating or mistreating). “Helluva Heart” is one of those songs you want to listen to with a few friends and belt! “Your talk is cheap in this town”. I LOVE IT! “Amy“, well I don’t want to ruin that surprise for anyone. But trust me, you have to hear it! Like I said before, each song has this honesty that we don’t see much of these days (it’s out there, just not in abundance). If I had one complaint to share, it would be to add a few happy songs. I love this album, but I think if I listened to it a few more times in a row I’d be sitting in my kitchen with more than a few empties and a pan of nothing in front of me. The pan of nothing would have previously been full of macaroni and cheese… But seriously, Sunny Sweeney has solidified herself as singer and songwriter in my book! I encourage you to check out this album! Concrete Track Listing 1. Drink Myself Single – Monty Holmes, Sunny Sweeney 2. From A Table Away – Bob DiPiero, Karyn Rochelle, Sunny Sweeney 3. Staying’s Worse Than Leaving – Jay Clementi, Rodney Foster, Sunny Sweeney 4. The Old Me – Lori McKenna, Mark D. Sanders 5. Amy – Brennen Leigh, Sunny Sweeney 6. Worn Out Heart – Brett Beavers, Sunny Sweeney 7. Mean As You – Brett James, Kelly Lovelace, Tim Nichols 8. It Wrecks Me – Jay Clementi, Sunny Sweeney 9. Helluva Heart – Deanna Bryant, Heather Little, Sunny Sweeney 10. Fall For Me – Lisa Carver, Jaida Dreyer, Carolyn Dawn Johnson

Luke Bryan Tailgates & Tanlines Review

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Tailgates And Tanlines Exceeds Expectations! Luke Bryan‘s latest album Tailgates and Tanlines was released today, August 9. The man has the perfect smile, some awesome dance moves, an out of this world personality, and the voice to match all three! This album is a great compilation to add to his discography and I can’t wait for everyone else to hear it! The 13 tracks showcase Bryan’s voice and style that we have grown accustomed to throughout his career. Bryan co-wrote 8 of the 13 songs and the album was co-produced by Jeff Stevens and Mark Bright. His liner notes include MANY thanks to a slew of people, family, friends, band, crew, producers, fellow songwriters, country radio, Buck Commander Brothers, and many, many more! To his fans… “I can never finish my thank yous without pointing out the fans who continue to show up every time and who support my music over and over again. Not one ounce of that is taken for granted. You inspire me to stand there every night and give you all I have. I hope that every time I give you something new to take away. Nut House Fans are by far the best!!” The first single, “Country Girl (Shake It For Me)“, has already had TREMENDOUS amounts of success! It has become the summer dance anthem for all the “Country Girls” to move to. I can only imagine the singles soon to come from this album will also be at the top of the charts. I truly enjoyed every song on this album, more than a few hit close to home, which again proves why I love country music and a good songwriter so much! If I had to pick my top 5 they would be “Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye“, “I Know You’re Gonna Be There“, “Been There, Done That“, “I Don’t Want This Night To End“, and “Muckalee Creek Water” (in no particular order). Each song has this built in motion that makes you want to sway to and such descriptive lyrics that put you in that moment, I have to say one of the best albums of 2011! Track Listing – Writers 1. Country Girl (Shake It For Me) – Luke Bryan, Dallas Davidson 2. Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye – Luke Bryan, Jeff Stevens, Shane McAnally 3. Drunk On You – Rodney Clawson, Chris Tompkins, Josh Kear 4. Too Damn Young – Arlis Albritton, Casey Kessel 5. I Don’t Want This Night To End – Luke Bryan, Dallas Davidson, Rhett Akins, Ben Hayslip 6. You Don’t Know Jack – Erin Enderlin, Shane McAnally 7. Harvest Time – Luke Bryan, Rodney Clawson 8. I Know You’re Gonna Be There – Luke Bryan, Ashley Gorley 9. Muckalee Creek Water – Luke Bryan, Patrick Jason Matthews 10. Tailgate Blues – Brent Cobb, Neil Medley 11. Been There, Done That – Luke Bryan, Rachel Thibodeau 12. Faded Away – Luke Bryan, Michael Carter 13. I Knew You That Way – Jay Clementi, Radney Foster

Chris Young’s Neon Review

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Chris Young‘s newest album, Neon, is on sale now! There have already been tons of positive reviews and here are a few… American Songwriter said, “…it’s apparent that Young…is acutely aware that now is the perfect time to up the musical ante, and it appears he’s done just that. This time out, Young co-wrote seven of the albums ten tracks with some of the best tunesmiths Nashville currently has to offer, making this his best and most ambitious album yet.” Associated Press said, “…An expressive baritone voice; a tall, handsome, stature; and a friendly, approachable personality. What makes “Neon” his best album yet are the songs about relationships, from the sweet come-on of “Lost” to the stage of “Old Love Feels New”. Throughout, Young comes across as a guy whose heart is as strong as his libido. The album’s initial hit “Tomorrow” may end up as one his career-defining cuts.” I, HaleighT, am here to say buy it! It’s a great album with some really heartfelt, relationship songs. “You“, “Don’t Leave Her (If You Can’t Let Her Go)”, and “Tomorrow” are my top 3 (for now). If you feel like downloading it immediately after you read this then you get a surprise! The iTunes deluxe version has two bonus tracks and a photo gallery just for you!

Blake Shelton Red River Blue Review

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My Thoughts On Blake Shelton’s New Album Red River Blue! The wait is over, Red River Blue is here! I have my copy and I couldn’t be happier! First off, congratulations to Mr. Blake Shelton for another album, his success as a judge on NBC’s The Voice, and most of all, being a newlywed! The highly anticipated album hit stores yesterday, July 12th, where it flew off shelves! There were 20 songwriters total that worked on making 11 successful tracks. Well, they accomplished their goal! Not one song made me want to hit skip on my CD player. Here are my thoughts on the creation that is Red River Blue… The first track, “Honey Bee“, was written by Ben Hayslip and Rhett Akins. This was the first single and it set the tone for things to come. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this song! I really could care less what others might say, it was written perfectly. Little Loretta and Conway Twitty…yep, that’s what I call country music gold! Number 2 was “Ready To Roll“, written by Chris Stapleton, Jim Beavers, and Jonathan Singleton. This one was upbeat with some creative play on words! It’s all about hanging out at home, having a couple drinks, and listening to some “laid-back country tunes on the radio”, sounds like a good night to me! The first ballad is the third track, “God Gave Me You“, written by Dave Barnes. It is a sweet song about a man and his abundance of gratitude for the blessing in his life, his love. He repeatedly (in a good way) brings up how he couldn’t and wouldn’t be the man he is without her. Next was “Get Some“, written by Craig Wiseman, Chris Tompkins, and Zac Maloy. I don’t know about the rest of y’all, but I love a sing along! In a way, the flow of this song is reminiscent of Shelton’s previous hit “Some Beach”. I really enjoyed the piano, fiddle, and guitar strong points throughout! Number 5, “Drink On It“, written by Jon Randall, Jessi Alexander, and Rodney Clawson is possibly my favorite of the entire album. I love how, in my opinion, Shelton’s voice is showcased in the first few lines. “Hey girl, Hey where you goin’, Come back and sit back down. You look to good to be headin’ home so early now, You say you gotta work tomorrow gotta lot on your mind”. It was like cold butter on a hot baked potato, melted my heart! I also had a little chuckle to the lines, “We can talk rocket science, Jesus or politics. How your boyfriend cheated on you, man he sounds like such a prick.” It’s a great song, that’s very easy to listen to! The next song, “Good Ole Boys“, was written by Dallas Davidson. This one asks the question, “Where did all the good ole boys go?” Well, I’d like to know that same thing! On another note, I couldn’t help but think Jamey Johnson every time I heard Continue reading Blake Shelton Red River Blue Review→

Toby Keith – Bullets in the Gun – Review

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Toby Keith celebrates the release of Bullets in the Gun. Toby Keith hits store shelves today with his newest studio album “Bullets in the Gun“. Now forgive me die-hard fans, but I have to say this album is not the big dog’s best work. The majority of tracks carry a depressed she-done-me-wrong-song sound but with lyrics that are predictable and seemingly dumbed down. That said, there are a few highlights on the album. “Ain’t already broke“, “Somewhere Else”, and the leading single “Trailerhood” carry Toby’s signature wit and clever twist of words. Overall I believe this will be an album that sells one single at a time, but as a whole it falls a little flat. If you do shell out for the whole album, do yourself a favor and make it the Deluxe Edition, which features four live performances from his Incognito Bandito appearances. These tracks pay tribute to some of Toby’s biggest influences, and the addition really turns around the tone of the album.