February 2015 – Page 2 – Country Universe

Single Review: Jana Kramer, “I Got the Boy”

February 25, 2015 Kevin John Coyne 13

“I Got the Boy” Jana Kramer Written by Connie Harrington, Tim Nichols, and Jamie Lynn Spears The sentiment is quite poignant. “I got the boy. She got the man.” A high school sweetheart reminisces as

Single Review: Dwight Yoakam, “Second Hand Heart”

February 24, 2015 Kevin John Coyne 5

“Second Hand Heart” Dwight Yoakam Written by Dwight Yoakam Easily his strongest single since “The Back of Your Hand”, Dwight Yoakam is at his best on his new release, “Second Hand Heart.” Returning to the

Single Review: Luke Bryan, “I See You”

February 24, 2015 Kevin John Coyne 5

“I See You” Luke Bryan Written by Luke Bryan, Ashley Gorley, and Luke Laird This is the sound of an artist that’s struggling against the confines of the niche he’s been assigned, but not being

Single Review: Blake Shelton & Ashley Monroe, “Lonely Tonight”

February 24, 2015 Kevin John Coyne 8

“Lonely Tonight” Blake Shelton & Ashley Monroe Written by Brent Anderson and Ryan Hurd It’s billed as a duet, but it’s about as much as an equal pairing as Eddie Rabbitt and Crystal Gayle back

Single Review: Kip Moore, “I’m to Blame”

February 23, 2015 Kevin John Coyne 8

“I’m to Blame” Kip Moore Written by Westin Davis, Kip Moore, and Justin Weaver When Kip Moore puts on the outlaw boots, they actually fit just right. He’s not posing. He’s not playing a character.

Single Review: Zac Brown Band, “Homegrown”

February 23, 2015 Kevin John Coyne 5

“Homegrown” Zac Brown Band Written by Zac Brown, Wyatt Durrette, and Niko Moon Zac Brown Band has been doing so many variations on the same handful of themes – relaxing, drinking, digging your hometown –

Single Review: Kenny Chesney with Grace Potter, “Wild Child”

February 22, 2015 Kevin John Coyne 5

“Wild Child” Kenny Chesney with Grace Potter Written by Kenny Chesney, Shane McAnally, and Josh Osborne No, it isn’t as strong as “You and Tequila.” Let’s get that out of the way right now, because

Single Review: Sam Hunt, “Take Your Time”

February 22, 2015 Kevin John Coyne 15

“Take Your Time” Sam Hunt Written by Sam Hunt, Shane McAnally, and Josh Osborne “Take Your Time” is interesting for its combination of rapidly delivered spoken word and warmly sung melody, and for its tentative

Single Review: Rascal Flatts, “Riot”

February 21, 2015 Kevin John Coyne 6

“Riot” Rascal Flatts Written by Jaron Boyer and Sara Haze This is quite the quiet riot. Rascal Flatts return to their signature ballad sound on “Riot”, which has moments that sound like a throwback to

Single Review: Mo Pitney, “Country”

February 21, 2015 Kevin John Coyne 7

“Country” Mo Pitney Written by Bill Anderson, Mo Pitney, and Bobby Timberlin At first, Mo Pitney’s “Country” sounds like one of those songs they used to write to open an awards show back in the