April 2017 – Country Universe

Album Review: Rodney Crowell, Close Ties

April 22, 2017 Kevin John Coyne 3

Close Ties is a dark and harrowing album, full of desperate sorrow and self-loathing regret.

Single Review: Brothers Osborne, “It Ain’t My Fault”

April 21, 2017 Leeann Ward 7

With it’s driving introductory beat, “It Ain’t My Fault” may sound like another in a long line of brash, thumping party songs.

Single Review: Jake Owen, “Good Company”

April 20, 2017 Kevin John Coyne 4

Hey, remember that one good Bubba song?

Single Review: Trace Adkins, “Watered Down”

April 17, 2017 Kevin John Coyne 6

Trace Adkins has always been at his most interesting when he’s been at his most reflective.

Single Review: Chris Stapleton, “Broken Halos”

April 14, 2017 Kevin John Coyne 2

Stapleton previews the first of two albums he will be releasing this year, and it has all of the elements that conspired to make him the surprise success story of the past three years.

Single Review: Garth Brooks, “Ask Me How I Know”

April 13, 2017 Kevin John Coyne 5

“Ask Me How I Know” is a solid record that is likely to be overlooked because of who is singing it.

Single Review: Miranda Lambert, “Tin Man”

April 12, 2017 Kevin John Coyne 15

Miranda Lambert strikes up a pair of strange conversations on The Weight of These Wings.

Single Review: Thomas Rhett featuring Maren Morris, “Craving You”

April 11, 2017 Kevin John Coyne 17

A quick history lesson for today’s country artists.

Single Review: Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit, “Hope the High Road”

April 10, 2017 Kevin John Coyne 0

After two outstanding solo albums, Jason Isbell has finally achieved the notoriety and credibility to match his overwhelming talent as a singer and a songwriter.

Single Review: Little Big Town, “Happy People”

April 8, 2017 Kevin John Coyne 8

Little Big Town have a great song in “Happy People,” full of wisdom and life advice that would probably save the world if everyone adhered to it.