Album Reviews – Page 15 – Country Universe

Album Review: The Mavericks, Mono

March 23, 2015 Jonathan Keefe 0

The Mavericks Mono For all of their commercial successes and industry recognition, The Mavericks were never a band that bowed to popular trends in country music. On Mono, the second album of their full-fledged revival,

Album Review: Gretchen Peters, Blackbirds

March 23, 2015 Jonathan Keefe 2

Gretchen Peters Blackbirds More so than her artfully-turned phrases and her novel, evocative imagery, perhaps Gretchen Peters’ greatest gift as a songwriter is her mastery of perspective. Peters’ ability to shift her narrative voice to

Album Review: Kimmie Rhodes, Cowgirl Boudoir

March 3, 2015 Jonathan Keefe 1

Kimmie Rhodes Cowgirl Boudoir Though she’s recorded steadily since the late 80s, Texas singer-songwriter Kimmie Rhodes hasn’t enjoyed either the commercial or critical cachet of many of the other alt-country and Americana acts. Both Wynonna

Album Review: LeAnn Rimes, All-Time Greatest Hits

February 20, 2015 Ben Foster 6

LeAnn Rimes All-Time Greatest Hits In the eleven years since the release of LeAnn Rimes’ first Greatest Hits package, she’s certainly released enough material to fill out a second installment. But the song selections of her

Album Review: Rhiannon Giddens, Tomorrow is My Turn

February 17, 2015 Jonathan Keefe 9

Rhiannon Giddens Tomorrow is My Turn Although Rhiannon Giddens has been a fixture on the Americana circuit as the frontwoman for the terrific Carolina Chocolate Drops, it’s on her solo debut, Tomorrow Is My Turn,

Album Review: Punch Brothers, The Phosphorescent Blues

February 16, 2015 Jonathan Keefe 2

Punch Brothers The Phosphorescent Blues In reviewing their 2010 album, Antifogmatic, I noted that Punch Brothers were “rapidly evolving into a string-band version of Radiohead.” That assessment comes to full fruition on The Phosphorescent Blues,

Album Review: Carrie Underwood, Greatest Hits: Decade #1

January 27, 2015 Kevin John Coyne 17

Carrie Underwood Greatest Hits: Decade #1 Hits compilations have become an odd thing in the digital age, as they give both hardcore and casual fans little reason to purchase. The new tracks can be downloaded

Album Review: Jon Pardi, Write You a Song

January 27, 2015 Kevin John Coyne 2

Jon Pardi Write You a Song A surprisingly entertaining debut effort, Jon Pardi’s relentless enthusiasm infuses even mediocre material with enough energy to make it listenable. Of course, that’s the advantage of a debut album.

Album Review: David Nail, I’m a Fire

January 27, 2015 Kevin John Coyne 7

David Nail I’m a Fire If he’s a fire, it’s one that doesn’t burn nearly enough. Three albums in, Nail continues to pair great potential with middling results. Despite having better pipes than most of

Album Review: Zoe Muth, World of Strangers

January 18, 2015 Jonathan Keefe 0

Zoe Muth World of Strangers Few artists can make “weary” sound as engaging as Zoe Muth. Even though she rarely picks up the tempo past a casually swinging shuffle, Muth captivates with her artfully turned