Single Reviews – Page 104 – Country Universe

Jack Ingram, “Barefoot and Crazy”

April 12, 2009 Kevin John Coyne 3

Bryan Adams with a mild twang. I can imagine this sounding really great cranked up loudly, should you have an open road to tear down in the early days of summer. That said, this is

Bucky Covington, “I Want My Life Back”

April 9, 2009 Dan Milliken 41

You’re always treading on thin ice when you use encounters with the homeless for creative inspiration. Songwriters love to do it, but it’s the rare one who is able to present a homeless person with

Darius Rucker, “Alright”

April 9, 2009 Dan Milliken 18

I swear I’ve heard this song somewhere before, but that’s probably just because every writer in Nashville already has a version of it. You know the jist: “I don’t need luxurious things, ’cause I got

Marcel, "Believin'"

April 6, 2009 Leeann Ward 8

It is no secret that I have an unexplainable soft spot for Marcel. His songs are often silly and his voice is unpolished, though irresistibly charming, but he is also capable of turning a phrase.

Lee Ann Womack, “Solitary Thinkin'”

April 5, 2009 Dan Milliken 8

One of the saddest things about the infamous “soccer mom soundtrack” mentality driving Music Row – whereby most singles are picked specifically because they require no real cognitive processing on your drive home from work – is how it scares most artists away from attempting any stylistic variety.

Thank goodness Lee Ann Womack is not one of them. In an era where “Stay” and “More Like Her” are considered risky radio releases simply for being un-chipper acoustic ballads that aren’t by Taylor Swift or a dude, Womack has gone ahead and picked a slow-burning lounge number about holing up in a bar and feeling sorry for yourself. Atta girl.

Joe Nichols, “Believers”

April 3, 2009 Leeann Ward 3

Joe Nichols’ latest offering, “Believers”, makes a valiant effort to feel significant and inspirational. Within its verses, the song tells three stories of people who display faith in various ways: A hundred people demonstrating for

Billy Currington, “People Are Crazy”

March 29, 2009 Dan Milliken 6

In a just world, this throwaway co-write by the great Bobby Braddock (“He Stopped Loving Her Today”, “D-I-V-O-R-C-E”, “Time Marches On”) wouldn’t even have made it to the song-plugger. Instead, it’s the new single for

Kenny Chesney, “Out Last Night”

March 29, 2009 Kevin John Coyne 16

Kenny Chesney previews his second hits collection with a morning after anthem that is refreshingly devoid of confusion or regret. They didn’t have too much or too little fun, just enough to justify the lost

Joey + Rory, “Play The Song”

March 26, 2009 Guest Contributor 5

Joey + Rory’s latest single, “Play The Song,” is a mixed bag. On the one hand, it’s a fun statement song from the frustrated gut of a talented songwriter. On the other hand, it was

Alan Jackson, “Sissy’s Song”

March 25, 2009 Guest Contributor 23

Alan Jackson is blessed with a voice that exudes sincerity. It’s a rare gift in country music, but one that many of country’s greats have shared. Jackson utilizes this gift most effectively on songs like