Single Reviews – Page 108 – Country Universe

Review: Dean Brody, “Brothers”

December 4, 2008 Leeann Ward 6

I tend to consistently viscerally cringe at songs that are written with the intention of pulling on its listeners’ heartstrings. I think it’s a dirty trick to which I’m usually immune. However, there are always

Single Review: Taylor Swift, “White Horse”

November 26, 2008 Kevin John Coyne 12

Fairy tale dreams collide with hard reality on “White Horse.” Swift effectively uses the standard imagery of the prince on a white horse, and there’s just something about the fairy tale not coming true that

Single Review: Josh Gracin, “Telluride”

November 25, 2008 Kevin John Coyne 14

If you’re going to comb through an artist’s catalog looking for missed hits, Tim McGraw is a good guy to start with. “Telluride” was on Tim’s Set This Circus Down album, which produced four #1

Review: Trace Adkins, “I Can’t Outrun You”

November 22, 2008 Leeann Ward 10

While Trace Adkins’ formulaic “You’re Gonna Miss This” was received well (likely partly due to his high-profile appearances on Celebrity Apprentice), his more unconventional ballads like the gospel-flavored “Muddy Water”, the thoughtful “Arlington” and the

Review: Emerson Drive, “Belongs to You”

November 21, 2008 Guest Contributor 2

In 2006, Emerson Drive hit the jackpot with “Moments,” a once-in-a-lifetime story song that stretched the boundaries of country radio in all the right directions. The band now resides with Valory Music Co., and their

Review: Rodney Atkins, “It’s America”

November 20, 2008 Guest Contributor 10

That patriotism is such a powerful fixture in modern-day country music can largely be attributed to the events of 9-11. In the early stages of the decade, the format issued jingoistic missives (“Courtesy of the

Review: Jason Aldean, “She’s Country”

November 19, 2008 Guest Contributor 16

Jason Aldean’s latest release is a limited assessment, depicting a young woman who’s a product of the countrier-than-thou generation. No artist in recent memory has bludgeoned the audience with so many country-to-the-core songs. Ironically, the

Review: Brooks & Dunn featuring Reba McEntire, “Cowgirls Don’t Cry”

November 18, 2008 Dan Milliken 8

What a difference a voice makes. Mere weeks after its initial release, “Cowgirls Don’t Cry” has been re-released to incorporate Reba McEntire, who reprises her CMA show cameo with an added bonus of audibility (nice!).

Single Review: John Rich, “Another You”

November 17, 2008 Kevin John Coyne 7

As a singer, John Rich is a good songwriter. “Another You” is a decent song, and a great singer could hoodwink listeners into thinking it’s far better than it actually is. To be fair, if

Single Review: Jessica Andrews, “Everything”

November 17, 2008 Kevin John Coyne 10

This is not a country single. Not by any stretch of the imagination. It’s one of those pop songs with enough of a rock flavor to make it palatable to adult top 40 radio stations.