Single Reviews – Page 109 – Country Universe

Review: Lance Miller, “Bacon Frying”

November 16, 2008 Guest Contributor 7

Lance Miller, a Nashville Star contestant in 2004, has won the favor of traditional fans with his plain-spoken songs and rich, rugged voice. His new release, “Bacon Frying” is a down-home heartbreaker about a lover’s

Single Review: Kenny Chesney with Mac McAnally, “Down the Road”

November 15, 2008 Kevin John Coyne 7

It stands to reason that a single that combines the talents of the reigning CMA Entertainer of the Year and Musician of the Year would be entertaining to listen to and musically interesting. But country

Single Review: Kellie Pickler, “Best Days of Your Life”

November 15, 2008 Kevin John Coyne 10

Swedish pop duo Roxette used to throw out picks to the audience during their concerts. Upon the picks, these words were emblazoned: “Don’t Bore Us! Get to the Chorus!” I couldn’t help but think of

Single Review: BlackHawk, “Love Like This”

November 15, 2008 Kevin John Coyne 1

For as long as it has been written, “Love Like This” has been a hit waiting to happen. It was composed by the same trio of writers behind “Safe in the Arms of Love”, and

Review: George Strait, “River of Love”

November 11, 2008 Guest Contributor 6

Country icon George Strait follows the title track of his latest album, Troubadour, with the new, calypso-laced “River of Love.” Troubador is light on radio-friendly material, and MCA leaves the Patty Loveless duet (“House of Cash”) and

Review: Keith Urban, “Sweet Thing”

November 9, 2008 Dan Milliken 7

Keith Urban and Monty Powell have always known their way around a shimmering pop hook, so it’s no surprise to hear their latest offering burst into a big, sunny, singalong chorus. What is surprising is

Review: Martina McBride, “Ride”

November 1, 2008 Kevin John Coyne 18

Martina McBride previews her forthcoming album with “Ride”, a high-energy single that surrounds one of her typical positive messages with atypically aggressive production. This is worth hearing for the guitar work alone, but stick around

Adam Gregory, “What It Takes”

October 31, 2008 Guest Contributor 14

At just twenty-three years old, Adam Gregory has built a following in Nashville based on a soulful vocal style and a strong dose of melody. His first single, “Crazy Days,” dinted the charts, and now he’s

Hank Williams III, “Six Pack of Beer”

October 31, 2008 Dan Milliken 6

A breakneck, banjo-riffic hoedown with a commanding vocal, seamless chorus, brilliantly minimalistic lyric, and friggin’ sweet instrumental break. That’s the closest I can come to explaining this wonder of a record, which marries the art

Old Crow Medicine Show, "Mary's Kitchen"

October 30, 2008 Dan Milliken 5

Meh. Old Crow have become a cult favorites by way of raucous roots revivals that often bulldoze the boundaries of proper content and delivery, but you probably wouldn’t get that just from this record. Sure,