Single Reviews – Page 130 – Country Universe

Halfway to Hazard, “The Devil and the Cross”

September 8, 2007 Kevin John Coyne 1

Similar in theme to the recent Big & Rich single “Between Raising Hell and Amazing Grace”, but stronger in execution. The “prodigal son” theme has been done before, but by weaving in a believable storyline,

Eric Church, “Sinners Like Me”

August 31, 2007 Kevin John Coyne 7

Yes, we’ve heard it all before. There’s no getting around that. But if you’re going to judge a song not so much on what it is about, but how it is about it, it’s hard

Garth Brooks, “More Than a Memory”

August 29, 2007 Kevin John Coyne 20

The big guy returns with a solid single. He sounds great on the verses, and I love the way the chorus builds. I’m pretty sure I hear Trisha helping him get to those high

Bucky Covington, “It’s Good to Be Us”

August 29, 2007 Kevin John Coyne 12

He’s much stronger when tackling upbeat material, and it’s hard not to find his enthusiasm on this song contagious, even if the lyrics themselves are as conventional as country music gets. It’ll sound good loud

Ashton Shepherd, “Takin’ Off This Pain”

August 29, 2007 Kevin John Coyne 43

Ever wondered what Jennifer Nettles would sound like if she performed traditional country? Or Gretchen Wilson with more emotive, expressive vocals? Ladies and gentlemen, meet Ashton Shepherd. She’s got a cold beer in her left

Eagles, “How Long”

August 24, 2007 Kevin John Coyne 11

When they reunited for the Hell Freezes Over tour and record, they put out a few new songs, but none of them sounded like vintage Eagles. This single does. The harmonies, the country-flavored guitar work,

Keith Urban, “Everybody”

August 24, 2007 Kevin John Coyne 11

It goes without saying that Keith Urban is a distinguished vocalist, even though he tends to get a lot more attention for his master guitar work. It’s his vocal talent that powers this inspirational ballad.

Kenny Chesney, “Don’t Blink”

August 23, 2007 Kevin John Coyne 15

“A hundred years goes faster than you think. Don’t blink.” This is the sage advice given by a man on the television screen, being interviewed on his 102nd birthday. He’s asked to reveal the secret

Steve Holy, "Men Buy the Drinks (Girls Call the Shots)"

August 23, 2007 Kevin John Coyne 1

Starting a song about the battle of the sexes with Adam, Eve and the apple is so horribly contrived that this song almost lost me from the opening verse. But Holy’s energy, coupled with the

Andy Griggs, “What If It’s Me”

August 16, 2007 Kevin John Coyne 0

The song is solid, as his material often is. He sings it with conviction, nuance and enough shades of emotion to convey the conflict in the lyric. The anemic production comes close to derailing an