Single Reviews – Page 135 – Country Universe

Kenny Chesney, “Never Wanted Nothing More”

June 2, 2007 Kevin John Coyne 34

Kenny Chesney, “Never Wanted Nothing More” Chesney previews his upcoming studio album with a surprisingly twangy single, all plucky banjos and the like. At first it seems it’s going to be another one of his

Sara Evans, “As If”

June 1, 2007 Kevin John Coyne 19

Sara Evans, “As If” I don’t think I can name another female country singer who has produced more consistently entertaining and interesting singles in the last decade than Sara Evans. “As If” is the

Brooks & Dunn, “Proud of the House We Built”

June 1, 2007 Kevin John Coyne 12

Brooks & Dunn, “Proud of the House We Built” It’s a decently good lyric that celebrates a love that started with nothing and still is fairly modest, but worthy of pride nonetheless. I have trouble

Daryle Singletary, “Jesus and Bartenders”

May 27, 2007 Kevin John Coyne 0

Daryle Singletary, “Jesus and Bartenders” Singletary covers an Rebecca Lynn Howard album track from a few years back. It’s a classic country honky-tonk number, and while Howard’s original version has its charms, Singletary’s a

Sugarland, “Everyday America”

May 24, 2007 Kevin John Coyne 6

Sugarland, “Everyday America” A charming slice of country pop Americana. Jennifer Nettles has such an infectious voice that she can sell just about anything, but she has some good material to work with here. I

Reba McEntire featuring Kelly Clarkson, “Because of You”

May 19, 2007 Kevin John Coyne 17

Reba McEntire featuring Kelly Clarkson, “Because of You” “Because of You” is one of my favorite pop songs of the past few years, a dark and powerful ballad of family dysfunction. I was nervous when

Faith Hill, "Lost"

May 17, 2007 Kevin John Coyne 13

Faith Hill, “Lost” Hill taps into her skills as a pop singer once again, wrapping her smoky vocals around a sultry decla ration of passion. The conceit of the lyric is novel, and she conveys

Dierks Bentley, “Free and Easy (Down the Road I Go)

May 17, 2007 Kevin John Coyne 5

Dierks Bentley, “Free and Easy (Down the Road I Go)” Bentley continues with his string of compelling road songs. While previous single “Long Trip Alone” was laced with melancholy, even as it asked for a

Collin Raye, “A Soldier’s Prayer”

May 17, 2007 Kevin John Coyne 24

Collin Raye, “A Soldier’s Prayer” Wow, talk about bad timing. Tim McGraw debuts “If You’re Reading This”, the most powerful soldier song I’ve ever heard, on the ACM’s and brings down the house. Then poor

LeAnn Rimes, "Nothin' Better to Do"

May 10, 2007 Kevin John Coyne 5

LeAnn Rimes, “Nothin’ Better to Do” She hasn’t done anything quite like this before, a muddy water twang-fest that has her sounding like a mature woman who has seen some hard times, but still has