Sonically, newcomer Greg Bates’ debut hit is a pleasant, infectious slice of nineties-esque contemporary country with a moderate traditionalist bent. It’s the kind of song that country star Chris Young has made his calling card.
My natural inclination is to hate any song that employs the word “bikini” right in the opening verse, but there might actually be a decent feel-good country rock jam in here somewhere.
Pleasant enough, but it just feels a bit too safe.
Single Review: Taylor Swift, "Begin Again"
The title of Taylor Swift’s new single is oddly appropriate, as her label hits the reset button at country radio.
“We are Never Ever Getting Back Together” was apparently too pop for her genre home base, though it will certainly continue to dominate top forty for a good long while. Country radio is now getting its own single, and it’s quite the genre exercise.
At his best, Brad Paisley has at times demonstrated the rare ability to balance fresh and modern contemporary sounds with a nod toward traditional country genre conventions. On his tasteless new single “Southern Comfort Zone,” that strength sounds it’s been totally buried.
1989 | #1
CU Archives: Kathy Mattea
For those of you just discovering Country Universe because of Ben Foster’s stellar review of Calling Me Home, here are some other Kathy Mattea features from our archives:
A Conversation with Kathy Mattea
This interview from March 2009 covers Mattea’s musical legacy, with a special focus on her Grammy-nominated Coal.
100 Greatest Women: #27. Kathy Mattea
Mattea’s entry on our 2008 countdown of the genre’s greatest women.
Favorite Songs by Favorite Artists: Kathy Mattea
Twenty-five of her best, written shortly after the release of Coal.
Classic Country Singles: “Where’ve You Been”
A look back at the single that earned Mattea her first Grammy award and won its songwriters several major honors as well.