Country Universe

The Fifty Best Singles of 2007, Part 2: #40-#31

December 18, 2007 Kevin John Coyne 7

The countdown continues, with #40-#31. #40 Rick Trevino, “Separate Ways” After watching his parents divorce, a love that went “from great to good to bad to worse”, he’s still picking up the pieces years later,

The Fifty Best Singles of 2007, Part 1: #50-#41

December 17, 2007 Kevin John Coyne 4

All this week, Country Universe will be counting down the fifty best singles of the year. It’s been a great year for country singles, and this is the most diverse list compiled yet for this

Review: Miranda Lambert, "Gunpowder & Lead"

December 15, 2007 Kevin John Coyne 13

“Gunpowder & Lead” Miranda Lambert Songwriters: Miranda Lambert & Heather Little Listen There are two villains in country music songs about spousal abuse: the man who does the abusing, and the society that allows

Review: Garth Brooks & Huey Lewis, “Workin’ For a Livin'”

December 15, 2007 Kevin John Coyne 7

“Workin’ For a Livin’” Garth Brooks & Huey Lewis Songwriters: Chris Hayes & Huey Lewis Listen It’s not a good sign when you’re listening to a cover song and wondering, “What’s the point?” Garth Brooks

Review: Carrie Underwood, "All American Girl"

December 15, 2007 Kevin John Coyne 20

The second single from Carrie Underwood’s sophomore album is a bit better than the first. “So Small” was drenched in production, but “All-American Girl” keeps it simple. There’s fiddle instead of strings, and Underwood opts for

First Round of 2007 Best-of Lists: The 9513, Rolling Stone

December 13, 2007 Kevin John Coyne 10

‘Tis the season. With just about every 2007 release already in the marketplace, best-of lists have begun to roll in. Who doesn’t love these things? True to their organized form, The 9513 has their Top

Question of the Day: What is the definition of a hit?

December 12, 2007 Kevin John Coyne 14

I was reading this week’s Billboard when I came across an article about Nada Surf, the alt-rock band that had a big hit with “Popular” back in 1996, but hasn’t been played on the radio

Grammy Flashback: Best Country Album

December 9, 2007 Kevin John Coyne 18

A look back at the previous winners and nominees of the Best Country Album Grammy, updated to include the 2008 contenders. The Grammys have been doing better in the country categories since they reintroduced the

Josh Turner, Everything is Fine

December 9, 2007 Kevin John Coyne 7

Josh Turner Everything is Fine Josh Turner’s talent may not be very broad, but it sure as hell runs deep. From the start, the man has been the master of the traditional country music

Review: Tim McGraw, “Suspicions”

December 8, 2007 Kevin John Coyne 20

Holy early eighties, Batman. Tim McGraw revives a smooth ballad from the catalog of Urban Cowboy deity Eddie Rabbitt with satisfying results. It’s not exactly difficult to imagine McGraw suspecting that every guy in