Album Reviews

Sony Music Nashville

Country music's most influential female artist of the past decade Sara Evans returns with a fresh new perspective on life and love, combined is an album most reflective and personal in her career. Slow Me Down candidly delivers passion, substance and humor combined. Evans effortlessly crosses the pop and country mainstream arena as the true professional she is. Slow Me Down the title track and first single's mid tempo pop sound reveals a heart broken of deception. A torn Evans vocally convicts her passion yet pleads to slow her down. Much of the highs and lows reflects Sara's personal and family life through out the 11 tracks. The country honky tonk bluegrass "Better Off" featuring Vince Gill,a tenderness shines reminding female listeners to remain strong and secure in any relationship they live through. On the sweet and quirky fun up beat "Sweet Spot" Evans lets loose, the melodic rhythm will have feet tapping and folks whistling.  The potential hit single in the making "You Never Know" shows a much darker side. It's edge has a mainstream appeal that will hook not only country fans,mainstream fans as well. Collaborations with mainstream artists Gavin DeGraw and Issac Slade fit beautifully to Sara's vocals making the pairings soar on "Not Over You" and "Can't Stop Loving You". The climatic "Revival" will have you praising Jesus and not only on a Sunday morning at the local Baptist church. The gospel, folk and blues sound will have you singing praises. The full production at hand was well crafted, produced by Mark Bright and Sara herself. Slow Me Down makes country,pop and mainstream a hit.

Country Music City Promotions 
Grade A+

Black River Entertainment

Artist, entertainer Kellie Pickler makes no mistake of her authenticity, her southern roots of the woman she is reflects on her fourth album release The Woman I Am. With charm and sass Pickler holds her own true self through out the 12 track album. As clear as it is the traditional honky tonk tone with a modern twist has all the right fixings. From the catchy hook of bluegrass undertone in "Buzzin'" will have you foot taping along to the grind and grit of "No Cure For Crazy", though it is the title track of the album "The Woman I Am" tells the story of the southern woman she is. "I like my coffee black three ice cubes in my jack  daddy  taught me how to drink like a man  that's just the woman I am." In ode to her great grandmother Selma, Pickler reflects on the story of "Selma Drye" remembering how she washed clothes the old fashion way from hanging them out to dry, she didn't own a car, didn't know how to drive and folks in town thought she was mean, though Kellie saw her much differently.The sound of fiddle, banjo and steel guitar suits it to a traditional T. The romantic ballad "Closer To Nowhere" reminds listeners of young love on the countryside of life. It is "Tough All Over" that resonates with listeners, how tough it is getting by making it one day at a time. We see it in the news, on the streets and the way we are living, things are changing. The romping "Bonnie and Clyde" stirs the pot of the outlaw, Pickler's gritty vocals ooze country on the track. The modern day "Little Bit Gypsy" has few country isms, it's pop flare gives the album it's much needed pop, writers Kyle Jacobs, Tammi Kidd Hutton and Fred Wilhelm freely bring the gypsy out in Pickler. As the album itself produced by Frank Liddell and Luke Wooten who's previous work with Pickler on 100 Proof tells more than fifty shades and we get it on The Woman I Am. Pickler who co-wrote three of the 12 tracks gives fans and listeners of all ages a little something to party and reflect on.

Country Music City Promotions Grade A+

Timeless Christmas classics Silent Night, The Christmas Song, I'll Be Home For Christmas and Joni Mitchell's River comes from the voice of an angel this Christmas season. Sarah Darling's traditional country sound is yet pure, warm and inviting.  With no over production and over use of instruments these classics ring true as traditional. Darling's soprano vocals sparkle. Sarah's version of "River" has the elegance in tone so soothing to the very soul that is Christmas. These tracks Darling hand picked reflect who Sarah is, traditional, contemporary yet sophisticated.  Have A Merry Little Christmas Darling produced by Emmy-nominated Music Director (Grand Ole Opry, CMA Awards, CMA Country Christmas) Steve Gibson along with Darling has brought the significance of piano, violin, harp, acoustic guitar, percussion and drums to this timely Christmas E.P. Sarah Darling's spirit of family and tradition live through this 4 track Christmas E.P this holiday season. Nestle up to a fire place, sipping hot chocolate or decorating your Christmas tree Have A Merry Little Christmas Darling is the perfect reflection of Christmas and what it is.

Country Music City Promotions Grade A+

As country as he is Doug Briney is the positive effect on audiences and fans alike. The stories told in each of these nine songs hold a piece of Briney to the core. The title track and new single "Super Country Cowboy" gives Briney edge and appeal without steering away from his traditional roots singing "I'm a super country, evangelic, rock-a-billy psychedelic cowboy" words sung so true and true to himself Doug Briney isn't shy to praise Jesus, talk about Christianity, life lessons and his love of country music. Doug's most powerful version of Ronnie Dunn's "Believe" digs deep you feel his sense of conviction and passion pouring through his veins. Every sense of the word is true. On The Money The Gun and The Bible is much of what it is, it sums up Doug Briney in a nutshell. The dark,swampy, blues "Eugene Fuguay" tells the story of mystery and suspense that will have you waiting on what will happen next, Briney's deep baritone has a gravel that sucks you in. Life as you know it is hard enough though Doug reminds us of the choices we make in "The Choices You Make" the story of redemption and survival, it is a true testament. "I Get To" and "A Pretty Big Deal" evenly match the song choices on this album with "I'm Up". Yet the most powerful of these nine songs "Unknown Solider"  reminds us of our unsung hero's who live their life on the line for us. The sacrifice made to fight for our country. Patriotism shines so brightly. Super Country Cowboy is the next step up for Doug Briney, though I feel the album could have handled two extra tracks as it felt uneven, yet the nine tracks chosen were well matched, suited.

Country Music City Promotions Grade B+

Taria brings us the heart of music city in her album debut Everybody Wants Some and for the local native Taria delights. Her enticing energy leaps bounds effortlessly through out the ten tracks from the title track of Everybody Wants Some to the ever catchy Next Big Thing. The power punch and oh so country oozes every bit of what country is. The song selection put into this debut was specially placed as you will hear. In the opening song "Who's Cryin' Now" proves nothing more than sass and empowerment from a woman's perspective. "Parading In Your Rain" sticks true to a woman scorned who tells her man he can't bring her down, Taria's vocals spark with a rasp and grit so powerful you sense her anguish in these songs. "Same Dog" the first released single more than anything tells it like it is, don't treat me like a dog cause I'll come around to only bite back. It is clear Taria has fire and fiestiness in her vocals, it comes off as refreshing and enviting to the ears. In her current single, "You Gonna Have To Come To Me" teases and in Taria's case tells it like it is the only way she knows how to. This album is more than sass and spunk combined, on the lovely ballad "Everytime" sounds nothing more than a true classic country love song. On the beautifully poignant  "Heaven Help Me" Taria's vocals truly shine only to let listeners feel her spirit come alive. Though not written by Taria herself, each song rings true to the artist and listeners will feel the connection Taria conveys. Taria hits all the right notes on this debut as there is no telling how far she'll go, skies the limit for the beautiful talent. Everybody Wants Some is a must have album for any country or non country listener as there is a little something for everyone to connect to.


Country Music City Promotions Grade A+

Dierks Bentley single handedly know's how to entertain his fans, which undoubtly has the largest fanbase you could imagine. It's no surprise Bentley's 6th studio album " Home" has remained on the top of the chart's since it's release February 14,2012. The first single released from Home is the honky tonk,tongue in cheek "Am I The Only One" which comes close to comparison of Toby Keith's "Red Solo Cup". "Am I The Only One" has pure wit written all over it, the follow up single "Home" also the album's title has struck a cord with folks that you could just sit on a mountain top and sing the song at the top of your lungs. "Home" gives you that feel good feeling; nothing isn't so bad in this world when we all come together and reflect on the good times, fun times and when there is struggle, we still unite as one. The power ballad gives us that sense of peace we long for. As for other tracks on the album they were all pieced pefectly like a puzzle. The bar drinking  "Tip It On Back" is a rowdy good timing track, to the sensual romantic ballad "Breathe You In".  "5-1-5-0" confesses going crazy over a girl you can't stop thinking of. Little Big Town's Karen Fairchild joins Dierks on "When You Gonna Come Around" a tender ballad of a friendship turn relationship or at least it has you wondering if it is. "The Woods" gives you that country vibe from Dierks, here's this guy who's just a country boy at heart because what's in the woods, stays in the woods. "Gonna Die Young" will get your blood moving,racing to the beat of the uptempo track with it's rock country vibe. On "Diamonds Make Babies" is your classic tale of man and woman and that very famous diamond ring,almost like the pop R&B hit Put A Ring On It, but with a country honky tonk vibe. "In My Head" comes from moving on from a past relationship which you can't seem to get out of your system or in Dierks' case in his head. In the midtempo"Heart Of A Lonely Girl" tells the story how hard it's to be a woman with a husband who's job is on the road with having her thinking of the companionship she really needs and longs for. Lastly, "Thinking Of You" is the softly moving, most touching track that will melt you're heart into a puddle of mud after hearing Dierks' little one at the very end singing, It's such an awe moment.

Country Music City Promotions Grade A+




There's no doubt how talented Casey James is, it's just a given for the multi-talented artist, guitarist. The passion runs so deep it cuts hard. The first single release from James "Let's Don't Call It A Night" has climbed the charts since it's debut release, there's no sign of slowing down yet either since the album's debut release March 20th. The smokin' hot single oozes appeal to a general audience, women especially. This debut took two years in the making, I'm happy for Casey to take this approach with his music, as he took the time needed to piece the material rightfully  together without rushing. It cleary shows on this album,each track speaks for themselves,instrumentally and musically. "The Good Life" starts the album on a positive note with Casey feeling on top of the world in love with that special someone. In the midtempo "Crying On A Suitcase" tells the story of a young woman leaving that someone behind knowing she'll never see him again, it was the right thing to do. I sense a love theme flowing effortlessly track by track at this point. "Drive" gives listeners the honky tonk cranking guitar lick country cowboy loving the highway. "Love The Way You Miss Me"pines for missing his love back home, miles apart on the soulful bluesy ballad. Finding the one in "Undone" has come to him finally, feeling so right,learning from past relationships.On the ballad "So Sweet" Casey's conviction vocally shows pure passion, while on the uptempo soul country infused "She's Money" will have you strumming and singing along."Tough Love" gives us the rocker in James telling everyone it's not easy in a relationship,sticking it through the tough times.  The rock, soul and blues "Workin' On It" gives fans an inner glimpse of Casey and his love affair with classic hot rods.
Lastly, "Miss Your Fire" comes from a soft tender place inside wanting to be with the love of his life, remembering the days of being together. It's quite obvious how well crafted and produced the album is giving James the freedom artistically on this debut. It's much better than success could ever be, it's having that true inner passion musically, I applaud it.

Country Music Promotion Grade A+




 

  The days of traditional blue collar dirty country has made it's return in new comer Kip Moore. Moore's debut "Up All Night" brings us what country is traditionally contemporarily speaking, the infusion gives listeners a sweet sound to hear and what I'm hearing stands on it's own. Moore's break hit "Somethin' Bout A Truck" is down right infectious to it's manly physique, Kip's rustic raw emotion surges through the up tempo track, the hook will catch you, you'll be singing along. Of the 11 tracks on the album Moore wrote or co-wrote them all with writers Dan Couch, Brett James, Troy Verges, Blair Daly, Chris Lindsey, Aimee Mayo, Dave Lapsley, Trent Summar and Keifer Thompson of Thompson Square. Each ounce of talent emerges effortlessly from this songwriting team, it's quite the case on the first track that opens the album, the mid tempo ballad "Drive Me Crazy" will have you reminiscing of your first love, those little things that drive you each crazy for one another. Where as other tracks such as the blue collar nine to five party song "Beer Money" gives listeners a taste of Moore wanting to have a good time with his lady after a long hard working week. On the song "Where You Are Tonight" Kip pines for the one who got away, still wondering what went wrong in the relationship, the melody oozes appeal and sensuality. "Hey Pretty Girl"  a fan favorite to be Moore finds the one, his true love letting his listeners know there's love out there for them. The albums title "Up All Night" is just that of staying up all night, grab some friends who have that insomnia feeling you'll be awake for hours. On the song "Fly Again" Kip channels his inner Keith Urban as I hear it, the influence is there vocally, the tender rasp in Moore's voice saying goodbye to a friend, possibly an old love at that has that rough around the edges mystique. Each of the other tracks include "Everything But You", Crazy One More Time", "Reckless (Still Growing Up)" and "Faith When I Fall". Clearly Kip Moore is making his mark in country music making to him to be a stand out amongst is fellow industry peers.

"Up All Night" is the must have album of the year.

 Country Music City Promotions Grade A+

 The North Carolina native and Carolina 2010 female country artist of year Madonna Nash is knocking loud and clear on those country music doors, music row is listening. Nash is no flash in the pan country female artist either she's paid her dues and working her way towards the top in country music. Madonna is no stranger to the stage she performs through out her locale of Wilmington North Carolina and Nashville,TN. What you get from Nash is pure honesty, a vulnerable tenderness and sass all her own. "Dirty Little Secret" the first single released is rightfully upbeat,fun loving country, rock infused, the hook will catch you having you singing along. "Dirty Little Secret" has secured it's spot, a hit with fans. Madonna reminds us on the following tracks "Destiny" and "Firefly" how sweet life is from a country girl's perspective, you'll feel her connection. The tender warm conviction in Madonn'a voice isn't over shadowed of the mixing and production of the album clearly showcasing her vocals. The honky tonk "Whiskey Whispers" is your foot tapping, line dancing bar song while the bluesy "Out of Town" breathes life. On the track "Swingin' Door" is just that a girl's girl anthem, countrified with a swinging punch. On the midtempo "Those Were The Days" will have you thinking of those childhood days. Madonna's range and passion on the sensual ballad "Don't Leave" will leave you thinking of the one who got away. "Beautiful" defines the woman Madonna is giving listeners the over all picture who Madonna Nash  truly is. In all honesty Madonna Nash is a must have album for any country music fan.  Music Row has a new "it" girl and that is  Madonna Nash.

Country Music City Promotions Grade A+