Hunter Hayes- "I Want Crazy"

Excellent production, well written and a solid (by Hayes' standards) vocal performance. Hayes inches closer and closer to reaching his full potential. This just proves he has another gear.

Grade: A

Tate Stevens- "Power Of A Love Song"

He obviously has the talent, he just sounds like he's trying too hard. Too early in his career to try a ballad like this.

Grade: C

Lee Brice- "Parking Lot Party"

Brice puts in a convincing, solid performance. That does alot for the song. Though I would have prefered "That's When You Know It's Over" or "Friends We Won't Forget" as a single, this is a ton of fun. Guilty pleasure of the year? Yup.

Grade: B

So, last year Chris Cagle released a bad album. Every song sounded the same. Agressive, clichéd, you know the drill. But there was one song that kept getting re-played constantly by me. It was his new single "Dance Baby Dance". I was thinking to myself "oh my god, I REALLY hope he releases this as a single." then I thought "Lol. Yeah Right.".

So you could imagine how happy I was when I heard that it was indeed going to be released as a single.

It's a beautiful ballad about a father's daughter growing up. The storyline is as follows. The girl is 6 years old, and she's dancing arounf the livng room with her dad and she says "I wish this moment would last forever." Later, she gets married, and again dances with her dad at her reception.

As for the vocals, I've always critisized Cagle's vocals for being too rough and too nasily at the same time. But man oh man does he make them work here. He displays emotion like we've never heard before from Cagle.

The production allows that emotion and the unbelievable lyrics too shine through, unlike the rest of his gag-worthy album. Plus, the chorus is quite catchy.

Best single of 2013 thus far, and easily the best we have ever heard from Chris Cagle


Grade: A+


Listen: "Dance Baby Dance"

Let's face it. Lot's of Big & Rich's latest album, Hillbilly Jedi, was garbage. Yet for some reason, I wasn't quite able to a hate it.

It was probably because there were some real gems on there. Their latest, "Cheat On You", being one of those gems ("That's Why I Pray" and "Can't Be Satisfied" being the others). It shows just why we all (occasionally) love Big & Rich.

The production is mainly acoustic, with some electric guitar thrown in. It does a good job of not
overwhelming B&R's near perfect harmonies.

It's well written, and will be easily relatable for many people (not to mention the video is great).

Though it's all really great, the peak of the single, is the bridge. I'm not quite sure why, but there is something about that seems great to me.

One last thing. It's amazing how much more I like their voices when they're together.

Career highlight for the duo.

Grade: A


Listen: "Cheat On You"

3 years ago, Brett Eldredge came on to the scene with a debut single called "Raymond".

At the time, it was perhaps one of the finest debuts in the past decade or so (since then we've had "Mary Was The Marrying Kind" and "Merry Go Round").

So based on how great Brett's debut was, it comes as a disappointment that his latest is
so....radio-baitish.

It's basically another love song. Not a very creative one at that. The verses are very 'meh' and the chorus isn't much different.

I can forgive meh-ness if the production is solid, but the arrangement and melody don't quite click with me.

The one thing that prevents this from entering snooze fest territory is the vocals. On "Raymond" Eldredge established himself as a more than capable vocalist, and it shows here. Despite the slight over singing on the chorus, his delivery on the verses is smooth and charming.

Eldredge obviously has the talent, and "Don't Ya" is far from the worst thing ever released to radio, but one would hope that he would be a bit more adventurous for his next offering.


Grade: C+


Listen: "Don't Ya"

Billy Currington - "Hey Girl"
Not offensive. Has a nice little grove to it. Sounds like another Billy Currington track. He seems to have about one true gem an album and this is not it. I really like his voice but this is basically another addition to his oft forgotten hit catalog. Here's to hoping for another "People Are Crazy," "Good Directions" or "Love Done Gone" soon!

Grade: C

The Henningsens - American Beautiful
They have written some good stuff for The Band Perry and so I do not doubt their talent, but this song is an outright dud that plays like Lady Antebellum's "American Honey" with an even less appealing hook.

Grade: D

Greg Bates - "Fill In the Blank"
He hasn't hit a truly great song yet but Greg seems to be the best new male vocalist around due to his neo-traditional bent that is coupled with lyrics that are just clever enough to avoid being cliche/rote, which is impressive given the appalling titles. This one in particular manages to be effortlessly sexy and suggestive without being grotesque like many songs in the same vein.

Grade: B+

Darius Rucker - Wagon Wheel
The original is great. This is better than a lot of what is out, but it loses the magic of the performance and thus loses some of its charm. Props for the attempt and the nice choice of material though.

Grade: B

Tim McGraw (Feat. Taylor Swift and Keith Urban) - "Highway Don’t Care"
First single from the album that is somewhat memorable to me. Still no where near the glory days of Tim's Everywhere-era. The most intriguing thing for this track since it is rather bland is whether it will maintain Country cred for Taylor in this time where she is focusing almost entirely on pop music.

Grade: C+

As you probably know by now, I tend to prefer male voices. So this is a 5SSR of only singles by male artists. Two of the most succesful current stars in the genre, one on a comeback, two rising stars.

Let me start off by saying that this single was orignally recorded for Colt's 2011 album 'Every Chance I Get'.

It is released because of it's involvement with Tim McGraw's 'Tim McGraw and Friends' album.

Now, to the review.

One of the hardest things for me to do as a country fan is explain why I don't hate Colt Ford. So I won't bother. I'll just simply say that I don't hate Colt Ford.

This is his most enjoyable single to date. The lyrics tell a story of a teenager's life, and the up's and down's of it.

Such as: 'It ain't rained in a month, Mama just took a job, part time at the five and dime, four times as hard' and 'quarterback, first string, gave my highschool ring to the prettiest little girl, green eyes and red hair, think I might ask her to marry me one night at the fair'.

The song finishes off with the narrarator moving back to his hometown, and back to the country. I'm willing to forget that part ever hapenned because of the strength of the rest of the song.

Ford does an excellent job rapping the verse, but McGraw deserves a bulk of the credit, as he does an excellent job on the chorus.

Will this become a hit? Not likely. But the road of "Twisted" and "Back" is one I would recommend Ford go further down.


Grade: A-

I don't dislike this, I don't like this.

It's one of those weird "Red Solo Cup"-esque songs that just make you pause for a minute and go "What...".

Though this is far from being what Toby Keith's "Red Solo Cup' was I don't hate it. The critic inside me does indeed hate this, but the casual music listener inside me thinks it's fun and catchy

Let's start with the positives:


The production is suprisingly restrained throughout most of the song and there's a cool vibe to Aldean's performance


Now the negatives

The lyrics are so unbelievably stupid. The "Joe, Joe, Joe Diffie" chant is almost embarassing and the production is loud and obnoxious on the chorus.

Perhaps the biggest flaw of "1994" is that it was released over "Black Tears", "This Nothin' Town", "Night Train", "Drink One For Me" and "Talk".

All in all, I can see why one would hate this, I can see why one would quite like this.

I assume this will be critically hated (it's already recieved a 1-star rating and an "F"), but personally my head's a bit jumbled on my thoughts and I can't think of a fair grade so I'll just say this:


Grade: ?

Entertainer

Should win:

Jason Aldean- MM
Blake Shelton
Miranda Lambert- GP
Luke Bryan
Taylor Swift


Will win:

Jason Aldean
Blake Shelton- GP
Miranda Lambert
Luke Bryan
Taylor Swift- MM

Markus: Meh, went with Aldean because he released "Fly Over States". Swift will win due to fan-voting. 

Gator: Just because, despite her bad year, Miranda is still my favorite. Blake will because he just won't stop it seems.

Male Vocalist

Should win:

Luke Bryan
Jason Aldean
Eric Church- MM, GP
Toby Keith
Blake Shelton


Will win:

Luke Bryan
Jason Aldean
Eric Church- GP
Toby Keith
Blake Shelton- MM

Markus: Church has released the best music, but I wouldn't bet against Shelton. I like the Toby Keith nom.

Gator: I agree Church has the best music but I think he will win because the ACM's can be pretty adventurous


Female Vocalist

Should win:

Taylor Swift
Miranda Lambert
Martina McBride
Carrie Underwood- MM, GP
Kacey Musgraves


Will win:

Taylor Swift
Miranda Lambert- MM
Martina McBride
Carrie Underwood- GP
Kacey Musgraves


Markus: Why is McBride even nominated? Anyways, I'm not an Underwood fan, but she has released some of the best music of her career, along with a great album. Too bad I can't see Lambert losing.

Gator: Carrie by far has the best vocals in the category and with her great commercial and critical year I think its hers to lose.


Duo

Should win:

Florida Georgia Line
Big & Rich
Thompson Square- MM
Sugarland
Love and Theft


Will win:

Florida Georgia Line- MM, GP
Big & Rich
Thompson Square
Sugarland
Love and Theft


Markus: TS has released "Glass" and "If I Didn't Have You". Two excellent singles. But FGL has dat "Cruise" momentum.

Gator: I don't think any should win and that they should combine this category with group but i suppose it will go to Florida-Georgia Line


Group

Should win:

Eli Young Band
Lady Antebellum
The Band Perry
Little Big Town- GP
Zac Brown Band- MM


Will win:

Eli Young Band
Lady Antebellum
The Band Perry
Little Big Town- MM, GP
Zac Brown Band


Markus: It's the LBT era now. So they'll win. But I'm rooting for ZBB all the way!

Gator: This time next year I'll be voting for The Band Perry most likely, but since it's not, I'll go with Little BIg Town because they've been good quality and great commercially.

Single

Should win:

Little Big Town- 'Pontoon'
Miranda Lambert- 'Over You'
Eli Young Band- 'Even If It Breaks Your Heart'
Eric Church- 'Springsteen'- MM, GP
Hunter Hayes- 'Wanted'


Will win:

Little Big Town- 'Pontoon'- MM, GP
Miranda Lambert- 'Over You'
Eli Young Band- 'Even If It Breaks Your Heart'
Eric Church- 'Springsteen'
Hunter Hayes- 'Wanted'


Markus: 'Springsteen' is by far my favorite. But I can't seem them passing on 'Pontoon' after the CMA's and Grammy's didn't. It's not like the ACM's have ever been creative.  

Gator: I like Church's the best but I don't think "Pontoon" is as bad as people try to make it out. I can handle it winning,


Song

Should win:

Miranda Lambert- 'Over You'
Eli Young Band- 'Even If It Breaks Your Heart'
Eric Church- 'Springsteen'- MM, GP
Lee Brice- 'A Woman Like You'
Hunter Hayes- 'Wanted'


Will win:

Miranda Lambert- 'Over You'- MM, GP
Eli Young Band- 'Even If It Breaks Your Heart'
Eric Church- 'Springsteen'
Lee Brice- 'A Woman Like You'
Hunter Hayes- 'Wanted'


Markus: 'Springsteen' is legendary, but will lose to 'Over You'. *sigh*.

Gator: One final nomination for "Over You" and one final victory. I've got to say it has grown on me with all this belated attention.


Vocal event

Should win:

Kelly Clarkson & Vince Gill- 'Don't Rush'- GP
Kenny Chesney & Tim McGraw- 'Feel Like A Rockstar'
Rascal Flatts & Natasha Bedingfield- 'Easy'- MM
Jason Aldean, Eric Church & Luke Bryan- 'The Only Way I Know'


Will win:

Kelly Clarkson & Vince Gill- 'Don't Rush'
Kenny Chesney & Tim McGraw- 'Feel Like A Rockstar'
Rascal Flatts & Natasha Bedingfield- 'Easy'
Jason Aldean, Eric Church & Luke Bryan- 'The Only Way I Know'- MM, GP
David Nail & Sarah Buxton- 'Let It Rain'


Markus: None of them blow me away, but 'Easy' is my fave. Though, I guarantee 'The Only Way I Know' will win.

Gator: I think Vince and Kelly are the best (and if this was the Grammy's it would have a chance) but the star power is too much to bypass here.


Album
 
Should win:

Taylor Swift- 'Red'
Eric Church- 'Chief'- MM
Carrie Underwood- 'Blown Away'- GP
Luke Bryan- 'Tailgates and Tanlines'
Little Big Town- 'Tornado'


Will win:

Taylor Swift- 'Red'
Eric Church- 'Chief'- MM, GP
Carrie Underwood- 'Blown Away'
Luke Bryan- 'Tailgates and Tanlines'
Little Big Town- 'Tornado'
 

Markus: 'Chief' is my fave and I also have a feeling it will win.

Gator: Underwood did some great stuff and was the biggest step forward, but I don't see her picking it up over Church.



New Artist

Should win:
 
Florida Georgia Line
Brantley Gilbert- MM
Jana Kramer - GP

Will win: 

Florida Georgia Line
Brantley Gilbert- MM, GP
Jana Kramer

Markus: Don't love any of them, but I love "More Than Miles", so I guess I'll go with Gilbert. Oh, he will win as well.

Gator: Jana is by far the most acceptable nominee and the most interesting one. While I'd love to see her deservingly win this, I see her fiancee stepping in for the victory.


Video

Should win:
 
Eric Church- 'Creepin'
Kacey Musgraves- 'Merry Go 'Round'- GP
Hunter Hayes- 'Wanted'
Little Big Town- 'Tornado'
Taylor Swift- 'We Are Never Ever Ever Getting Back Together'
Zac Brown Band- 'The Wind' - MM

Will win:

Eric Church- 'Creepin'- MM
Kacey Musgraves- 'Merry Go 'Round'- GP
Hunter Hayes- 'Wanted'
Little Big Town- 'Tornado'
Taylor Swift- 'We Are Never Ever Ever Getting Back Together'
Zac Brown Band- 'The Wind'
I'll get back to you on this one after I watch them.
 
Markus: Lol. How can you not love the video for 'The Wind'? I also like the video for 'Merry Go Round' though. I think this will go to 'Creepin' but I could see 'Wanted' taking it as well.

Gator: I personally think that Musgraves' video was an eloquent depiction of her excellent single and the fact that she is even nominated is awesome. Her somewhat surprising nomination makes me think she could win it, but I would not be surprised if Hayes sneaks in with his boyish charm.

Florida Georgia Line- "Get Your Shine On'

Feels a little compressed, but still sounds decent. Has a great hook, along with a feel-good vibe and it's easy to sing along to. Again, not everyones cup of tea.

Grade: B+

Autumn Hill- "Anything At All"

Awesome country production, excellent vocals and solid lyrics.
Very promising from one of Canada's up and coming duo's.

Good stuff.

Grade: A