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Single Review: Thompson Square - "Trans Am"

6/30/2015

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​When it comes to Thompson Square, many people will point out that they have a knack for making music that, while lacking in substance, makes up for it in terms of being an earworm. I also happen to think that they are capable of making strong, beautiful music as well (such as “Glass”). So how does their new single, “Trans Am” stand up compared to past efforts?

Well, not bad, but it’s definitely lacking. The thing with “Trans Am” is that not only is it lacking in substance, it’s also missing the Thompson Square catchiness I explained earlier. The melody throughout the song is extremely reminiscent of Lady Antebellum’s “Freestyle”, which I’m surprised I can remember considering that song was nothing to write home about either. The song itself is about riding around in a Trans Am. Seriously, that’s the extent of it, no story about the car, nothing. You could have named this song Chevy, Buick, Dodge, or Corvette, it wouldn’t have made a bit of a difference. Also this song feels more like a Kiefer Thompson solo. Seriously I don’t hear Shawna at all in the song. The production is an unmemorable rock sound that just feels boring.

Overall, there’s not much to say about this song. It’s not bad, but it’s certainly not good either. Even on Thompson Square’s most fluffiest lyrical songs, they at least had a catchy melody to accompany it. This song has nothing and most certainly does not carry the momentum that the duo so desperately needs right now.
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Grade: C
Listen:  “Trans Am”

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Single Review: Cole Swindell - "Let Me See Ya Girl"

6/28/2015

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​I wonder, did Cole Swindell get the memo that bro-country isn’t the coolest thing around anymore? Granted, this song was most likely recorded when the horrendous trend reigned over the airwaves, but that doesn’t mean it has to be released as a single NOW.

At this point, it doesn’t even take a middle school education to figure out what a song with a title like this is about. A guy sees a girl in a “club” on the “dance floor” (because, after all, country music has evolved from bars to clubs now right?) and wants to see her shake it…..In multiple places from the bed of a truck, to out in the Tennessee moonlight. What a poet. Ugh….. seriously, what is there to say about songs like these anymore? We’re back once again to treating women like sex objects and again, this shaking will also take place on a dirt road that nobody else knows. If I had a nickel for all of these secret dirt roads mentioned I could buy Nashville and fire the writers who come up with this stuff. And of course, Cole tells us to “bring the beat back” in the bridge. There is no “bringing the beat back” in country, just stop. It also doesn’t help that Cole delivers absolutely nothing unique to this, no charisma, no distinctiveness, nothing. The only somewhat redeemable quality on this song is that it’s catchy, but the annoying kind of catchy.

Overall, this isn’t a song that I can get vehement about. It’s a song that I can laugh at for its elementary lyrics and embarrassing generic production. There weren’t many other good choices for a fourth single, but most would have been better than “Let Me See Ya Girl”.
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Grade: D
Listen: “Let Me See Ya Girl”

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Song Review: Dierks Bentley - "Riser"

6/25/2015

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​While the majority of the males on country radio continue to push out R&B flavored “country”, Dierks Bentley continues to stay true to his roots, and that faith has never been more evident than now, as he has just released the fifth single from his 2014 album, Riser. It’s fitting that the title track is the final single from the project. While many mainstream country males continue to release generic songs, Dierks Bentley has arguably released a career type of song with “Riser”. The song begins with light guitar and eases into Dierks telling his wife that she doesn’t have to worry about their life falling apart, as Dierks is a fighter willing to persevere through anything. It’s an anthemic song that calls to anyone who can stick through thick and thin and influences those who can’t. It’s a song that not only has a deep message to it, but also has a way of moving people, something that most songs on the radio don’t do anymore. Vocally, Dierks soars like the phoenix he uses in the single cover art, and the production is light, kicking it up a notch once the chorus starts in.  It probably took a lot of fighting to get this song on the radio, especially since it is the follow up to his ballad, “Say You Do”, a release that was risky in itself. That’s what makes this song much more special and is an effective way of crafting a song that is highly personal, and yet highly relatable. This song feels like it could be one of the biggest of the year if given a chance.
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Grade: A+
Listen: “Riser”

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Single Review: Brett Eldredge- "Lose My Mind"

6/22/2015

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After breaking out with an era that saw him score three consecutive #1's and win the CMA award for New Artist of the Year, Brett Eldredge is back with the lead single for his upcoming sophomore album. How did it turn out? Not very well to be honest.

Lyrically, "Lose My Mind" is exactly what you thought it was going to be. This man is so attracted to his partner that he loses mind. The end. That is literally it. Nothing more is said. It is the textbook definition of filler. It flat out does not need to exist.

However, a pointless lyric can be redeemed with some quality sonic traits, but this song does not have many. The hooky chorus is relatively catchy, and that's where the list starts and ends. The production has way too much going on during the verses, between heavy drum beats, hand claps, guitar riffs, it's all too much, and the muddy chorus isn't a heck of a lot better.

Of course, Brett sings the hell out of it, and does put in a convincing performance, but it's still not enough to save the record. This is well beneath his talent level by any standards, nevermind that of a lead single. Disappointing.


Grade: C-
Listen: "Lose My Mind"

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