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Single Review: Blake Shelton - "Gonna"

8/11/2015

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​After delivering some of his better material in a while, Blake Shelton is back to making the same generic music that has been the staple of his career since about 2011. Just look at the title of this song, need I say more?

Much like Easton Corbin’s “Yup”, this is a one word title song that just goes nowhere at all. There’s talk of picking a girl up for a date to…..oh shoot you guessed it before I could finish typing it! Yes this romantic date will take place in the country…..and yeah, that’s about it, there’s talk about loving her all night long, but isn’t that a given with these checklist songs?

Seriously, this song copies every single cliche in the book. It’s the same shit, different day, er…night. Sure, this song might be catchy, but what redeemable value does that ultimately give it? The only good thing I say is that at least this isn’t “Buzzin'”, a song that I’m still dreading will someday hit the radio. I will also mention that the production on this song doesn’t add any good to it AT ALL.

But as for this song, it’s the same generic crap that you’ve been hearing since 2013. Blake, you can make good music, you have an awesome voice, so why record vanilla material with it?
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Grade: D+
Listen: “Gonna”

Author: Zackary Kephart

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Single Review: Billy Currington - "Drinkin' Town With A Football Problem"

8/10/2015

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​Billy Currington sort of took a weird turn with his latest album, Summer Forever, an album that I never got the chance to review. I will say that in terms if the overall experience, it was a rocky listen. Most of it actually sounded ok, but not for Country music. One song off that album was actually pretty good to my ears however. That song is Billy’s current single, the cleverly titled, “Drinkin’ Town With A Football Problem”.

Now, on its surface, this can read as some cliche ode to small towns that we’ve heard before, and admittedly, the first verse backs up that notion, but thankfully, the song progresses into a story of a town that loves football and drinking. Granted, this theme has more than certainly worn out its welcome before, but there’s more to like about this song besides the lyrics. The production makes this song sound like it could have come out of the mid 2000’s, and yes, this sounds Country. Besides the small throwback feel, Currington’s easy going vocals make this track a fun, energetic number that’s hard not to like.

Overall, Billy Currington’s “Drinkin’ Town With A Football Problem” is one that is familiar, but feels like it’s more than just an average ode to small towns. It’s the perfect single for the summer, and should easily be a hit for Currington.
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Grade: B
Listen: “Drinkin’ Town With A Football Problem”

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Author: Zackary Kephart

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Single Review: Striking Matches - "Miss Me More"

8/7/2015

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​The duo of Sarah Zimmermann and Justin Davis have certainly been a hot topic in 2015. The duo released their debut album earlier this year (which I’d still like to review if time allows), titled Nothing But The Silence.  Now they are releasing the second single from the project, titled “Miss Me More”.

The song has a very fun nature to it, it is noticeably catchy without sacrificing quality. The song itself is sung from the point of view of two ex-lovers, and both tell each other that they were stupid for leaving the other because, while they will both miss each other, the other lover will obviously miss them even more. The song isn’t necessarily ‘humorous”, but the subject of the song does feel like it could be. The instrumentation here is solid, and right in the wheelhouse of their blues-esque style of Country. Vocally, these two harmonize gracefully, making the song sound even better once it combines with the instrumentation.

While the theme of this song is nothing groundbreaking, it is pretty solid and showcases a duo who will rise up in the ranks if they stick to their style. While this song probably won’t be a hit on the radio, it should help to at least expose these talented two a little more.
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Grade: B+
Listen: “Miss Me More”

Author: Zackary Kephart

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Single Review: Sam Hunt - "House Party"

8/6/2015

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​On this site, I’ve covered a lot of great stuff, both independent and mainstream. Even the worst of the worst has always been because it’s generic and doesn’t add anything of value to the genre. Well, that’s because I never reviewed Sam Hunt before.
When it comes to Sam, it’s obvious that he’s Pop, no not Country-Pop, not Pop-Country, just Pop. All you need to do is listen to his debut album, Montevallo, to solidify that fact. His latest song, “House Party”, only adds to this claim as another Pop song masquerading as a Country song.

And no, just because a song isn’t Country doesn’t mean it’s not good, but it’s not good for the Country format, which this song, along with all of his others, are being sent to. Even when you look at it as an actual song, this just isn’t good. The scratching noises throughout the song sound obnoxious, and the lyrics are worse than your average Country party tune. Seriously, what the hell is the point of this song? It’s about a girl who is texting a guy who decides to throw a party at her house for the heck of it since apparently the mood calls for it? Whoop de do. Not to mention how shouty Sam gets during the chorus of this song, it’s grating that’s for sure.

Look, I don’t WANT to hate on Sam. He might be a good Pop singer, I really wouldn’t know since it’s not a genre I choose to listen to. But as long as he keeps marketing this Pop stuff towards the Country market, I have to call it out appropriately like it is. Not that that matters however, this song just simply isn’t good no matter how you slice it.

Grade: F
Listen: “House Party”

Author: Zackary Kephart

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Single Review: Kenny Chesney- "Save It For a Rainy Day"

8/4/2015

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After releasing one of the best singles of his career, the gorgeously understated chart-topper "Wild Child", Kenny Chesney is back with a new beachy single titled "Save It For a Rainy Day". However, much like some of Chesney's more famous hits such as "Beers In Mexico", the song has some actual meaning to it, as opposed to a meaningless anthem in the vein of the irritatingly bland "Summertime".

The song depicts a man getting over a breakup by simply having a good time with the people surrounding him, and claims that he'll put away the heartbreak and "save it for a rainy day". It's certainly not groundbreaking and frankly, it's fairly lightweight, but it goes deeper than "beach, girls, beer", which is a refreshing change of pace, as sad as that may be.

Sonically, "Save It For a Rainy Day" checks all the boxes, with a killer summertime arrangement that nails the airy, feel-good vibe they were going for (while featuring an organ nonetheless.) The technical songwriting and melody of the song are, of course excellent as well, making for an entertaining listening experience.

Five years from now, no one will be talking about this song, and it doesn't hold a candle to some of Kenny's stronger material, but as far as feel-good radio fluff goes, "Save It For a Rainy Day" passes with flying colors.

Grade: B
Listen: "Save It For a Rainy Day"

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