Blog Archives

Single Review: Joel Crouse- "Why God Made Love Songs"

12/29/2013

How refreshing. A song from a newcomer that ISN'T generic bro-country? Wow.

I didn't think that would be the case though. The title led me to believe this would be some cheesy song about making love in the moonlight in the backwoods in beside a creek with beer and some old Hank playing, with cut-off/painted on jeans somehow working their way into the picture.

But I dig this. It's basically about love songs, and the different ways they can be used in everyday life.

It may not seem like an interesting subject matter, but backed by an infectious melody, and a joyful, confident performance by Crouse (who doesn't have a great voice, but works for me here) elevates it to that next level.

"If You Want Some" made my personal worst-of list for this past year, but the iTunes released "Oh Juliet" along with this have won me over. I'm a fan.

Grade: B+

Listen: "Why God Made Love Songs"

0 Comments

Single Review: Eric Church- "The Outsiders"

12/29/2013

2 Comments

Well, this is....interesting, to say the least. Eric Church has given us perhaps the most polarizing "country" single of 2013. The reason for the quotations is that this single leans more towards metal or rock than country, even by today's standards.

But unlike the other country-metal single we have experienced lately, Brantley Gilbert's ultra-crappy "Kick It In The Sticks", Church gets his done in a unique fashion.

It starts off with a buildup, featuring haunting-esque guitars along with Eric's toned down vocals. The buildup leads into an explosive, anthemique chorus complete with arena-rock "oh oh oh"s.

Church reels it all in with a confident performance, making this an electrifying record. It's not everyone's cup of tea, but it's damn sure mine.

Grade: A-

Listen: "The Outsiders"

2 Comments

Top 20 Best Singles of The Year

12/17/2013

0 Comments

Well, after that last list left me wanting me to vomit, I think it's time for a little positivity around here. May I present you, TICM's 20 best singles of the year.

#20
Autumn Hill, "Can't Keep Waiting"

This is my absolute favorite Canadian country artist. One of the best written songs in either nation this year. Autumn Hill is such a talented vocal duo. This song leans contemporary for sure, but it might have been the best song on their album. Which is saying a ton. -S14

#19
Kellie Pickler, "Little Bit Gypsy"

A toe-tapping beat propels this fun, melodic number, which boasts an infectious
chorus: both lyrically and musically. Kellie Pickler's personality shines
through thanks to her perky vocals that fit the song like a glove. -IC

#18
Joe Nichols, "Sunny and 75"

Perhaps his most modern, but also arguably his best. Nichols puts in a Grade-A vocal performance, backed up by a cool as heck arrangement. -MM

#17
Blake Shelton, "Mine Would Be You"

That last line... wow. I mean, nothing against the killer vocals or production but seriously. -MM

#16
George Strait, "I Got A Car"

When "I Got A Car" starts, you automatically think to yourself if your a true country fan, "Yeah, I'm gonna love this". The melody is classic George. If this was released in 1992 you would never know the difference. And of course the clever hook. "I guess I hadn't thought it through that far... But I got a car". -S14

#15
Little Big Town, "Your Side Of The Bed"

The chemistry between real-life couple Karen Fairchild and Jimi Westbrook
during the vocal duet is unmatched. But its the soaring four-part harmonies,
which are put front-and-center on this quietly-produced ballad, that seal the
deal for this powerful song. -IC

#14
Sara Evans, "Slow Me Down"

Starting with a hook that packs a punch, Sara Evans elevates the song even
further with her effective vocal performance on the big chorus. The use of
plucked strings puts a unique stamp on its sleek, modern feel. -IC

#13
Easton Corbin, "All Over The Road"

Breezy, fun and 100% country. Reminiscent of King Georges best work. -MM

#12
David Nail, "Whatever She's Got"

One of the most infectious melodies of the year makes great use of
the bouncing banjo. Coupled with equally catchy lyrics and sung by one of
today's most gifted male country vocalists, it is a bright spot among other
lightweight tunes. -IC

#11
Dan + Shay, "19 You+Me"

Two words, "The Chorus". Shay Mooney's vocals are picture perfect, and the imagery is amazing as well. -S14

#10
Little Big Town, "Sober"

Kimberly finally gets a lead vocal, and damn did they pick a good one to give her. Beautiful song and Jay Joyce's less-is-more approach paired with Kimberly's killer vocal makes this by far LBT's best single to date. -MM

#9
Ashley Monroe, "Like A Rose"

Ashley Monroe's autobiographical tune hits hard on all fronts. Sharp,
detailed lyrics combined with twangy vocals over a simple, neo-traditional
production treatment makes for an enjoyable listen. -IC

#8
Tebey, "Til It's Gone"

I believe that Tebey wrote one of the best chorus' I've ever heard. The sad truth of life is until something is finally taken away from you.. Then you would appreciate it, and you would just want another chance at it. Unfortunately life doesn't work that way.
-S14

#7
Maggie Rose, "Better"

Maggie Rose turns in a beautiful and passionate vocal on a song that
thrives on her emotional delivery. The lyrical subject matter is refreshing and
the production is well done, making for a very tight piece of contemporary
country. I can't get enough of "Better" and it is easily my favorite country
single of 2013. -IC

#6
Chris Cagle, "Dance Baby Dance"

Can you believe this is Chris Cagle singing this tear jerking father-daughter ballad? The same guy that sang hillbilly rock anthems like "Got My Country On"? I'm not sure I believe it, but Cagle has given us my favorite single of 2013. -MM

#5
LoCash Cowboys, "Best Seat In The House"

If you didn't know who the artist was, I can guarantee you would say "Wow.. That's a great song". Forget what LoCash has done before in the past. This touching father son ballad was my favorite single of 2013, and a song that every person that has lost their dad should hear. -S14

#4
The Band Perry, "Don't Let Me Be Lonely"

Crafty songwriting and a charismatic performance make this a standout
among the group's strong catalog. The fluctuating energy level of the song plays out well with the lyrics, with the slow roll of the verses becoming an event at the chorus, only to draw back for an effective bridge. -IC

#3
Miranda Lambert, "All Kinds Of Kinds"

Lambert's joyful performance backed up by a unique arrangement and a killer lyric about being yourself makes this Lambert's finest single since "The House That Built Me". -MM

#2
Gary Allan, "It Ain't The Whiskey"

Country music was built on this kind of music. Gary's vocal delivery along with the haunting feel to it, makes this one of the best songs he has ever recorded. -S14

#1
Kacey Musgraves, "Follow Your Arrow"

TICM's best single of 2013 is Musgraves' lighthearted anthem to being yourself, despite what others think. Wether that be same sex marriage, smoking pot or just not giving a damn. It's a remarkable song, executed perfectly by one of the top young talents in music. Bravo Kacey, bravo. -MM

0 Comments

Top 15 Worst Singles Of The Year

12/16/2013

0 Comments

Wow. What a year in country music. You have some artists releasing career best material, yet other have to cancel that out with some of the biggest piles of crap I've heard in the past few years (yes, I do in fact dislike some songs).
Myself, sabre14 and Pulse Music Board user .indulgecountry compiled lists of our 15 least favorite singles of 2013 and using a points system I made the following list. Ladies and gentlemen, may I present you TICM's top 15 worst singles of 2013.

#15
Jason Mitchell, "Stomp"

"Stomp, stomp, shake your rhomp", I rest my case. -S14

#14
Chris Young, "Aw Naw"

Frat-boy anthem tailor made for radio. Young is capable of so much more than this.
- MM

#13
Florida-Georgia Line, "Stay"

I actually think Stay is FGL's worst single to date. It's lyrics are cringeworthy, and unrealistic. And the vocal performance is below average as well. - S14

#12
Eric Church, "The Outsiders"

An over-calculated statement song that fails to really say anything.
Poorly-phrased and hackneyed lyrics are treated to a shouty vocal performance
and drowned in heavy metal production that leaves out any indication of country music from the equation. -IC

#11
Kelly Clarkson, "Tie It Up"

Screechy, overproduced pop music. I have no doubt Clarkson is capable of great country music, but if this is a sign of things to come, my expectations are not high
-MM

#10
Toby Keith, "Shut Up And Hold On"

Toby really can't do much worse than this tune. What is up with that backup singer at the end Toby? -S14

#9
Blackjack Billy, "Get Some"

I could go on a rant. But I've spent enough of my time and effort writing about these guys already. -MM

#8
Blake Shelton, "Boys 'Round Here"

Lyrically the song plays out like a checklist of all the country cliches
that can be covered in one song, with a delivery akin to having those lyrics
first thrown into a blender. It also relies heavily on gimmicky, repetitive
lines to create hooks and features a poor vocal delivery from a singer capable
of much better. -IC

#7
Tim McGraw, "Southern Girl"

Let's see here. Boring, cliche,.. uh... Boring. This song was the definition of mediocrity. "Southern Girl" rivals "Truck Yeah" for the worst single of Tim's career. -S14

#6
Jason Aldean, "1994"

Lazy, nonsensical lyrics that rely too much on cramming as many ill-fitting
references to Joe Diffie tunes into one song are only made worse by an equally
uninspired vocal performance. Things are made worse by a ridiculous chant of
Diffie's name and generic rock production. -IC

#5
Jerrod Niemann, "Drink To That All Night"

Can we please stop it with the auto tune. There is no need for it in this genre. The auto tune coupled with the dance bar type beat makes this a pop song on country radio. Jerrod's voice is subpar on this song to say the least. -S14

#4
Blackjack Billy, "The Booze Cruise"

My cat threw up. It could have made a better song than this. I'm not exaggerating. These guys have no talent, this isn't catchy, original or intelligent in any way. -MM

#3
Dallas Smith, "Tippin Point"

Please don't make judgements of Canadian country based on this song. There is so much better stuff. Bro-y lyrics, average production and the vocals are processed to death. -MM

#2
Luke Bryan, "That's My Kind Of Night"

This song is one big fat mess in every aspect. Any and all elements of
country music are absent from its production and cringe-worthy vocal effects
plague the chorus, the melody is unpleasant, and the lyrics are just
embarrassingly bad. Nothing about this is a "winner". -IC

#1
Chase Rice, "Ready Set Roll"

I can only put a few lines down here, so I'll hold back the best I can. My least favorite single in years. It's uncreative. Horribly cliche. Awful lyrics. And in my opinion degrading to women. This is the best example of trying to capitalize on Bro-Country. -S14

0 Comments

Single Review: Kip Moore- "Young Love"

12/7/2013

0 Comments

Kip Moore has truly impressed me thus far in his career. "Beer Money" made my year end list last year, and "Hey Pretty Girl" is also on my best of list this year, while also having my favorite album of last year, Up All Night. And with the lead single off his upcoming sophomore album, he hasn't taken skipped a beat.

"Young Love" features a rootsy-down to earth arrangement which allows Moore's light rasp to shine, like it has so many times.

This gives the single a huge advantage, because Moore is able to truly connect to the storyline, which is about, simply young love, as the title suggests.

What has most impressed me about Kip, is he's able to take a somewhat redundant subject matter, and along with producer Brett James, is able to give it a signature sound.

Kip Moore knows who he is as an artist, and I strongly recommend not stopping anytime soon

Grade: A

Listen: "Young Love"

0 Comments

Single Review: Dan + Shay- "19 You + Me"

12/7/2013

2 Comments

This is a new duo of Warner Music Nashville. And I do mean new. These guys have only known each other since last December. But if you listen to "19 You + Me" you'd never know it. Dan Smyers and Shay Mooney have found a contemporary country sound that had never been heard before on country radio. Their debut single is a story of a young summer love that is just a distant memory. It's lyrics are very effective at painting the emotion of the song. Shay Mooney's voice is a strong one, and has to be on this song, cause its not an easy song to sing. The chorus is this songs bread and butter.

"Watching that blond hair swing. With every song I'd sing. You were California beautiful. I was playing anything but cool. And I can still hear that sound. Of every wave crashing down. Like the tears we cried that day we had to leave. It was everything we wanted it to be. The summer of 19 you + me".

Credit Dan + Shay for writing a song that perfectly fits Shays voice. He is able to convince the listener of his vivid memory of that summer. With spot on voice inflections and emotion. The song however is very "pop" country. Some have pointed out a little too pop for country. I mysef am a advocate for more traditional sounds in country and have criticized modern day country radio. But it's been for the recent singles by Bryan, Aldean, Chase Rice, and Dallas Smith. This is however a better musical effort in every category....Vocals, songwriting, imagery, production. These guys are already in the top 30 in country airplay, and not slowing down. Overall, even though it leans pop country is by far one of the best efforts of 2013 and Warner Music just might have struck gold in Dan + Shay.

Grade: A

Listen: "19 You + Me"

2 Comments

Single Review: Joel Crouse- "Why God Made Love Songs"

Single Review: Eric Church- "The Outsiders"

Top 20 Best Singles of The Year

Top 15 Worst Singles Of The Year

Single Review: Kip Moore- "Young Love"

Single Review: Dan + Shay- "19 You + Me"

Like us on Facebook! Also, follow us on Twitter @TICMWeebly!

Writers

Contributors

Categories

Archives

Single Review: Joel Crouse- "Why God Made Love Songs"

Single Review: Eric Church- "The Outsiders"

Top 20 Best Singles of The Year

Top 15 Worst Singles Of The Year

Single Review: Kip Moore- "Young Love"

Single Review: Dan + Shay- "19 You + Me"

Like us on Facebook! Also, follow us on Twitter @TICMWeebly!Writers

Contributors

Categories

Archives

Like us on Facebook! Also, follow us on Twitter @TICMWeebly!

Writers