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"

Brett Eldredge - "Mean to Me"

Sometimes it's good to keep things low key. The latest hit from CMA New Artist of the year won't knock your socks off with any one element, but it's the endearing simplicity that makes "Mean to Me" a pleasant listen,

Grade: B+

Kenny Chesney - "Til It's Gone"

It's not nearly as good as it's predecessor "American Kids", but "Til It's Gone" is still unoffensive, well executed radio fodder. The melody's a bit clunky, but this is still a very listenable effort.

Grade: B-

Lady Antebellum - "Freestyle"

After delivering an excellent album like Golden last year, their newest album, 747, is a huge disappointment. It's clear they felt Golden wasn't commercially successful enough, so they threw together an album full of middle of the road, radio friendly material. Their new single "Freestyle" is a good example of what kind of song makes up the album. It doesn't feel like any effort was put into the creation of the song, from a lyrical and vocal standpoint, and ends up feeling half-a**ed and sloppy.

                                                  Grade: D+

Kristian Bush - "Trailer Hitch"

The lesser known male half of Sugarland has delivered a single that encapsulates everything that made Sugarland so enjoyable. Charisma, charm, and a whole lot of fun without sacrificing lyrical integrity. I'm unsure of how much further it's going to get on the airplay chart, but if Bush's debut project is as good as his debut single, I will most certainly be picking it up.

Grade: A-

Scotty McCreery - "Feelin' It"

There's nothing particularly bad about "Feelin' It". It is what it is, a feel good summer song, but it still doesn't catch my interest in any way. I'll give it points for capturing the escapism feel melodically, but this is still only mildly enjoyable at best.

Grade: C

Oh. Another new male artist. With another bro song. How original.

Yes, Dylan Scott's debut single is insanely dull lyrically. Same old topic. "Yo, girl you're so sexy" (not quite that bad but you get the point). But I kinda like this one.

It takes a fair bit to make a bro-country song enjoyable. You need to have a kick-ass melody, production and vocal performance. Here's the good news: "Makin' This Boy Go Crazy" perfects those 3 elements.

This is catchy. Like, really catchy. The line of "oh, girl you make me feel like whoa" will be stuck in your head for days. This sounds good. It's fairly light on the production. Which is good because Dylan Scott is an excellent vocalist. He sounds really similar to Brett Eldredge. Which is a good thing.

So yeah. Poor lyrically, outstanding on all other fronts. I like it.


Grade: B
Listen: "Makin' This Boy Go Crazy"

For this set of predictions, myself and new writer sabre14 will be making our predictions and picks (Gator is busy so he is unable to join us this time).



Entertainer

Should win:

Taylor Swift
Jason Aldean
George Strait - MM, S14
Blake Shelton
Luke Bryan


Will win:


Taylor Swift
Jason Aldean
George Strait - MM
Blake Shelton
Luke Bryan - S14



Markus:  George will get sympathy votes from voters. Not to mention he's put out the best music of these 5.


sabre14: I just don't have faith George will get enough votes here to overtake Luke. His album is better, and he had a great first leg of his farewell tour. But the massive sales of Luke will be too much in the end.






Male Vocalist

Should win:

Blake Shelton
Jason Aldean - MM
Luke Bryan - S14
Keith Urban
Eric Church


Will win:

Blake Shelton - S14
Jason Aldean 
Luke Bryan - MM
Keith Urban
Eric Church


Markus: If "Fuse" had been released within the eligibility period, Urban would have been my should win by a landslide and Church is my favorite of the bunch but he hasn't done much this year. So I guess I'll go with Aldean. This is Bryan's to lose though.

sabre14: I think the voters will lean Blake purely for the fact of his success of his television appeal coupled with his album being out longer than Luke's. I have to go with my gut on this one.





Female Vocalist

Should win:

Taylor Swift
Miranda Lambert - S14
Carrie Underwood
Kacey Musgraves - MM
Kelly Clarkson


Will win:

Taylor Swift
Miranda Lambert
Carrie Underwood - MM, S14
Kacey Musgraves
Kelly Clarkson


Markus: This one is probably the most competitive group, for both picks. Underwood and Lambert have both released material among their career best this year, but Musgraves' album is too good to overlook. I could see any of them, Clarkson aside, winning this. Swift is the biggest name, Lambert is always a safe bet, Underwood has had a monster year and Musgraves has the critical acclaim. I guess I'll go with CU but wouldn't be suprised to see it go to the one of the aforementioned three.

sabre14: I feel Miranda has the perfect combo of great artistic music along with the success to go with it. But Carrie has the better chart numbers therefore she will win.





Vocal Duo of the Year

Should win:

Big & Rich
Thompson Square - S14
Florida Georgia Line
Love and Theft
Sugarland
The Civil Wars - MM

Will win:

Big & Rich
Thompson Square
Florida Georgia Line - MM, S14
Love and Theft
Sugarland
The Civil Wars 


Markus: A weak year for this category? What a shocker. In all seriousness, if FGL hadn't been arguably the most dominant artist in the format this past year, TCW would have a fighting chance by virtue that they released an album, which is more than B&R or Sugarland have done.


sabre14: Pretty cut and dry category. Thompson Squares album is better and makes better music. FGL have had 3 chart toppers and the digital and album sales to justify them winning.







New Artist of the year

Should win:

Florida Georgia Line
Lee Brice
Kip Moore - MM, S14
Kacey Musgraves
Brett Eldredge

Will win:

Florida Georgia Line - MM, S14
Lee Brice
Kip Moore
Kacey Musgraves
Brett Eldredge


Markus: Probably the best quality wise. I don't really consider Brice a new artist anymore though. I liked FGL's and Brett's debuts, but not quite to the extent I liked the other 2's. I'll give the should to Moore by the slightest of margins. FloGaLine takes this though.


sabre14: This will be my personal favorite of the evening. Kip had a great Album coupled with a string of chart toppers. But I would not be shocked to see the voters give more love than we think to Kacey or Lee. In the end I'll go with FGL with the transcending impact they have made in country music wether I like it or not










Vocal Group of the year

Should win:

Eli Young Band
Lady Antebellum
Little Big Town
The Band Perry - MM
Zac Brown Band - S14


Will win: 

Eli Young Band
Lady Antebellum
Little Big Town - MM
The Band Perry - S14
Zac Brown Band


Markus: "Pioneer" is one of my favorite albums of the year. So they get my should win. I'm still gonna say LBT takes this though, but TBP are gonna start taking these home.


sabre14: I think the time has come for The Band Perry in this category, even though Zac Brown Band made a stellar album and two number one hits.






Vocal Event

Should win:

Florida Georgia Line feat. Nelly, “Cruise”
Tim McGraw feat. Taylor Swift and Keith Urban, “Highway Don’t Care” - MM, S14
Blake Shelton feat. Pistol Annies, “Boys ‘Round Here”
Kelly Clarkson feat. Vince Gill, “Don’t Rush”
Jason Aldean feat. Luke Bryan and Eric Church, “The Only Way I Know”

Will win:

Florida Georgia Line feat. Nelly, “Cruise”
Tim McGraw feat. Taylor Swift and Keith Urban, “Highway Don’t Care” - MM, S14
Blake Shelton feat. Pistol Annies, “Boys ‘Round Here”
Kelly Clarkson feat. Vince Gill, “Don’t Rush”
Jason Aldean feat. Luke Bryan and Eric Church, “The Only Way I Know”


Markus: Pretty competitive this year for a change. 3 of these were #1 hits, the other is huge pop hit and one features two big names. I'll give "HDC" both of them though.

sabre14: To me this song was the best song out of these choices and it was the biggest country hit this year. Pretty simple if you ask me.










Album of the year

Should win:

Blake Shelton, Based on a True Story
Carrie Underwood, Blown Away
Taylor Swift, Red
Kacey Musgraves, Same Trailer, Different Park - MM, S14
Little Big Town, Tornado


Will win:

Blake Shelton, Based on a True Story
Carrie Underwood, Blown Away
Taylor Swift, Red
Kacey Musgraves, Same Trailer, Different Park - MM, S14
Little Big Town, Tornado


Markus: I can't be the only one suprised "Uncaged" and "Night Train" have been completely snubbed at both the ACM/CMA'S so far. This one is close between Kacey and LBT for me but I'll give it to Kacey, who will also win.


sabre14: This one they will get right. Kaceys album was the most unique and well done record this year and I have a feeling the CMA's will see the same thing.







Single of the year

Should win: 

Florida Georgia Line, “Cruise” - MM, S14
Tim McGraw feat. Taylor Swift and Keith Urban, “Highway Don’t Care”
Miranda Lambert, “Mama’s Broken Heart”
Kacey Musgraves, “Merry Go ‘Round”
Darius Rucker, “Wagon Wheel”


Will win:

Florida Georgia Line, “Cruise” - MM, S14
Tim McGraw feat. Taylor Swift and Keith Urban, “Highway Don’t Care”
Miranda Lambert, “Mama’s Broken Heart”
Kacey Musgraves, “Merry Go ‘Round”
Darius Rucker, “Wagon Wheel”



Markus: Say what you will about FGL or "Cruise", but it would be unfair to not give them single of the year.


sabre14: This was the biggest hit on all the charts this year, and sold like crazy. This one has to go to "Cruise"






Song of the year

Should win:

Lee Brice, “I Drive Your Truck”
Miranda Lambert, “Mama’s Broken Heart”
Kacey Musgraves, “Merry Go ‘Round” - MM, S14
Little Big Town, “Pontoon”
Darius Rucker, “Wagon Wheel”

Will win:

Lee Brice, “I Drive Your Truck” - MM
Miranda Lambert, “Mama’s Broken Heart”
Kacey Musgraves, “Merry Go ‘Round” - S14
Little Big Town, “Pontoon”
Darius Rucker, “Wagon Wheel”


Markus: Pretty good "Pontoon" aside. It's close for me between Lee's, Kacey's and Miranda's but I'll give "MGR" the slight edge. "IDYT" takes it though. It touched so many people.

sabre14: If this doesn't win It will be a travesty. Kaceys song was the best song in terms of writing a different impactful yet, putting it in a subtle way to get her message across, and I would think the voters will agree.

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"