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Worst 20 Singles of 2020

12/10/2020

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In a year of tremendous turmoil, music served for many as an escape, as a comfort in times of despair. As we come to the end of 2020, we are able to reflect on the tracks that got us through these hard times. And within the coming days, we will certainly do this.

As is tradition, myself and my good friend Zackary Kephart (of The Musical Divide and Country Universe) count down our least favorite singles of the year. As a broad comment, this year was not so much a horrible one for mainstream country as it was uninspiring. New artists come out of the woodwork with generic word salads while the usual culprits remain in standard form. There will be ample celebration of the highlights, but for now, here are the 20 worst radio singles of the year that was 2020. 
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#20
Little Big Town, "Wine, Beer, Whiskey"


As someone who will gladly defend Little Big Town’s Nightfall album, this is the most disappointing entry, for me. Beyond just being a clunky, sloppily mixed single where Jimi Westbrook’s performance is beyond over-the-top, it’s a sour drinking song that was only released as a summer single to try and salvage the band’s momentum in an otherwise tough time. In other words, Capitol Nashville has no idea to market them anymore, and the sooner the band escapes into the night, the better we’ll all be for it - especially when, again, Nightfall houses some of their best work; this just ain’t it. - Zackary Kephart
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#19
Kelsea Ballerini, "hole in the bottle"


I do think that Kelsea Ballerini has made strides artistically since the "Dibs" days, but I do not think that is represented by this track. I think the production grates and the melody feels jarring, and I don't think it suits her somewhat limited vocal range. It just doesn't have much to say and what it does, it doesn't do well. - Markus Meyer
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#18
Dylan Scott, "Nobody"


I'm not convinced that Dylan Scott has ever had an original thought. I'm not sure what the point of this is. I'm not sure what the point of any of his singles are. He's a perfectly capable vocalists that exaggerates for no reason, and does so on top of production and songwriting copy-pasted from every other crappy top 20 hit from a white guy with a silly haircut. I just don't see any appeal. - MM
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#17
Jason Aldean, "Got What I Got"

To be frank, Jason Aldean just does not have the skillset to pull this off. He's too inherently mad to do slowed down, sexy songs. Sometimes his anger works! It just doesn't here, and it's incredibly awkward to listen to. The production feels a little clunky and it makes for a weird listen that gets worse with time. - MM
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#16
Robert Counts, "What Do I Know"

You don’t know this guy, and given how there are only around 4,593 new, generic male artists that enter the fray every year, I can’t say I blame you. The production and performance leans into Jason Aldean’s worst tendencies of being a dark, overly serious, angry song, where the sentiment just feels misplaced all around. It’s macho posturing at its worst, and while this type of attitude is, unfortunately, a prevalent philosophy for certain country fans, it doesn’t represent the genre at its absolute best, thankfully. What do I know? I know this sucks. - ZK

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#15
Dustin Lynch, "Momma's House"

I'm sorry but what is there left to say about this guy. He's completely content just phoning it in, even though I'm not convinced anyone cares about his music anymore. This isn't actually one of his more offensive lyrics but he ruins it with his siganture slathering of autotune and production that sounds like a computer breaking down. Obligatory reference to "Cowboys and Angels" and what a letdown he's been since. - MM

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#14
Easton Corbin, "Turn Up"


Remember when, in 2015, Easton Corbin released a dated bro-country project in About to Get Real? Well, he’s basically doing the same thing again in 2020 with “Turn Up,” and this time around, it’s like a living incarnation of that Steve Buscemi “how do you do, fellow kids?” meme. “Let’s turn up and get lit like the kids do, my fellow lady friend!” - ZK

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#13
Lee Brice, "One of Them Girls"


I'm usually a big defender of Lee Brice. I think he's one of the good guys and unlike many of his peers, he has some legit vocal talent. It just baffles me how big this was. It's just middle-of-the-road fluff about his girl, who just so happens to apparently be the exact same as eveyr other girl described on country radio. It's completely unmemorable in every way. Bud light labels and hometowns and parties. Good one! Waste of talent. - MM
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#12
Florida Georgia Line, "Long Live"

Whew … I mean, Cledus T. Judd and Weird Al couldn’t have written a better Florida Georgia Line parody, I tell you. Wait, you’re telling me this is an actual Florida Georgia Line single? Oh, my. In all seriousness, what analysis must one offer to explain why their sixty-millionth song in this bro-country vein is bad? It just speaks for itself sometimes. - ZK
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#11
Parmalee feat. Blanco Brown, "Just the Way"

Songwriting by committee, almost literally. There’s no chemistry here between the two acts desperately yearning for relevancy on this tired, predictable schlock, derivative of the worst traits “boyfriend country” has had to offer so far. Also, my fellow dudes, we really need to retire the whole “God made this woman just for me” trope – it’s not nearly as endearing as you think it is, coming from, again, a fellow dude. Why is this even a duet? Are they really sharing the same woman? - ZK
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#10
Sam Hunt, "Hard to Forget"

Believe it or not, I don’t dislike Sam Hunt’s music solely for its lack of a “country” sound – it’s just bad, no matter how you cut it. The Webb Pierce sample isn’t innovative, though it gives Sam Hunt one of the few decent melodies he’s ever had. But the song is just a mess, from the brighter, chipper tones – bolstered by a sing-a-long toward the end, no less - that contradict the otherwise dour theme, to the mix of chintzy-sounding drum machines and guitars that clash with the fiddle and dobro. It isn’t nearly the worst song off Southside, or even Hunt’s worst single. But it’s his most bizarre, and it absolutely deserves its place here.  - ZK
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#9
Dan + Shay, "I Should Probably Go to Bed"

The schtick is old. "Tequila" was really good and everything since has sounded identical. There is zero substantive difference between this and "Speechless" and "All to Myself" and "10,000 Hours". Find something new to talk about! They have immense vocal talent but you can only do the exact same song so many times. Beyond boring and unoriginal, to the point where it's infuriating. It's also 0% country, but that ship sailed long ago. - MM
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#8
Keith Urban, "God Whispered Your Name"

I’m copying and pasting my blurb from “Just The Way” to reiterate to my fellow dudes that, y’all, God isn’t cranking out women in Heaven’s factory for us. Otherwise, this has to be the most painfully boring entry on this list, hampered by a lack of real groove or melody and only made worse by Keith Urban’s twee, saccharine delivery. It’s the embodiment of boyfriend country at its absolute worst, which, at that level, is basically a NyQuil replacement. - ZK
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#7
Luke Bryan, "One Margarita"


To some extent, you have to commend Luke Bryan for not even trying to hide it. He knows he'll make millions off stuff like this and he just keeps cranking it out. A blatant grift with diminishing returns. It's annoying as all hell, is not fun to listen to, and isn't saying anything Bryan hasn't done 1000 times already. Sad but not surprising, and for my money the worst thing released in 2020. - MM


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#6
Kane Brown, "Cool Again"


Just so grating and a poor represenation of Brown's abilities. Same old same old. He misses loving this girl in the summer. Cheap pop production. No one will remember this in two years. Not much more to say that hasn't been repeated throughout these entries because they're all the exact same. Rather pointless. - MM 
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#5
Darius Rucker, "Beers and Sunshine"

Here’s the thing – most of these are bad singles by equally bad artists. Darius Rucker, though? He’s got a great voice, and while his material has always been more inconsistent than I’d prefer, it’s never been as bad as “Beers & Sunshine.” Beyond that God-awful hook that Blake Shelton already proved wasn’t all that funny more than a decade ago, it’s another summer single with some of the most dour, contradicting production I’ve heard all year. Even Rucker doesn’t sound like he cares, like this was just an attempt at releasing a vapid ode to escapism during the pandemic. A sad case, indeed, and “B.S.” of another variety. - ZK
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#4
Cole Swindell, "Single Saturday Night"

Cole Swindell has the occasional good track but man, when he's bad he is bad. His vocal talent is already so limited and it really stands out here. Not even remotely catchy and the production is laughably bad and sloppy. From an artist who is usually mediocre, this is a truly awful and anger-inducing effort. - MM
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#3
Niko Moon, "Good Time"

I don't really know who Niko Moon is and I do not care to find anything else out. He appears to have no actual ability and it sounds like a parody song. If you can't tell, it's about having a good time, so it's a pretty creative track. I expect we won't be hearing from him again when he's replaced by generic white bro #4632 next week, but my goodness this is just embarrassing. Hopefully if we ignore it'll just go away. - MM
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#2
Walker Hayes, "Trash My Heart"

This has to be Walker Hayes’ last bid for radio airplay, and if so, good riddance. I will not miss your half-assed, half-spoken delivery devoid of any charisma, your word choice that, like Easton Corbin, often embodies that aforementioned Steve Buscemi meme, or your God-awful, clunky-as-Hell production. He constantly echos the word “trash” throughout this song, and if that doesn’t speak for itself, I don’t know what does. - ZK
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#1
Florida Georgia Line, "I Love My Country"

I’ll be blunt, if my blurbs for these scream as half-assed, it’s because I just did not have the energy for most mainstream country singles this year – the ones that were hits, at least. It’s a genre that prides itself on speaking to real life problems, but this year, all country radio had to offer was either boring-as-fuck boyfriend country, which we’ve discussed here already, or bro-country revivals aimed at taking attention away from the global pandemic. 
 
Look, I don’t begrudge anyone who needed more than a bit of escapism this year. But there were way better options than this, from singles that didn’t become chart hits to quite a bit of music found beyond one’s radio dial. Another way of saying that, to me, nothing this year quite spoke to that disconnect than Florida Georgia Line’s “I Love My Country.” Most people noticed it ripped off Kane Brown’s “Short Skirt Weather”; my mind immediately thought of Chris Young’s “Raised on Country.” Either way, you’ve heard this song from this duo before, a tepid attempt at recapturing any former glory they once had. “Cruise” forever defines their legacy, and, as far as the music goes, proves that they haven’t able to be much more than frat-bros partying it up with not a care in the world, at least, you know, in song. Moreover, “I Love My Country” is another shot for them to denounce their critics through their feigned “authenticity,” and speaking as one, I just didn’t care. I collectively found most mainstream singles disappointing and boring this year; this was just bad. - ZK
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Worst 20 Singles Of 2017

1/5/2018

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With 2018 now upon us, is there a better time to look back and reflect on the year that was 2017? We think not! Over the next two days we will be releasing our year-end features, starting with our annual Worst-Of list. While there was plenty of tremendous stuff this year (which we'll touch on tomorrow), let's take a look at the lesser offerings of the past calendar year. Featured in the rankings are our year-end regulars, Markus Meyer, Zack, and Chris Baggs!
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#20
Toby Keith, "Wacky Tobaccy"


I mean, at least "Red Solo Cup" could be fun in the correct setting. This is just immature and lazy. We get it, you're being a "bad boy". Don't worry Toby, I won't tell your parents. I could see the argument for how one would think this is fun, but really, to me it just seems like a cry for relevancy. - Zackary Kephart

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#19
Bebe Rexha feat. Florida Georgia Line, "Meant To Be"


Bebe Rexha is a pop music artist and in a partnership with Big Machine Label Group, sang a song with Florida Georgia Line that was released as a late 2017 country radio single.

The song uses repetition in its chorus, with a driving pop-influenced backbeat to make the track catchy…but in reality, it comes off as uncreative and downright annoying. The song is a pop song; there’s no way around it. It’s fine if a song is pop but it’s a problem if it’s played on the country radio format, that’s false advertising, and to be honest, this song isn’t good, no matter what genre it is.  - Chris Baggs

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#18
​Dylan Scott, "Hooked"


Why? Who? What? When the hell did Dylan Scott actually become a thing? I remember pointing and laughing at this guy when songs like “Mmm, Mmm, Mmm” couldn’t even chart. I guess radio really IS in need of Sam Hunt clones. As for this song, I don’t know what to say. It’s a ripoff of Thomas Rhett’s “Die A Happy Man” (which in itself is a rip-off of “Thinking Out Loud”) with sleazier language and generic production. Oh well, this guy won’t survive a few more years in this business anyway. - ZK

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 #17
Little Big Town, "Happy People"


Little Big Town is one of the best groups in Country music. Their vocals are unmatched in the format...but even they can swing and miss too. “Happy People” was the second single off their album The Breaker and it was absolutely the wrong choice, as evidence by its inability to crack the top 40 at country radio. The song uses the repeated phrase, “happy people” throughout its verses and the song’s theme while fine, comes off preachy and ends up laundry-listing everything happy people aren’t, when in reality, it’s possible to be happy while having many imperfections along the way. There are worse songs on our worst list but this is easily one of LBT’s lesser offerings. - CB
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#16
Morgan Wallen feat. Florida Georgia Line, "Up Down"


It's almost as if we counted some long lost single from 2014 just for kicks. I know it's tiring to rag on bro-country at this point, but dear God people, you have to work with what you have. You know things are bad in the Florida Georgia Line when they're on more featured singles than Tyler Childers is on year end lists. - ZK

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#15
Shania Twain, "Life's About To Get Good"


I'm as disappointed in anyone that Shania Twain's comeback amounted to...this. Really, we don't need to drag this out. The problems with rhyme with production. Oh wait, it is the production. Well, you get the point, right? - ZK

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#14
Todd O' Neill, "Love Again"

Todd O’Neill was Cumulus’ NASH NEXT’s singing talent competition winner in 2017 and his Cumulus played single, “Love Again”, made a sizable chart appearance. But “Love Again” is 2015 trend-chasing sound at its worst. The song reminds me of Waterloo Revival’s “Bad For You”, which isn’t a favorable comparison. The track’s production is all over the place and sounds like a cheesy pop song. The vocal arrangement is repetitive and annoying after just one listen.
- CB



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#13Chris Young, "Losing Sleep"

It would be easy to drop in a “this song makes me want to fall asleep” crack, but honestly, this song might qualify for such a hyperbole. Chris Young, who once sang well-written, traditional minded singles such as “Drinkin’ Me Lonely”, “You’re Gonna Love Me” and “Voices”, has now been releasing questionable material for a few years, with “Losing Sleep’ the latest release. The track offers little in the way of substance. Its instrumentation and production is boring. Its melody is nothing to write home about and its lyrics…what in the world does the hook line even mean?  

“Yeah we're winning, we're losing, when we're losing sleep”

Even if you can rationale what its meaning is, it’s a sloppy lyric and “Losing Sleep” is a waste of a lead single.- CB


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#12
Cole Swindell feat. Dierks Bentley, "Flatliner"


An obnoxious song about literally nothing. The writing thinks it's way more clever than it is, and the production pounds you over the head. There's no melody, and the performance does nothing to elevate the rest of the record. Well below both the talent of both artists (and Swindell has his fair share of mediocre tunes).  - Markus Meyer

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#11
Lady Antebellum, "You Look Good"

Well I was actually kind of looking forward to Lady A's comeback, and came out thoroughly disappointed. In one of the most obnoxious records of the year, the vocal falls flat, the melody goes nowhere and lyrically it says... Well, not really anything. It's thoroughly grating, and is a let down coming from a group who has shown capable of so much more. - MM

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#10
Jordan Davis, "Singles You Up"

You know, for a guy who cites Jason Isbell among his influences, I would expect Jordan Davis' music to not...well, suck. "Singles You Up" is the biggest travesty that you (thankfully) likely didn't hear this year though. The song takes the premise of Old Dominion's "Break Up With Him" right down to the creepy insistence for the girl in question to break up with this guy just so she can be with the "narrator". It's overproduced, it's badly written...need I say more? - ZK

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#9
​Chris Janson, "Fix A Drink"

Listen, Chris Janson has some serious upside. Listen to "Holdin' Her". Listen to "Drunk Girl". Those are some top-shelf efforts. This.. Well, sucks. There aren't really any redeeming qualities. Janson, who can be a decent technical vocalist at times, comes off as grating, while the production lacks nuance and simply hammers electric guitars. It goes nowhere and simply screams 'Buy Me a Boat 2.0', but without the charm. - MM

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#8
Luke Bryan, "Light It Up"


Imagine writing a song about a guy wanting a girl to blow up his phone and that literally being the entire song. That’s what the lead single off Luke Bryan’s What Makes You Country was about and if the theme wasn’t bad enough, it also sounds like a watered-down repeated instrumentation and production of his previous work. Luke Bryan can sing good material but “Light It Up” was easily one of the year’s worst ideas and executed songs. - CB
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#7
​Keith Urban feat. Carrie Underwood, "The Fighter"

This had serious potential. Two of the most potent vocalists, and strongest talents in the genre teaming up? Man, this could have been good. Instead we got ultra-pop fluff. Like seriously, this is beyond Sam Hunt-level pop. Nothing about this even remotely resembles country music, and quite frankly, it's borderline insulting to even try and peddle it as such. Such a shame. - MM

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#6
Florida Georgia Line, "Smooth"

Okay, listen. I've been a Florida Georgia Line apologist before. I'll admit that, despite their lyrical downfalls, I enjoy their upbeat melodies and hooky choruses. But honestly, this is quite poor. It's lyrical cliches wrapped in a grating production and a jarring melody. An unfortunate effort that rightfully fell short of the top ten. - MM  

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#5
Dustin Lynch, "I'd Be Jealous Too"


Dustin’s been a case example of an artist that decided to follow the trendy, chart-success chasing sound of mainstream Country radio.  “I’d Be Jealous Too” might be the best (worst?) case of that. The song sounds more like a pop-dance track than a Country one. Starting with finger clicks that lead into a loud and obnoxious chorus production that drowns out Dustin’s (computerized) vocals.

​Lynch does have a good voice – maybe one of the best male vocals in the genre – but his musical output has been nothing more than an over-produced, mishmash of pop sounds beneath a backbeat that resembles little in the way of country music. His music has been catchy but that doesn’t mean the rest of it is good. - CB




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#4
​Dustin Lynch, "Small Town Boy"

The worst rural cliches from the early 2010's smothered in ceaseless autotune. There's no charm, no personality, and no resemblance of depth in the songwriting. Lynch showed early in his career, or even with passable efforts like "Mind Reader", that he's better than this. What he's doing now is taking the worst of the country-boy phase, with the worst of the pop/R&B phase, and blending them together into one terrible effort. - MM

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#3
Canaan Smith, "Like You That Way"


We chose NOT to link to the single cover featuring the butt because...well, do we really have to explain why? Anyway, Canaan Smith tried to draw up controversy by mentioning Miranda Lambert in a questionable fashion on his latest single. After all, it was the only way this guy was ever going to get another hit now that the bro-country well has run dry. Instead, it thankfully did nothing, and now all that's left is a song that's creepy, repetitive, boring, and honestly, completely representative of Canaan Smith's career. - ZK

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#2
Sam Hunt, "Body Like A Backroad"

Personally, this is my far and away my pick for the worst single of the year, and this is coming from someone who would easily put Walker Hayes at #1 on any other year. What is there to say that hasn't been said already, though? This song makes your mouth drop each time you hear it, not because it’s breathtaking, but because it’s one of the biggest misogynistic pieces of crap you’ll ever hear in your life. The title really says it all, but even the comparisons he makes are downright creepy. I get that they were probably trying to go for a lightweight, breezy sex song, but in order to make that actually work, beyond good writing you need some personality and charisma. Sam Hunt doesn’t have that. Hell, he doesn’t even sing half of the time. He’s just there. Thankfully aside from that turd by Morgan Wallen and Florida Georgia Line, Sam Hunt didn't completely resurrect bro-country. - ZK

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#1
Walker Hayes, "You Broke Up With Me"


I honestly can't think of a single good thing to say about this song. Even if you want to ignore the blatant lack of country influence, there are still no redeeming qualities. The melody is jarring. The vocal is choppy and drenched in autotune, drowning out any chance Hayes had at redeeming it with vocal talent. The lyric is immature, and lacking in any sort of storytelling, or substance. It's genuinely hard to make it through this song. The fact that this has found a home on country radio is a travesty. Does Hayes have a good backstory to tell? Absolutely, but you sure wouldn't know it after listening to this trainwreck. - MM

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Single Review: Keith Urban- "Somewhere In My Car"

8/24/2014

3 Comments

 
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At this point Keith Urban has mastered the art of creating lightweight, banjo filled, pop-country. He does it better than anyone else currently on the radio dial, and it actually has staying power, it doesn't just fade into oblivion. With his new single, Urban takes his typical banjo driven, melodic formula and backs it up with a sold lyric and a different type of sound.

The narrator has just been through a breakup, but keeps imaging him and his ex in his car like they did back when they were together. Brilliant lines like "driving home tonight, catchin' all the red lights, that's alright 'cause I, don't wanna be alone" add another dimension to it. The production is definitely poppier than a lot of Urban's material but the signature banjo keeps it remotely country, and the radio edited piano intro is absolutely fantastic and matches up very well with the storyline.

Likewise, he adds conviction and somberness to the lyrics to keep them feeling genuine, and when Keith lets it rip on the line "you got your lips on mine, it's gasoline on fire" it sends chills up your spine.

"Somewhere In My Car" may take Urban in a different direction in terms of sound, but in this case it's a good thing. It's a sterling effort.

Grade: A
Listen: "Somewhere In My Car"


3 Comments

2013 CMA Award Predictions

11/2/2013

1 Comment

 
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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.
1 Comment

Single Review: Keith Urban and Miranda Lambert- "We Were Us"

10/25/2013

2 Comments

 
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Keith Urban and Miranda Lambert, two of my favorite artists, collaborating on a single. You can imagine my excitement when I heard about this, and for the most part, it lives up to expectations. 

Their voices mesh well together, and they both feel fairly engaged in the lyrics making for an enjoyable performance.

The lyrics are about two people reminiscing on their teenage love. Combined with an excellent melody, it makes for an engaging listen.


However, my one major gripe is the production on the chorus goes a bit over the top. If that chorus was produced like the rest of the song this could have been one of the best of the year.

But even with the over-produced chorus, it is still an enjoyable single.

Grade: B+
Listen

2 Comments

3 Up, 3 Down

5/24/2013

2 Comments

 
(Credit to 'Farce the Music' for this idea).

3 Up
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Love and Theft- "If You Ever Get Lonely"

Easily their most mature single to date. Outstanding vocal harmonies. They have easily 2 of the most underrated voices in the genre. Killer country-pop.

Grade: A-

Picture
Keith Urban- "Little Bit Of Everything"

Ear candy? Yes. But man it's tasty. Keith Urban doing what he does best.

Grade: B

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Dean Brody- "Dirt"

Cleverly written, well produced and fantastically sung. Love the idea of building a song around dirt. Genius. Brody remains Canadas best kept secret.

Grade: A



3 Down
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Chris Young- "Aw Naw"

Youngs voice does not work for party songs. Ballads, mid-tempos, love songs, sure. But please leave the partying to Dierks, Blake, Luke and FGL next time. Thankyou. (At least it's well sung).

Grade: C-

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Joel Crouse- "If You Want Some"

Sub-par lyrics and an average melody don't help, but the vocals+performance kill it. It doesn't even sound like he cares, so why should I care? Not to mention the nassaly vocals, which has worked numerous times, but Crouse doesn't have the belivability of Jon Pardi or Tyler Hubbard, nor the distinction of Eric Church or Jennifer Nettles.

Grade: D+

Picture
 Craig Morgan- "More Trucks Than Cars"

Backside of the city limit, water tower, power line, swimming holes, county fairs, ford truck, kickin' up dust, biscuits, gravy, waitress calls you baby (there's a new one!), hell ya, amen, yee'haw, city limit sign. Lol. He's desperate.

Grade: F


2 Comments

5 Second Single Reviews

3/23/2013

5 Comments

 
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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

Picture
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

Picture
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+

Picture
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

Picture
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+

5 Comments

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