Well guys, as it says it has been a good run. In my current state I just find I have limited time to update the top 40 these days and I think it may be time to move of from Livejournal.
That being said I open the floor to you guys. I am offering the position of manager of the countdown in a compatition. The only thing you need to do is comment or send an e-mail to cowboybleau89@yahoo.com.
Leave your name and e-mail so i can contact you and by this time next week I will choose a winner to continue to top 40 in their own way with their own rules and their own plan. My top 40 may continue elsewhere, the fate of my top 40 has not been decided yet. Believe me when i say this is a tough decision that I hav e made and these past 3 years have been the greatets of my musical life. I want to send my support out to all my dedicated followers and to country__music for your support and input on the chart. Come Monday next week this chart will either close or move on to a new owner with my last post being to announce the winner. I wish you all the best of luck and thanks for sticking with me this long. Feel free to comment your interest in the chart and anything else you may want to share. Thanks again guys.
Jason Bleau
40. Country Man= Luke Bryan
39. Johnny And June= Heidi Newfield
38. Falling Into You= Whisky Falls
37. Midnight Sun 40
36. When You Come Home 38
35. Life In A Northern Town= Sugarland featuring Little Big Town and Jake Owen
34. The Song In My Head 37
33. Learning How To Bend 39
32. I Can Sleep When I'm Dead 36
31. If You Didn't Love Me 35
30. Some Things Never Change 31
29. Every other Weekend 33
28. This Is Me You're Talking To 34
27. Kristofferson 32
26. I Still Miss You 29
25. Gunpowder & Lead 28
24. Takin' Off This Pain 23
23. We Weren't Crazy 20
22. She's A Hottie 22
21. Home 24
20. Last Name 21
19. Make Me Believe 25
18. It Ain't No Crime 19
17. Better As A Memory 26
16. Something About A Woman 16
15. Back When I Knew It All 17
14. Another Try 18
13. Stronger Woman 13
12. All-American Girl 7
11. Tring To Stop Your Leaving 15
10. Love Don't Live Here 12
9. Every Day 9
8. Laughed Until We Cried 5
7. I'm Still A Guy 10
6. Love Is A Beautiful Thing 8
5. Picture To Burn 6
4. What Kinda Gone 3
3. Just Got Started Lovin' You 4
2. I Saw God Today 2
1. You're Gonna Miss This 1 (4 weeks)
song/lw
40. Midnight Sun= Garth Brooks
39. Learning How To Bend= Gary Allan
38. When You Come Home 40
37. The Song In My Head 39
36. I Can Sleep When I'm Dead 38
35. If You Didn't Love Me 36
34. This Is Me You're Talking To 34
33. Every Other Weekend 33
32. Kristofferson 35
31. Some Things Never Change 32
30. Cry Lonely 31
29. I Still Miss You 30
28. Gunpowder & Lead 29
27. Maybe She'll Get Lonely 27
26. Better As A Memory 28
25. Make Me Believe 26
24. Home 25
23. Takin' Off This Pain 22
22. She's A Hottie 23
21. Last Name 24
20. We Weren't Crazy 20
19. It Ain't No Crime 17
18. Another Try 18
17. Back When I Knew It All 19
16. Something About A Woman 21
15. Trying To Stop Your Leaving 16
14. Things That Never Cross A Man's Mind 10
13. Stronger Woman 14
12. Love Don't Live Here 13
11. It's Good To Be Us 12
10. I'm Still A Guy 11
9. Every Day 15
8. Love Is A Beautiful Thing 9
7. All-American Girl 4
6. Picture To Burn 8
5. Laughed Until We Cried 6
4. Just Got Started Lovin' You 5
3. What Kinda Gone 2
2. I Saw God Today 3
1. You're Gonna Miss This 1 (3 weeks)
This week's battle is:
Last Name= Carrie Underwood (Champion 1 week)vs.
Better As A Memory= Kenny Chesney (challenger)comment your votes
40. When You Come Home= Billy Gilman
39. The Song In My Head 39
38. I Can Sleep When I'm Dead 40
37. Long Cool Woman 38
36. If You Didn't Love Me 36
35. Kristofferson 37
34. This Is Me You're Talking To 30
33. Every Other Weekend 34
32. Some Things Never Change 33
31. Cry Lonely 29
30. I Still Miss You 31
29. Gundpowder & Lead 28
28. Better As A Memory= Kenny Chesney
27. Maybe She'll Get Lonely 24
26. Make Me Believe 27
25. Home 26
24. Last Name 32
23. She's A Hottie 25
22. Takin' off This Pain 21
21. Something About A Woman 22
20. We Weren't Crazy 23
19. Back When I Knew It All 20
18. Another Try 19
17. It Ain't No Crime 17
16. Trying To Stop Your Leaving 18
15. Every Day 16
14. Stronger Woman 15
13. Love Don't Live Here 14
12. It's Good To Be Us 11
11. I'm Still A Guy 12
10. Things That Never Cross A Man's Mind 13
9. Love Is A Beautiful Thing 9
8. Picture To Burn 10
7. Smal Town Southern Man 5
6. Laughed Until We Cried 7
5. Just Got Started Lovin' You 6
4. All-American Girl 3
3. I Saw God Today 4
2. What Kinda Gone 2
1. You're Gonna Miss This 1 (2 weeks)
Last week's results were very boring, 1 vote. Hopeing that this week will be more succesful here is the battle.
This week's battle is:
Kristofferson= Tim McGraw (1 week as champion)
vs.
Last Name= Carrie Underwood (challenger)
remember to comment your vote
song/last week
40. I Can Sleep When I'm Dead= Jason Michael Carroll
39. That Song In My Head= Julianne Hough
38. Long Cool Woman= Clint Black
37. Kristofferson 40
36. If You Didn't Love Me 39
35. Busy Being Fabulous 35
34. Every Other Weekend 38
33. Some Things Never Change 36
32. Last Name= Carrie Underwood
31. I Still Miss You 34
30. This Is Me You're Talking To 31
29. Cry Lonely 32
28. Gundpowder & Lead 30
27. Make Me Believe 28
26. Home 29
25. She's A Hottie 33
24. Maybe She'll Get Lonely 26
23. We Weren't Crazy 27
22. Something About A Woman 22
21. Takin' Off This Pain 21
20. Back When I Knew It All 25
19. Another Try 19
18. Tryin' To Stop You're Leaving 18
17. It Ain't No Crime 17
16. Every Day 24
15. Stronger Woman 16
14. Love Don't Let Me 14
13. Things That Never Cross A Man's Mind 15
12. I'm Still A Guy 20
11. It's Good To Be Us 13
10. Picture To Burn 12
9. Love Is A Beautiful Thing 11
8. Cleanin' This Gun (Come On In Boy) 6
7. Laughed Until We Cried 7
6. Just Got Started Lovin' You 9
5. Small Town Southern Man 2
4. I Saw God Today 4
3. All-American Girl 1
2. What Kinda Gone 8
1. You're Gonna Miss This 3 (1 week)
Grade: A-
"She's A Hottie" by Toby Keith - Toby releases the controversially redneck single that will be the sole advertising single for his 35 biggest hits album coming later this year. What is so controversial about this single isn’t what its about…well actually it kinda is. It’s a typical Toby Keith, southern rock/country party song. To some this would sound like an inappropriate and pointless single for Toby considering how effective and appropriate some of his latest works are. However this song isn’t half bad. Sure it brings Toby into a slightly immature state, but who’s to criticize modern country’s original party animal for being himself once in a while. The song is pretty simple and the title kinda says it all for what the song is about, but what makes this song so cool is that even though you may want to hate it it grabs you and you find yourself singing along with the “kayadiggydiggy” that ends the chorus. This is just one of those songs that has an attractive feel to it even though it’s really nothing special. Its nice to see Toby return to his traditional and fun side for a change.
Grade: B+
"When You Come Home" by Billy Gilman - Billy has always had a way of approaching tear-jerking songs with so much simplicity its just universally relative. This song is about the connection between a boy and his mother, a subject that is relatively difficult to approach with effect and sincerity for most male singers for a variety of reasons. Gilman pulls it off quite nicely with a voice that has matured so much over the years. He brings back that powerful feel that made “One Voice” so popular in his younger range and returns to his pride.The flaw to this song is that not only are the lyrics simple and tear-jerking, so is the production. It very under done and sounds like something out of a demo tape. There is minimal instrument involvement and what there is sounds like it was recorded prior to the actual recording. The vocals and instruments sound as if they were two totally different tracks mixed together improperly. It kinda spoils Billy’s blow-you-away performance a little, but the song still holds true to its power, sincerity and emotion.
Grade: B
"Kristofferson" by Tim McGraw - Tim makes an attempt at the recently familier name dropping song tactic that seems to work quite well. However it doesn't work so well here. The singer basically compares himself to Mr. Kristofferson and trys to appologize to his girl by writing a song like one of country music's most inspirational, powerful and respected songwriters. While it pulls off a respectable meaning and contains a lot of sincerity it just doesn't work. The song seems to steriotype Kris by putting it off that he writes the typicla tear-jerkers that all the heartbroken and heartbreakers hear from every singer at least once. Of course with works like "Sunday Morning Coming Down" that has never been the case for Kris so dropping his name just seems inappropriate really. In addition the song isn't to attractive over all. its a nice filler, but the only thing interesting about this one is the use of the great songwriter's name as the center of the song's lyric.
Grade: C-
"Country Man" by Luke Bryan - Luke is one of the most underestimated artists to ever hit the country music scene. Every song on his album, this one included, gives the listener that “feel good” effect and really brings the mood up. This time Luke returns to his comedic perspective and sings a great song about country pride and sending a lyrical shout out to those who have grown up on farms and stuck to their country roots. Of course the song is centered around a girl as well with Luke speaking through a man explaining how much better it is to be a country man and how much more reliable and such they are than those city boys. In the end this is just a really great feel good song and it won’t be hard to find yourself singing along. It’s a solid song and maybe not the best single from his album, but it’s still worth the listen.
Grade: B+
"How You Live" by Point Of Grace - Its very risky when a Christian band attempts to make a move onto the country scene, but I suppose if you’re gonna make such a move this is the genre to do it in. Of course this female quartet charges forward with a very inspirational song that impressively enough avoids the cliches that could have destroyed it in a heartbeat. The basic moral is to stop worrying about everything being perfect and worrying about the seemingly bigger issues of life and focus on the smaller joys of life that are right there in front of you. In the end its not who you knew or what you did that will matter, its how you lived in its entirety that really makes the difference. The song makes a very effective point and drags you into it with simplicity and a peaceful sound that only a band like this could probably pull off. It may be a little cliche for today’s country genre, but its a very solid performance and a very solid message that should fit right in given the appropriate exposure.
Grade: B+
"Learning How To Bend" by Gary Allan - Nashville’s best kept secret brings out yet another great performance. Gary has a really talented, raspy, countrified voice that blends well with the grit and emotion of this powerful song about still learning how to give in to love and to make that one someone the center of your world. Gary makes a very sincere performance that shows off just how good the album is in its entirety. The vocals are not over powered and they blend very well with the instrumental composition. Its just plain and simple a very well done song that shows off Gary’s ability to bring out the power in a song and how versatile his raspy vocal performance can be when given the appropriate material. The song is intense, sincere, effective, attractive, its just perfect and shows how experience has really brought Gary to a whole new level in his career.
"Invisably Shaken" by Rodney Atkins - After four #1 singles, an ACM award, a #1 album, and two #1 songs of the year Rodney finally returns to the emotional power that lead him to minor success with “Honesty” years back. It actually very haunting and very effective to hear Rodney in such a submissive state for a change. He puts himself in the character of a broken hearted fool who has mislead others to think he has easily gotten over his recent breakup, but in reality is quietly breaking beneath his smiles and composure. Rodney proves once and for all that he is a truly deserving of country music fame and recognition by showing that he can go from a fun and joyful song to one of the most emotionally powerful songs that I’ve heard in years. This song is full of power, sincerity and is immediately effective with a great piano into that leads into the mood very easily and smoothly. This is just pure country music perfection and is probably the most deserving song for Rodney in a streak of excellent performances to hit the charts yet and one of the most deserving songs that I’ve heard in a very long time.
Grade: A+
"Midnight Sun" by Garth Brooks - After a showoffish performance with Mr. Huey Lewis on his classic, its nice to see Garth shift gears back to his traditional sound that have made him the biggest solo artist of all time. The song brings in a very nice mid tempo country beat and reminisces on Garth’s more popular works and reintroduced Garth’s party attitude, man did I miss that. This is the real Garth Brooks as good as he’s ever been. The oxymoron used to title the song is basically used to symbolize how when you’re a country lover or even just a cowboy it don’t matter if it’s night or day, you’re always busy doing something. I’m very excited to see Garth back in his traditional tone, its a little overshadowed by his former works, but its a nice reintroduction to the top selling solo artist in all genres.
Grade: B
"The Way I Want You" by Julio Inglasias Jr. - I’m not feeling it. Julio was victorious in becoming the CMT Gone Country winner and thus has a John Rich produced single on country radio. John praised Julio’s Hispanic heritage and saw it as a great reason to bring him into the country scene. A good cause gone horribly wrong. This song is not country at all!!! It sounds decent for what it is, but even for Julio’s traditional genre its not the best. The song isn’t to unique either. Its about a guy who wants a girl to love him the same way he loves her, a common subject featured in songs like “Winner At A Losing Game” by Rascal Flatts and “High Maintenance Woman” by Toby Keith, both more effective, entertaining and original. I really can’t stand even the first chorus of this song, the vocals are weak, the hook is weak, and Julio’s image is weak. In fact the only thing running for this song is that he won a reality show and I don’t think even that makes up for this song. If the song was a country tune with even just mediocre vocals and decent writing I’d say it may have a shot, but this song fits none of the above. Sure it may be much different in its own genre, but in country music its a piece of sand among rocks.
Grade: F
"Better As A Memory" by Kenny Chesney - Kenny releases his fourth single from his latest album, “Just Who I Am: Poets And Pirates”, which is actually derived from a line in the song itself. Kenny slows it down a bit to bring out one of his most honorable attributes, his peaceful and powerful emotional style vocals. This song is particularly unique in that it’s in the point of view of a man who is explaining to a woman that his lifestyle and just him as a person is much better as a memory because he knows that he’s not good enough under any logic to be her man. You can hear a nice sense of sincerity and power in his performance that mixes well with the song that leaves not tears, but more a sense of understanding. Where this song faults is in its writing. It is a nice song, nice meaning, sincere purpose, very relative given the appropriate situation, but kinda thrown around. The mention of Pirates in the song, while it furthers the personality conflict in the main characters, is kinda out there. It is possible that the song was written this way just because it’s Kenny singing it, but still it’s a little thrown around. However that’s a small issue for this one. Nice choice by Kenny for his new single, very nice.
Grade: B+
"In Color" by Jamey Johnson - One of country music’s most underestimated songwriters makes his newest attempt at radio magic. Jamey has made huge success with his songwriting ability on modern classics like George Strait’s award winning “Give It Away” and Trace Adkin’s huge hits “Honkey Tonk Badonkadonk” and “Ladies Love Country Boys”. Such success as interpretation that comes from his work as a writer allows him to pull this one off very well. Jamey brings a really powerful southern vocal that is odly haunting and very simple and mixes it with a great reminiscent song where a boy talks with his grandfather about the events that occurred in black and white photos and of course his grandfather states how the photos really don’t capture the real feel of the event. This song is very well done and leaves a lasting, haunting effect on its listeners. Jamey shows a very powerful side of his vocals by bringing out a very country vocal performance that is simplistic but sounds so right that I doubt anybody could have pulled it off any better. He may not be the most talented vocalist, but he is very good at capturing the lyrics of the songs he sings. This is one of those songs that radio will probably look over very easily and prevent a great artist and an excellent song from getting the attention they deserve.
Grade: A-
"This Ain't Mexico" by Buddy Jewell - I actually forgot how pure Buddy’s vocals were. Anyhow Buddy makes an attempt at releasing a single with no record deal, no doubt in an attempt to earn one back after becoming the first Nashville Star winner and flunking on his second album. Despite how much I think Buddy deserves a career here..this is not the song to do it with. He takes a classic issue, illegals, and makes an attempt at connecting with his audience in a comical fashion as well as trying to connect with the rebel crowd in the genre. He does both horribly. This song kinda sounds thrown together and while it reminds me of a many classic country tunes, the Spanish trumpets at the beginning are very cliche and the rhythm of the song is reminiscent of Blaine Larson’s “I Don’t Know What She Said” almost to a tee. Basically Buddy’s making a sore attempt at using the popularity of Spanish theme songs like Blaine’s single and George Strait and Haggard’s “Seashore’s Of Old Mexico” to jump-start is faulting career when such songs have passed their popularity point and are just plain old fashioned and unattractive.
Grade: D-
"Crazy Days" by Adam Gregory - It’s hard to make a simple reminiscent song into a great performance song. Adam has an awesome voice that really brings out the fun and enjoyment in this song. Bowing from Canada, Adam joins fellow Canadian stars Emerson Drive in Midas Records and he’s not a very bad choice for a sophomore artist off the label. This song really shows Adam’s enjoyment of the song and his decent vocal ability as well as his unique ability to roll his voice just enough to make it work, but not overshadow the fun and simplicity of the song. This could have easily become an overpowered country/pop hit, but instead it sounds like an entertaining country tune that you would crank up the radio with. The song has the main character telling his love that he wants to return to their younger days and it does this in a way that it does not show signs of any problems in the relationship, but does refer to how as life goes on its always nice just to lay back and have a crazy time once in a while like you always did before life caught up. It’s not really the most attractive new single out there and may have a hard time sticking out right away, but given the chance this could be a decent hit.
Grade: B+
"Mad Cowboy Disease" by John Michael Montgomery - I’m gonna hate myself for saying this but I think this could end up a hit. John attempts a comeback on his indie label, Stringtown Records, by taking a swing at the recently popular sex-type of song. Following the themes of “Honkey Tonk Badonkadonk” and “Save A Horse (Ride A Cowboy)”, John sings a hard core country song with the corniest attempt at targeting male turn-ons that I have ever heard. Basically the song talks about a guy who finds a significant woman in a bar room sexy and a long line of grotesque and idiotic wordplay are used to make up what he calls Mad Cowboy Disease. Now it probably could have been a decent single, however what takes away anything decent about this song is its overuse of inappropriate lingo and the fact that the disease metaphor is way to stretched out and over-expressed through horrible references including the guys need for a leash because he thinks he’s rabid that was added for our listening pleasure in the end of the song. Now what’s funny is that John is using a strategy that seems to have worked a lot lately so I am far from considering this song as an automatic radio flop. Get past the ugliness of some of the lyrics and its a decent song to listen to once in a while when your either drunk or just having way to good a time. But considering this is not the case, strike one for almighty John.
Grade: D
"All I Ever Wanted" by Chuck Wicks - I’ve said it before, I believe Chuck is one of this years most deserving debut artists thus far. However he is very underestimated from the fact that his album was a seemingly small debut in the top 10 and his debut single was a seemingly easy top 10 taking advantage of the sentiment of father/daughter relations that have earned hits for other artists as well the past year or two. What I love about this single is that it brings out the more entertaining part of Chuck and introduces him as a true stage presence in the ears of radio listeners. It a perfect summer time song that is a breath of fresh air to country radio today. The lyrics express an upbeat, romantic feel that works very well with Chuck’s voice and gives a good time feel that makes it very attractive even if its not in a romantic situation. Only time will tell, but I think this single is a very decent and catchy tune that should get as much exposure as a Chesney or McGraw tune.
Grade: B+
"Hearts Are Breaking Across Texas" by Aaron Watson - Wow!! All I can say is wow, I haven’t heard anything like this sense Alan Jackson’s work, simple, powerful, sentimental. Aaron has a very pure voice that just grabs hold of you immediately when you hear it. The song is far from over done. Both vocals and instrumentals compliment each other very well and the message is just that, a message. The song is a powerful dedication to the love the singer feels for his girl. Unlike many songs today, this song does not overdo the concept of love and personal feeling for another but instead puts a simple sentiment to it that is powerful in itself. It’s not a tearjerker, not a wedding song per say, but just a feel good song that one could use to spread a simple emotion with lasting effects. The singer brags out loud to his woman how hearts are breaking in Texas because the other guys can’t have her, and he even adds in how he can relate to them from before she was his girl. It’s just a nice, sentimental, emotional balled that reminisces on both the style and simplicity that makes Jackson and Strait’s music some of the best traditional material in today’s genre. This guys got something going and he should keep following it the whole way.
Grade: A
"Do You Believe Me Now?" by Jimmy Wayne - Jimmy has been on the losing end of Big Machine Records for a while, attempting with some decent singles to make it back onto the scene. Sadly he’s been unsuccessful lately. However he has been shifted to Valory Records and this single has all the charisma and power that makes Jimmy so attractive as an artist. The song takes a very interesting look at a breakup from the man’s point of view in a case in which his insecurity about another man in his girl’s life was right on the money. Usually when it comes to a man’s suspicions they are over-dramatized and blown out of proportion. However, Jimmy proves this isn’t always the case as he places himself in the character of that man who was right about the way his girl’s other male friend was looking at her and waiting for one crack to let him in to take over. Jimmy’s vocals are quite powerful and the song sounds quite original and unique. It’s a little over produced for the sound that made Jimmy a huge breakout artists, but hopefully it could help Jimmy make it back into the swing of things. It may not be his best song, but it’s a damn decent attempt.
Grade: B
"Last Name" by Carrie Underwood - Carrie returns to the bad ass vocal performance that made “Before He Cheats” such a hot single for her on multiple charts. Like many other songs that have inevitably become hits, this song is very reminiscent to a former classic, Alan Jackson’s “I Don’t Even Know You’re Name”. The difference is that this song is much more bad ass and take things from the perspective of a woman who has made the mistake of meeting a man, not asking his last name and in the end discovering she got so wasted she married him unintentionally and doesn’t even know her own last name because of it. This song is very entertaining and catchy and a brings a comedic feel to Carrie that only adds to her growth as an artist, but there are many aspects that keep it from being great. First off it is in fact a carbon copy of Alan’s solid country hit from years ago. Second the song is a vocal copy of “Before He Cheats” and while it supports Carrie’s ability to perform such songs it doesn’t introduce much of anything new from her at all. Third it’s not very “Carrie” at all. With the understanding that Carrie uses songs like this to prove she’s not all just the good old blond country girl stereotype, this song just doesn’t seem to fit Carrie’s personality in any way. Of course this will probably be a sure fire hit and will make her appearance more apparent on multiple song charts, but this is probably the least deserving single Carrie has ever released and its the first time I actually question the relevance or purpose behind her recording t at all. It is catchy and rebellious and would be a great single for any woman trying to prove herself, but it just seems very superfluous and out of place for Carrie at this point.
Grade: C
Fresh off of Compadre Records is the third installment of Trent Willmon’s career. Now Trent has never really been a take off artist and has only been able to snag minor hits once in a while, resulting in his shift to a small power label. Trent has a decent voice and knows who he is, but it takes much more than that to make a country singer.
The album starts with its title track “Broken In” which is a catchy tune that grows on you fast. Its writing is a little questionable, it’s hard to decipher if it’s a romance thing or a country-pride song, but it’s a decent start that sets the mood for the album. Despite a decent start, the rest of the album is not so decent, not bad but not as good as it could be. In fact “Dry County” is another decent song, but just decent. The song provides a sly play on words that expresses the singer’s home town as not only free of alcohol but free of any excitement in several other areas as well. Again it’s catchy, but it is forgettable.
Just when I thought Trent provided a decent album it goes a little mediocre. “Doesn’t Mean I Don’t Love You”does contain Willmon’s trademark sound, but the performance sounds shaky and held back a little in the verses and a little to dramatic in the chorus. The whole production sounds a little awkward throughout the song and while it is a unique song about how fights and struggles in ways of life may cause relationship issues but not stop the love in the end, it is also very forgettable and sound too much like a filler. “Cold Beer And A Fishin’ Pole”is equally awkward for a different reason. A trick mike is used to try to add “coolness” to the song, but instead it really takes away from an otherwise decent country fun song. In fact it makes it seems as though they try to make this song sound too much like today’s style instead of Trent’s own style.
It seems that Trent’s most effective vocal performances come on his slower and easier songs, otherwise it sounds like he’s tried to hard to try to make this a great album. “The Way I Remember It” is a nice and peaceful vocal that sounds great from Trent and expresses a unique message about how as life changes the simple things in memory seem much more perfect and pleasing and “How A Cowboy Lives”and very effective tribute to Trent’s favorite alternate profession. So this album is not all that bad and contains very decent smooth vocals from Willmon, but most of the album has overdone vocals or songwriting that just doesn’t stick as well as his works on other labels.
“The Truth”is a familiar and commonly unsuccessful message of a man trying to lie about his hurt, reminiscent and much less effective than “Anywhere But Here”from Chris Cagle, so again we have forgettable songwriting. Now every album has its fillers, but the issues with Trent’s album is that it is the first off his new label and he should be trying to prove that he still has what it takes to give it all. Fillers like these do not do that at all. “Little Set Of Horns”is actually a decent fast paced song that has a guy praising his woman as an angel, but still has those evil thoughts that give her those small set of horns that keep her on the wild side and is much more memorable than the title track. Even the combination of fellow small stars Kevin Fowler and Roger Creager with Trent on “The Good Ol’ Days Are Gone”is more memorable than the title track, but it still doesn’t add much to brag about in this work.
“Tumbleweed Town”is boring. Its has nice vocals but again it sounds very awkward and and very repetitive. It still keeps Trent’s traditional sound, but its overdone instrumentally and the notes that Trent hits make this chorus very awkward to listen to in relation to the chorus. Sometimes the song seems slow and peaceful and other times intense and over-dramatic. “I’ll Love You Anyway”is a little less awkward, but again its forgettable. It adds nothing to this album that makes it worth the listen. It does add a unique outlook on love basically saying “I’ll take what I can get”, but there are still awkward vocal issues in some minor part of the song. It doesn’t stand out at all, plain and simple. Of course the first single “There Is A God”ends it all and still has some awkward vocal performance and introduces an underdone aspect of the song. However this time the instrumental issues actually work for the mood of the song and Trent makes it very believable and sincere in the chorus which somehow makes up for the issues in the verses making the song just as good as Trent’s other smoother vocals in the song.
Basically this album is typical to Trent’s sound and mildly entertaining and moving in some parts. However many of the songs are forgettable and don’t really leave you saying “this was worth my money”. Trent puts his heart into many of the songs that really bring it out quite nicely. On the other songs it sounds as if Trent was forced to sing them and really didn’t care how they ended up on recording. His vocals are either underdone or awkward and lack a personal feel in many cases. It is decent for what its worth, but There are maybe only five or six songs on this really worth the listen in the end.
**
produced by: Rodney Clawson, Dan Frizsell, and Trent Willom
executive producer: Matthew Knowles
Tracks:
- Broken In
- Dry County
- Doesn’t Mean That I Don’t Love You
- Cold Beer And A Fishin’ Girl
- The Way I Remember It
- The Good Ol’ Days Are Gone (w/ Kevin Fowler and Roger Creager)
- How A Cowboy Lives
- The Truth
- Little Set Of Horns
- Tumbleweed Town
- I’ll Love You Anyway
- There Is A God
When you think traditional country music some names that come to mind are Merle, Willie, Hank, Dolly, Loretta and many others. When you think modern music with a traditional twist you think Josh Turner, Brad Paisley, Gary Allan, Joe Nichols. But when you think of modern artists that stick to their traditional roots while still being able to bring in countless numbers of devoted and rowdy fans only two names come to mind immediately, George Strait and the great Alan Jackson. For the first time in his career Alan has written every song on his album and he’s returned to his own traditional sound for his newest project.
Alan has proven time and time again tat he can incorporate modern technology and production into his music without taking away that solid country and acoustic sound. This album is no different. The opening and title track “Good Time” defiantly shows you that that is just what you should expect. The song opens with a neat, retro “good time” and goes from their to become a well written and very enjoyable weekend warrior anthem. This is followed up by Alan’s first single from the project and his tribute to his dad, “Small Town Southern Man”,which includes a nice, optimistic twang feel to it. Alan does a nice job telling the story and getting the point across without expressing to much emotion or depression on the matter. However Alan does add his more sentimental vocals to the next track, “I Wish I Could Back Up” which is a nice and easy song about wishing for a second chance to make things go better than they did.
Alan makes a nice transition back to the good time feel in “Country Boy”.He takes a jab at what seems to be a common theme lately by creating a country pride song of his own. However, Jackson trumps anyone else’s attempts so far by creating a nice beat and very creative rhymes and word play that end in a well done country anthem. Following up this fun song is a mushy love tune, but Alan doesn’t over do it at all. “Right Where I Want You”also includes very creative wordplay and mixes Alan’s traditional routes with his own brand of sultry vocals quite well. Alan then jumps back to the catchy beat that makes up most of this album in “1973″,his tribute to the world and his point of view from that year. In an impressive fashion Alan makes the song less about him and more about understanding that time and one’s own young life as well.
In true Alan Jackson style he continues his album with a very traditional love tune “When The Love Factors High” that isn’t a slow song but has a mid-tempo beat to it that blends quite well with today’s modern sound while keeping a traditional feel. Once again Alan introduces his third brand of fun song, “Long Long Way”.While the song is about the hardship of letting go, it is a very fast tempo and enjoyable tune that actually gets the point across but avoids that depressive feel that such songs usually bring out in a person. In addition the song shows off Alan’s instrumental abilities as a writer and includes solos from every instrument in his band for a very, very enjoyable listen. After bringing the listener to a state of fun and enjoyment again, Alan once again plays with the listener’s emotions with “Sissy’s Song”,a tribute to a friend of Alan’s who passed away in an accident. This song sounds and feels like a source of release for Alan as well as his listeners. It sounds very personal and sincere in a mood reminiscent of “Where Were You” and “Remember When”.
Of course Alan is always a card, his comedic persona is expressed in “I Still Like Bologna”, his look on adapting to modern life with all the new technology and such. With several references to modern technological advances, Alan shows that he still enjoys the simple parts of life that haven’t changed after all these years in one of his most creative songwriting successes yet. Even as he switches to a love song Jackson keeps the uptempo feel. He partners with Martina McBride to bring “Never Loved Before” to the table, a fast paced love song that can easily be a representation of the perfect love and partnership between any couple and is reflective of Alan’s own feelings for his wife even after the controversy that surrounded them years ago. “Nothing Left To Do”not only bring comedic wordplay back into the picture, but also shows Alan’s understanding of how life can become so routine that even romance is all planned out and it just happens that way after a while.
Alan brings in another love song with “Listen To Your Senses”,which eases things up a bit but still has a cool beat to it complete with Alan’s typical steel guitar solo and sense of understanding. “This Time”slows things down even more, but with the same sense of understand on a different subject. The song is a well written expression of how sometimes life has its setbacks but one should never let the past stop them from seeing whats in store sometimes. “Laid Back In Low Key (Cay)” is a nice country/tropical mix that produces a nice, fun rhythm and a general good feeling. “If You Want To Make Me Happy” drawn towards the album’s conclusion by again ringing out Alan’s great word play as the character explains that only the seemingly most miserable things will make him happy in his current state. Finally “If Jesus Walked The World Today”brings a nice conclusion to this “good time” by producing an upbeat and comical look at who Jesus would be in today’s world and how he would act in today’s society ultimately stating that Jesus would probably be a hillbilly.
Alan shows off his songwriting prowess, vocal maturity, talent, and general superiority in the business like never before. Creative word play, entertainment, sincerity and talent are only a few appropriate words to describe Alan’s amazing 17 song project. This album is truly a “good time” from beginning to end and shows off Alan at his very best. This is proof that solid traditional country does still fit in with the modern sounds being produced lately and that Alan Jackson will be around to keep it alive as long as he can. Although some of it may sound a little to old style in comaprison to what I am used to, I was highly impressed and very much entertained by every track on this album
*****Produced by: Keith Stegall
Tracks:
- Good Time
- Small Town Southern Man
- I Wish I Could Back Up
- Country Boy
- Right Where I Want You
- 1976
- When The Love Factor’s High
- Long Long Way
- Sissy’s Song
- I Still Like Bologna
- Never Loved Before (with Martina McBride)
- Nothing Left To Do
- Listen To Your Sense
- This Time
- Laid Back ‘N Low Key (Cay)
- If You Want To Make Me Happy
- If Jesus Walked The World Today
After a hiatus to recover from both musical and physical handicaps, Chris Cagle climbs back into the music scene with his fourth album. Every album Chris has done has shown a decent amount of growth a maturity as compared to his previous works. After a long wait, fans needed something good to keep them entertained and Chris himself needed a good project to bring him back onto the scene with a bullet.
Of course the album starts right off with his first single from it, “What Kinda Gone”. The instrumentals are very well done and blend well with the enjoyment in Chris’s voice. In addition to that the song is unique and opens the listener up to something new, always a good way to start off an album, and it gives them something familiar to listen to to remind them why they bought the album. The good part is the fun doesn’t stop there. Chris sticks with the upbeat songs but shifts vocal gears to a more talkative, conversing song “No Love Songs”. Chris mixes easy vocals with a story-telling performance as he explains an interaction between two men at a bar, one a singer and the other a broken hearted fool who wants to hear any song that contradicts a love song. Chris adds in a very entertaining vocal delivery that rubs off on the listener and allows them to put themselves in the midst of the scenario that Cagle is portraying. The third track shift gears again vocally, but keeps the fun going. “Its Good To Be Back” adds a country/rock twist to the album and is completely appropriate for Cagle’s comeback album. This is sure to be a crowd favorite considering that it is a well performed fan/artist interaction song that makes you want to sing out loud and gives a convincing peak into Cagle as an entertainer on stage as well as off stage.
As the album progress Cagle plays with his listeners emotions by shifting from three fun songs to his trademark tear-jerking vocals. “I Don’t Want To Live” is a song about regret and longing to be given a second chance after what appears to have been a mistake in letting love slip away. Cagle returns to his prime with a very sincere and powerful performance that comes straight from the heart. The instrumentals are the flaw in the songs like this, they tend to overshadow Chris’s vocals a little a take away from the majesty of his personal performance a little, making the song slightly forgettable and seemingly indifferent from other performances these days. For the first time in the album Cagle become repetitive when he follows this up with “Never Ever Gone” which is a mid tempo song along the same line, complete with the same instrumental performance that draws away any power this song added to the album and makes it sound too much like an album filler.
Adding a romantic tone to follow up two repetitive heartbreak songs, “If It Isn’t One Thing” is a catchy love tune to which Chris adds a sultry country vocal to bring out the passion in the words. This may not be a slow dance song, but it is sure to get the young love flowing, even in the oldest of couples. This is followed up by another love tune, “Keep Me From Loving You”, that follows the lines of Shania’s “You’re Still The One” and Jason Michael Carroll’s “Livin’ Our Love Song”, however it starts from the very beginning instead of looking back. Cagle adds his sultry vocals to the lyrics again and the instrumental performances are dulled down a bit to do this song much more justice than the three songs prior to it.
As the album reaches its last few songs Chris returns to the upbeat feeling in “Little Sundress” which adds love into the mix but doesn’t include his sultry vocals. Instead it allows Chris to create a very well performed, fun love song that avoids the mushy, tearjerking stuff for a nice change. In addition to a less mushy love song Cagle also has a less tear-jerking leavin’ song to follow it up in “My Heart Move On” which adds a latino beat to a country sound for a catchy result.
The album concludes with two totally different songs. “My Life’s Been A Country Song” serves as Cagle’s tribute to the music he grew up with. In addition it reminisces on Trace Adkins song “Songs About Me” by explaining just why country music is so cool to listen to and even includes references to songs as old as Merle’s “Mama Tried” to songs a new as Tim McGraw’s “I Like It, I Love It”. Finally, the album ends with another powerful tearjerker, “Change Me”. This serves as one of the most unique love songs I’ve ever heard as Chris speaks through a man who believes that all it will take is his significant other’s love to make him a better man.
I really wasn’t sure what to expect from Cagles’ fourth album, considering that “Anywhere But Here” was a mild disappointment. However I was quite impressed. The biggest flaws of this album are that many songs are overproduced and slightly overdone instrumentally. Vocally this is Chris’s best album yet and sadly he didn’t have a hand in writing any of the songs on the album. Maybe he can reach that peak of perfection when he gets back into writing a singing his own material.
***
produced by: Scott Hendricks & Chris Cagle
Tracks:
- What Kinda Gone
- No Love Songs
- It’s Good To Be Back
- I Don’t Wanna Live
- Never Ever Gone
- If It Isn’t One Thing
- Keep Me From Loving You
- Little Sundress
- My Heart Move On
- My Life’s Been A Country Song
- Change Me
Blake Shelton scores three weeks as Champ, retiring him from the spot undefeated. So now two new challengers go at it, and here they are...
This week's battle is:
Kristofferson= Tim McGraw
vs.
She's A Hottie= Toby Keith
remember comment your votes
song/lw
40. Kristofferson 40
39. If You Didn't Love Me 38
38. Every Other Weekend 39
37. Braid My Hair 27
36. Some Things Never Change 36
35. Busy Being Fabulous 32
34. I Still Miss You 34
33. She's A Hottie= Toby Keith
32. Cry Lonely 33
31. This Is Me You're Talking To 30
30. Gundpowder & Lead 31
29. Home 29
28. Make Me Believe 35
27. We Weren't Crazy 28
26. Maybe She'll Get Lonely 25
25. Back When I Knew It All 26
24. Every Day 27
23. Shiftwork 12
22. Something About A Woman 22
21. Takin' Off This Pain 20
20. I'm Still A Guy 23
19. Another Try 21
18. Tryin' To Stop Your Leavin' 19
17. It Ain't No Crime 18
16. Stronger Woman 17
15. Things That Never Cross A Man's Mind 16
14. Love Don't Live Here 14
13. It's Good To Be Us 11
12. Picture To Burn 15
11. Love Is A Beautiful Thing 13
10. Stealing Cinderella 6
9. Just Got Started Lovin' You 10
8. What Kinda Gone 8
7. Laughed Until We Cried 7
6. Cleanin' This Gun (Come On In Boy) 5
5. God Must Be Busy 4
4. I Saw God Today 7
3. You're Gonna Miss This 3
2. Small Town Southern Man 1
1. All-American Girl 2 (1 week)
this week's battle is:
Home= Blake Shelton (2 week champion)vs.
The Way I Want You= Julio Inglasias Jr. (challenger)remember to comment your votes
40. Kristofferson= Tim McGraw
39. Every Other Weekend= Reba McEntire
38. If You Didn't Love Me 39
37. Braid My Hair 40
36. Some Things Never Change 38
35. Make Me Believe= Katie Arminger
34. I Still Miss You 37
33. Cry Lonely 36
32. Busy Being Fabulous 35
31. Gundpowder & Lead 33
30. This Is Me You're Talking To 32
29. Home 31
28. We Weren't Crazy 29
27. Every Day 28
26. Back When I Knew It All
25. Maybe She'll Get Lonely 25
24. Watching Airplanes 11
23. I'm Still A Guy 26
22. Something About A Woman 20
21. Another Try 21
20. Takin' Off This Pain 23
19. Tryin' To Stop Your Leavin' 22
18. It Ain't No Crime 29
17. Stronger Woman 18
16. Things That Never Cross A Man's Mind 16
15. Picture To Burn 17
14. Love Don't Live Here 15
13. Love Is A Beautiful Thing 14
12. Shiftwork 8
11. It's Good To Be Us 13
10. Just Got Started Lovin' You 12
9. Laughed Until We Cried 10
8. What Kinda Gone 9
7. I Saw God Today 7
6. Stealing Cindrella 5
5. Cleanin' This Gun ( Come On In Boy) 3
4. God Must Be Busy 6
3. You're Gonna Miss This 4
2. All-American Girl 2
1. Small Town Southern Man 1 (2 weeks)
Hey guys. Congrats to Blake Shelton for becoming champion yet again. This week however there will be no Battle Of The New Songs. Instead I present to you the 2008 nominees or the newly named Country Central Awards. The name is derived from my website www.countrycentral.wordpress.com. I'm planning on posting this same thing on the website and using the tallies of both results to determine the winners. Heres how it all works:
The voting is done in three rounds. Round 1 has 6 nominees, Round 2 has 4, and the final round has just 2. You decide who makes it to each round because you guys vote for who you want to win in each catagory. For round one you MUST vote for four nominees in each catagory, the four that you wish to see in the next round. In April I will anounce the top 4 in each catagory for round two. To vote just simply comment your votes and you must vote for 4 in all catagories. Any other votes will be ignored. Also there will be no annonymous votes counted towards these awards, you must have an id.
So without further interuption, here are your 2008 nominees. Be sure to vote guys because this is very important, you choose who goes on and who gets left behind. Vote for 4 in every catagory and enjoy:
Artist (overall favorite of the most successful artists)
Kenny Chesney
Carrie Underwood
Brad Paisley
Rascal Flatts
Sugarland
Rodney Atkins
Male Artist (favorite male artist)
Rodney Atkins
Trace Adkins
Brad Paisley
Kenny Chesney
Keith Urban
Gary Allan
Female Artist (favorite female artist)
Miranda Lambert
Carrie Underwood
Taylor Swift
LeAnn Rimes
Sara Evans
Kellie Pickler
Group (favorite group)
Rascal Flatts
Little Big Town
Emerson Drive
Cross Canadian Raqweed
The Eagles
Bon Jovi
Duo (favorite country duo)
Big & Rich
Brooks & Dunn
Montgomery Gentry
Sugarland
The Wreckers
Van Zant
New Male Artist (favorite breakthrough male artist)
Chuck Wicks
Bucky Covington
Jake Owen
Luke Bryan
Jason Michael Carroll
James Otto
New Female Artist (favorite breakthrough female artist)
Ashton Shephard
Sara Buxton
Mica Roberts
Carmen Rasmusen
Katie Arminger
New Group/Duo (favorite breakthorugh duo or group)
Lady Antebellum
Halfway To Hazard
Flynnville Train
Whisky Falls
Carter's Chord
The Roys
Collaberative Performance (favoite song performed as a duet)
"Because Of You" by Reba McEntire and Kelly Clarkson
"Shiftwork" by Kenny Chesney featuring George Strait
"I Need You" by Tim McGraw and Faith Hill
"Workin' For A Livin'" by Garth Brooks and Huey Lewis
"Gone, Gone, Gone" by Robert Plant and Alison Krauss
Ready, Set, Don't Go" by Billy Ray Cyrus featuring Miley Cyrus
Song (favorite song of the year)
"Don't Blink" by Kenny Chesney
"Watching You" by Rodney Atkins
"Moments" by Emerson Drive
"So Small" by Carrie Underwood
"If You're Reading This" by Tim McGraw
"Lost In This Moment" by Big & Rich
Album (favorite #1 album)
If You're Going Through Hell by Rodney Atkins, produced by Ted Hewitt and Rodney Atkins
Let It Go by Tim McGraw, produced by Bryan Gallimore, Tim McGraw and Darran Smith
Just Who I Am: Poets And Pirates by Kenny Chesney, produced by Buddy Cannon and Kenny Chesney
Crazy Ex-Girlfriend by Miranda Lambert, produced by Frank Liddell and Mike Wrucke
5th Gear by Brad Paisley, produced by Frank Rogers, executive producer Chris Dubois
Waitin' In The Country by Jason Michael Carroll, produced by Dan Gehman
Crossover Performance (favorite song by or featuring an artist outside of country music)
"Gone, Gone, Gone" by Robert Plant and Alison Krauss
"How Long" by The Eagles
"(You Want To) Make A Memory" by Bon Jovi
"Because Of You" by Reba McEntire and Kelly Clarkson
"Bubbly" by Colbie Caillet
"Missing You" by Alison Krauss and John Waite
Songwriter (favorite songwriter, examples of their work are provided)
Casey Beathard (Find Out Who You're Friends Are, Don't Blink)
Hillary Lindsey (As If, So Small, Wasted)
Craig Wiseman (Love Me If You Can, Love Is A Beautiful Thing)
Jamey Johnson (Give It Away, Ladies Love Country Boys, Another Side of You)
Rivers Rutherford (These Are My People, Stealing Cinderella)
The Warren Brothers (If You're Reading This, Anyway)
so I can't wait to see your votes guys and please, please vote and make this worth the while.
40. Braid My Hair= Randy Owen
39. If You Didn't Love Me= Phil Stacey
38. Some Things Never Change= Sara Evans
37. I Still Miss You 40
36. Cry Lonely= Cross Canadian Ragweed
35. Busy Being Fabulous 37
34. Winner At A Losing Game 14
33. Gunpowder & Lead 35
32. This Is Me You're Talking To 32
31. Home 36
30. Happy Endings 29
29. We Weren't Crazy 31
28. Every Day= Rascal Flatts
27. Back When I Knew It All 39
26. I'm Still A Guy= Brad Paisley
25. Maybe She'll Get Lonely 33
24. Workin' For A Livvin' 22
23. Takin' Off This Pain 27
22. Tryin' To Stop Your Leaving 30
21. Another Try 26
20. Something About A Woman 24
19. It Ain't No Crime 23
18. Stronger Woman 25
17. Picture To Burn 20
16. Things That Never Cross A Man's Mind 18
15. Love Don't Live Here 19
14. Love Is A Beautiful Thing 17
13. It's Good To Be Us 16
12. Just Got Started Lovin' You 15
11. Watching Airplanes 4
10. Laughed Until We Cried 12
9. What Kinda Gone 9
8. Shiftwork 2
7. I Saw God Today 13
6. God Must Be Busy 8
5. Stealing Cinderella 6
4. You're Gonna Miss This 10
3. Come On In Boy (Cleanin' This Gun) 1
2. All-American Girl 5
1. Small Town Southern Man 3 (1 week)
Well Miranda's last week at a contender was spoiled as she relinquished the champion spot to her bf Blake Shelton. How long can Blake hold on? We're gonna find out.
This week's battle is:
Home= Blake Shelton (Champion 1 week)
vs.
Busy Being Fabulous= The Eagles (Challenger)
remember to comment in your votes guys