Tuesday 27 December 2016

The 2016 Reviews: 'Cosmic Hallelujah' - Kenny Chesney


Next in the firing line on our 2016 round-up is Kenny Chesney's Cosmic Hallelujah. As a long time Kenny Chesney fan, I couldn't wait to hear a new album from him. However, Cosmic Hallelujah would fall slightly short of my high expectations.
The album was supposed to be released in July with the title 'Some Town Somewhere'. As July drew closer, some game-changing announcements were made; The album would now feature a duet with P!nk, the title of the album would be Cosmic Hallelujah and the release date was pushed to Autumn. From there, it only went downhill.

Noise, the first single from this pretentiously named project hinted all the more that for this album would go against the grain of what we would usually expect from Kenny- as if news of a collaboration with a Punk rocker wasn't enough.
The production of Noise was taking a different direction, crossing over into pop music. Lyrically the song discuses the digital age and the negative impact technology has had on society. The lyrics came across a little generic and didn't quite have the power intended but I respected Kenny's decision to try to highlight a social issue in a genre that usually "plays it safe". For me what let the song down was the over produced arrangement, particularly the un-natural effects on his voice.

Next came the collaboration with P!nk, the gamechanger of the album. I tried to be open minded about this song. After all, I had been pleasantly surprised by Blake Shelton's duet with Gwen Stefani earlier in the year. For the first verse and chorus of Setting The World On Fire, the two voices work very well together. However, as it progresses, P!nk's voice comes through more and more and whilst I don't dislike her voice, her Punk-Rock ways become jarring against the Country lyrics and arrangement of the song.

The rest of the album is very similar to what we have come to expect from Kenny Chesney. Songs like Trip Around The Sun and Winnebago play on the usual Kenny Chesney theme of drinking and living in the moment. Meanwhile, other songs on the album strike me as recycled versions of songs from previous albums. The final song on the album, Coach, bears a striking resemblance to The Boy's Of Fall from his Hemingway's Whiskey album (my all time favourite album from him).

There are however, some very strong assets to the album. One of my favourites being Bucket, a retro-Country sounding anthem. Again this plays on the "carpe-diem" atmosphere of the album. This is done far more effectively than with other songs on the album, perhaps due to writing credits from Brett James and  Craig Wiseman alongside the more traditional Kenny Chesney sound - this song sounds like it could easily have featured on his Everywhere We Go album.
Another highlight for me from the album is All The Pretty Girls, a fun, upbeat song about small town boys longing after small town girls. Simple yet believable and nostalgic.

Perhaps the biggest drawback for this album was the direction (or lack of). Noise and Setting The World On Fire implied that Cosmic Hallelujah would be something new and interesting for the Country genre. However, this simply wasn't the case.
The album is very safe and plays on what has worked well on previous Kenny Chesney albums. Whilst I am a big fan of Kenny Chesney and the music he's released over his long career, these songs simply aren't up to the usual standards. I can't help but wonder if I'd have preferred the album if it had gone without the P!nk duet and remained 'Some Town Somewhere".

Best songs: Bucket; All The Pretty Girls

Worst Songs: Setting The World On Fire; Noise

Rating: 2/5

Tuesday 20 December 2016

The 2016 Reviews: 'Hero' - Maren Morris


2016 has been a fantastic year for Country music fans. We've heard some great new music from our long-time favourites, including Kenny Chesney, Garth Brooks and Ronnie Dunn. We've also welcomed some talented new faces to the Country scene, Maren Morris, Brother's Osborne and Old Dominion, to name a few.
To celebrate what a year it has been, I will be writing a series of reviews of my favourite (and least favourite) albums from this year. Enjoy!


Kicking things off with Nashville's favourite rising star, Maren Morris burst onto the scene this year with her debut Country album, Hero.
The album has already sold just short of 140,000 copies in the USA alone. This album has earned Maren not only a CMA award for new artist of the year but also an incredible Grammy nomination for best Country album. She has received praise from some of the biggest names in the business with critical acclaim from Rolling Stone and Billboard who both named it one of the best albums of the year. 

   

Hero is an ambitious yet successful blend of old R&B, Soul, Gospel and of course, Country. 
First impressions are important they say. With that in mind, The first track on the album, Sugar, opens on a twangy acoustic guitar with Maren sing-rapping in the verses alongside an epic chorus with much more complex production value. Lyrically the song is very simple and accessible. Maren sings about having a crush on someone. It's sweet yet sassy, complete with the profanity rarely heard in Country Music-pretty bold for a debut! I would argue that although it's not a bad song by a long shot, it's certainly weaker in both the lyrics and somewhat forgettable melodies than some of the other songs on the album. As the first impression of the album, it certainly doesn't do it justice.
From here it's onwards and upwards. The second track on the album, Rich, is much catchier than the first. I wouldn't be surprised if Maren releases it as a single at some point in 2017. This song is sassy with a Kacey Musgrave's flavour of humour, "All the little lies, rolling on your lips is money falling from the sky, sh*t I'd be rich!" 

My Church, the first single from this album. With a flare of Gospel, Maren sings about how she is far from perfect, "I've cussed on a Sunday, I've cheated and I've lied". Again, we could expect similar themes of defiance from Kacey Musgraves, Miranda Lambert or Brandy Clark. The song has sold over 800,000 copies in the USA and has been nominated for two Grammys. References to Johnny Cash and Hank Williams make this song even more timeless and accessible and with an addictive hook, it's certain to have you singing along.

The soulful tone and production of the music are ringing loud and clear in the songs Once, I Could Use a Love Song and I Wish I Was. The songs are filled with raw emotion and desperation sure to leave you with Goosebumps. Lyrically, these ballads are arguably the strongest on the album.

Drunk Girls Don't Cry and 80s Mercedes both have a certain pop quality to them. Drunk Girls Don't Cry brings us more of the sassy comedy we've heard in Rich. Whilst this matter-of-fact comedy is used across the album, it remains innovative and original and definitely doesn't get old the way it does in Kacey Musgraves' Pageant Material album (sorry, Kacey). 80s Mercedes is an upbeat millennial anthem with a strong pop atmosphere that you might expect from Kelsea Ballerini. Whilst the lyrics don't particularly have any hard-hitting substance, this track is sure to have you singing and dancing.


Overall, Hero is an innovative and daring album, particularly for a debut. It ambitiously blends a range of classic genres with a flare of up-to-date references and humour. However, I have no doubt that Maren pulled this off more than successfully.

Maren has writing credits on every track on the album which is impressive, particularly through the delivery of heartfelt songs such as Once. However, there are occasions where the songwriting falls flat e.g. "if I had a dime every time that your crossed my mind, well I'd be sitting on a big ass pile of dimes" (Rich).
In addition, one of the biggest let-downs with this album is that four of the songs, including two singles, were released just a few months earlier on her self-titled EP. My guess is that Maren's label saw the success of My Church and tried to hit the ground running by releasing an album as soon as possible.

Hero has become a Country fan favourite and received an extraordinary amount of critical acclaim and nominations- including nominations at the upcoming Grammy awards. These are all incredible feats to achieve, especially so early in Maren's career and I am excited to see what comes next from her.

Best Songs: Rich, My Church, I Could Use A Love Song

Worst Songs: Sugar, Second Wind

Rating: 4/5

Tuesday 13 December 2016

10 Country Songs for Your Christmas Playlist


It's less than two weeks until the big day! The shops are getting busier, Christmas parties are in full swing and we aren't sure how we're going to cope when Starbucks stop serving their gingerbread latte - or maybe that's just me.  In any case, I am marking the holiday season with a playlist of Country songs- be sure to mix them in with your usual Slade and Mariah this year.

1) Kacey Musgraves - Christmas Makes Me Cry




This year, our favourite Texan songwriter released her first Christmas Album. It's a great album with some original Christmas songs alongside covers of festive favourites. Christmas Makes Me Cry features writing credits from Shane McAnally and Brandy Clark - when those names are on a song, it's sure to be one to remember. The song talks about the sad parts of the holiday- watching family members getting older every year; missing loved ones who aren't there, it's an emotional, melancholy song. Worry not, though, A Very Kacey Christmas has many uplifting tracks on it too.

2) Kenny Chesney - All I Want For Christmas Is A Real Good Tan


It's no secret that Knoxville native, Kenny Chesney, loves the tropics. Therefore, it's no surprise that the title track from his 2003 Christmas album is about wanting to escape the freezing temperatures that the holiday season brings with it. The song is a unique balance of festive yet warm. Talk of Pina Coladas, alongside maracas and ukulele, are guaranteed to make you forget all about the sub-zero temperatures, at least for a few minutes.

3) Taylor Swift - Last Christmas



Almost ten years ago, Country bumpkin Taylor Swift released an EP of Christmas music- original songs and covers. As Christmas projects go, this one felt slightly underrated and therefore I'm adding her Country cover of Last Christmas to this year's Christmas playlist. 

4) Luke Bryan - Run Run Rudolph 



This upbeat cover of the classic Rock n Roll, Christmas hit. is a must have for your playlist. Luke Bryan's Georgia boy accent is a great twist on a song you already know the words to. Turn up the volume and add it to your Christmas party playlist.

5) Sam Palladio - River



Next up on the list is this mellow cover of Joni Mitchell's song. In case you missed it, the cast of Nashville released a Christmas album, produced by Jay DeMarcus of Rascal Flatts. The album features some brilliant covers by all your favourite Nashville voices, including Connie Britton and Hayden Panetierre. This cover from Sam Palladio (Gunnar) is perfect while you're relaxing after a busy day of Christmas Shopping.

6) Carrie Underwood - The First Noel



Carrie Underwood's rendition of this traditional hymn is a must for your iPod this Christmas. It is a very simple take on the song but her voice is perfect for it.


7) Lady Antebellum - Baby, It's Cold Outside



Back in 2012, Lady Antebellum released their platinum Christmas album, On This Winter's Night. However, before the Country superstars had even earned their first #1 hit, they released their rendition of Baby, It's Cold Outside. The undeniable chemistry between Charles Kelley and Hilary Scott's voices is perfect for this classic song.

8) Little Big Town - Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas



From one Country supergroup to another, next on our list we have Little Big Town's rendition of Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas. It's filled with the flawless harmonies that fans have come to love from the band. 

9) Faith Hill - Where Are You Christmas?



Written by the queen of Christmas and recorded by the queen of Country. Faith Hill performs Mariah Carey's beautiful Christmas tune, Where Are You Christmas? You might remember this one from the soundtrack of the timeless Christmas movie, How The Grinch Stole Christmas. 

10) Brad Paisley - Penguin, James Penguin



Last but certainly not least on the list is Brad Paisley's, Penguin, James Penguin. His 2006 Christmas album is a selection of covers and original songs, filled with the witty songwriting we have come to expect from him. Penguin, James Penguin tells the story of Santa's secret agent penguin who keeps tabs on who has been naughty and who has been nice. It's certain to put a smile on your face.


Merry Christmas!