Y95 COUNTRY » Song & Album Reviews

Eric Church, 'Like Jesus Does' – Song Review

Billy Dukes — Tue, 15 Jan 2013 17:00:42 +0000

Eric Church has released his most devoted love song from 'Chief' as the album's fifth single. 'Like Jesus Does' reveals the singer's vulnerabilities in a way none of his previous ballads have done. Like 'Springsteen,' reference is made to famous classic rock standards, giving the song some familiarity even before a first listen is finished.

'Nashville' Star Hayden Panettiere (as Juliette Barnes), 'Telescope' – Song Review

Billy Dukes — Wed, 17 Oct 2012 20:30:51 +0000

After just one episode of ‘Nashville,‘ it’s difficult to imagine how the show’s first radio single is going to fit in with the storyline. ‘Telescope’ by Hayden Panettiere — Juliette Barnes on the show — is a rollicking pop-country song about keeping track of one’s man as his eyes wander. After the pilot, it seems like women in ‘Nashville’ need to have telescopic eyes to keep an eye on Barnes, as she climbs aboard everything with a Y chromosome.

Hunter Hayes, 'Somebody's Heartbreak' – Song Review

Billy Dukes — Wed, 10 Oct 2012 19:00:00 +0000

What’s remarkable about Hunter Hayes‘s three singles — including his newest, ‘Somebody’s Heartbreak’ — is the consistency. There is nothing amateur about this country newcomer. All three fly flat along a bar raised high above the reach of many Nashville singers, both young and old.

Craig Morgan, 'More Trucks Than Cars' – Song Review

Billy Dukes — Sat, 06 Oct 2012 23:00:19 +0000

From the very first notes of Craig Morgan‘s new single ‘More Trucks Than Cars,’ you’ll know you’re in for a no tricks, no twists country song from the man who’s made a living painting a scenic picture of rural America. The song is as genuine as any Morgan has released. It’s only muted by his own strong catalog of (other) farm boy hits.

Clay Walker, 'Jesse James' – Song Review

Billy Dukes — Thu, 27 Sep 2012 20:15:49 +0000

Fans of Clay Walker know him as a lot of great things, but ‘outlaw’ is not one of them. It’s a fair question for people to ask if his new single, ‘Jesse James,’ is sung with tongue loosely planted in cheek. One leans towards yes after checking out the cover art. The hat is a little big, the pants a little too pressed. He’s a cowboy if cowboys shopped at Banana Republic.

Taylor Swift, 'Begin Again' – Song Review

Billy Dukes — Tue, 25 Sep 2012 16:40:52 +0000

Taylor Swift has released ‘Begin Again,’ a new song from her upcoming ‘Red’ album. It’s a huggable, inspiring, acoustic country ballad that is everything country fans wished her first single ‘We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together’ was when it was released in August.

Bucky Covington, 'Good Guys' – Album Review

Billy Dukes — Mon, 24 Sep 2012 16:00:51 +0000

If you’re a fan of Bucky Covington but haven’t yet bought ‘Good Guys,’ breathe easy. You’ve already heard over half the album. Seven of the 12 songs are retreads from his ‘I’m Alright’ EP or the unreleased Lyric Street album, or they’re songs he’s released to radio in the last 12 months.

Faith Hill, 'American Heart' – Song Review

Billy Dukes — Tue, 18 Sep 2012 23:00:20 +0000

Faith Hill has a new album finished, but it seems fans won’t get to hear it until a single sticks. ‘American Heart’ is at least the third new song fans nationwide have heard — including ‘Come Home’ and the title track, ‘Illusion,’ played during the ‘CMA Music Festival’ special on ABC. Like the others, it’s a thick production made accessible by the wonder of Hill’s voice.

Billy Ray Cyrus, 'Change My Mind' – Song Review

Billy Dukes — Sat, 15 Sep 2012 17:00:28 +0000

It’s difficult to keep up with Billy Ray Cyrus. The singer clearly has the chops and energy to record relevant country music, but with every new album comes a new direction — and perhaps a new haircut. ‘Change My Mind,’ the title track from his new album (in stores this October), finds the singer playing the bad boy, as a storm of edgy banjo and electric guitar playing swirls around him.

Brett Eldredge, 'Don't Ya' – Song Review

Billy Dukes — Tue, 04 Sep 2012 23:00:01 +0000

Brett Eldredge is a country newcomer with more talent than fame, but the latter may catch up to him after his new single ‘Don’t Ya’ finishes its radio run. The Illinois born-and-raised singer does all of the little things right on this tightly-produced cut from a long-promised debut album. We’re never blown away by his soulful voice, but we’re made aware of what he’s capable of by the end of a first or second listen.

Gloriana, 'Can't Shake You' – Song Review

Billy Dukes — Thu, 30 Aug 2012 20:30:28 +0000

Gloriana’s new single ‘Can’t Shake You’ takes time to build, but by the second verse, the trio is able to put real hurt into a mid-tempo song about failed love and regret. The second-to-last chorus finds a Gossin brother (Tom, Mike… who can tell them apart without looking at them?) digging deep for what may be the most vulnerable moment on their new ‘A Thousand Miles Left Behind’ album.

Darius Rucker, 'True Believers' – Song Review

Billy Dukes — Mon, 27 Aug 2012 20:00:00 +0000

Darius Rucker takes a simple story of two lovers who defy odds and skeptics and places it gently on a cloud in the stratosphere — a place few others can reach. ‘True Believers’ begins as a mild and unremarkable pop-country song before clever production and Rucker’s unforgettable voice find one soaring in the euphoria.

Dierks Bentley, 'Country and Cold Cans' – Album Review

Billy Dukes — Thu, 23 Aug 2012 17:00:20 +0000

EPs are often like movie sequels in that they often feel like a ploy to make a few dollars instead of a chance for an artist to expand upon a theme. Much like ‘Empire Strikes Back,’ and more recently, ‘Toy Story 2′, Dierks Bentley‘s ‘Country and Cold Cans’ proves to be an exception.

Eli Young Band, 'Say Goodnight' – Song Review

Billy Dukes — Wed, 08 Aug 2012 23:00:48 +0000

Eli Young Band have notched back-to-back No. 1 hits, although it’s not clear how they’re doing it. Nothing about the band is conventional country music. Their new single ‘Say Goodnight’ is similarly moody and understated — almost emo-country, if such a genre exists. That could be the secret to their magic.

Colt Ford, 'Declaration of Independence' – Album Review

Billy Dukes — Wed, 08 Aug 2012 11:00:04 +0000

On previous albums, Colt Ford backed himself into a tight corner, insisting he’s not rap while spitting rap-like messages of country life, love and fun. The singer admits that by aiming to please everyone, he left most feeling a few bites short of a full meal. This isn’t a problem on ‘Declaration of Independence.’

Love and Theft, 'Love and Theft' – Album Review

Billy Dukes — Wed, 25 Jul 2012 23:00:24 +0000

For Love and Theft, it’s addition by subtraction. The loss of a record label and a band member resulted in a project that is tighter and more accessible than anything on the group’s 2009 debut album. The best songs on ‘Love and Theft‘ are those that tell simple stories and those that rely on simple melodies. That’s most of the album.

Bucky Covington, 'Drinking Side of Country' (Feat. Shooter Jennings) – Song Review

Billy Dukes — Sat, 21 Jul 2012 20:30:45 +0000

Country outlaw Shooter Jennings and one-time ‘American Idol’ contestant Bucky Covington make an odd marriage, but on ‘Drinking Side of Country,’ their voices and styles compliment each other like bar stool buddies telling the same story. They may be too similar, in fact, as it’s difficult to tell who’s who during parts of the rowdy rolling cut from Covington’s upcoming album.

Zac Brown Band, 'Uncaged' – Album Review

Billy Dukes — Tue, 10 Jul 2012 14:55:38 +0000

On paper, ‘Uncaged’ should not work as an album, let alone a country music album. The new release from Zac Brown Band redefines “something for everybody.” Country, reggae, bedroom R&B… Brown and his ever-growing motley crew stretch the Nashville sound further than any other artist. If they weren’t so talented, this project would fall apart long before the title-track.

Kip Moore, 'Beer Money' – Song Review

Billy Dukes — Tue, 26 Jun 2012 15:55:22 +0000

With ‘Beer Money,’ the new single from Kip Moore‘s ‘Up All Night’ album, the singer takes aim at the heart of country America. Those who never quite figured out what to do with ‘Somethin’ ‘Bout a Truck’ will quickly find themselves head-bobbing and mumbling along with the catchy chorus of this radio-friendly track.

Kenny Chesney, 'Welcome to the Fishbowl' – Album Review

Billy Dukes — Wed, 20 Jun 2012 17:30:10 +0000

The most striking scenes of Kenny Chesney‘s ‘Come Over’ video aren’t those of the bikini-clad beauty in the swimming pool or the panoramic shoreline. It’s the singer himself… without a hat on. As it turns out, those images are something of a metaphor for Chesney’s new ‘Welcome to the Fishbowl’ album.