October, part 2.
October gets a bonus round. Ten more albums. Some big names, some former big names, some that should be big names.
Well, here's October part two. Enjoy!
(The Subgenre numbering system:
1- Traditional Country
2- Country Rock
3- Modern Country
4- Pop Country
5- Southern Pop)
Keith Urban- HIGH
-Tracks: 12
-Time: 39
-Subgenre: 2, 4, 5
A notable qualitative step up from Urban's lackluster past decade plus run. One might have expected the now-56 year old (!) artist to affect an elder statesmen gaze and add some world-weary-and-wise perspective. From the man who has had such a twisted and tangled path through life, that would have provided intriguing fodder. Alas, that has never been where Urban pulls his storytelling inspiration from. And even with this album advertised as his "most personal yet", a curious distance lies at the yawning chasm between the aging artist and the youthful tales spun. Also, this whole CAPITAL LETTER SONG TITLE thing is really annoying.
Favorite: STRAIGHT LINE, CHUCK TAYLORS, HEART LIKE A HOMETOWN, DODGE IN A SILVERADO, BREAK THE CHAIN
Least Favorite: GO HOME W U (ft. Lainey Wilson), LAUGHIN’ ALL THE WAY TO THE DRANK
Russell Dickerson- Bones: The EP
-Tracks: 5
-Time: 14 min.
-Subgenre: 5, 4
Blustering boisterous blasting pop country that has the trappings of lyrical structure, but unfortunately does not remotely possess sufficient vocal presence to carry the bigger anthemic tracks. The slower moments could have worked, but production choices deeply subtract from any emotion. The acoustic song is the best of the bunch merely due to the lack of aggressively overdone production choices.
Favorite: Cold Beer Conversation
Least Favorite: Miss You So (Letters To You)
Megan Moroney- Am I Okay
-Tracks: 14
-Time: 45 min.
-Subgenre: 3, 4, 1
Moroney shifts away from the unabashed twang of 2023’s Lucky and settles on a pop inspired fusion. Thankfully, the charming country influences that defined her last project are still here, evident by copious amounts of steel guitar. Early Taylor Swift influence is heavily evident, with Moroney co-opting the lighter crossover sounds and teenage storytelling perspectives of that ‘00s Swift epoch. Deeper moments are here and the overall result is a solid, if not altogether satisfying experience. She has the voice, she has the perspective, the production doesn't always do it for me here. Best suited for fans of Kelsea Ballerini’s more rootsy work or late 10’s Kacey.
Editor note. The deluxe release came out after I penned this review. Upon a brief listen, it seems that the new closer track- I’ll Be Fine- serves as an answer song to the leadoff track questioning of Am I Okay. Using a deluxe expansion to actually add artistry and depth to a record is exactly the sophisticated move more artists should be doing.
Favorite: Mama I Lied, Noah, Heaven By Noon, Hell Of A Show
Least Favorite: Am I Okay, The Girls
Logan Crosby- 2019
-Tracks: 13
-Time: 41 min.
-Subgenre: 2, 3, 4
A very new face, Crosby brashly announces his youth with the title track 2019, summoning sepia tinged memories of the summer long past when…. Beer Never Broke My Heart ruled the airwaves?!?!? All that aside, Crosby's calling card is his rich vocals. Powerful enough to handle the harsher "country" rock arrangements that mostly define the record, but with enough deft and touch to dance around delicate emotive moments. As a new artist/songwriter, an extremely intriguing proposition.
Favorite: 2019, Polaroid Picture, Please Don’t Say Atlanta, Roots
Least Favorite: Girl Next Door, Ain’t No Georgia
Tucker Wetmore- Waves On A Sunset
-Tracks: 8
-Time: 22
-Subgenre: 4, 3, 5
Does absolutely nothing to dissuade the feeling that he is just riding on the coattails of the Wallen MO. A debut album is a great opportunity to carve out a unique slice for yourself. Putting out something that sounds like the demo tracks 11-18 for any given Morgan Wallen album ain’t it.
Favorite: Silverado Blue, Mister Miss Her
Least Favorite: Wind Up Missin’ You, What Would You Do?
Zac Brown Band- No Wake Zone
-Tracks: 5
-Time: 16 min.
-Subgenre: 3, 4, 1
As time passes, even late 2000s debuting artists are struggling to maintain relevance. The story of Zac brown band has not been one of straightforward decline, but even discounting the odd vicissitudes of the band, their time would be nearly up regardless. This is clearly in the “trying to evoke the hits to juice the audience but only succeeding in reminding you that they did things way better circa 2012 or so” stage.
Favorite: Pirates & Parrots (ft. Mac McAnally)
Least Favorite: Tie Up
Amanda Kate Ferris- Rope The Wind
-Tracks: 10
-Time: 33 min.
-Subgenre: 1, 3
Painstaking attention to detail in the writing fleshes out straightforward stories of life and love, elevating far beyond the rote generics often found on younger artists' work. Some high ranking songwriter talent on display, check the liner notes. A modern sheen on classic country sounds does wonders for teasing out the emotional depth. Ferris’s husky tinged vocals are expressive and wonderfully apropos for the style.
Favorite: Are You A Real Cowboy (ft.Jenee Fleenor in a singing role?!), When I Think About You, Chili Pepper Lights, Build A Life
Least Favorite: Tequila & Jesus
The Franklin County Trucking Company- The Death-Defying Adventures of the Franklin County Trucking Company
-Tracks: 12
-Time: 38 min.
-Subgenre: 2, 1
The sonic equivalent of an unexpectedly fantastic gas station coffee. Trucker country rock and roll that puts hair on the chest of anyone who listens. Personality in spades allows a niche and overdone subgenre to have regained life. Trucker country feels very cliche, but then you realize it's been 40+ years since it had any real momentum. For many listeners, this could be their first real exposure. It is a perfectly fine place to start. Especially for alt-country fans.
Favorite: Bless My Soul, Truck Drivin’ Rock ‘n’ Roll Songs, Me & Mr. Pibb, Work Hard- Be Humble
Least Favorite: What A Trucker Does
Various Artists- Silver Bullet Bluegrass
-Tracks: 13
-Time: 49 min.
-Subgenre: 1
A bluegrass twist on Bob Seger classics. Ably demonstrates that the roots portion of roots rock is no misnomer. Unlike many bluegrass covers of non-genre songs, these mostly flow well. It isn’t as rambunctious as I would have expected but the musicianship is still notable. The stripping back of rock presents some of Seger's lyricism in a newly appreciable light. A non-essential but enjoyable listen for a Bob Seger or bluegrass fan.
Editor note: The song ratings are not to pass judgment on the Seger original, but purely based on performance. For example, You’ll Accomp’ny Me is one of my favorite Seger songs, but I wasn’t such a fan of this interpretation. Evaluating cover songs is tricky.
Favorite: Hollywood Nights (Shonna Tucker), Against The Wind (Tim Shelton), Ramblin’ Gamblin’ Man (Bo Bice), Roll Me Away (Bill Taylor)
Least Favorite: You’ll Accomp’ny Me (Keith Garrett), Fell Like A Number (Robert Hale)
Maggie Antone- Rhinestoned
-Tracks: 10
-Time: 37 min.
-Subgenre: 1, 3
Sophisticated romp through inner emotions from an old soul in a new world. Approachable vocals provide frank perspective cushioned by tongue in cheek wordplay. Stylistically, the record aims for an updated blend of modern atmospherics surrounding a classic country core. It mostly succeeds on that front. A newer artist with some buzz, Antone still could use some polish vocally, but thankfully the production choices impeccably cover for any vocal weakness. Antone’s voice leans sweet, but thin. By indulging in atmospheric presentation, doubling over vocals and/or adjusting the reverb can both cover for a lack of power as well as cohesively fit with the overall vibe. Very well executed.
Favorite: Mess With Texas, High Standards, Suburban Outlaw, Me & Jose Cuervo
Least Favorite: One To Many, Meant To Meet
Thanks for reading! The year is slowly winding down. Plenty of music I haven't heard yet, but most of the higher profile releases have been covered. Some notable exceptions exist. For example, I do plan on reviewing the Sturgill record. It's just proven to be a very dense listen that is difficult to boil down in three to five sentences. I'll see what I can do. No guarantees.
-Joe