The Backlog- July's End

after some hiatus, the backlog returns with 11 hard hitters

In carefully crafted artistic prose of Jason Aldean’s songwriting team….

Sorry about the delay, like I said in my last piece, it just kept on getting pushed off. I’ll have another batch ready soon. Gotta keep up the pace because back end of the year there are gobs of fantastic projects about to drop. The pressure is real. lol

A brief reminder of the subgenre numbering system:

1- Traditional Country (we play both kinds of music, country AND western! Also, includes folk and other roots origin style stuff)

2- Country Rock (So long as there’s some twang, and it rocks, it fits.)

3- Modern Country (the murky middle. guitar drums, its not identifiably any other genre so….)

4- Pop Country (the snap track thing thankfully has subsided, but there is still plenty of this around)

5- Southern Pop (not strictly just Sam Hunt, there’s more here. Any “country” song that is 100% other genre, but simply slaps a Cracker Barrel sticker on the label to try and pass at the family picnic fits in right here)

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1. America’s Backroads — Alyssa Bonagura

13 tracks / 46 min | Subgenre: 2, 3, 4

A decade-in-the-making personal statement, blending country, rock, folk and pop. Assured, seasoned delivery and clean vocals cut through the rock arrangements, and she has a real way with a melody. Grading on the songwriter pivot to singing, this is top tier.

Favorites: Hippies & Gypsies, Life Is a Road, Noise

Least Favorite: Foundation

2. Pink Pocket Pistol — Willow Avalon

14 tracks / 45 min | Subgenre: 1, 2, 3, 4

Sharp zingers and pointed delivery paired with darker, moodier ‘60s textures instead of her debut’s more pop angle. A trading-barbs duet with Midland is a highlight. Her sharper tone occasionally sits too flat for the emotion which works well for ironic zingers, but fails to penetrate when aiming for sincere emotion. Still, its real artistic growth for a young and promising artist, though in many spots it can’t quite escape a novelty song feel.

Favorites: Hickest Woman, Work to Do

Least Favorite: Raining Inside

3. Walk A Straight Line — Mack Geiger

6 tracks / 22 min | Subgenre: 1

The Australian’s blow-up invites some skepticism, but Geiger mostly earns it. He splits the difference between an iterative hat act and the genuine McCoy with more conviction than most. The packaging is familiar and impeccable, the baritone mellifluous, and the instincts and audience connection feel real. Tear in my beer classic.

Favorites: Title track, String By, Mess Of Blues

Least Favorite: Hole In The Wall

4. Valentine — Courtney Marie Andrews

10 tracks / 36 min | Subgenre: 1, 2, 3

Her most controlled, disciplined vocal performance yet. Death, life, breakup, new relationships. New instrumental textures mark real growth, but the song structures lack proper big hooks. A missed opportunity for a voice this good.

Favorites: Pendulum Swing, Cons & Clowns, Little Picture of a Butterlfy

Least Favorite: Everyone Wants to Feel Like You Do

5. Stages — Midland

10 tracks / 32 min | Subgenre: 1, 3

A high-floor, low-ceiling notch in their discography belt. Their signature harmonies are as smooth as ever, and the songwriting doesn’t embarrass them. It’s exactly what you expect, for better or worse.

Favorites: Marlboro Man, Drinkin’ Dark Whiskey, Vaquero

Least Favorite: Shooting Miles With Tequila

6. A Sign in the Weather — Bella White

11 tracks, 41 min | Subgenre: 1

Reined-in vocal delivery lets the melodies hit. A breakup record, and the emotion packs a punch, but it’s one sustained mood of bruised grief across all eleven tracks. No standout bad song, but also no song that distinguishes itself either, and they blur together by the back half, in spite of the refreshingly crisp vocals. Good, occasionally great, but needed either more range or fewer songs.

Favorites: Little Things, False Start

Least Favorite: Two Times

7. Tulsa Turnaround— Jason Eady

12 tracks, 41 min | Subgenre: 1, 2

Easy-listening, mellow Southern blues. Eady leans even further into the backbeat-heavy sound of the Tulsa sound. The groove is evident, the baritone mellow, and the songwriting occasionally surprising. Solid mid-career material for Eady, could have been career-defining for nearly anyone else.

Favorites: Title Track, Mean Spirit, Old Drunken Savior

Least Favorite: Stay Up or Get Down

8. Blue Stars — Vincent Neil Emerson

12 tracks / 41n min | Subgenre: 1

I’ve always liked the concept of Emerson more than the result. The arrangements are traditional country mixed with an American attitude in the best possible way. The songwriting, when you can parse it, is pointed and has something to say. But it’s very hard to understand a word coming out of his mouth— both due to production and a delivery style that sounds like Emerson is speaking with his mouth full, and that makes it difficult to connect. Rewarding if you’re willing to put in the work, but a bit inaccessible as-is.

Favorites: Dark Horse, Jet Plane

Least Favorite: Rich Man

9. The Me That Remains — Amy Grant

10 tracks / 39 min | Subgenre: 1, 3

Looser and more ragged than her classic sound, the unexpectedly raw style works. Her first collection of originals in 13 years, this is an aged Grant with the perspective that time in the rearview mirror gives. Mostly lands, though at times it drifts too soft and vague.

Favorites: The Me That Remains

Least Favorite: (Nothing Like A) Sunny Day

10. True South— Rodney Atkins

12 tracks / 40 min | Subgenre: 4, 2, 3, 5

Sigh. Atkins’ voice has never sounded good, but it’s never been worse. Age has emphasized all the negative, grainy characteristics. The attempts at relatability feels dated, the attempts at authenticity policing fall flat in the face of the heavy-handed autotune, and cheap synthetics. A grab bag of the last decades worst trends slapped onto a needed project that will only tarnish an already oxidizing legacy. An out-of-date, out-of-touch listening experience.

Favorites: None

Least Favorite: All, but especially the tired re-do of Watching You.

11. Appalachia — Emily Scott Robinson

10 tracks | Subgenre: 1

Otherworldly soprano, among the most distinctive voices in the game right now. Once you’ve heard it, you won’t forget it. Folk more than country. Delicate arrangements cradle her voice and no one makes emotion and story feel this real and three-dimensional. Not her career best, but would be for anyone else.

Favorites: Time Traveler, The Time For Flowers, Dirtbag Saloon

Least Favorite: Hymn for the Unholy

(editor Joe here, ok this is probably a controversial take, but grading on the Emily Scott Robinson curve, I think she’s handled this kinda thing better elsewhere. Bring on the pitchforks ;)

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Thank you for reading,

Joe

If you want catch up on what has been covered in the series thus far: