.99 Review: Tim McGraw "Southern Voice"

.99 Review

Tim McGraw

"Southern Voice"

The People's Take

ok song (3 Stars) – I watch tim on thursday night football

-by Kylie Jo 1

Tim remains true to his roots with "Southern Voice" (5 stars) – Swiftly after the marginally charted "It's a Business Doing Pleasure With You", McGraw has released another single that will be a radio smash. "Southern Voice", a song that credits several historical and modern legends for their contributions to the "southern voice", is a twangy number that will force the listener to sing or hum along everytime it plays. McGraw's vocal performance in this song are, as he puts in the song, "smooth", and along with that, the honky-tonk instrumental aid simply adds to the overall "fun" that this sing-along single will promote.

-by Agent Ashcroft

My Take

I was hoping to give this a positive review. I actually enjoy a lot of Tim's music (a lot more than I should admit as a commercial country music farcer and a big alt-country fan) so I'm rooting for a comeback despite his recent song choice foibles and record company troubles. Also, I have a southern superiority complex - at least culturally and athletically - so I never tire of new pandering country hits to fuel my yeehaw. I even liked Buddy Jewell's hymn to the south - not the one about the southern border, mind you.

Some of the parts of "Southern Voice" are nice but the sum of the parts is meh. Trouble with this one is the overall presentation. Par for the country course, it's a listing song - listing people who happen to be southern and happen to have done positive things and been generally successful in life. Other than the fact that they sprang from the same geographic region and were not known for being crystal meth dealers, racists, arsonists, ignoramuses or barefoot yokels, there is little else to hold together this string of names. And another thing, any listing song about the southern voice that doesn't mention this guy is missing a major piece of cultural significance.

The music doesn't help with the presentation. I'd expect a song called "Southern Voice" to either sound really country or pull in some anthem-like Southern rock guitar. Wrong on both counts. The tune just kinda lays there like water in a jar ... or grits... and grits without bacon bits or pepper or sugar or butter, just plain-ass grits. Oh yeah, there's harmonica - so I guess the grits have (is grits a plural?) a dash of salt.

I won't say this is a terrible song (save what might be the clumsiest, most cliche ridden bridge ever). On third and fourth listens, it's actually starting to burrow into my ears a little and hey, I respect all the folks presented. "Southern Voice" just doesn't fuel my yeehaw.

An aside: here are a few of metrolyrics.com's interpretation the song's lyrics (lol!):

"Will Farmer wrote it"

"blows from Memphis down to Appalachia Coal"

"Don't let this old goat cross in this Almond Brothers t-shirt and throw ya"

"Dr. King paved it"

"Billy Graves saved it"

Total value: .55/.99

The Checklist

Church/God

Mama

Boots

Name Dropping

Dying Person

County Fair

Lost Love

Love

Hometown Pride

Kindly Advice

Truck

Whiskey

Beer

Life Affirmation

USA

Soldiers

Pop Sheen

Star Power

.99 Review: Kingbilly "Waiting on You"

.99 Review

Kingbilly

"Waiting on You"

The People's Take (iTunes customer reviews)

Should Be #1 in Country Music (5 Stars) – Every time I have seen KingBilly the show has exceded my expectations. Now to here the magic that is their music captured in studio in one of the most beautiful songs ever written, it really blows my mind. If you haven't bought it, bought it. If you have bought it get everyone you have ever known to buy it. Too good for words!

-by techn8143

(All reviews are 5 stars)

My Take

*Note: This is actually Country California's CM Wilcox's take this time. I excluded myself from a review of this song because one of the band's vocalists/songwriters is from my hometown and went to school with my brother. I didn't want to step on any toes or show any undue bias in either direction but it's fine if CM does :)*

- - - - - - - - -

If you've ever dreamed of reading a love letter from one of the world's biggest pansies, KingBilly will hook you up. Every venture into intimacy leaves him and the woman crying, and he exercises no manly discretion in guarding that fact from public knowledge. In fact, he's just dying to tell you all about it: this song drones on well past the usual 3 minutes, ending closer to the 5 minute mark. KingBilly's apparent belief that a song this boring requires those two extra minutes could easily serve as fodder for a cautionary tale about excessive self-love.

The guys (there are six of them, overwhelmingly metrosexual in appearance) deliver a competent enough performance, which is even an improvement over some artists currently on the radio (read: Rascal Flatts). The production is pretty good, with some actual instruments audible. The harmonies are fine. So really the burden of suck falls squarely on the song itself, which isn't just outwardly boring but even nonsensical by its own internal logic: why would a guy's current girlfriend want a detailed description of his first encounter with another girl (crying and all), such as he offers in the first verse? “We both were breathing like we were in a race/Her hair was hanging down in my face”? Really?

What's she supposed to say to that? Why is he getting such a kick out of telling her? If she's turned on by hearing of his romantic escapades with other women, are there enough Kleenex at home to last through the steamy night ahead?

In summary, blech.

Total value: .20/.99

The Checklist

Church/God

Mama

Boots

Name Dropping

Dying Person

County Fair

Lost Love

Love

Hometown Pride

Kindly Advice

Truck

Whiskey

Beer

Life Affirmation

USA

Soldiers

Pop Sheen

Star Power

.99 Review: Carrie Underwood "Cowboy Casanova"

.99 Review

Carrie Underwood

"Cowboy Casanova"

The People's Take

Seizes to amaze!!!!! (5 Stars) – Carrie has done it again with her newest single! Can't wait for the new album!!!!!!<3

-Leah Cristine

She's a money-making machine. (5 Stars) – Good for Carrie. Once again, she churns out another hit. You go girl.

-legal-eagle-for-music (Please don't sue me!)

On Her Way To Being the G.O.A.T. (Greatest Of All Time) (5 Stars) – This Song Is Great And Carrie Is Proboly The Most Talented Artist In Music Today No One Can Top Her Vocally And As We All See Here No One Can Top Her Songs Either I Cant Wait To Plan On November 3rd (C U 11/3)

-Tconlon2

Cowboy Casanova? (2 Stars) – Boring and cheesy song.

-Tonyaeds

My Take

Oh who am I kidding? I'm just reviewing this so I could post that person's iTunes review that says "Seizes to amaze!!!!!" My review is pretty much pointless after that blast of awesomeness! I'll give it a go anyway.

My first impression: It's possibly the furthest thing from country ever played on country radio. This is a pop song - that is a matter of fact and there is no room for debate. I guess it's a somewhat catchy pop song, though the Shania-esque "oohhh whoa's" are hellafied annoying. The only thing country about this is the title. Oh sure, it'll be a #1 smash and is probably a great lead single for her forthcoming album, but it won't reverberate across time with its artistic excellence(or even above average-ness). It won't even reverberate across my ear drums again if I can help it.

Musically this recalls Kelly Clarkson, Shania and Joan Jett. Vocally it recalls her own "American Girl" with its overreaching screams. Lyrically, it recalls every song ever written about a guy who isn't all he appears. The words bring absolutely nothing new to the table - there's nary a clever turn of phrase to be heard. I'd go as far as to say they're some of the least interesting lyrics I have ever heard in a commercial country song - wow, there's even a big name songwriter attached to this.

Overall, the tune brings the term "country" as it relates to the mainstream portion of the genre, a great deal closer to irrelevancy. I'm going to listen to some BettySoo now.

Total value: .22/.99

The Checklist

Church/God

Mama

Boots

Name Dropping

Dying Person

County Fair

Lost Love

Love

Hometown Pride

Kindly Advice

Truck

Whiskey

Beer

Life Affirmation

USA

Soldiers

Pop Sheen

Star Power

.99 Review - Fast Ryde

.99 Review - Fast Ryde "That Thang"

The People's Take

first review (5 Stars) – this is pretty sick!

-JJARED

Not too shabby (3 Stars) – did sound like big & rich. But loving the picture on their cover!

-Novagirl82

I'll Take "Annoying" For $500, Please... (1 Star) – Are you serious? This is just awful. I should have given my money to charity...

-Tastes Great

My Take

I've heard this described as a party song or a novelty song, but that must be some sort of sick joke. The lyrics read more like a tragedy to me. This lady has some real difficulties in her life, yet this new band chooses to ridicule and exploit her issues.

She got that thang in her back? She really should see a doctor. It could be a bulging disc or a tumor.

It makes people say "Hey, look at that"?? These are some very inconsiderate people pointing out her hump (not her lovely lady lumps).

It might set something on fire? What's going on back there that could do that?!? Apparently, that thang in her back is so large, it's causing some really dangerous friction against her clothing.

This is serious stuff! These tools shouldn't write and perform a song about this poor lady's condition or deformation, they should write and perform an actual country song to make money to help out with her medical bills. She can't fit in her shorts, people!

She's got junk like a trailer yard? So, she's got a car up on blocks, a rusted out hibachi, some beer cans and a broken plastic flamingo? Somebody get Extreme Home Makeover on the line! Someone with such a hard life shouldn't have to worry about her property decor and landscaping.

It's plumb disgraceful how these guys point out this woman's flaws but offer up nothing to remedy her sad situation. Aside from the godawful sound of the music, the ill-fitting hip-hop affectations and the annoying repetition of "dang" and "doing" (which rhymes with boing, not booing - which I'm doing), this is the most depressing and pointless song currently on country radio. I hope that radio programmers and country fans alike will dismiss its insensitive and abusive message. Good day.

Total value: .09/.99

The Checklist

Church/God

Mama

Boots

✓Name Dropping

Dying Person

County Fair

Lost Love

✓Love(??)

Hometown Pride

Kindly Advice

Truck

Whiskey

Beer

✓Life Affirmation(??)

USA

Soldiers

Pop Sheen

Star Power

.99 Review - Gary Allan "Today"

.99 Review - Gary Allan "Today"

The People's Take

Today (5 Stars) – Its about time we get some new Gary Allan. Its a great new songs.

-The Mexican elvis

Perfect (5 Stars) – For any true country fan Gary's new song does not disappoint--it is awesome, hopefully it gets some radio play between all the Kenny Chesney and Keith Urban continuity.

-arm626

My Take

Everything about this song, on paper, screams that it deserves a subpar if not embarrassingly low rating on my value scale. It's more cliché than the average Rascal Flatts song, more pop than a Chuck Wicks ballad and more soppy than a Jimmy Wayne emo song. Nothing, nothing, nothing new is brought to the table. Did I say nothing? It makes Brad Paisley's "Then" look like the most breathtakingly original country song ever written. I should hate this song. It could easily fit into many "real country" fans' lists of examples of all that's wrong with modern country. Here's the summary, Gary's ex is getting married today and he's sad about it. "Looks like she's really gone now" he sings.... nice observation, CSI Nashville.

All that said, I like it. For two reasons. 1) Gary could sing anything and I'd like it (aside from the vomit-inducing career misstep "Tough Little Boys"). I just freaking love the man's voice. 2) It's a sad song. There aren't enough of those around these days. It fills a void.

That's it. I like it. I don't love it. It won't stick with me for long, but I'll be singing it in my head for the next few weeks, at least until I can hear his new album in full. In the hands (or vocal cords, rather) of anyone else, I'd likely hate and deride the song. Gary gets a pass.

Hypocrite much?

Total value: .75/.99

The Checklist

Church/God

Mama

Boots

Name Dropping

Dying Person

County Fair

Lost Love

Love

Hometown Pride

Kindly Advice

Truck

Whiskey

Beer

Life Affirmation

USA

Soldiers

Pop Sheen

Star Power

(The single cover is just Gary in a doorway... doesn't exactly lend itself to being "Photocrapped")

.99 Review - Whitney Duncan

Whitney Duncan - Skinny Dippin'

The People's Take

perfect summer song! (5 stars) – i heard this song awhile back, and fell in love with it. whitney duncan uses her soulful rasp to really turn on the heat in this sexy summer tune! all i can say is great job girl!
by smileykk

Ouch! (1 star) – This is a really bad song! No thanks.
by My $0.02

My Take
Another timely summer release, former Nashville Star contestant Whitney Duncan's new single is a breezy anthem for your ...um Whitney skinny dippin' :)... oh, sorry, got off track a minute. Anyway, this song is an ode to ...you guessed it. Although many a country song has ended with or included folks dropping trou' and hopping into the creek, I don't recall a single that was completely dedicated to ... hmm, Whitney skinny dippin'. Apologies, back to the review. I'm not sure I see this being a big hit for a couple of reasons. #1 enunciation... while, her voice is soulful and fairly pleasing to the ear, Ms. Duncan sounds like she's got a mouthful of marbles... no, something softer... cotton balls maybe. It was difficult to make out all of the lyrics ...Whitney Duncan naked in the water...ahem. So, #2... the lyrics (the ones I could discern anyway). Did she say they were swimming in the Mississippi??? Do people swim in the Mississippi? Have you seen it lately? Have you seen the size of the fish they pull out of that thing? I was born beside it and I won't swim in it. Sure, I'm overanalyzing, but that's what I do here. Also, did I hear the word "tush"? Who, besides ZZ Top uses that word and gets away wwwwwWhitney Duncan with her clothes off in a swimming hole. Where was I? Okay, so this is an alright song. I'm probably just past the ceiling age for skinny dipping and it not being really weird, so the subject matter doesn't appeal to me a great deal, but this is mostly aimed at the high school/college age set... and I'm sure it works for that demographinakedwhitneyduncaninacreek whoa. Anyway, I'm done. Let me know when the video comes out.

Total value: .42/.99

The Checklist

Church/God
Mama
Boots
Name Dropping
Dying Person
County FairLost Love
Love
Hometown Pride
Kindly Advice
Truck
Whiskey

Beer
Life Affirmation
USA
Soldiers
Pop Sheen
Star Power

99 Cent Review: Gretchen Wilson

Gretchen Wilson - If I Could Do It All Again

The People's Take

Noisey and distracting (1 star) – Phoooey! I love Gretchen and almost bought the new single unheard. Glade I gave it a listen. "If I Could Do It All Again" should be done again without all the noise!
by phuky

Editor's note: Come again? I'm thinking phuky accidentally previewed a new Sonic Youth song.

Does not have the same edgy feel (3 stars) – Gretchen needs to get her act together and start writing those hardcore drinking fighting in a parkinglot songs this song does not do justice she is selling out

by musicman55456

Editor's note: No, I didn't make that review up.

My Take

Comeback attempt #24 (or is it #25?) sees Gretchen Wilson gracefully confessing that if she could magically jet onto the Lost island and turn the frozen donkey wheel to go back a few years (but not to the 70's though, no way she'd trade jeans for jumpsuits, but then again, she might dig that Dharma beer!) she'd do a lot of things different (that sounds familiar). First listen I thought... here we go, another listing song. Yawn. Guns n' Roses was next alphabetically on iTunes so I checked out "Welcome to the Jungle" to cleanse my palate and came back for another play. This time around, I had a completely different reaction. It felt more like a logical line of heartfelt admissions than a listing song...Gretchen's sincerity came through loud and clear. It's a tune that travels a heavily trodden path, but it walks its own steps at its own pace. That said, "If I Could Do It All Again" is very reminiscent of Tim McGraw's "My Next 30 Years" in tone and also in the way it seems perfectly tailored to the singer's life experiences and isn't simply a laundry list of regrets. It's a mature song that fans of Gretchen should relate to as easily as they did "Redneck Woman." It may also pull in a few new fans with its honest delivery and relatable topic. It's no classic but this sounds like a hit, and despite being right in the country-rock vein, it sounds way more country than most of its contemporaries. Here's hoping Gretchen doesn't have to take her earrings off and whoop some radio programmers' asses.

Total value: .75/.99

One More Editor's Note: This was the first .99 review song that actually cost me $1.29 but it's easier to keep .99 as the standard, so the top potential value will remain at that amount.

The Checklist

Church/God
Mama (being one... does that count?)
Boots
Name Dropping
Dying Person
County Fair
Lost LoveLove
Hometown Pride
Kindly Advice
Truck
Whiskey
Beer
Life Affirmation
USA
Soldiers
Pop Sheen
Star Power

.99 Review: Mark McKinney

Mark McKinney - Middle America

The People's Take

Oh Yeah! (5 Stars) – Awesome song! Great lyrics, tight players, love the drum fills (you don't hear those kinds of licks on a country record), and I will be excited to hear the rest of the new album! The bridge adds a lot of energy to carry the song home- my favorite part.
by eye ballers

Middle America (5 Stars) – Modern day classic!
by cabo robo

My Take

Somewhere between Mellencamp's small town laments and The Warren Brothers' occasional faux-losiphizing lies Mark McKinney's "Middle America." It's a fairly catchy ode to life in southwestern central Gambia, I mean ...middle America. This song falls somewhere between a modern day classic and a big steaming pile of poop. It all sounds pretty good to these ears, and Mark does a pretty good job of summing up what middle-Americans are going through these days. My main issue is with the hook. Is there such thing as middle pride? Is he referring to those of us between coasts or just the landlocked among us? He mentions that middle is

between left and right (whew! thanks for clearing that up!) but is that a political statement or a geographic one? Who is supposed to sing along? And are we supposed to feel okay about putting the American dream on a high interest plan? Isn't that what got us in this mess to begin with? Towards the end of the song, Mark pulls an Eric Church and starts listing the finer points of residing in the places in America that aren't tops, bottoms or edges. I'm thinking people on the lower right side can experience rock music too Mark. Now that I've started thinking too hard about this song, I realize you're not supposed to do that. Just roll down the windows and proclaim your middle-Americanness!! Hooray debt!

Total value: .45/.99

The Checklist

Church/God
Mama
Boots
Name Dropping
Dying Person
County Fair
Lost Love
Love
Hometown Pride (Middle pride, anyway)
Kindly Advice
Truck
Whiskey
Beer
Life Affirmation
USA
Soldiers
Pop Sheen
Star Power

.99 Review - Krista Marie

Krista Marie - Jeep Jeep

The People's Take

"CONFUSED!" (1 star) – Who wants to hear this garbage?
by Kovac

"Catchy!" (4 stars) – In a world of pop "country" stars, at least Krista Marie's got some twang to her songs! Definately catchy and better than all that pop music on country radio these days.
by Ohmeohyo-o

"Jeep Jeep" (5 stars) – I love this song!!!
by Boom-chika-boom

My Take *

Hey look! Cool! It's one of my old Myspace friends (remember Myspace??) made good! Man, I remember when she was just an up-and-comer sending me event invitations that I never looked at because of the 400 others in my inbox and begging me to vote for her in some contest or something. I remember her Colgate Country Showdown days (or was that Mary Christa?) and her weekly posting of rough demos of her cute but awkward Gretchen Wilson-lite songs. Wow, she's all grown up now. Just look at her all full of attitude on that hawg. She's looking confident and ready for the balloon festival circuit! I bet the couple of years since I paid attention to anybody's updates on Myspace have really benefited her material and recording presence. She's taken the leap to iTunes so at the very least, she's gotten herself a 2009 calendar. Let's take a listen! Ohhh. Wait - what? Uh oh. No. No. This is... Whoops. Sorry, almost lapsed into a copycat of Dan Milliken's review of the Oak Ridge Boys' "Seven Nation Army" but not for similar reasons. Beep beep, jeep jeep, seats seats? Didn't have to crack open the rhyming dictionary for that one didja? Tough and sexy, that's how he rolls! He's off the hook? Hoo me. Ah. Well, it brings back fond memories of 2005... and Tom.... and spam... and my 2000+ really close personal friends (I wonder how they're getting along these days?). I suppose "Jeep Jeep" should sound pretty okay in the smoky air of the Porkrinds Festival this June, but I'm just not feelin' it dawg. Uh oh, a friend just dropped me.

Total value: .20/.99

The Checklist

Church/God
Mama
Boots
Name Dropping
Dying Person
County Fair
Lost Love
Love
Hometown Pride
Kindly Advice
Truck (Jeep Jeep!)
Whiskey
Beer
Life Affirmation
USA
Soldiers
Pop Sheen
Star Power

*Okay, so this review actually made me feel a little guilty to write and post. I honestly wish Ms./Mrs. Marie all the success in the world... just not with this turd of a song!

.99 Review - Richie McDonald

Richie McDonald - 6 Foot Teddy Bear

The People's Take

amazing song (5 stars)

Richie McDonald is an amazing singer. I am so glad that he came back as a single artist and is using his name. Great song and hopefully more to come.

by 101tobybeth

Welcome Back (4 stars)

So glad Richie McDonald is back. He always carried the group, so I know he'll have no trouble doing well on his own!!!

by A. Helton

Who is this? (2 stars)

Is this the guy from Ricochet? or what other group?

by sunshine24

My Take

Total value: .07/.99

The Checklist

Church/God
Mama
Boots
Name Dropping
Dying Person
County Fair
Lost Love
Love
Hometown Pride
Kindly Advice
Truck
Whiskey
Beer
Life Affirmation
USA
Soldiers
Pop Sheen
Star Power

.99 Review - Jack Ingram

Jack Ingram - Barefoot & Crazy

The People's Take

I LIKE IT!!
What a great summer song! This is going to sound great on the CD player on those hot summer days at the beach or just cruising around. Oh yeah.....bring on the heat baby!! I could listen to music like this all day.
by Chesneyfan

(most reviews are just like this...)

My Take:
I'm not ready to throw Jack under the same "sellout" bus as Pat Green just yet, but this song isn't heartening. I don't toss the term "sellout" around lightly (except in jest and on Photocrapped album covers) but it becomes a valid edict when an artist veers so far off their original course just for the sake of commerce (obviously a subjective deduction, but whatever) that you can't hear what drew you to them in the first place. Jack's not there yet. He's still got some stones, as evidenced on his non-single album tracks, at least. I won't defend him like his buddy Todd Snider does though, and this song might even make it hard for Mr. Snider to keep having his back. "Barefoot & Crazy" is a big, dumb celebration of summer anthem. Okay with me if it didn't have the word "barefoot" in the title (my wife's mild foot phobia has uh, rubbed off on me) and if it didn't contain the "cliche-even-for-cliches" rhyme "baby" and "crazy." And if it followed even one new road, melodically or musically or lyrically. It doesn't. It's mindless entertainment for people enjoying exactly what the song describes or wishing they could. Wait, no. That's painting with too broad a brush, 'cause I wish I was experiencing what the song describes at this very moment, but if this song had to be the soundtrack, I might reconsider. Put it this way, the only parts of this song I like are the lyrics "my heart was skipping like a stone" and the reference to "Fishing in the Dark." That's it. With enough Miller Lite (yuck), you won't care though. Crank it up if you must. There are worse songs. There aren't many that are more by-the-numbers though.

Total value: .41/.99

The Checklist
Church/God

Mama

Boots

Name Dropping

Dying Person

County Fair

Lost Love

Love

Hometown Pride

Kindly Advice

Truck

Whiskey

Beer

Life Affirmation

USA

Soldiers

Pop Sheen

Star Power

.99 Review - Rascal Flatts

Rascal Flatts - Things That Matter

The People's Take

"That's what!" (5 stars) – It speaks for itself. They're Rascal Flatts. Enough said.
by llbnchs

"You guys are getting worse" (1 star) – Your music used to be alright now its bad.
by Rich G 62

"Love it" (5 stars) – I believe this is a song Gary wrote and I just love it. The guys just keep the hits coming. It makes you realize what life is really all about and that these guys are still norma guys and love their families but their fans as well. Definitely worth the 99 cents. I would pay more if it costed more.
by Caitlyn8390


My Take

The fourth preview single released on iTunes from Rascal Flatts' upcoming "Relentless" is is a tedious tune that lacks the harmony-driven emotional bang or sugary confection of the few RF songs I'd count as guilty pleasures. I'd go as far as to say it's hookless... and hooks are usually the boys' strong suit, along with fashion and whining. "Things That Matter" consists of a couple of mini-stories about how little things get in the way of what is truly important in life. That's a fine sentiment, but the track tries way too hard to be timeless and moving while being utterly forgettable, due to the shallow emotional development in the sketch-like stories, and only moving enough to transport my Cliff Bar from lunch the wrong direction in my digestive tract. In the bridge, Gary says regret won't be all up in his business at the end of his well-primped days and he won't be asking "Why didn't I?" I felt quite the opposite about the last 4:41 of my life. The song in summary: Somebody doesn't stop and smell the roses enough because they're buried under a pile of crap in the inbox.... somebody else lets past wrongs get in the way of what could have been a rewarding relationship... somebody dies (didn't see that coming did you?).... somebody learns a lesson from the aforementioned. There ya go.

One more thing: An extended musical tag???? Isn't that like Willie Aybar coming back out of the dugout to tip his hat and bow proudly to the Tropicana Field crowd after driving in one run on a sacrifice fly in a game where the Rays were down by 4?

Total value: .21/.99





















The Checklist

Church/God
Mama
Boots
Name Dropping
Dying Person
County Fair
Lost Love
Love
Hometown Pride
Kindly Advice
Truck
Whiskey
Beer
Life Affirmation
USA
Soldiers
Pop Sheen
Star Power