Showing posts with label Chris Cagle. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Chris Cagle. Show all posts

Jul 31, 2024

Every #1 Country Song of the 2000s: 2002


 2002

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February 2: "Good Morning Beautiful" by Steve Holy

Steve Holy should've had more hits. The Chris Issak-esque "Don't Make Me Beg" alone justifies his existence as an artist. This one is dragged down by dated production, but has enough charisma and wordplay to balance things back out. Wilbur C. Rimes layers on a very dated guitar tone and keyboard sound that make me think Michael Bolton, but Steve's voice adds a layer of gravitas that elevates the opening lyrics "Good morning, beautiful, how was your night? / Mine was wonderful with you by my side" into a pleasant conversational tone. I also like how the title refers to a "good morning beautiful day." Maybe a little less glossy reverb would have really kicked things up a notch, but as it stands, I still like this one way more than I did in 2002. B+


March 9: "Bring On the Rain" by Jo Dee Messina feat. Tim McGraw

"Tomorrow's another day / And I'm thirsty anyway / So bring on the rain." Even without the haunting in hindsight fact that this song was released on September 10, 2001, that's still a hell of a lyric. I've had a terrible day, but it's prepared me for anything that can come afterward. It's a very inspired spin on "what doesn't kill you makes you stronger," and it's far more vulnerable and raw than anything else in Jo Dee Messina's catalog of motivational anthems. Her more subdued yet more grainy delivery really helps here. Somehow, Tim's backing vocal strikes up far more chemistry than anything he's ever cut with his wife. The entire package is emphatic without being loud, emotional without being melodramatic, and overall, I'd say it adds up to easily her best song. A+


March 16: "The Cowboy in Me" by Tim McGraw

From one motivational song to another, both with Tim McGraw involved. Thankfully, the quality is equal on both; how this one didn't stick around is beyond me. I love the spare guitar production, and how the quiet verses build up to a soaring chorus (a bit rawer than the norm for Tim) before cooling back down. I find far too often thoughts like "sometimes I'm my own worst enemy" drive me down into a self-defeating spiral of pessimism, along with my own restlessness and hardness of heart. But just like the amazing perspective-flip here, I have loved ones whose own unending support has seen me through. And as the final line points out, there are a lot more of us out there just like this guy and his relationship. It's comforting to know my faults aren't so terrible as to lock me out of this world entirely. A+


March 23: "The Long Goodbye" by Brooks & Dunn

That piano and string intro may be setting off pop-country alarms, but steel guitar leads into Ronnie's unquestionably country voice. And damn it, that's a strong intro line: "I know they say if you love somebody, you should set them free / But it sure is hard to do, it sure is hard to do." Ronan Keating is not usually a name that comes to mind when one thinks of country lyrics -- even though his first hit was a cover of "When You Say Nothing At All" -- but this is some top-shelf stuff. I love how it's "big" without ever feeling over-the-top, how you can actually hear Kix in the mix for once, and how it fades out mid-solo without the tension of the lyrics letting up. This may be a lush, pretty pop ballad, but it's brought back into country territory with its simple, relatable lyrics about a breakup. There's so much to enjoy here that I'm at a loss as to why this isn't in the same league as "Boot Scootin' Boogie" or "Neon Moon." A


March 30: "Blessed" by Martina McBride

I spent most of the 2000s ragging on Martina, but honestly, I have to say this was one of her better efforts in this timespan. It's not as quirky or energetic as my personal favorite "When God-Fearin' Women Get the Blues," but there's a sense of grounding that I feel was otherwise lacking in her catalog by this point. There's a bright, simple guitar riff and some Hammond organ keeping things in line; no blaring string sections or bombastic melisma here! Each lyric is simple -- just about the beauty of the every day, the joy of having children, and the love of one's spouse. The melody is above average too, with some clever modulation at the bridge. Given how far into bombast and hyperbole at this point, I'm actually taken aback at how grounded this song is -- and all the more surprised that this one had a higher chart showing but far less staying power than "Concrete Angel," "This One's for the Girls," or "In My Daughter's Eyes." Because in my opinion, this one is far superior on all counts. B+


April 13: "I Breathe In, I Breathe Out" by Chris Cagle

Trying to deal with moving on from an ex is one of my favorite country music tropes. Chris Cagle does more than a commendable job at it on his only #1 hit, and the only reason this isn't his best take on it is because he would set the bar even higher on later songs ("Miss Me Baby" and the stunning album cut "Look at What I've Done"). This one has a very plain-spoken intro about how small talk always brings up the ex, then leads into that simple but effective chorus. It's all about taking one day at a time until everything's right again (i.e., "she comes back"). While the lyrics look so simple on paper, the vocal delivery keeps the emotions at the forefront without ever feeling over-the-top. Yet another underrated gem from this year. A-


April 20: "My List" by Toby Keith

Here, the traditional "honey do" list leads into a list of things more important on an emotional level: enjoying the beauty of nature, the company of friends and family, and just living life. Who hasn't felt crushed by the drudgery of household chores and other everyday menial tasks? This song also has a very chill melody with what sounds like a sitar, not to mention a key change that doesn't feel cliché. It never feels like it's preaching, either. Toby Keith was capable of being thoughtful and introspective when you least expected it, and while this may not hit the same high marks as "Don't Let the Old Man In," it's still highly commendable for what it sets out to accomplish. Cross "record a good motivational song" off the list, because you did it. A-


May 25: "Drive (For Daddy Gene)" by Alan Jackson

I have memories of driving my aunt's riding lawnmower, a golf cart for the church golf outing... and then being told my autism and strabismus might render me unable to drive for real. I also remember the dirt road behind my school that was later blocked off because people wouldn't stop dumping trash down it. So Alan Jackson's vivid memories of piloting dad's boat and old truck are instantly relatable to me, or to just about anyone who's been behind the wheel of anything or just had positive memories with their parents. I particularly like how the song shifts into the present day, with Alan hoping his own daughters have the same memories while they drive around in his Jeep. Alan's everyman charm and Keith Stegall's understated production are as well-matched as ever, enhancing the fantastic story-telling that I feel has always made for some of the best moments in country music. A+


June 22: "Living and Living Well" by George Strait

"Something's always missing 'til you share it with someone else" is the money line here. In true Mark Nesler fashion, this one says a lot with relatively few words. It's a treatise on enjoying things in life even more when you have someone to share it with. While that's easily comparable to the goofier take on it with Aaron Tippin's "I'll Take Love over Money" from around the same time (which admittedly I like more), this one's more serious approach works just as well. It goes down as smoothly as any other George Strait song from this era, but not so lightly as to leave zero impact. I also like how the first verse mentions a boat and the second mentions fishing, giving a greater thematic coherence that lends a little extra weight. B+


July 6: "I'm Gonna Miss Her (The Fishin' Song)" by Brad Paisley

This was the first Brad Paisley song I can remember not hitting the mark for me. It just had that "oh, the old ball and chain, am I right, guys?" energy that some hack comedian from the 70s would've churned out. To be fair, I've seen way worse takes on that type of humor even within the country genre, such as the usually reliable Bobby Braddock's shockingly offensive "Nag, Nag, Nag." Even using fishing as an excuse to ditch the Mrs. feels a bit dated -- at least he didn't say golf, which seems to be an even bigger cliché for "husband's pastime that wife hates." To be fair, Brad's delivery was more twangy and laid-back at the time, and the production is surprisingly chill for a song of this nature (especially with the casual crowd sing-along). But when your whole song sounds like it was written by the husband from The Lockhorns, you might want to step up your comedy game a bit. C


July 20: "Courtesy of the Red, White, and Blue (The Angry American)" by Toby Keith

Even though I was only 14 when 9/11 happened, I remember seeing how angry people got. It was scary to think that an act of terrorism occurred on our soil. It stirred up a lot of negative emotions that unfortunately for a lot of people spilled out into violence and bigotry. But I knew even then that the acts committed by Al-Qaeda are not representative of Muslims as a whole. Threats against America should be dealt with, but Keith's take -- in addition to the downright silly image of the Statue of Liberty shaking her fist (what did she set down to do it, the torch or the tablet?) -- fed way too hard into the ferociously jingoistic war-mongerers who'd rather hurl slurs and violence at anything they perceive as a threat than try to negotiate, reconcile, or stand up for others who need  it (like, say, all the Muslims, especially American ones, who have done absolutely nothing wrong). It is possible to be a patriot without throwing flags over everything or making violent threats, and I think Toby Keith -- like far too many of us, admittedly -- got too wrapped up in the moment (not to mention his unnecessary as hell feud with Natalie Maines) to step back and realize the unfortunate implications of his "America, Fuck Yeah" style machismo. In so many ways, this is the total antithesis to "Only in America" and "Where Were You." F


July 27: "The Good Stuff" by Kenny Chesney

The "bartender gives advice" song is hardly a unique trope, but this is probably the best take on it. It just sounds so real. This guy's had a fight, so he sits and drinks milk with a lonely bartender who reflects on his own relationship. We hear of how they got together, and how she died of cancer. It never feels manipulative or overdone, and Kenny gives a chill read that never undersells. The wordplay around the title -- you're expecting a top-shelf alcohol, not the solid advice, to be the "good stuff" -- is unexpected but well-executed. Even better, the points of enjoying the small things in life and not letting pride and ego get in the way are applicable in a great deal of situations. This is the kind of song that could've easily gone either cartoonishly hyperbolic or frustratingly vague in the wrong hands, but it threaded that needle flawlessly. The "good stuff" indeed. A+


September 14: "Unbroken" by Tim McGraw

This is another Tim McGraw winner that seemed to have zero staying power. Right out of the gate, there are some fantastic guitar textures and blues scale usage to give a unique sonic grounding, and Tim sings the hell out of it as well. Conceptually, there's nothing terribly original about the lyrics -- it's another "love gone right" narrative, to quote Kevin John Coyne of Country Universe. But I love the subtle inversion of "It feels like / No one ever left me out in the rain / Cold words still remain unspoken," and every other line just seems to fit together without feeling stale or uninspired to me. I also think it's cool that it's a rare #1 hit by a male that was written by two women. Overall, this is a good lyric made great by some great sound design. A


September 21: "I Miss My Friend" by Darryl Worley

I forgot how good Darryl Worley was before he went full-tilt jingoism. Songs like this live or die on how detailed they are, and thankfully, this one thrives. You get so much about the woman who's no longer in the narrator's life -- "the one my heart and soul confided in," the one who used to take walks in the late afternoon, the one with whom he had "silly fights." Mark Nesler was always a pro at saying a lot with few words. Worley has a calm, relaxing delivery full of charisma, and while I think it could've done without the string section, the production otherwise stays out of the song's way. Every single off his first album was gold, and it's a shame I only have one to truly gush about here. A


September 28: "Beautiful Mess" by Diamond Rio

Diamond Rio really stretched themselves around this point, and for the most part, it paid off. Like "One More Day," this one's a bit poppier, but it's still the same six guys playing and singing -- the mandolin and three-part twangy harmonies let you know right away who it is. I like how the production and arrangement manage to be upbeat and moody at the same time, setting the right tone for a guy who's so in love he can't think straight. Little details like him accidentally putting salt in his coffee and forgetting to shave add so much to the story, not to mention a little dark comedy in lines like "it might be the death of me, but I don't care." If you're wondering why Diamond Rio still had hits in the noughties, this song is the best explanation as to why; it's because they adapted without losing their core. A+


October 5: "Ten Rounds with Jose Cuervo" by Tracy Byrd

Tracy Byrd always felt like a lightweight among the hat-act crowd. Most of his songs made for good radio fodder, but he wasn't really known for substance (outside a few standouts like "Heaven in My Woman's Eyes" and "Put Your Hand in Mine"). This one isn't a particularly substantial song either, but it's not trying to be. He sounds more spirited and engaged than usual, and I dig the vibraphone and mariachi horns. The gimmick of counting off the rounds of booze doesn't overstay its welcome thanks to the song's relatively short play length, and it has a great payoff in him becoming intoxicated enough to lose count. (Although I must say, he can hold his liquor pretty well if it takes ten before he gets there.) This song strikes the right balance of being fun without being disposable. B+


October 19: "Somebody Like You" by Keith Urban

This was the moment where Keith Urban finally found his sound, thanks to that ganjo. It's an instant melodic hook and it anchors the song before you even hear a single word. And the words you do hear are almost overwhelmingly positive: "There's a new wind blowin' like I've never known / I'm breathin' deeper than I've ever done / And it sure feels good to finally feel the way I do." Even without the real-world subtext of this being his first single after a stint in rehab, the positivity is infectious. Urban sounds grittier and more confident than on his first album, absolutely selling the pure joys of being in love. Sometimes all you want is happiness, and this hits the mark. It's a well he went back to many times in this era -- my personal favorite take on it being "Once in a Lifetime" -- but it was one worth revisiting. A


November 30: "These Days" by Rascal Flatts

I love songs framed as a conversation, and this one nails it. This guy's met his ex and starts catching up on how things have been since. I love that it name-drops "Norma Jean Riley" by Diamond Rio and Doheny Street, an actual road in Costa Mesa, California -- it's those unique details that make a song like this pop. It sounds like this guy still has some thoughts about what could have been, given that he "wake[s] up in teardrops that fall down like rain," but he brushes it off by just getting back to the daily grind. And she ran off to Vegas, too. That's neat. Gary's tone is surprisingly relaxed and the production stays out of the way, helping the details of this highly likable character sketch rise to the top. A


December 21: "Who's Your Daddy?" by Toby Keith

I get it, "who's your daddy?" was an overused catch phrase in pop culture at this time. A more cynical person might joke why this song wasn't called something like "Whassup?" or "Can You Hear Me Now" or "www.memory" -- wait, what do you mean those last two are real? But in a world where "Not" by the Bellamy Brothers and the Y2K version of "A Country Boy Can Survive" exist, I think this is inoffensive enough. The concept of him being a sugar daddy could've come off gross in the wrong hands, but the guitar work and playful lyrical tone keep it lighthearted. I also like that the song is only one verse long, which does wonders to keep the joke from overstaying its welcome. But if you came up to me and said you think this is un-listenable cringe, I'd totally get it. B


December 28: "She'll Leave You with a Smile" by George Strait

A title so good, he used it twice. But thankfully, the one that became a single was the better take. "At first she's gonna come on strong / Like she'll love you all night long / Like it's going out of style / Then she'll leave you with a smile" is one of those opening lyrics that always hooked me immediately. Two of the criticisms I've seen directed at King George are that he has so many good songs but so few great ones, and can be a little lacking in substance at times. I won't say this one is quite as hard as, say, "I've Come to Expect It from You," but "being in a self-destructive relationship" is certainly a shade darker than he usually goes for. Sonically it's a bit more spaced-out too, even if not to the ethereal heights of "Run." This one's a keeper, and it leaves me with a smile every time I hear it. A


May 27, 2020

Ranking the Country Chrises With Steak



(I actually like medium rare the best, so this isn't necessarily saying rare steak = best steak. 
It's just a dumb meme metaphor. And Chris Gaines was soft rock, thus the exclusion.)

Oct 4, 2012

3 Up 3 Down: October '12


3 Up

Kacey Musgraves - Merry Go 'Round
This song is EXACTLY what country radio needs right now: an infusion of reality. I don't mean scripted reality, I mean the gritty, hard-working, regret-filled reality that most people actually live. This track reminds me of a lot of Lori McKenna songs, but Kacey definitely has her own voice here, relating the resignation of a life settled for in a small town. Also reminiscent of Miranda Lambert's quieter tunes, but "Merry Go 'Round" is more powerful than anything she's released in a while. It's getting some early buzz and adds at radio - let's just hope the powers that be don't wuss out and let this great song go the way of other recent downers.
A

Gary Allan - Every Storm (Runs Out of Rain)
This song isn't particularly country sounding, but at least it gets away from the angry-sounding rock of Allan's recent work. His voice is given room to shine and shine it does, bringing back the falsetto and the feeling of some of his early work. Even if it's no "Smoke Rings in the Dark," it's comforting to have Gary Allan back on the radio, sounding as great as ever.
B+

Eric Church - Creepin'
Swampy, atmospheric and just weird, as country radio goes, "Creepin'" is a song that only someone with Church's track record could release to country radio with a straight face (okay, anybody not named Borchetta). Though the instrumentation is pretty rocked-out, the imagery and Eric's voice are undeniably country. If country music MUST stray from its roots further and further each year, this is an okay direction for it to go. "Creepin'" is well-written, strongly performed and 180° from everything else in the top 40.
A-

3 Down

Florida-Georgia Line - Cruise
See if any of this sounds new and unique to you: "Chevy with a lift kit," "farm town," "down a back road," "bikini top," "long tanned legs" …anything? Bueller? Throw in some auto-tune, poor grammar ("baby, you a song") and the fact that this song fits right into the Aldean/Bryan/Gilbert trend and you've got another band FTM's going to hate on for the foreseeable future. And I'll even admit the chorus is catchy as hell - almost guilty pleasure catchy - but all the negatives just take it too far in the wrong direction.
D+

Brantley Gilbert - Kick It In the Sticks
See if any of THIS sounds new and unique to you: "barbed wire, moonshine, whiskey" (yes, that's in ONE line), "bon fire," "Skynyrd and George Strait," "bikini tops and Daisy Duke denim," "skinny dippin'" ….anything? Didn't think so. Is this a Farce the Music parody lyric? Nope. Also, in case you haven't heard this, it's basically a metal song. Seriously. It's way heavier than Jason Aldean's "She's Country," which was basically an AC/DC castoff. And BG and Scott Borchetta have the audacity to release this to country radio? Give me a break and stop it with the motherf**king son of a b*tch ass crap sh*t damn f**k c*** d**k $#%^ trucks.
F

Chris Cagle - Let There Be Cowgirls
Yet another rock song, but at least there are some fiddles and whatnot to keep it a little country. George Strait already did this one so much better with "How Bout Them Cowgirls." "World" and "cowgirls" are rhymed here, what else do you need to know? Cliché as you imagine. There's nothing at all in this song to distinguish it, unless you count the hair-metalesque guitar solo. Cagle came back onto the scene with a country listing song, now he's trying to keep his foot in the door with a female-empowerment anthem that really has nothing to say. Cagle was never an A-lister, but he used to be so much better than this.
F


May 29, 2012

3 Up 3 Down: May '12










3 Up

Tim McGraw - Better Than I Used to Be

Sammy Kershaw did this song first, and at least slightly better, but a good song is a good song. It fits the singer, the singer performs the song more than adequately and the song has some weight and a memorable melody. That might be a low standard, but given the context of today's country charts, this is a modern classic. And honestly, I can't turn the station if it's on.


Easton Corbin - Lovin' You is Fun

George Strait v. 2.0 delivers yet another earworm. This guy has a great voice and seems to have a great ear for songs. Lyrically, this would be completely cheesy sung by someone else, but it works with Easton. Catchy, melodious and accessible to anyone who'd still be caught dead listening to Top 40 radio. I'm hoping his album tackles some weightier subject matter and songwriting, but I can't deny this is a good tune.


Chris Young - Neon

The best real country song getting airplay nowadays. It's rising verrrrry slowly up the charts. Hopefully it will follow the success of Alan Jackson's "So You Don't Have to Love Me Anymore" and prove just too damn good not to play…. even though country radio secretly wishes songs of this ilk would disappear forever. It's poetic, catchy and sung with all the baritone country soul Chris Young possesses ….and it mentions Johnny Lee. Can't ask for much more than that on the airwaves these days.


3 Down

Chris Cagle - Got My Country On

I already reviewed this months ago, and hoped it would die a slow death. Unfortunately, here it is in the top 15 and still rising. You know the script by now: trucks, boots, "what I'm made of" sentiment, cowboy hats, Johnny Cash. Bullshit. Chris Cagle has a decent voice and has released some pretty good songs throughout his choppy career, but this isn't one of them. It's a transparent swipe at getting back to relevance, and it's working. Pure, undiluted garbage.


Andy Gibson - Wanna Make You Love Me

I'll make fun of the pretty Andy Gibson at any given chance. "Old people make me cry" is the opening line. 'nuff said. As listing songs go, this is as vague a thread as possible. He lists what certain people and things make him want to do. Seriously. And it's so Lifetime-reality show ready, it's not even funny. I'm a romantic for the most part, and have even been called whipped by friends at times… but this goes beyond the call of duty in pledging love. Give me a break, Andy. This song makes Chuck Wicks sound like Waylon Jennings. Claim your sack back, Andy.


Hunter Hayes - Wanted

Maybe I'm too old, or too far gone from enjoying most pop-country, but this is nearly unlistenable. Maybe it's just that he sounds so much like Gary Levox, you know… Pavlov's dog and all. Some people say there's no denying Hunter Hayes' talent. Is his talent sucking? Just because one is "proficient" at playing instruments and sings in a voice that is pleasing to young girls, that doesn't mean one possesses a universally appreciated skill-set. I'm pretty funny and I do the Photoshop okay, and I can write a decent review at times, but that doesn't mean I'm the most talented blogger in the blogosphere (far from it). Different strokes for different folks and this stroke ain't for me.

Sep 7, 2011

99 Cent Reviews: Chris Cagle - Got My Country On

Chris Cagle - Got My Country On


The People's Take:


Finally! (5 Stars)

by MrsDaniLz

It's nice to have him back and making music again. Really hope radio picks it up and supports him because he is a true artist.


Confused (1 Star)

by ASClark84

i got this song confused with every other song that is currently on country radio…


(Editor's note: Review WIN!)



My Take:

If Chris Cagle has listened to the radio in his time away from the charts, surely he's noticed by now. If he's read Chet Flippo's CMT.com articles, Saving Country Music's rants, Country California's fake news or quotes, Farce the Music's anything (unlikely), or even a few random newspaper articles (even less likely), he must have recognized the trend.


I know you're familiar with the trend. Not only is it cliché; even mentioning it is cliché. I'm speaking of the "how country I am" songs in constant spin mode on your local country station since 2003. Complaining about them is almost as common as the songs themselves.


Based on his new single, Chris Cagle is either incredibly (almost willfully) ignorant, terribly stupid or does not give one single shit about the over-saturation of the subject matter. I'm going with a mixture of stupidity and not giving a shit – you couldn't not notice (could you?).


I guess Cagle and his management/record company figure that this type of song has basically become its own sub-genre in which at least 50% of the singles of that ilk find their way into the top half of the charts. It's like shooting fish in a barrel almost, so maybe it's not stupidity, on second thought.


Whether or not it's a good business decision to follow the canyon-sized ruts in this road is not my concern. My problem is with the bull-headed resistance to originality in today's country music scene. I'm not asking for a new political bent or even a change of scenery… but surely there are stories lived on these standard-issue backroads that could provide a much more interesting and personal connection between artist and fan. Country radio has truly become McDonald's. You always know what you're going to get, no matter if you drop in tomorrow or next November. While it's expected and guiltily appreciated from a fast food restaurant, standardization is tiresome and lazy when it comes to what is supposed to be an art-form.


There's little need to critique the actual sound of this song. It's what you're accustomed to from an upbeat country song these days. Loud guitars with a rock riff, ample drums, charging vocals. Jason Aldean is the standard-bearer for the modern country male, and Cagle does little to differentiate himself from that style.


Don't even get me started about this whole "get/got my _____ on" phrase. Unless I get a letter in the mail that says "You just got your million dollars on," I don't want to read or hear it.


This song reeks of desperation. Cagle's long absence from country radio's heavy rotation has led him to be a mere follower to artists who came after him in hopes of a return to commercial success. That resumed success is certainly possible, but suck-cess is guaranteed.


Total Value: .10/.99


The Checklist:

Check mark symbolHard Work

Check mark symbolChurch/God

Mama

Boots

Check mark symbolName Dropping

Dying Person

County Fair

Lost Love

Dog

Check mark symbolLove/Sex

Check mark symbolHometown/Country Pride

Kindly Advice

Check mark symbolTruck

Whiskey

Beer

Check mark symbolLife Affirmation

USA

Soldiers

Pop Sheen

Star Power


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