7 New 90s Country Parody Album Covers

6 New Waylon Jennings Parody Album Covers

Eatin' With the Country Stars

And of course...

This is the kind of hard-hitting content you get in summer when music news is scarce. 

8 New Garth Brooks Parody Album Covers

Bootleg Country T-Shirts

5 New 80s Country Parody Album Covers

Monday Memes: Let's Get Obvious!

First off all, I think these popular country memes are stupid. I didn't start them and I won't retweet them or post them on our Facebook page.

That kind of stuff's way too obvious for me. I like satire and weird, twisted humor. That's why we'll never have millions of followers too, but that's a story for another day. Anyway, here are my own versions of the currently viral "Obvious Country Music Lyric Memes."

Root For the Home Team: Say Hey to Caleb Caudle

by Robert Dean

When you do what we do, there are folks you consider “the home team,” the musicians we’ve watched grow over the years. The artists we were begging readers to check out long before they broke out or hooked up with a super producer. Tyler Childers and Colter Wall made their way onto the national stage. We’re always rooting for Justin Wells, and we want Lindi Ortega to do well. Jason Isbell is slowly taking over everything, and some of us can remember when Sturgill was playing rooms to 100 people. There are so many great bands out there grinding, The Quiet Hollers, Two Cow Garage, Shovels and Rope; we tip our hats to all of them. 

We take pride in seeing these folks bloom, which in some cases, submitted a few scratch tracks or sent us a tweet to check out their music. These once obscure artists are getting a shot at real success. 

Another one of those folks we love and are unbelievably proud of is Caleb Caudle. On his newest record, Crushed Coins, Caleb Caudle is making noise that’s booming louder than his critically acclaimed Carolina Ghost. 

Crushed Coins feels different than Carolina Ghost in that the body of work is less reliant on the big and bright late 80’s/early 90’s country overtones, and instead feels personal and more “Americana” than strict, by the book country and western. 

Crushed Coins features straight-ahead songwriting and a strict reliance on mastery of craft instead of studio trickery or layers of instruments designed to muddle the message. There are some heartbreakers, some good time jams and some beer drinking tunes, which as about all you can ask for in a straight ahead country record.

 If Randy Travis or Garth Brooks is on your Spotify playlist, be sure to check out everything Caleb Caudle has released, he’s one of the best dudes putting in the work. He’s skillfully adept at harnessing that clean, powerful and hooky sound those guys pulled off back in the day. I’ve said it before, but it bears repeating, Caleb Caudle is an artist that appeals to older country fans, but can also bring in a lot of new people. He’s got an immediate likability, but also listenability that many artists, no matter how great just can’t foster.

As Pantera taught us on the home video: KEEP THE SCENE ALIVE, MAN.

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Grab Crushed Coins from Caleb's Bandcamp site or find it at all the other usual places.

Album Review / Caitlyn Smith / Starfire

by Josh Schott

(Formerly of the dearly departed Country Perspective)

Back in 2015 when Chris Stapleton released Traveller, it was clear how criminal it was for how long it took for everybody to hear his golden voice on a full-length album. How can somebody this great take so long to be finally be heard? And the same thing can be said for the debut, full-length album from songwriter Caitlyn Smith. She has spent years writing for some of the biggest names in music, but now finally she gets an album of her own. You may not know Smith, but just give her new album Starfire one listen and you’ll never forget her.

The album opens with the waltzing “Before You Called Me Baby.” Right away you get a taste of the absolute raw power of Smith’s voice. Her command and presence will grab your attention and hold it until the album ends. “Do You Think About Me” is a yearning heartbreaker about not being able to move on. The album’s title track is a fiery anthem about staying true to you. It reminds me of something Dolly Parton would have cut back in her prime. 

Every song on this album is great, but there are a couple that go even beyond and one of them is definitely “East Side Restaurant.” Smith’s voice is chill inducing on the chorus, evoking so much heartbreak and emotion as she hits her highest notes. The production brings an elegant, classy and refined feel, perfectly complimenting the lyrics and setting the scene in the listeners’ heads. Smith brings a palpable, aching desperation on “Don’t Give Up on My Love” that enraptures you. She goes through all of the emotions of a rising singer-songwriter in Nashville on “This Town is Killing Me.” She recalls all of the sacrifices she made to realize her dream of making music. It’s the story of so many names you’ll never hear, but something the listener needs to know.

Smith recalls in “St. Paul” the special place this city holds in her heart due to it being the place of her first gig and being from Minnesota. “Tacoma” is one of those songs you’ll instantly fall for on the first listen. Garth Brooks cut it on his comeback album a few years ago, but Smith brings the raw passion that is needed to take the song to it’s full potential. The bridge of this song goes to a place very few artists can go (it would be unfair to spoil this) and something that you need to hear for yourself.  Smith shows off her vivid storytelling ability on “Scenes from a Corner Booth at Closing Time on a Tuesday.” You’ll feel like you’re at that bar taking in the scenes with her. 

While the album tackles a lot of serious subjects and themes, Smith shows off a more fun side on “Contact High.” It’s a catchy love song that helps bring a great balance on the album and allows Smith to really show off the range of her voice. “House of Cards” goes on the opposite end of the emotional spectrum. It’s also the best song on the album. The song delves into faith, hope and self-doubt in such an emotional way. You can sense how much Smith has lived this song and in turn it makes you recall your own emotional hurdles. The song is a perfect demonstration in the powerful connection that resonates between people when showing vulnerability. The album closes with the romantic love ballad “Cheap Date,” a heartfelt and realistic look at love you won’t see in a Hollywood movie.

Caitlyn Smith’s Starfire is fantastic in every way. The songwriting is sharp, smart and relatable to the everyday listener. The production is smooth, flawless and really helps bring the words of the songs to life. Smith without a doubt has one of the best voices you’ll hear in music today. You’re doing yourself a disservice if you haven’t listened to this album. It’s one of the best you’ll hear in all of 2018. 

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Starfire is available on Amazon, iTunes, Spotify, etc.

I'm Sorry, This Exists: Christmas 2017 Edition

Pondering what to buy your worst enemy, your mother-in-law, your boss this holiday season? Well, maybe this helpful list will include just the thing. These are all real products (and one painting).

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Keith Urban Christmas ornament

Who wouldn't want this cheap looking,

unauthorized Keith Urban product on their Douglas fir?

For that stalker in your life.

Walker Hayes "Good Shit" shades

That's very mature, dad.

Kane Brown ugly Christmas sweater

So you'll know who to avoid at the office Christmas party.

Redneck Crazy truck hitch cover

for when you're parked on your ex's lawn

about to be arrested and served with a restraining order

Thomas Rhett sticker.

Gross, and I bet his wife wouldn't like that.

Old Dominion "Happy Endings" T-shirt

This plays on the stereotype of Asian massage parlors offering up

uh... happy endings. Way to be woke, OD.

Sexiest Man Alive t-shirt

which is advertised using Blake Shelton's image but

actually is just a Sexiest Man Alive t-shirt.

Sam Hunt flip-flops.

I bet the profit margin on these is ridiculous.

"It's 5 O'clock Somewhere" Novelty Panties

This painting of Garth Brooks looking at a boob.

This actually exists in the year of our Lord 2017.