Sep 26, 2012
Sep 25, 2012
Album Review: John D. Hale Band - More Than I Can Handle
I get a ton of albums for review by both snail mail and digital means, many passing my tolerance standards for less than 4 songs, so it's always a treat when something I didn't personally seek out… finds me.
That was the case with John D. Hale Band's More Than I Can Handle. Before I got the CD in the mail, I'd heard of the band but never heard a note of their music. I'm happy to say I've finally made the acquaintance.
More Than I Can Handle is an intelligent, well-crafted collection of songs that runs the thematic gambit of the joys and hardships of real country people. The title song weighs in on the difficulties of farming without painting in the broad, romantic strokes that only someone who doesn't really listen to music likes.
"Sin for Sin" is an outlaw anthem that never once says the word. "My unrestrained morals have sentenced me to roam"…think you'd ever hear Justin Moore sing that line?
"Desperate People" chronicles the tragedy of a man with "a mind like a loaded gun" who plans to rob an old man who'd never notice the money gone. Things of course don't go as intended because "desperate people do desperate things."
Across 8 originals and 2 covers, the John D. Hale Band never once bends to commercial whims or lets their artistry slip. The vocals are excellent and the playing is superb. More Than I Can Handle is a powerful country album with red dirt leanings that should give it broad appeal. It also immediately makes the band a force to be reckoned with on the Americana scene.
Highly recommended if you enjoy any of these artists even a little: Mike Ethan Messick, Justin Haigh, Charlie Robison, Clay Walker, Chris Knight, Jason Eady.
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More Than I Can Handle can be purchased on iTunes and at Amazon.com.
Sep 24, 2012
John Rich's Songwriting Tips #63
If you're writing a serious song to make people think, think your ass again. Country radio does not have "thinkers" as a target audience. If you're writing a serious song that pretends to make people think, I've got some advice for you. Throw in some depressing crap about the world and the recession or whatever and bazinga! I mean, I'm not personally affected by this terrible economy that is entirely the fault of Barack Hussein Obama, but I know that most of you little people are. Well, I did have to raise the price on drinks at my bar for ugly chicks but I ate the cost on the hotties. Anyway, back to the song. Relate to your audience and then present them with a solution. JESUS! You don't have to explain any further, just say Jesus is the answer! Sad song turned all around with the glory of the Lord. If it's a sad love song, make sure you say it was the dude's fault that things went wrong, even though we know that's never true. Women are evil, but they hold the purse-strings for most pansy-ass fellas so you gotta make 'em think they're always right. I keep mine in line by laying down pipe in the sack like a champ. The hillbilly Jedi givin' her the force if you know what I'm saying. Stop thinking about me naked and go write a damn song!
*Not actually written by John Rich
Sep 23, 2012
Sep 21, 2012
YouTube Gems: Rival Sons
From their new album, Head Down, here's Rival Sons with "Keep On Swinging." RIYL: The Black Crowes, Led Zeppelin, Blackberry Smoke, Wolfmother.
Sep 20, 2012
iHeartRadio Music Festival Parody Album Covers
As some of you may know, I won a trip to Vegas for the iHeartRadio Music Festival this weekend. If it weren't for the fact that it's a FREE TRIP TO VEGAS, I wouldn't be going - the lineup isn't exciting enough to spend a boatload of cash on. On the bill are Jason Aldean, Taylor Swift, Pink, Aerosmith, Green Day, Lil Wayne and others. I'm pretty excited to see Miranda Lambert - I hear the Pistol Annies may be there for a few songs. Anyway, here are a few parody album covers from some of the acts that will appear. There may be a report on the shows next week.
Sep 19, 2012
Sep 18, 2012
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