Apr 5, 2009
Apr 4, 2009
Fun With Charts & Graphs
Click for a closer view.Name the song this is about, win a prize.*
*my admiration
Apr 2, 2009
3 Extremely Random Photocrapped Covers
And see the John Rich "Fun With Charts and Graphs" just below!
Apr 1, 2009
.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
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/GodMama
Boots
Name Dropping
Dying Person
County Fair
Lost Love
Love
Hometown Pride
Kindly Advice
Truck
Whiskey
Beer
Life AffirmationUSA
Soldiers
Pop SheenStar Power
Mar 31, 2009
Mar 30, 2009
Mar 29, 2009
Mar 27, 2009
Favorite Albums of '09 - First Quarter Report
Click on underlined artist names for their Myspace pages to listen! (Ben doesn't have a solo Myspace, but you can listen to samples on the Amazon link)
Feel free to comment on any of these, or to suggest some other great albums of early 2009!
1. Ben Nichols - The Last Pale Light in the West
A collection of gritty narratives based on Cormac McCarthy's gore-soaked epic, "Blood Meridian," it's as passionate and powerful as anything I've heard this year (and much of last), despite the narrow focus. I'm a huge fan of Ben's full-time gig, Lucero, and looking forward to their major label debut later this year, but it'll have to really be something to top this.
Prime track: "Toadvine"
2. Justin Townes Earle - Midnight at the Movies
This is the one where son overtakes father. Justin's warm, reedy vocals and classic country sound with a modern feel make this quite an engaging album.
Prime track: "Mama's Eyes"
3. The Gourds - Haymaker!
Ridiculously fun as always, but the song-craft never suffers for the sake of party and vice versa. Not quite up to the high bar set by their previous release, Noble Creatures, but still a very strong effort.
Prime track: "Shreveport"
4. Phosphorescent - To Willie
A loving ode to a legend. Nelson's songs retold through a filter of reverent indie folk sound great and remind you that Willie's not just an entertainer and troubadour, but a songwriter of the highest order. Phosphorescent's not bad either, putting their own stamp on the songs, not just performing rote covers.
Prime track: "The Last Thing I Needed (First Thing This Morning)"
5. Great Lake Swimmers - Lost Channels
An indie-folk band with some of the most beautiful vocals you'll ever hear, Great Lake Swimmers take a step in a new direction on this outing, upping the tempo a bit and eschewing the stripped down approach for an array of new instruments, to nice effect. "Pulling on a Line" is my favorite song of the year thus far.
6. Mastodon - Crack the Skye
Metal! Smart, masterfully technical and fairly innovative, but still headbangingly hard, Mastodon's beast of a record should appeal to fans of anybody from Iron Maiden and Metallica to Coheed and Cambria. Great music for working out, or washing the dishes.
Prime track: "Oblivion"
7. The Deep Dark Woods - Winter Hours
Prime track: "All the Money I Had is Gone"
8. Scott Miller - For Crying Out Loud
Prime track: "Sin in Indiana"
9. Eric Church - Carolina
Prime track: "Where She Told Me to Go"
10. Strand of Oaks - Leave Ruin
Prime track: "End in Flames"
Feel free to comment on any of these, or to suggest some other great albums of early 2009!
1. Ben Nichols - The Last Pale Light in the West
A collection of gritty narratives based on Cormac McCarthy's gore-soaked epic, "Blood Meridian," it's as passionate and powerful as anything I've heard this year (and much of last), despite the narrow focus. I'm a huge fan of Ben's full-time gig, Lucero, and looking forward to their major label debut later this year, but it'll have to really be something to top this.
Prime track: "Toadvine"
2. Justin Townes Earle - Midnight at the Movies
This is the one where son overtakes father. Justin's warm, reedy vocals and classic country sound with a modern feel make this quite an engaging album.
Prime track: "Mama's Eyes"
3. The Gourds - Haymaker!
Ridiculously fun as always, but the song-craft never suffers for the sake of party and vice versa. Not quite up to the high bar set by their previous release, Noble Creatures, but still a very strong effort.
Prime track: "Shreveport"
4. Phosphorescent - To Willie
A loving ode to a legend. Nelson's songs retold through a filter of reverent indie folk sound great and remind you that Willie's not just an entertainer and troubadour, but a songwriter of the highest order. Phosphorescent's not bad either, putting their own stamp on the songs, not just performing rote covers.
Prime track: "The Last Thing I Needed (First Thing This Morning)"
5. Great Lake Swimmers - Lost Channels
An indie-folk band with some of the most beautiful vocals you'll ever hear, Great Lake Swimmers take a step in a new direction on this outing, upping the tempo a bit and eschewing the stripped down approach for an array of new instruments, to nice effect. "Pulling on a Line" is my favorite song of the year thus far.
6. Mastodon - Crack the Skye
Metal! Smart, masterfully technical and fairly innovative, but still headbangingly hard, Mastodon's beast of a record should appeal to fans of anybody from Iron Maiden and Metallica to Coheed and Cambria. Great music for working out, or washing the dishes.
Prime track: "Oblivion"
7. The Deep Dark Woods - Winter Hours
Prime track: "All the Money I Had is Gone"
8. Scott Miller - For Crying Out Loud
Prime track: "Sin in Indiana"
9. Eric Church - Carolina
Prime track: "Where She Told Me to Go"
10. Strand of Oaks - Leave Ruin
Prime track: "End in Flames"
Mar 26, 2009
JR's Songwriting Tip of the Week #3
You need to think about who you're writing for - the singer or group that will perform it. Like when I wrote "Mississippi Girl" for Faith Hill, which was like, her massive #1 comeback song... anyway, I knew my subject... she's a lil country girl from Star, Mississippi, where they only wear ballcaps and frequently ride their kids around on their backs because there's nothing else to do. And Faith's career had fallen off so bad, man, she was probably on her way to working at a nail salon or something until I brought her back onto the map. -JRNot actually written by John Rich. Please don't assault me, John.
Mar 25, 2009
Mar 24, 2009
Kenny Chesney Parody
Living in Bass Ackwards
(Parody of Kenny Chesney's "Living in Fast Forward")
The body's a church house, well most of them are
But I've treated this 'un like a trashy strip bar
Gap-toothed blonde dancers and loud Motley Crue
My mama would beat me but she ain't got a clue
I been livin' in bass ackwards
Bud drinkin' sadsack out of control
I'm living in bass ackwards
Now I need to get off parole
My bar tab is up, my hair's matted down
Under trailer arrest on the outskirts of town
I worked at the Quik-Mart, until they caught me
Scratchin' off lotto, stealin' skin magazines
I been livin' in bass ackwards
Bud drinkin' sadsack out of control
I'm living in bass ackwards
Now I need to get off parole
I'm always runnin'
Police are comin'
I've been on Cops, yeah it's true
And the way that I'm headed
Might end up dead if
It's left up to my I.Q.
Uh huh ...
(Repeat Chorus 2x)
Yeah I need to get off parole
Oh, I still got two trials to go
(Parody of Kenny Chesney's "Living in Fast Forward")
The body's a church house, well most of them are
But I've treated this 'un like a trashy strip bar
Gap-toothed blonde dancers and loud Motley Crue
My mama would beat me but she ain't got a clue
I been livin' in bass ackwards
Bud drinkin' sadsack out of control
I'm living in bass ackwards
Now I need to get off parole
My bar tab is up, my hair's matted down
Under trailer arrest on the outskirts of town
I worked at the Quik-Mart, until they caught me
Scratchin' off lotto, stealin' skin magazines
I been livin' in bass ackwards
Bud drinkin' sadsack out of control
I'm living in bass ackwards
Now I need to get off parole
I'm always runnin'
Police are comin'
I've been on Cops, yeah it's true
And the way that I'm headed
Might end up dead if
It's left up to my I.Q.
Uh huh ...
(Repeat Chorus 2x)
Yeah I need to get off parole
Oh, I still got two trials to go
Mar 23, 2009
Mar 22, 2009
Mar 21, 2009
Mar 19, 2009
Mar 18, 2009
.00 Review: Gloriana
(The song's free on iTunes this week, so I'm not gonna hold it to the .99 standard)
The People's Take
THE FARTHEST THING FROM COUNTRY (1 Star) - this is crap. this isn't even country, this is girly pop. don't waste your time.
- johnny cash 711
Why even have free music! (1 star) - the songs that have been coming on the free singles a horrible lately id rather have no free singles then something like this. Hurry up and put some real music on. not some girls tryin to sing country(i hate country) and pop at the same time. The only person ive heard that can do that and sound great is taylor swift.
p.s. this doesnt deserve a star
-COLDPLAYADDICT14
Excellent! I don't like country and this is very excellent! LIKE IT A BUNCH!!!! (5 Stars) - Mix a little John Mellencamp, a little Tom Petty, and a little Lady Antebellum -- and this is what ya get! Excellent!
-Llttle Ramona
My Take:
The song starts promisingly enough with a cool Mellencamp-esque clap beat going on and a nice vibe. The first verse was serviceable I suppose... a little too glossy for these ears, but whatever. Now, let's hop in the wayback machine. Drift back in your memory to high school. Don't wince... okay do. Remember the show choir? The group you could pay a buck every three months or so to get out of geometry to go see (and that's the only reason most of us went). They were the guys and gals who dressed in matching outfits and did cheesy choreography and sang the hits of the day and a few pop classics while smiling painfully... yeah, those folks. The roster usually included: one jock only there because he had rhythm and provided face recognition, four goody-goody in-crowd females who could sing pretty well, one chunky girl with an awesome voice, two popular guys, one in-the-closet guy and one mega-heartthrob who could sing like Elvis. Okay, back to '09... take two of the goody-goody gals and the two popular guys from said show choir and slap a guitar in one them's hands and you have Gloriana. As soon as the chorus hit, though, I was transported back there... x years :)... to that sticky GHS auditorium with the prancing songbirds and the super-loud harmonies and the face-cramping smiles and suddenly, I wanted to do some geometry proofs.
(All that said, it's catchier than I should admit and if they'd leaned more Eagles than show choir, it might actually become a guilty pleasure rather than an annoyance.)
Total value: N/A
Gloriana - Wild at Heart
The People's Take
THE FARTHEST THING FROM COUNTRY (1 Star) - this is crap. this isn't even country, this is girly pop. don't waste your time.
- johnny cash 711
Why even have free music! (1 star) - the songs that have been coming on the free singles a horrible lately id rather have no free singles then something like this. Hurry up and put some real music on. not some girls tryin to sing country(i hate country) and pop at the same time. The only person ive heard that can do that and sound great is taylor swift.
p.s. this doesnt deserve a star
-COLDPLAYADDICT14
Excellent! I don't like country and this is very excellent! LIKE IT A BUNCH!!!! (5 Stars) - Mix a little John Mellencamp, a little Tom Petty, and a little Lady Antebellum -- and this is what ya get! Excellent!
-Llttle Ramona
My Take:
The song starts promisingly enough with a cool Mellencamp-esque clap beat going on and a nice vibe. The first verse was serviceable I suppose... a little too glossy for these ears, but whatever. Now, let's hop in the wayback machine. Drift back in your memory to high school. Don't wince... okay do. Remember the show choir? The group you could pay a buck every three months or so to get out of geometry to go see (and that's the only reason most of us went). They were the guys and gals who dressed in matching outfits and did cheesy choreography and sang the hits of the day and a few pop classics while smiling painfully... yeah, those folks. The roster usually included: one jock only there because he had rhythm and provided face recognition, four goody-goody in-crowd females who could sing pretty well, one chunky girl with an awesome voice, two popular guys, one in-the-closet guy and one mega-heartthrob who could sing like Elvis. Okay, back to '09... take two of the goody-goody gals and the two popular guys from said show choir and slap a guitar in one them's hands and you have Gloriana. As soon as the chorus hit, though, I was transported back there... x years :)... to that sticky GHS auditorium with the prancing songbirds and the super-loud harmonies and the face-cramping smiles and suddenly, I wanted to do some geometry proofs.
(All that said, it's catchier than I should admit and if they'd leaned more Eagles than show choir, it might actually become a guilty pleasure rather than an annoyance.)
Total value: N/A
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
On the dayplanner
Friday is March's Country Day, featuring Willie Nelson, Taylor Swift, Pirates of the Mississippi, Cowboy Troy and more. So be here. Or bring me a beer.
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