This is cool

I've heard country and rap mixed together before, mostly to horrible effect (I'm looking at you, CBT), but this is completely different, in sound and artistic merit. Gangstagrass is a mash up of real hip-hop and bluegrass (and some country blues). It's not as gimmicky as early attempts at this blend, and all genres are strongly presented in their use. Be warned that the hip-hop is gritty and explicit, but this is a unique and interesting sound for sure! The album is posted free here: http://gangstagrass.com/

I actually like George but...

...the picture of him pulling on that locked door at that China press conference was too good not to Photocrap.

Country Day: January 09

No more numbering the country album cover days... they're monthly anyway.

My other Rascal Flatts cover contest submission

This one's a little more traditional (and a little less stomach turning... but only marginally so)

.99 Review - JR

To reiterate...This is a new feature...I'll buy a single from the featured/new section of the country genre on iTunes, post some select unedited "reviews" from iTunes buyers (The People's Take) then give my own quick, strange review (My Take) with a value rating (x/.99), plus an occasional Photocrapped single cover and a handy, dandy Hit Country Song Checklist.

.99 Review
John Rich - Another You

The People's Take
Not Hardly (3 Stars) – ok so i love Big n Rich but not just Rich...lost in this moment was good but when he is by himself there is no magic...sorry Rich
-BayBay2121

woahh (4 Stars) – his voice is ahhhmazing :D i lovee himm. this sonnng is greattt!
-Chels-E

?? (3 Stars) – where is the other guy
-musky81

STOP WHINING (4 Stars) – THIS SONG IS BOOTY BUT AS LONG AS OBAMA THINKS HE WILL BE BETTER THAN THE LAST GUY OLD WHATS HIS FACE...
-AZMAN2208

My Take
Like 90% of you, I'm not fond of the mustachioed, egotistical, bottle-wielding "genius," John Rich, but I must recognize the fact that he's written and co-written some of the best... errr, biggest hits Nashville's put out in recent years. Like Akon in hip hop music, John Rich is ubiquitous; you can't read The 9513 or Country California or flip on CMT without seeing that grinning mug or hearing about that almighty master of hype daily. He's done reality TV, he's done Big & Rich, he's done jailbait, he's done bar fights. Here, he steps away from the underachieving Big & Rich and does the first single from his second solo album. The verdict: stick to the ho's. John's thin voice can't begin to carry this country-pop power ballad that never really takes flight because of it. Keith Anderson has a similarly thin voice, but manages to pull off his ballads fairly well because his voice at least has some grit and personality to it. Without Big Kenny's contrasting deep drawl, John's just another singer and this is just another song. Oddly enough, this sounds like a tune Lonestar might have recorded... after John left the group (and just an album track at that). Perhaps in the hands of a singer with a more distinctive voice, this might be affecting. As it stands, it's a slightly below average performance of a song that is utterly unmemorable. An additional 5 cents are deducted for rhyming "world" and "girl."

Total value: .20/.99























The Checklist (w/two new categories)
(4 or more checks indicates a higher probability of this being a hit song)

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