Album Review – Gavin Adcock’s “Own Worst Enemy”
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He’s country music’s wrestling heel. He’s an incessant internet troll, a living meme, and an embarrassment to himself and everyone around him. If he was a hockey player, he’d be a goon. But he’s not willing to fight.
Video Review – Taylor Swift’s “I Knew You Were Trouble”
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You can’t have wild, short-term dance club success and keep your reputation as an artist of substance at the same time. Taylor Swift must choose. And with “I Knew You Were Trouble”, Taylor chooses poorly. Her “trouble” is not an antagonist cast in the role of a video, or a previous lover who jilted her. It is the denizens of the pop industry who would sell her long-term substance for their short-term success.
Album Review – The Give ‘Em Hell Boys’ “Barn Burner”
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The Give ‘Em Hell Boys are a get your elbows swinging and your knees knocking “okay let’s go!” good time fun-loving country band. Barn Burner is a wild-assed frolic through country and bluegrass laced with punk undertones, with moments of great playing and songwriting, and a fun time throughout. This is a silly, fun-loving band that never takes themselves too seriously.
Jason Aldean & Luke Bryan Get Matching Product Tattoos
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If you had any doubt in your mind–if the positively awful, both misogynistic and metrosexually-stimulated songs from Jason Aldean and Luke Bryan hadn’t clued you in already–then this should leave no doubt in your mind that these two knuckleheads don’t just fit the term “douchebag,” they define it. The tattoo design is for a company that they both share an endorsement deal with.
Album Review – American Aquarium’s “Burn.Flicker.Die.”
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These songs are tributes to American decay, depravity, excess, and unfairness, with starkly honest lyrics not dulled one bit by subtly, or sullied by the need for explanation or imagination. Burn. Flicker. Die is not an artistic interpretation of American Aquarium’s struggles, it is a Polaroid. You’re supposed to listen to songs, and feel music. With American Aquarium, you do both.
Why I’m Changing My Nickname to “Trigger”
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I come from the old school that believes that people can’t choose nicknames for themselves, they must chosen by others. Such is the nature of the name “The Triggerman” that I have used to write under for 5 years here at Saving Country Music. The problem with “The Triggerman” (and other nicknames) is they don’t evolve over time like the people they’re assigned to often do.
Saving Country Music’s 25 Essential Albums for 2012
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Here is the list of 25 albums Saving Country Music deems essential for 2012 listening, and then I added an extra one I couldn’t leave off. Please note this list only includes albums that have been reviewed so far. There are a few more good and important albums in 2012 that have yet to be reviewed. The first 7 albums on the list (from Little Victories to Lee Bains) were all serious considerations for SCM’s Album of the Year.
Paige Anderson & The Fearless Kin’s “Wild Rabbit”
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One hard and fast rule around Saving Country Music is that I don’t review EP’s except for in “extreme cases.” There’s just too much music out there these days to consider half efforts, and in many cases, this is what EP’s are. So what is an “extreme case?” Well in 5 or so years, not once have I had an EP cross my desk that I felt qualified. Until now.
Album Review – Joe Buck’s “Who Dat?”
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Well I can tell you this. No matter what you were expecting from this album, you’re probably going to be surprised. Who Dat is a completely different direction for Joe Buck, while still being exactly what he’s always done. That’s the root genius of it. Yes, without question this album is a lot more tame, but what this approach does is bring out the roar of quiet anger.
The Greatest Underground Country Albums of All Time
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By request, here is my list of the greatest underground country albums of all time. The underground country movement started roughly in the mid 90’s on lower Broadway in Nashville that at the time was a run down part of town. Young musicians from around the country, some from punk backgrounds, came together from their mutual love of authentic country music.
Tim McGraw & Faith Hill Mock Waylon in New Las Vegas Show
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Last night Tim McGraw and Faith Hill began their stint of shows at Vegas’s Venetian, and apparently the show opens with an unveiled shot at country music’s traditionalists and two artists they hold dear: Waylon Jennings and Hank Williams. Tim and Faith’s “Soul2Soul” show opens up to Waylon’s “Are You Sure Hank Done It This Way” playing mockingly.
Luke Bryan Wins 9 ACA’s By Winning “Best Female” Awards
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Last night the 2012 American Country Awards transpired on Fox, with Luke Bryan coming out as the big winner. The Georgia native walked away with an unprecedented 9 awards. How did the country singer rack up so many trophies? By giving a new meaning to the term “crossover appeal,” taking awards in both male and female categories, including the coveted Female Artist of the Year, and Female Single of the Year for the song, “I Don’t Want This Night To End.”
Jo Dee Messina Is Latest Artist To Leave Curb Records
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Curb Records’ talent roster continues to contract. The latest defector is Jo Dee Messina, whose charted 9 #1 hits and sold more than 5 million records worldwide during her 18-year career. The reason? Just like Tim McGraw, Hank Williams III, Clay Walker, Lyle Lovett, and LeAnn Rimes to name a few, Jo Dee Messina is fed up with Curb refusing to release her music.