CD Reviews

Brandi Carlile
In These Silent Days

Brandi Carlile many times plays the wise (elder?) sage on "In These Silent Days," an album filled with folkish music and much good advice. She sings amazingly well throughout; she could do that without even trying. There are plenty of memorable songs, too, which makes it amount to a fully satisfying album. ...

Kalie Shorr
I Got Here By Accident

When somebody says they come from the Portland music community, odds are you picture the hippie haven in Oregon over the lobster roll lovers in Maine. But Kalie Shorr's atypical in a lot of ways. It's not a standard story to be a young lady from a Nirvana cover band who occasionally sings on the Opry stage. ...

Carly Pearce
29: Written in Stone

Carly Pearce's music is one more good reason to not completely give up on mainstream country radio. Songs like "I Hope You're Happy Now" and "Next Girl" stand out on radio for good reason – they're really good. Pearce's full-length is filled with many such ...

Kacey Musgraves
star-crossed

It's nearly impossible not to read between the lines when listening to Kacey Musgraves' "star-crossed" album, as it's her first release after her divorce from Ruston Kelley. The good news, is that Musgraves doesn't sound angry and out for revenge on her ex. ...

Tim Easton
You Don't Really Know Me

"You Don't Really Know Me," the 10th release for roots singer-songwriter Tim Easton, marks a rebirth of sorts. Easton had seen several things take a collective toll, but now divorced and sober, he describes the album as personal and peaceful. The buoyant title track kicks it off with ...

Sierra Ferrell
Long Time Coming

Sierra Ferrell's songs will appeal to fans of Americana music, especially the more eclectic ones. Her "Long Time Coming" album incorporates plenty of different styles, so the term 'old timey' likely fits it best. For example, "At The End Of The Rainbow" – with ...

Connie Smith
The Cry of the Heart

Many would argue that Connie Smith is the greatest living female country singer. The opening sentence in her liner notes to "Long Line of Heartaches" is "I believe that country music is the cry of the heart." A decade later, it's as if she hasn't missed a beat, ...

Trisha Yearwood
Every Girl: Deluxe

Trisha Yearwood's reissue of 2019's "Every Girl" as a deluxe edition with three new songs makes sense on some level. Logistically, having the title track lead off instead of the somber "Workin' on Whiskey" on the original version sets a more pleasant tone. ...

Mike and the Moonpies
One to Grow On

Mike And The Moonpies open "One To Grow On" with a true working man's blues called "Paycheck To Paycheck." Although it's a fast-paced country-rocker, featuring plenty of fine picking, its message is as serious as a blue-collar heart attack. The 'Mike' in the ...

Sean McConnell
A Horrible Beautiful Dream

The title creates the expectation of a Sean McConnell album with a mix of dispiriting and uplifting themes, but "A Horrible Beautiful Dream" leans primarily to the dark. The Nashville-based singer/songwriter is best known for having songs recorded by artists as disparate as Brad Paisley, ...

Kolby Cooper
Boy From Anderson County

The "Boy" in the title is no joke – Kolby Cooper has a babyface that wouldn't look out of place in a maternity ward, even if his frame is the size of a Sasquatch. At an age when most folks are figuring out their first job, this East Texan has already married with two kids, and ...

Chris Young
Famous Friends

Given the massive success of Chris Young's award-winning collaboration with Kane Brown on the title track, it would be an easy assumption to make that his eighth studio album would tow the same contemporary line that landed him a bevy of hits. The result is exactly that. ...

Yola
Stand for Myself

For most of us, Yola arrived in 2019 without fanfare; we encountered "Walk Through Fire" and were simply blown away. An unmistakeable, irresistible mix of soul, blues and country, her interpretation of modern Americana was refreshing and timely. "Stand For Myself" is more of the ...

Glen Campbell
Live from the Troubadour

The setlist from Glen Campbell's Aug. 19, 2008 show at L.A.'s Troubadour consists largely of unfamiliar material as the focus was primarily on tunes from the current release at the time "Meet Glen Campbell" on which Campbell covered artists as diverse as Tom Petty, Lou ...

Emily Duff
Razor Blade Smile

New Yorker Emily Duff has brought out Eric "Roscoe" Ambel's twangy side on "Razor Blade Smile," much as in 2018's "Born on the Ground." When the guitarist/producer gets behind a project, one need take notice. Duff, the rising singer-songwriter, now 32 years ...

The Secret Sisters
Quicksand

It may be a little jarring to hear The Secret Sisters harmonizing over the machine-like percussion of "Heavy Balloon," a Fiona Apple track taken from that singer/songwriter's esteemed "Fetch the Boltcutters" album. Although also colored by soulful organ and sparse electric ...

Midland
The Last Resort

Midland make it sound easy with the new "The Last Resort" EP. While the upbeat "Two To Two Step" is already a setlist favorite, much of this project – as well as a goodly portion of Midland's catalog – is slower and much more thoughtful. It's all good, though, ...

Tylor & The Train Robbers
Non-Typical Find

This is the third album from Tylor & The Train Robbers. The Boise, Idaho-based band takes its name from the infamous "Black Jack" Ketchum, member of the famed Hole-In-The-Wall Gang. History informs us that Ketchum was of the same ilk as the famous wild bunch led by Butch Cassidy. ...

The Flatlanders
Treasure of Love

Every Flatlanders' album release is a welcome treat, but "Treasure of Love" is especially sweet. Although there are some standout originals on this release, most of these 15 tracks are well chosen cover versions. Jimmie Dale Gilmore, Joe Ely and Butch Hancock are all distinctive ...

Riley Green
Behind the Bar

Riley Green is one of the guys that gets turned up loud whenever one of his songs comes over the radio. Most of his singles have substance and style. "Behind The Bar" is a small package, only seven songs long, but it still contains a few musical gems. In short, it's mostly a volume-cranker. ...