Church, Harris offer new sounds

Desperate Man

While Eric Church has set the bar high with his previous studio albums, "Desperate Man" is right up there with his best and may just be his most accomplished effort to date. Church continues to write memorable songs in a wide variety of styles, and even when he's not singing over country musical elements, his lyrical voice is always undeniably a country one. He also knows how to have a little fun, especially with "Hanging Around," a soulful, funky tune mixing together ...

Sometimes Dogs Bark at Nothing

A four-year recording hiatus did nothing to damper J.P. Harris's creativity. In fact, the carpenter, singer, and songwriter has stretched his sound a bit with "Sometimes Dogs Bark At Nothing," a 10-song offering on which Harris ventures further afield from his honky-tonk roots while still producing a unique brand of country that is at once contemporary and classic. The first few notes make it crystal clear that something different is afoot. "JP's Florida Blues #1" is ...

Mr. Misunderstood

When listeners were introduced to Eric Church on his debut, they heard an artist who could balance strong song writing with a bit of a rebellious edge to the music. The surprise release of his latest continues that tradition, being quietly released to his fan club before even being officially announced. The music, written and recorded over a short period of time with an unheard of fast turnaround, has a raw edge that bridges the gap between radio friendly country music with the more rugged sound ...