Musgraves does Leno

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. In other words, he doesn't go all Alanis Morissette with these 15 songs. Instead, to some extent, Musgraves sounds to be putting at least some of the blame on herself. One titled "Good Wife," finds ...

Very Kacey Christmas

Sometimes it's not about what you play, but the way you play it, and with "A Very Kacey Christmas," Kacey Musgraves sacrifices a little surprise for a relatively pleasantly predictable holiday offering. For instance, Musgraves' duet with Willie Nelson plays on (surprise surprise) the iconic singer's propensity to smoke weed when they wish the world "A Willie Nice Christmas." Although there are some sad country songs, like "Christmas Makes Me Cry" and ...

Pageant Material

Kacey Musgraves is a welcome throwback in these bro and modern country times. That means you're going to hear sharp lyrics with more than a touch of humor, story songs and even instrumentation that recalls traditional country, like pedal steel, mandolin and a Johnny Cash drumbeat. Musgraves' tour de force is her uncanny ability to turn a phrase. She does employ fellow producers Luke Laird and Shane McAnally plus Brandy Clark and Josh Osborne, among others, for lyrical help. ...