Young, Pope fly high

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. But with some contingencies The opener, "Raised on Country," starts out with a raucous groove that may get your toes tapping for the entirety, but the lyrics devolve into some painfully tired cliches like ...

Rise & Shine

By all accounts, Cassadee Pope has led a glitzy life. She was the first female winner of "The Voice." She then had a record deal at 17, a spot on a sold-out tour with Fall Out Boy at 18 and eventually garnered a Grammy nomination. Her discography of country-pop is generally glitzy, too. Well, not this time. "Rise and Shine" is a stripped-down acoustic effort by the 30-year-old singer that is thoughtfully introspective without being brooding or too deliberate. ...

Stages

Although Cassadee Pope's "Stage" album includes a few too many pop-country songs for comfort, it closes with a true winner. The ballad "I've Been Good," which turns a customary greeting response on its head, is a true show-stopper. She's been 'good,' yes; good at drinkin' whiskey and nearly everything except getting over a breakup. With its drinking song lyrical reference and sincere vocal sadness, Pope earns her wings as a fine country singer. ...