101.9 Blake FM » Reviews

Kree Harrison, 'All Cried Out' – Song Review

Billy Dukes — Wed, 22 May 2013 11:30:14 +0000

They say specificity is the soul of narrative, which would mean Kree Harrison‘s first post-’Idol’ single ‘All Cried Out’ lacks soul, or narrative. The ballad is a showcase for her vocal range and power, but it’s never made clear why the Texan is so bummed. Harrison performed the song during the final performance episode of [...]

George Strait, 'Love Is Everything' – Album Review

Billy Dukes — Fri, 17 May 2013 11:00:37 +0000

George Strait steps back in time for his newest release, 'Love Is Everything.' In the past, the singer always found a way to add a touch of contemporary to his traditional sound. There's nothing to separate this from albums he made throughout the '80s and '90s, but that's not necessarily a criticism.

Keith Urban, 'Little Bit of Everything' – Song Review

Billy Dukes — Tue, 14 May 2013 12:00:18 +0000

Perhaps it should be no surprise that after five months spent judging 'American Idol,' Keith Urban has delivered his most pop-friendly single to date in 'Little Bit of Everything.' The talented singer and guitarist uses tricks in production that a less established singer would be skewered for. The result is a delightful summer jam that's short on nutritional content.

Lady Antebellum, 'Goodbye Town' – Song Review

Billy Dukes — Tue, 07 May 2013 12:00:19 +0000

Charles Kelley's desperation turns to anger by the end of 'Goodbye Town,' the second single from Lady Antebellum's new 'Golden' album. The song finds the trio working their bread and butter: heartbreak and a yearning for love lost. Sonically, this song forges ahead with fresh production, but it's not quite as exciting as the lead single, 'Downtown.'

Thomas Rhett, 'It Goes Like This' – Song Review

Billy Dukes — Fri, 03 May 2013 12:00:17 +0000

‘It Goes Like This’ is the safest of the three singles Thomas Rhett has released, but he sacrifices nothing in sharp songwriting in his effort to land a hit on country radio. TheÂ charismaticÂ songwriter is a natural storyteller, and his lyrics bounce to life with each verse and chorus.Â Rhett’s previous two singles didn’t realize their [...]

Kenny Chesney, 'Life on a Rock' – Album Review

Billy Dukes — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 13:30:17 +0000

Kenny Chesney's 'Life on a Rock' album is as revealing of a record as 'Be as You Are' -- more so in some ways. The songwriting isn't as sharp as the 2005 project (the most closely comparable to 'Life on a Rock' in style and substance), but the experiences are as mixed and honest.

Poker Night 2 Review

Luke Brown — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 12:00:30 +0000

Telltale Games surprised a lot of people with the announcement of Poker Night 2, a sequel to a niche game with quirky co-stars and lots of humor. This follow-up picks up where the original left off, and brings a host of new faces and catch phrases to the poker table. Though it isn't as robust or deep as some other poker video games, Poker Night 2 has an incredible amount of charm and wit to more than help it stand out from the crowd.

Buzzer Beaters: First Day of the Masters, Harang Goes to Seattle and More

Chris Chaberski — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 12:23:36 +0000

Today’s top sports stories: Most of the way through day one of the Masters in Augusta, Georgia, Australia’s Marc Leishman leads with a 6-under 66. Tiger Woods is four strokes back, and Jamie Donaldson knocked a hole-in-one. [Masters, Wales Online] The Seattle Mariners have acquired starting pitcher Aaron Harang from the Colorado Rockies in exchange [...]

Luke Bryan, 'Crash My Party' – Song Review

Billy Dukes — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 12:00:50 +0000

Luke Bryan's new song 'Crash My Party' would fit well on his last album 'Tailgates and Tanlines.' The ballad is a continuation of themes introduced with 'I Don't Want This Night to End' and 'Drunk on You,' two No. 1 hits for the ACM Entertainer of the Year. At first listen, it's difficult to become excited about a song that's so familiar.

Hunter Hayes, 'I Want Crazy' – Song Review

Billy Dukes — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 12:00:52 +0000

In his new song 'I Want Crazy.' Hunter Hayes doesn't soar like Ronnie Dunn or croon like Chris Young. His vocal performance is an exercise in diction -- and memory. Simply put, he packs a ton of words into a tight space without straining or slurring one idea into another. It's not easy.

Weston Burt, 'Lucky Sometimes' – Song Review

Billy Dukes — Mon, 01 Apr 2013 12:00:10 +0000

Newcomer Weston Burt’s debut single ‘Lucky Sometimes’ aims right down the middle and hits the mark. The upbeat, head-over-heels love song is easy to find yourself singing along with before the first spin is complete. Listen again to hear him flex a little vocal muscle in the most subtle ways. The way the Fort Payne, [...]

Maggie Rose, 'Cut to Impress' – Album Review

Billy Dukes — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 18:00:53 +0000

‘Cut to Impress’ by Maggie Rose is one of the more entertaining listens of the year. Fans will either embrace the dark, swampy sound the singer creates with producer James Stroud, or they’ll be terrified by her bad girl persona and downright chilling stories. The album is no teddy bear. ‘Preacher’s Daughter’ and ‘Looking Back [...]

Blake Shelton, 'Boys 'Round Here' – Song Review

Billy Dukes — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 12:45:44 +0000

There is comedy in Blake Shelton singing with Pistol Annies, as he does on his new single 'Boys 'Round Here.' One imagines a country Hugh Hefner surrounded by his beauties. In real life, the Annies likely (very likely) don't attend to his every need and agree with him at all costs, but they do on this song, and it's absolutely charming.

Blake Shelton, 'Based on a True Story …' – Album Review

Billy Dukes — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 13:00:16 +0000

Women who already think Blake Shelton singing is the sexiest thing since Johnny Castle pulled Baby from the corner may want to take the rest of the week off. The best moments on 'Based on a True Story ...' sizzle, and not in that ironic "bow-chicka-wow-wow" sort of way that's occasionally implied with this singer's sense of humor. Songs like 'Mine Would Be You' are safe to put on any red wine and candles soundtrack. Guys, you can thank Shelton via his Twitter account, if you'd like.

Kacey Musgraves, 'Blowin' Smoke' – Song Review

Billy Dukes — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 12:00:19 +0000

The magic of many of the songs on Kacey Musgraves‘ debut album — including her new single ‘Blowin’ Smoke’ — is in the little details. ‘Merry Go ‘Round’ thrived in efficient specificity. The follow-up is equally effective in its portrayal of a life waiting tables. Of course, the waitress Musgraves plays on this song is [...]

Wynonna, 'Something You Can't Live Without' – Song Review

Billy Dukes — Tue, 19 Mar 2013 12:00:23 +0000

It takes a few listens to absorb the new sound Wynonna reveals on her new single 'Something You Can't Live Without.' The singer and 'Dancing With the Stars' competitor hasn't had a hit song in a decade, but comparing this to music from the 'What the World Needs Now Is Love' album would be like comparing Kelly Clarkson now to her 2003 self, but flip-flopped.

Casey James, 'The Good Life' – Song Review

Billy Dukes — Thu, 14 Mar 2013 12:00:22 +0000

Casey James‘ third single from his self-titled debut album is a pleasing three minutes and five seconds, but the toe-tapper is easy to forget. ‘The Good Life’ lacks the emotional hook that the best carefree country expressions posses. The song is sort of like licking the frosting from a cupcake. Sure it’s tasty, but the [...]

Shooter Jennings, 'The Other Life' – Album Review

Billy Dukes — Wed, 13 Mar 2013 12:00:23 +0000

Fans of early albums from Shooter Jennings will appreciate the singer's return to center on 'The Other Life,' his sixth studio album, available for purchase as of March 12. Still far from mainstream, the collection of songs isn't quite as experimental as projects that followed 'Put the "O" Back in Country.'

Justin Moore, 'Point at You' – Song Review

Billy Dukes — Tue, 05 Mar 2013 13:30:59 +0000

Justin Moore's lead single from his third studio album is a familiar combination of all of his best songs. It's the well-meaning bad boy in 'How I Got to Be This Way' meeting the soft and sensitive lover in ''Til My Last Day.' Fans familiar with Moore's previous two studio albums can find a few more tracks 'Point at You' resembles.

Sheryl Crow, 'Easy' – Song Review

Billy Dukes — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 13:49:48 +0000

Sheryl Crow‘s new country single ‘Easy’ is as advertised. It’s easy to be seduced by Crow’s carefree warmth and laid-back style. It’s easy to overlook the effective songwriting, and it’s easy to fall into her story again and again. ‘Easy’ isn’t as catchy as some of Crow’s biggest pop hits. The melody is sort of [...]