Country Weekly's Scores
- Music
For 158 reviews, this publication has graded:
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75% higher than the average critic
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1% same as the average critic
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24% lower than the average critic
On average, this publication grades 6.7 points higher than other critics.
(0-100 point scale)
Average Music review score: 80
Highest review score: | Upland Stories | |
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Lowest review score: | Spring Break... Checkin' Out |
Score distribution:
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Positive: 132 out of 158
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Mixed: 26 out of 158
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Negative: 0 out of 158
158
music
reviews
- By Date
- By Critic Score
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- Critic Score
Taylor wrote or co-wrote everything here herself (including the hit “Tim McGraw”), and while the most immediately striking songs are her eviscerations of no-good teenage boys (“Should’ve Said No,” “Picture to Burn”), the more thoughtful material suggests a talent poised to last well past high school.- Country Weekly
- Posted Oct 11, 2021
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Not everything works, however. ... Overall, though, this is the Hank Jr. we’ve been waiting to hear for years, and it’s a welcome return.- Country Weekly
- Posted Apr 28, 2016
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- Critic Score
This is a masterful album, replete with wonderful stories and fully drawn characters.- Country Weekly
- Posted Mar 30, 2016
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The charm of these tracks, though, is in their now-less-common unselfconsciousness (with its close kin, indulgence, lurking nearby) and the largely likable blemishes reminding us that music, above all, should sound human. For better and occasionally worse, this music unquestionably does.- Country Weekly
- Posted Mar 17, 2016
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Full Circle stands as a wonderful and welcome piece of work, 14 solid songs that shift easily from Appalachian mountain soul to pure country and even spiritual fare. Plus, Loretta has simply never sounded better.- Country Weekly
- Posted Mar 9, 2016
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In every aspect, from production to instrumentation and Wynonna’s sensational performances, this ranks as her absolute best solo effort.- Country Weekly
- Posted Mar 1, 2016
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While he’s done nearly a dozen yesteryear-based solo albums, this one is distinguished by its smartly chosen representation of the Gershwins’ musical breadth and the handpicked, multi-stylistic band (with Mickey Raphael’s winsome yet penetrating harmonica again providing a crucial link to Willie’s larger body of work) fittingly snazzing up the affair while making the most of Willie’s no-dress-code musical fusion.- Country Weekly
- Posted Feb 23, 2016
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Down to My Last Bad Habit is simply Vince having loose-limbed fun with his cohorts, resulting in one of the most enjoyable listening experiences you’ll be privy to all year. You’ll want to play it over and over.- Country Weekly
- Posted Feb 11, 2016
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With a range of topics that cover bullying (“Kill a Word”) and women running afoul of the law (“Chattanooga Lucy”), there’s plenty to indulge in without coming away bored or feeling like you’ve heard it all before.- Country Weekly
- Posted Nov 20, 2015
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Carrie’s never been in better voice, but a little more control in the production would have served her well.- Country Weekly
- Posted Nov 18, 2015
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The production team of Tim and Byron Gallimore have struck country music pay dirt with this incredible collection that balances contemporary and traditional styles with amazing subtlety, all without making Tim sound as if he’s trying to keep up with the younger stars--indeed, with Damn Country Music, he’s in the passing lane.- Country Weekly
- Posted Nov 13, 2015
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The result feels a little something like those beloved ‘80s movies in spirit and aesthetic.- Country Weekly
- Posted Aug 21, 2015
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Kill the Lights isn’t consistently pleasing, but it does represent a progression and evolution from Luke’s previous material.- Country Weekly
- Posted Aug 14, 2015
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The Blade further serves to position her as one of the premiere and rare female neo-traditionalists in the format.- Country Weekly
- Posted Jul 20, 2015
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It may not be all pretty, but Something More Than Free is as real as it gets.- Country Weekly
- Posted Jul 14, 2015
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Kacey adroitly communicates who she is through her music, maturing in her artistry while staying true to herself. Pageant Material deserves to win some sort of title--and it just might.- Country Weekly
- Posted Jun 26, 2015
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Their fourth album, The Muscle Shoals Recordings, is an outstanding 11-song offering that lives up to the lofty expectations of its namesake.- Country Weekly
- Posted Jun 17, 2015
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- Critic Score
With this, his fourth country album, Darius and his team have most definitely solidified his sound with expertly layered, but not overdone, musical arrangements that add some dimension to his already warmly textured vocals.- Country Weekly
- Posted May 19, 2015
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- Critic Score
It’s the incredible balance of Lady Antebellum’s many shades that makes this a flight worth catching.- Country Weekly
- Posted Oct 30, 2014
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This is a nicely balanced album that you could listen to repeatedly and still discover fresh, exciting touches with each new listen.- Country Weekly
- Posted Oct 30, 2014
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A collection that plays into the group’s rock sensibilities without any loss of identity.- Country Weekly
- Posted Oct 27, 2014
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There’s a common theme of relationships among many of the songs, with the ballads “Lonely Tonight” and “Anyone Else” coming away as the strongest of the bunch.- Country Weekly
- Posted Oct 21, 2014
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- Critic Score
Although the title is also an album track referring to hair color, the depth of this project goes further than Miranda’s roots.- Country Weekly
- Posted Jun 11, 2014
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Hunter Hayes has once again produced a collection of music that belies his tender age, not only in content, but in vocal confidence.- Country Weekly
- Posted May 22, 2014
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On Blue Smoke, the country legend travels many different paths and sounds only like herself.- Country Weekly
- Posted May 19, 2014
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Like most projects released by Americana singer/songwriter or heritage acts, Tarpaper Sky is best enjoyed like a book, in its entirety as opposed to a chapter here and there.- Country Weekly
- Posted Apr 16, 2014
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At times the slower tempos make the album feel longer than it actually is, but it’s never dull.- Country Weekly
- Posted Apr 9, 2014
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Overall the recording sounds great—warm and intimate without sacrificing polish.- Country Weekly
- Posted Apr 8, 2014
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Reflections is a must-have for any Don fan, any traditional country fan and anyone who wants to know what Williams acolyte Keith Urban has been crowing about for years.- Country Weekly
- Posted Mar 31, 2014
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On this album, she has found what works best for her on the contemporary side and front-loads the project with those songs.- Country Weekly
- Posted Mar 28, 2014
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Lucky may prove a bit too laid-back for the diehards out there, who might prefer a rougher-edged collection, but this is a fresh take on Merle’s classics, as interpreted by the still-fabulous Suzy.- Country Weekly
- Posted Mar 12, 2014
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- Country Weekly
- Posted Feb 25, 2014
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This set proves that good storytelling never goes out of style.- Country Weekly
- Posted Jan 22, 2014
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The resulting album is earthy, warm and spacious, not sounding too fussed over or suffocated with studio tricks.- Country Weekly
- Posted Jan 14, 2014
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The River & The Thread will require multiple listens to truly appreciate, so set aside some time to soak in this one.- Country Weekly
- Posted Jan 9, 2014
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- Country Weekly
- Posted Dec 30, 2013
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- Critic Score
A couple of back-to-back tracks midway through the project bear a sonic similarity to each other, but their topics are so different, you’ll want to keep listening.- Country Weekly
- Posted Dec 9, 2013
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With The Woman I Am, Kellie has made a natural evolution while managing to stay true to those things that are important to her.- Country Weekly
- Posted Nov 14, 2013
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Wrapped in Red is a stylistic maverick, for sure, but the original tunes are worthy of sitting next to the standards, and when Kelly sings, it’s like Christmas all year round.- Country Weekly
- Posted Nov 14, 2013
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A staggeringly great collection of original tunes that paint vivid, honest portraits of real life, from a uniquely feminine perspective.- Country Weekly
- Posted Oct 22, 2013
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It’s his sophomore studio album, See You Tonight, that is really showing some maturity and growth.- Country Weekly
- Posted Oct 15, 2013
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Alan’s album is the real thing, a “must” whether you’re a bluegrass buff or just a fan of fine music.- Country Weekly
- Posted Oct 2, 2013
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This disproves the popular belief that nothing good ever happens in the a.m. There’s plenty of good stuff here.- Country Weekly
- Posted Sep 20, 2013
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- Country Weekly
- Posted Sep 16, 2013
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- Critic Score
It’d be nice to see Luke, the reigning ACM Entertainer of the Year, grow out of the fields he’s so clearly comfortable in. But for now, if the soil is still bearing fruit, you can’t blame him for continuing to plow ahead.- Country Weekly
- Posted Aug 15, 2013
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- Country Weekly
- Posted Jul 23, 2013
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- Critic Score
The only real clunker is a lugubrious redo of “Lodi,” featuring John’s sons Tyler and Shane, but otherwise, this should be a must for Fogerty followers.- Country Weekly
- Posted May 23, 2013
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Love Is Everything further showcases George’s smooth voice and, perhaps more importantly, his uncanny knack for picking outstanding songs.- Country Weekly
- Posted May 17, 2013
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The trio’s second album, Annie Up, (thankfully) picks up where their debut, Hell on Heels, left off, offering more engaging studies of real-life heartbreak, domestic inertia and the daily trials of womanhood.- Country Weekly
- Posted May 7, 2013
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Despite the presence of utterly infectious single “Downtown” and the jangly “Better Off Now That You’re Gone,” the first half of Golden is a little too polished, as if the trio couldn’t escape the pull of Own the Night’s gravitas.- Country Weekly
- Posted May 7, 2013
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Ultimately, Life on a Rock’s most exciting moments come when Kenny pushes his limits on something unusual- Country Weekly
- Posted Apr 30, 2013
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If last year’s Heroes, with the tongue-in-cheek “Roll Me Up,” was Willie proving he’s still vital, Let’s Face the Music and Dance is a legend who has seen it all reveling in the melancholy of time’s passing.- Country Weekly
- Posted Apr 19, 2013
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The musicianship on Wheelhouse is incredible and Brad just keeps on getting more flavorful as a guitarist. Serious music buffs are going to love Wheelhouse, while cursory fans may be left scratching their heads.- Country Weekly
- Posted Apr 9, 2013
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Emmylou and Rodney seem at their best with the more up-tempo offerings like Kris Kristofferson’s “Chase the Feeling” and “Bluebird Wine,” which features Rodney’s playful vocals.- Country Weekly
- Posted Apr 4, 2013
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The album’s overall spirit of adventure is summed up in the gorgeous title track, written by the Perrys with fellow family trio The Henningsens. Starting sweet and delicate, it offers a message of encouragement to be bold in the face of uncertainty and doubt as it builds to a thrilling crescendo.- Country Weekly
- Posted Apr 4, 2013
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Each track evokes an emotion, a giggle, a tear or a memory, but always a hunger for what’s next.- Country Weekly
- Posted Mar 19, 2013
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It’s an album that defines an artist, proving that the Williams name (the daughter of Bocephus, Holly comes from the Hank lineage) remains as trailblazing and unique as ever.- Country Weekly
- Posted Mar 8, 2013
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Bruce and Kelly let their plaintive, tight harmonies deliver the goods, a refreshing break from the bombast that often substitutes for real emotion in much of the current fare.- Country Weekly
- Posted Mar 6, 2013
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- Critic Score
If you’ve ever bemoaned the absence of traditional country sounds in an era of pop, rock and even hip-hop production, be still—Ashley Monroe is throwing you a country music lifeline.- Country Weekly
- Posted Mar 5, 2013
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The project truly succeeds because of the various voices in The SteelDrivers, who consider their bluegrass to be one painted from a darker palette--which, at times, can feel a little too dark.- Country Weekly
- Posted Feb 13, 2013
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- Country Weekly
- Posted Feb 6, 2013
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Set You Free doesn't sound like every other album coming out of the Nashville factory these days-and that's definitely a good thing.- Country Weekly
- Posted Jan 23, 2013
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Ultimately, there's enough in this big box to last a fan weeks, months and years. It's not all equal, but it certainly leaves no stone unturned.- Country Weekly
- Posted Jan 3, 2013
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His recorded albums, and even his mesmerizing live show, have gradually incorporated a country sound. That trend continues on his latest, the rewarding 14-song Rebel Soul.- Country Weekly
- Posted Dec 21, 2012
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Easton gives fans of traditional country everything they've been missing.- Country Weekly
- Posted Oct 31, 2012
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Bocephus-like clarinets, old-timey lyrics and Toby's smooth-as-whiskey delivery assure purists that there is still Hope for classic barroom singalongs.- Country Weekly
- Posted Oct 31, 2012
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Kip's grainy, warm and confident vocal delivery ties the tales together into a believable tapestry.- Country Weekly
- Posted Oct 29, 2012
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Red may not be a bona fide country album, but it could very well be a pop masterpiece, more in line with P!nk's latest, The Truth About Love, than even Red's predecessor, Speak Now.- Country Weekly
- Posted Oct 24, 2012
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In honoring his friend and inspiration, the late writer Hank Cochran, Jamey Johnson recorded one of the most heartfelt albums of the year.- Country Weekly
- Posted Oct 16, 2012
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- Country Weekly
- Posted Oct 16, 2012
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- Country Weekly
- Posted Oct 10, 2012
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Though he's capable of being playfully satisfied, Dwight is at his best when he's consumed by yearning.- Country Weekly
- Posted Sep 18, 2012
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Uncaged, does nothing to tarnish their sterling image and even manages to expand it a bit.- Country Weekly
- Posted Sep 7, 2012
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Adventurous roots-music aficionados will want to book themselves a date for Traveler, a masterfully planned Dixieland journey that lets the good times roll easy.- Country Weekly
- Posted Aug 13, 2012
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Collectively, they touch upon a complex range of emotions and interconnections, supported by sparse and countrified instrumentation that sets an appropriately Texan tone.- Country Weekly
- Posted Jul 20, 2012
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As the potent observations on And So It Goes make clear, time is indeed ticking away, though Don's comforting, timeless-sounding presentation of these top-flight tunes can sometimes make it seem otherwise.- Country Weekly
- Posted Jul 10, 2012
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Far from being a punching bag, this album contains enough musical muscle to throw a few punches of its own.- Country Weekly
- Posted Jun 12, 2012
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His label home may have changed, but his everyman approach to songwriting holds steady.- Country Weekly
- Posted Jun 6, 2012
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- Country Weekly
- Posted Jun 1, 2012
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On his latest, Marty meshes country with Memphis rockabilly and bluegrass-inspired background vocals throughout the disc.- Country Weekly
- Posted May 30, 2012
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- Country Weekly
- Posted May 10, 2012
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While the album lacks some of the energy and freshness of 2010's Nothing Like This, introspective tunes such as "A Little Home," "Sunrise" (co-written by Joe Don) and the Lady Antebellum-esque "Come Wake Me Up" add even more depth to the trio's sound.- Country Weekly
- Posted Apr 4, 2012
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- Country Weekly
- Posted Mar 27, 2012
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Release Me provides a clear picture of Lovett's stylistic bedrock, and reminds that he's stood steadfast upon it all along.- Country Weekly
- Posted Mar 27, 2012
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Lyrically and musically, the songs stream effortlessly from accessible to intricate, creating an estimable country album with a steady undercurrent of blues and rock.- Country Weekly
- Posted Mar 20, 2012
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This road-tested group boasts tightknit sibling harmonies and an ear-pleasing tribute to the joys and tragedies of working folk and weekend warriors.- Country Weekly
- Posted Feb 23, 2012
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Country gospel at its most fervent and rousing.- Country Weekly
- Posted Feb 14, 2012
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Overall, though the lyric content is among the best on a Tim McGraw album to date.- Country Weekly
- Posted Jan 24, 2012
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Only a real party-pooper would deny Guy's talented pals the chance to respectfully demonstrate how well this stuff still works.- Country Weekly
- Posted Jan 20, 2012
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If you've ever been worried that good old Southern-fried boogie is an endangered species, then Dixie Lullabies should help you rest a little easier.- Country Weekly
- Posted Jan 11, 2012
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This is no less than the story of a flawed man finding his own greatness--the primary factor behind the power and substance of these simple, no-frills performances, as well as the reason why any serious fan of Cash or country music history will want to walk the line it so compellingly traces.- Country Weekly
- Posted Dec 13, 2011
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David could be country music's most soulful singer since Ronnie Dunn.- Country Weekly
- Posted Nov 22, 2011
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Joe is at his best on the traditional romps like "This Ole Boy" and "No Truck, No Boat, No Girl."- Country Weekly
- Posted Nov 11, 2011
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While it lacks the emotional heft of Merle's acclaimed 2010 album, I Am What I Am, the cancer survivor's latest album boasts plenty of flinty independence.- Country Weekly
- Posted Nov 11, 2011
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With due respect to her previous fine efforts, Four the Record is easily Miranda's best album yet.- Country Weekly
- Posted Nov 1, 2011
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Vince's superb musicianship leaves the spotlight on these poignant songs.- Country Weekly
- Posted Oct 25, 2011
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It's all life, and Martina, with her unforced country-pop sensibility, gets it all to add up on Eleven.- Country Weekly
- Posted Oct 24, 2011
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Hitting a sweet spot between honky-tonk and the more sophisticated Nashville Sound of yore, Long Line of Heartaches delivers unapologetically traditional fare without resorting to self-conscious nostalgia.- Country Weekly
- Posted Oct 20, 2011
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- Country Weekly
- Posted Oct 20, 2011
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- Country Weekly
- Posted Oct 5, 2011
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