Country Singles Jubilee 08.10.09: The Bumming A Ride From Jesus Edition

Posted by Jasper Jones on 08.10.2009

The original format returns this week. Inside you'll find the latest from Toby Keith, Eric Church, and Sugarland. You'll also find a great old song from The Bellamy Brothers and a modern day classic from John Mellencamp. Check it out!

Welcome back, Jubileers! The Top Ten lists were fun, but we're back to reviewing singles this week. The charts are full of fresh songs ripe for the reviewing!

Raise your hand if you new that The Oak Ridge Boys had a new CD out? I had no idea either until a couple of days ago when I picked it up. It's called The Boys Are Back and was released on May 19th of this year. Unfortunately, it's not very good. Most of the album feels like it's still stuck in the late 70s or early 80s. A song like "Mama's Table" would have been a hit back then, but it's completely irrelevant in 2009. However, there was one song that caught me completely off guard...



That was totally unexpected. At first I was aghast! The Oaks and The White Stripes shouldn't go together, but the song is like a car crash. It's nearly impossible to turn away. After a couple of listenings, I decided that it's just different enough to be awesome. In fact, I would buy an Oaks album that was nothing but covers of modern day songs just to hear what they sounded like.

Country Music Tidbits

Steel Magnolia Can Duet!



Meghan Linsey and Joshua Scott Jones make up the duo known as Steel Magnolia. They won the second season of CMT's Can You Duet and will receive a recording contract from Big Machine Records. Before the competition, Linsey worked as a director of karaoke at a Nashville bar. There she met her boyfriend, Jones, and they began to play music together. The duo's first single, "Keep On Lovin' You", is now available for download on Itunes (it's not an REO Speedwagon cover), and they will be shooting their first music video really soon. Caitlin & Will, the winners of the first season, have attained some success, but it was first season contestants Joey + Rory who have really shined.

There's a Whisper In the Studio



Country legend, "Whisperin'" Bill Anderson, is returning to the studio to record his first album of new material since his 2007 bluegrass album. It will contain songs he's co-written with Jamie Johnson, Brad Paisley, Jon Randall, and many other Nashville luminaries. The album is expected to be out by Christmas. The 71 year old singer/songwriter has been steadily releasing critically acclaimed albums, even though they don't do so well commercially. I don't think "Whisperin'" Bill has anything to worry about money wise though. He's one of the most decorated country songwriters of all time. He wrote "Give It Away" for George Strait, "Whiskey Lullaby" for Brad Paisley and Alison Krauss, "Once A Day" for Connie Smith, "Wish You Were Here" for Mark Wills, "Two Teardrops" for Steve Wariner, "A Lot of Things Different" for Kenny Chesney, and countless other hit songs. Broadcast Music, Inc. (BMI) named Anderson its first country songwriting Icon, putting him in class with Little Richard, Chuck Berry, and James Brown.

Tragedy Strikes Canadian Country Music Festival



One fan was killed and sixty other people were injured when a stage collapsed at the Big Valley Jamboree in Edmonton, Canada last weekend. The stage was destroyed by high winds, heavy rains, and a dust storm. Billy Currington and his band were on their last song when the storm hit. Currington escaped with minor injuries, but his bassist was banged up pretty bad. I'm not a big fan of Billy Currington's music, but I don't wish any bad luck on him or his fans. Here's hoping everyone really is ok, and they make a speedy recovery.

MUSIC TIME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Country Singles Reviews

Toby Keith - "American Ride"



My opinion of Toby Keith practically changes on a day-to-day basis. Some times I think he's got his head on straight, like when he releases a song like "God Love Her". Other times I am completely disgusted with him, like when he stars in some awful comedy movie with Rodney Carrington and Ted Nugent. I think that if he didn't have to pander to the country crowd to make his money, Keith would be a great musician. He shows flashes of brilliance, but he knows where the money is made. Unfortunately, more people buy songs like "Courtesy of the Red, White, and Blue" and "Who's Your Daddy" than great songs like "He Ain't Worth Missing" and "Dream Walkin'". His success cannot be argued though. Toby Keith has racked up twenty-one Number 1 songs in his sixteen year career.

"American Ride" is Toby Keith's forty-seventh single and the first to be released from his upcoming album of the same name. It's an up-tempo song that is supposed to be some sort of social commentary about problems in America. If it had been recorded by anyone but Toby Keith, "American Ride" would be less confusing. Since Keith has revealed himself to be a super patriot in the past with songs like "Courtesy of the Red, White, and Blue" and his actions against Natalie Maines, I can't tell whats going on here. Why would he record a song about loving all of America's problems if he's so damn patriotic? If he means to be satirical with "gotta love this American ride", he comes across as hypocrite. If he's pointing out all of America's problems and then stating that he loves the country anyway, then the lyrics need to be completely re-worded. The way they are now it makes it seem like he's proud of the o-zone burning up, proud of girls who can't sing getting record deals, and proud that he can no longer sing Christmas carols without being called a racist. Make up your mind, Mr. Keith. You cannot have it both ways.

Favorite Lyric: "Customs caught a thug with an aerosol can/ If the shoe don't fit, the fits gonna hit the shan"



Rating: 1.5/5

Eric Church - "Love Your Love The Most"



Since he graduated from Appalachian State University with a degree in marketing, Eric Church's father agree to pay his living expenses in Nashville for six months, which was just enough time for Eric to make the connections he would need to survive there on his own. He landed a publishing deal and got his first taste of Nashville money when Terri Clark released his song "The World Needs A Drink" in 2004. A couple of years later, Church was introduced to record producer Jay Joyce. The two cut some demos and eventually recorded Church's debut album Sinners Like Me in 2006. The album spawned three Top 20 country hits: "How 'Bout You", "Two Pink Lines", and "Guys Like Me".

"Love Your Love The Most" is the first single released from Eric Church's second album Carolina released back in March of 2009. It's a love song about how much more a man loves his woman then other things in his life. Church states that he loves things like college football, mustard on his fries, a rockin' honky tonk on Friday nights, and cold beer. However, he loves his woman above all else. "Love Your Love The Most" seems like a song that could have been recorded by the great Don Williams or Hank Williams, Jr. in his prime. It's a masculine love song that any man wouldn't feel embarrassed to sing. It isn't without flaws though. Some of the lines are a bit cliched. The lines "hell yes I love my truck" and "I love my Nascar race" cross the cheesy line as well. These things can be forgiven though. All-in-all, Eric Church has a winner.

Favorite Line: "Yea I'm a fan of Faulkner books/ And anything my mama cooks/ Small mouthed bass have got me hooked on Sunday afternoons"



Rating: 4/5

Sugarland - "Joey"



I'm about to make a few folks angry, but I think that's what I do best. Sugarland has been a major disappointment to me. With their songs like "Just Might Make Me Believe", "Stay", and "Something More", Sugarland has proven that they have the potential to be something truly great. However, outside of those three singles, Sugarland has bored me to tears. Bland songs like "Want To", "All I Want To Do", and "Everyday America" have soured me on the duo. They are the hot ticket in country music right now, and I think they are riding it for all it's worth. People are currently going to buy whatever they are selling no matter if it's up to par or not. Problem is that I think Sugarland knows it and have put their music into cruise control. At least that's the way it seems. A once promising band has become absolutely cringe-worthy, but I will continue to give them second chances in hopes that they can turn things around.

"Joey" is the fourth single released from Sugarland's third album Love on The Inside. It was co-written by band members Kristian Bush, Jennifer Nettles, and country legend Bill Anderson. It's a sad song about girl whose boyfriend has died in an auto accident. It contains a series of "what if" questions. What if she had chosen to ride along? What if she had simply taken his keys? In the chorus, the girl apologizes to Joey and hopes that he can hear her. Nettles said that while witting the song, Bill Anderson said it reminded him of the teen tragedy songs of the 50s and 60s. Except most of those songs were good. "Joey" is a completely vague and boring song. Nettles' vocals seem very distracted and restrained, unlike on most of their other emotional songs when her voice is raw and powerful. Like I said before, Sugarland is capable of so much more than this.

Favorite Lyric: "What if I said yes/ What if I'd gone out that night/ What if you'd turned left/ And everything would've turned out alright"



Rating: 2/5

Retro Country Single

The Bellamy Brothers - "Old Hippie"



The Bellamy Brothers have been a favorite of mine for a long time. David Bellamy and Howard Bellamy grew up surrounded by music in their Florida home. Their father played in a country swing band, their sister was obsessed with rock n' roll, and the Jamaican workers on the family orange grove played calypso music. The boys learned to play guitar, mandolin, and banjo even though they were never classically trained. They were eventually noticed by a friend of comedian and singer Jim Stafford, who would go on to record his biggest hit "Spiders and Snakes" which was written by David Bellamy. It was through Stafford that they boys were hooked up with Curb Records in 1975. They released "Let Your Love Flow" in 1976 and it became a country and pop success. They followed that up with "If I Said You Had a Beautiful Body Would You Hold It Against Me" in 1979 which became a monstrous country hit. From 1979 to 1987, the Bellamys scored eleven Number 1 songs. Their fame waned considerably in the 90s, but the brothers continued to release material. Their current album, The Anthology, Vol 1, hits stores this year. It features a duet with The Bacon Brothers on "Guilty of The Crime". The video can currently be seen on CMT and GAC.

The Bellamy Brothers have a plethora of great songs. "Let Your Love Flow" is considered by many to be a classic. "Feelin' That Feeling" is one that is usually over looked, but just as good as "Let Your Love Flow". Their novelty songs like "Redneck Girl" and "Rip Off the Knob" are a lot of fun. They've even got an excellent southern pride song called "You Ain't Just Whistlin' Dixie". However, my all time favorite Bellamy Brothers song is "Old Hippie". It can be found on the duo's 1985 album Howard & David. It only peaked at Number 2, but it's just as good as any of their Number 1s. It's an excellently written song about being stuck in your ways while the world is passing you by. The man in the song is an old hippie trying to figure out what do with the changing times. He served in Vietnam, saw John Lennon get murdered, and witnessed the death of disco. He's member of a dying breed trying to adjust to a new world.

Favorite Lyric: "He gets off on country music/ cause disco left him cold/ he's got young friends into new wave/ but he's just to friggin' old"



I Bet You've Never Heard This Song

John Mellencamp - "A Ride Back Home"



Some people say that John Mellencamp hasn't been musically relevant since the early 90s. His last Top Ten hit was 1994's "Wild Night". I'd have to agree with that notion, but that hasn't stopped him from releasing great music that just doesn't get any airplay. 1996's Mr. Happy Go Lucky was an incredible album. The two singles "Just Another Day" and "Key West Intermezzo (I Saw You First)" did fairly well on the charts peaking at Number 46 and 14 respectively. Other tracks on the album like "It May Not Be The End of the World", "The Full Catastrophe", and "Jackamo Road" are well worth the listen. His 2001 single "Peaceful World" and his 2004 single "Walk Tall' were both really good, but received little to no airplay at all. Its probably because Mellencamp is considered to be an old 80s roots singer. He's been pigeonholed, and that's a shame. I guess radio has to make room for awesome musicians like The Pussycat Dolls and Soulja Boy though.

"A Ride Back Home" is from John Mellencamp's latest album Life, Death, Love, and Freedom. You can currently check out the video on CMT's Wide Open Country program. It's a brutally honest, dark, and sad song about a man who has had enough of the world and is ready to cross over to the other side. The man is worn down from the world's troubles and his own personal failures and demons. He's too cowardly to commit suicide. Instead he asks Jesus for a ride back home, praying for death. Karen Fairchild of Little Big Town duets with Mellencamp, and they sound excellent together. He sounds like he's got an angel singing along with him. The song and the imagery from the video combine to make a very powerful piece of art.

Favorite Lyric: "Hey Jesus this world is just too troublesome for me/ I try to fight off all these devils but I'm just too weak/ When I'm out here walking all alone/ I feel like taking my life but I won't/ Too big a coward, can you give me a ride back home"



That's all for this week, folks! Be sure to come on back next Monday! Until then, keep all your ex's in Texas, and always go out walkin' after midnight!