Raymond Country Reviews

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I've decided to review music. I'm going to try and have a review every day and possible more.


Note; I'm a single guy also I'm going to do a wide variety of reviews. I'm staying strictly with country music as its the genre I'm most familiar with as a whole. I will take country personal requests. 

Here are the type of reviews I'll do. 
Single Review
Vintage Single Review(couple of deadlines has to at least hit The Top 10 in country and it has to be by an act that most country fans remember, also nothing from 1990 or before). 
Ranking Singles (basically grading every song by an artist in a quick synopsis). 
State of Country Music (how country music is doing and what can be done to have it be improved). 
5 Second Single Reviews. Basically a couple of sentences on a song if there's not a lot to say. 

I hope the country forum and many more of you guys read this. I'll be posting my first review tomorrow. 

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Ok my first review. Let me do one of the hottest country songs out there. 

Tim McGraw Humble and Kind. Grade A. 

Ok, so where to begin with this song. Let me start with the production where it's always for the most part always kept down to let Tim's voice shine through. Simple, quiet, production that often times is missing in mainstream country music.

Anyway so we now go to Tim McGraw as a vocalist and I still definitely see why he's managed to stay relevant for so long. He has enough charisma behind the mic to sell stuff really well. Tim's voice often shines through a lot on his voice, if there is one minor problem I have with this song is when Tim occasionally says the title phrase his voice sounds a little different, not bad per se but a little noticeable for me. It does though help the melody out in this song which in particular is also very strong and soothing.

This is now where we get to the lyrics now I know a lot of people aren't fans of these inspirational songs and all that stuff whether it comes off as cheesy, off putting, or just very sloppy writing. I myself happen to really love those songs for the most part especially now in mainstream country where often times we get an over saturation of mindless pickup songs, or heavy Pop/R&B inspired stuff that sounds like second rate Drake or Taylor Swift songs. It's always nice to hear a singer taking the time to one act his age but more importantly write stuff that might in general help people who might be going through a hard time, and I have full respect for an artist who does that. Tim McGraw gets it and I am glad to see him have the amount of success he's had with his music and now has once again found his creative stride. I'm excited to see what other songs get released. So I highly recommend this song if you have yet to listen too it. 

Final Grade A. 

Upcoming Single Review; Brooke Eden Daddy's Money 
Upcoming Vintage Single Review; Lady Antebellum I Run To You 

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Eh, what the heck I'll get another single review out of the way. 

Brooke Eden Daddy's Money. Grade B-. 

Ok, so for those of you guys who are reading this that don't know. Brooke Eden is a newcomer to country music, she is signed to Red Bow Records an imprint of Broken Bow. I always like to refer Red Bow as the least successful right now of the 4 heads at Broken Bow, since well they have taken forever on Chase Bryant's latest with minimal in return (no album still which is very frustrating). Joe Nichols has lost all his momentum from "Yeah" and Craig Campbell well he's not off to a great start either himself (I'll get to his new song don't worry). Then you have the one female vocalist of artists that are signed to that imprint of Broken Bow, a young singer Brooke Eden who's first song was "American Dreamin" which was so far released as a buzz single, and if I'm going to be honest, I didn't particularly care for that song. The production felt bland, the lyrics left little to no impression on me, and Brooke Eden seemed rather bland to me as a vocalist as it felt like she was phoning it in. I didn't hate the song but I saw it as a disposable song all together. So when she released her followup song I was curious to see where she went with her second song released and her fir official song to country radio. How did it turn out? 

Well, not bad really not at all, there are some things to like about this song, but they are some glaring issues that I've noticed with the song. So where do I begin? Let's start off with the lyrics probably one of the areas where I find myself thinking that it could have been a better. Basically the song is about how she never had Daddy's Money. I like the idea of the song but I honestly felt like the writers could've crafted the song out more, maybe explain why exactly she never had Daddy's Money. But I'll give her a slight pass since it is her debut song. If there is one thing that has constantly bugged me about this song is of how Brooke repeats the word "Bone" I think 3 times together in the chorus. It's something I've always overall had a problem with in music because it feels like it's used to stall up time/make the song more catchy, which this song does more of the former than the latter by doing that. 

Now for the production and I'll say this, it's not quite as bland as "American Dreamin". It sounds like something of a mix of country-pop-rock, which is pretty nice with some prominent guitars and a production that in general doesn't get in the way of the vocalist too much (but the production has a problem I didn't notice at first until I fully analyzed the song). 

Now we get to Brooke Eden as a vocalist and I'll say this, her voice sounds a lot more mature than I would've otherwise expected, given her age and what seems to be her target audience,she soumds something similar in the Kelsea Ballerini vein where her singing voice doesn't match her age and makes her sound older and therefore not coming across as happily adolescent. Which leads me to believe that Brooke Eden's voice might be best served if the production got rid of the slight rock edge to it and was instead more country-pop vein. 

So this song has its fair share of problems (a slightly bland production, lyrics that could've been better flushed out better or not repeating the same word over and over again) but Brooke Eden does hold a lot of potential and I'm curious to see how radio responds to this song. I do hope that if we do get her debut album we some I wouldn't say mature per se but more deeper heavier themes, as I think those could really suit her voice really well and really make fans take notice hopefully. 

Grade B-. 

Next Single Review. Chris Young & Cassadee Pope Think Of You 
Vintage Single Review. Lady Antebellum I Run To You 

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Vintage Single Review 

Lady Antebellum I Run To You. Grade; A. 

Now I'm pretty sure that most music fans have at least heard of Lady Antebellum, they scored arguably the biggest song of any genre in 2010 with their huge smash hit "Need You Now", which that song went on to nab the members of Lady Antebellum a few Grammy Awards. Now right before they really broke out they had what Billboard deemed the Top Country Song of 2009 with "I Run To You". So how does the song turn out even after all these years? 

Well, there is a reason why despite all these years this song still gets significant amount of recurrent AirPlay. "I Run To You" is in a special group of songs that the moment I heard it, I knew I heard a smash hit song. So to begin let me start with the production with some real prominent guitars, some nice backing pop beats that never overshadow the song as a whole, and the production slowly builds up to where the song at the end feels anthemic like. 

Now to the vocalist themselves, Charles Kelley and Hillary Scott. Hillary's voice to me always has this nice smooth texture to it that makes her voice sound sweet but with just enough grit to not come off as way too childish. Hillary voice hear goes smoothly she doesn't really push herself vocally but given the verses and chorus, she stays in check with what the production wants. Now we go to Charles Kelley, I do admit I like his more raw , fun and rocking side (Love Don't Live Here, Goodbye Town, and Looking For A Good Time). I also feel like when early on he hits the high notes I am little put off by it as it could be better, or better yet not there at all. But Charles manages to by the second verse, get back on track and sounds great. 

Finally the lyrics. This is where the song really shines through for me. The song is simple in concept but it really for me gets more complex the more I listen to it. On the surface it's just a simple love song devoted to someone you "run" to. But the more I listen to this song the more I feel is there that meets the eye. I feel like it's a love song, but it's also the narrator knowing that no matter what, he/she has someone to run to make them feel better when the world gets way too hard for that person and even when disaster conquers the said narrator they'll have someone to run to. 

This song works so well for me because the harmonies are tight, the production always stay in check, both vocalist really show off their talent, and on closer examination the lyrics can hold a lot more depth that meets the eye. Highly recommend this song if by some reason you've never heard it. 

Single Review; Chris Young & Cassadee Pope Think Of You 
Vintage Single Review; Dierks Bentley Long Trip Alone

But, before I get those reviews done I'll be doing a 5-Second Single Review. Two of them to be in fact one for a few current singles, and one for some older songs. 

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5-Second Single Review (Vintage; Year 2013) 

Jake Owen Anywhere With You B-. 
A made for radio hit that's only elevated by Jake Owen's charisma. 

The Band Perry Done Grade D. 
A mindless boy bashing breakup song that sounds like for the most part arena like rock. Also Kimberly gives arguably one of her screechiest and unconvincing vocal performances I've ever heard. Eh, at least the harmonies were ok. 

Hunter Hayes Everybody's Got Somebody But Me A-. 
Charming with enough wit and snark combined with sincerity, extra points for the breezy production. 

Jason Aldean, Eric Church & Luke Bryan The Only Way I Know D. 
A boring production saves an otherwise cliché fest of small town pride. Also none of the three vocalists sound that engaged in the song (at least Eric Church is making quality now). 

Florida Georgia Line Round Here B-. 
A song rifled full of cliches but that hook saves this song very well and a pure sing along chorus helps a lot! 

Luke Bryan That's My Kind Of Night F. 
An insult to country music and fans of music in general. A song that talks dowm to it's audience and also has hip hop mixed in for no reason. 

Tim McGraw & Taylor Swift Highway Don't Care C-. 
There's an intensity in this song that I can sense is there but it's hard to tell with production basically drowning out both vocalist badly. 

Thompson Square If I Didn't Have You B. 
Shawna gives one of her best vocal performances and is very well written. Too bad the production is very sterile to say the least. 

Dustin Lynch She Cranks My Tractor F. 
*Facepalm* I don't even think this one needs an explanation as to why it sucks. 

Carrie Underwood Two Black Cadillacs A+.
An epic tale of murder. Was killing the man necessary? Probably not, but who cares when Carrie expertly tells the type of song is often missing in modern country music. But the song is amazing because the song lingers with you afterwards and it's haunting in a sense. 
 
So that was my analysis of 10 songs that at least hit the AirPlay Top 20 in 2013. 
Upcoming Single Review Chris Young & Cassadee Pope Think Of You 
Upcoming Vintage Single Review Dierks Bentley Long Trip Alone

The songs for the modern day 5 second single review will all be chosen at random unless the song has already been reviewed (Tim, Brooke and soon Chris & Cassadee) or the song is in freefall on radio (Drunk On Your Love, Nobody To Blame). Every other song on the latest Billboard Country AirPlay chart are all fair game, and I will just like with this be knocking out 10 of them tomorrow. 

[LBTrocks]

I adore Brooke Eden! raylatch98 I'd like to suggest you to review her song "He's All Yours" please... the audio can be found on YouTube, Spotify, iTunes Music etc... it's an album track from her 2014 EP, so I'm not sure you'll want to review it, but I thought I'd throw it out there anyway.

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LBTrocks here you go! 

Brooke Eden "He's All Yours" A-. 

So I said in my "Daddy's Money" that Brooke Eden voice might be better suited for darker material. Now I had no idea that Brooke had released an EP before her signing to Red Bow. So I decided to check out her other material. How did this song in particular stand out. 

Well, it definitely sounds like something that better suits Brooke voice. I'm not going to oversell this song. It has a couple of issues that while not detrimental nevertheless prevent the song from perfection, but their minor nitpicks. 

So let me start with the lyrics where Brooke Eden tells another women that her current boyfriend isn't anything special since the stuff he's doing with her is what he did with Brooke. Basically telling her that her man isn't that good. But if she doesn't want to leave his man Brooke won't care and tells her "He's All Yours", since most of the time with these type of songs the female narrator can come off as just trying to steal back her ex, which doesn't paint the narrator in a positive light whatsoever. Instead Brooke simply doesn't want to see any more girls hurt. This song oddly reminds me of "Good Girl" by Carrie Underwood but the theme is the only similarity these songs share. 

Now let me get to Brooke Eden in this song, one of my complaints about "Daddy's Money" is that I felt like the production didn't match her voice, as the rocking edge of that song didn't sit right with me. Now hear Brooke goes for more of her lower to mid range. She has a real prescence behind the microphone and shows some real sass and some intensity. 

The production is where the song really shines however, going for a real murky darkness with some prominent edge. The production starts off like a mysterious way with some noticeable strings too begin. When the chorus the production kicks it up a notch and shades the song in a really nice way. The production helps the song stand out and doesn't get in the way like Good Girl did for Carrie Underwood, and with this type of theme the moody dark tone of the song fits the song very well. 

I highly recommend this song as it shows all of Brooke Eden's potential and does so in a way that if she gets a solid producer she should stand out among the field of new artists, hopefully her debut album has songs similar to this. 

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Now it is time for 5 second single reviews. 

Florida Georgia Line Confession A-. 
Solid produced, tight harmonies and lyrics that have some depth to them. I never thought FGL would be able to make a song I was this passionate about. 

Dierks Bentley Somewhere On A Beach B. 
In the hands of a lesser vocalist this would be downright offensive. With Dierks he makes it sound like even he's not taking seriously. Also strangely catchy. 

Luke Bryan Huntin' Fishin' Loving Every Day D-. 
This song just drags on way too long. Also the production still sounds bad even with more country instrumentation, that and the lyrics are cliché garbage. 

Kenny Chesney Noise C+. 
Annoying vocal effects ruin this a lot. Kenny does sound comfortable singing this, but this lacks the charm "American Kids" had. 

Eric Church Record Year A+. 
Quality music right here. Eric Church tells a simple story that becomes more and more as the song goes on. Also that chorus gets stuck in my head relatively easy. 

Sam Hunt Make You Miss Me B. 
Not country whatsoever like I don't hear it at all. However Sam Hunt gives the girl that he is going to Make Miss him a lot of details about herself and those harmonies are exquisite. 

Kelsea Ballerini Peter Pan A-. 
This song is so mature. Kelsea really gives one of her best vocal performances that was lagging in her last couple of singles. Definitely more on the pop side of the pop-country but still a very great song. 

Billy Currington It Don't Hurt Like It Used To B+. 
Solidly performance well written and Billy sounds really committed as a vocalist. If there is one problem is it lacks an oomph factor. 

Carrie Underwood Church Bells B-. 
Where the song gets right is the very great writing. Where the song falls apart is the overproduction that is the chorus. Seriously Carrie Underwood sounds like she's getting drowned out. At least the verses stay in check. 

Randy Houser Song Number 7 D. 
Luke Bryan did this a lot better with Play It Again. This song sounds so lifeless, heck even Randy Houser sounds like he's on autopilot which given his voice he shouldn't be. The best thing I can say about this song is that it wasn't the worst song off his latest album. 

So, after a couple of delays I'll be getting the other 2 single reviews out there tomorrow. 

Upcoming Single Review Chris Young & Cassadee Pope Think Of You 
Upcoming Vintage Single Review Dierks Bentley Long Trip Alone

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I'm actually going to put the current reviews on hold, at least for now. Because tomorrow I'm going to prepare a proper review highlighting one of my favorite songs from last year and guess what it's not country so I'm going to prepare that for tomorrow.

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Here we go! 

Elle King Ex's and Oh's A+. 

Okay this song was a song that I constantly saw on year end list for one of the best hit single of 2015. I decided for the heck of it to look it up. How did this song turn out? 

Let me say this, this song puts a lot of country songs to shame for me. So for starters let me start with Elle King herself. This woman has a real prescence behind the microphone, such sass. So much energy and spirit. With this type of song an egotistical one, the singer has to completely own it. Elle does with tremendous results. 

Like I said before the song is basically an egotistical road trip of how her Ex's and Oh's won't let go because she's the best baby that they never got to keep as they like to say. But what makes this theme stand out is the amount of detail put in "1,2,3 they're gonna run back to me" or my favorite "I get high and I love to get low, so the heart keeps breaking and the heads just roll, you know that's how the story goes." 

What makes this song really stand out is the production which with the perfect combination of pop and rock blend with some really loud yet cool production. Plus the handclaps in the background help this song a lot. 

This song is so much fun and hits bullseye on every point highly recommended. 

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Chris Young & Cassadee Pope Think Of You B-. 

  Duets in country music. They're a lot that'll be remembered especially some that I personally would put at the top ("Whiskey Lullaby" "I Need You" "Remind Me") some of the latest duets in country music however have been  a little lagging. Whether it be bombastic production (Something Bad) or just general immaturity (Home Alone Tonight). So when Chris Young announced he would have a duet with voice alumni Cassadee Pope, I was reasonably optimistic since both have very strong singing voices. Now one problem that I've been having with both singers is for how great their voices are the production for the lack of a better word were boring. Unfortunately that problem rears it's ugly head here constantly. 

Let me start with some of the positives, Chris Young and Cassadee Pope especially really shine through. Cassadee Pope really sounds a little more heartbroken and sounds like she really wants the relationship back. Chris Young does do his usual deep voice to begin with, but I will note that it feels like he's really phoning in the second verse, like part of it feels like he's bored. The writing is also solid with some nice details of how when they go out with friends or by themselves they all sense something is wrong. The couple especially realize this and both want what they can't have anymore. 

So where exactly does this song really falter. The production my gosh so much got wrong here. For as much as the song hints at the loneliness, the production strangely sounds more uptempo for this type of song. Especially the chorus. I wouldn't mind if this was an uptempo song but the lyrics don't suggest that idea. Now the pop-country production wouldn't be bad if it didn't sound rushed. That second verse feels like it's essentially just going to the chorus as soon as possible, like it zooms way too fast. 

I appreciate the writing and vocalist but the production has no teeth behind it, this feels like a second rate "Lonely Tonight" but at least that song managed to somewhat capture the loneliness that this song could've done. 

Upcoming Single Review Keith Urban Wasted Time 
Vintage Single Review Dierks Bentley Long Trip Alone

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Instead of the long single review I'm just going to take 10 songs and analyze them. 

Dierks Bentley Long Trip Alone A+. 
A song that in a just world would be a wedding staple. 

Brad Paisley Online C-. 
Novelty song that can get tiring after a while. 

Carrie Underwood So Small A+. 
Love song with on the surface saying love is all that matters but Carrie Underwood hints at a deeper love. 

Montgomery Gentry Lucky Man B. 
Solid but a little forgetful. 

Leann Rimes Nothing Better To Do A+. 
A swampy bad ass power anthem by simply just saying to people and herself that we all have well nothing better to do. Add in Leann lower seductive range and you have a gem. 

Taylor Swift Tim McGraw (song) A. 
A strong country ballad about lost love and the little details put in makes this song a keeper. 

Sugarland Everyday America C+. 
Way too bland for me, even the melody sounds a little clunky. 

Keith Urban Stupid Boy A+. 
Pure masterpiece of a song. The fact that Keith reveals at the end it's himself is calling himself "Stupid Boy" still comes as a surprise since Keith sounds so bitter. 

Rascal Flatts Take Me There A. 
Pure guilty pleasure. Rascal Flatts give an all out committed performance and it just makes me smile so there. 

Sara Evans As If. A-. 
A couple of missteps (production gets a little too loud not a lot but at the end Sara sounds like she's struggling a little). But this song tells perfectly how even if the man Sara is with isn't perfect she's going to pretend he is anyway. Also an earworm of a chorus. 

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Ten current songs about to get reviewed

Keith Urban Wasted Time D+
Poor, the banjo solo is the only saving grace as Keith sounds electronic on this song, and the lyrics are bleh. 

Thomas Rhett T-Shirt D-
It's not country and the lyrics are a little jarring to say the least, in the hands of a better vocalist this could've been salvageable. 

Jordan Rager & Jason Aldean Southern Boy C
Boring, Jordan doesn't have enough prescence to really leave an impact.

Trace Adkins Jesus & Jones C
Bland and forgetful due to a toothless production 

Maren Morris My Church A
This lady has a real prescence behind the mic, man can she sing, the production top notch and the lyrics are also really great. Just an amazing song overall. 

Chris Lane Fix F
An absolute joke of a song from a guy who's talentless. 

Big & Rich Lovin' Lately A-
Those harmonies are great the lyrics are radio friendly enough without talking down to its audience and that hook, an overall winner

Brandy Clark Girl Next Door C+
This song is very well written and Brandy is an exceptional vocalist, the problem comes that it's not a country song at all, and instead a complete pop song. 

Tara Thompson Someone To Take Your Place C-
A boy bashing song by a vocalist who could use a lot of work to improve. The production is decent enough though. 

Dustin Lynch Mind Reader D+
The steel guitar is nice to have but Dustin man bro-country was done a long time ago, if you're gonna be a trend chaser at least get on the right trend. Also improper English is an automatic C at best for me, so yeah! 

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Runaway June Lipstick Grade: B+

Now it's been no secret that country music lacks females as Carrie Underwood and Kelsea Ballerini seem to right now be the only artists who can comfortably ride to the Top 5 and be a real radio prescence as of late (Miranda Lambert hasn't had a Top 5 in about two years now) It's even worse off for groups that so much as feature a female member as Lady Antebellum is basically irrelevant, Little Big Town is a prescence but radio is hot and cold with them, and I don't have anything to say about what happened to The Band Perry. So to have an all female group that hasn't really been a thing since The Dixie Chicks and they haven't been on radio for over 13 years. I was certainly intrigued by the fact that Broken Bow records recently signed an all female group in Runaway June, so I decided to check out there debut single "Lipstick" so what did I find. 

A really good slice of pop country with some nice harmonies and a real vocal prescence from the female members, "Lipstick" goes for catchiness but where a lot of other songs fail and become mindless radio fodder that often gets criticized, Runaway June gets it right with focusing on having the production and instrumentation while modern doesn't get in the way of the singers think prominent guitars and mandolin without cranking up to where it goes through loudness wars. If there is one qualm I have with the song the lyrics are rather lightweight and a little fluffy. Now we get to the ladies themselves and Runaway June overall sounds like something if you mixed Dixie Chicks "Fly" era, real early Carrie Underwood production (think songs like "Don't Forget To Remember Me") and a vocal performance that sounds distinctive.

If the girls can get some better songwriters or better lyrics (there not bad but lightweight like I mentioned) then Runaway June will definitely be among my favorite duos/groups but I do recommend this song for people who want more women in country music or people who miss the early 2000s sound in country music. 

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I'm going bring this thread back up starting soon as in tonight! Everyday I will review 5 country songs. Keep in mind they have to be singles and these will be a few sentence reviews. Also if you want to send a request please message me. I will only be taking mainstream country music singles that are on the radio right now.

Tagging some people who might be interested in this: bboat11 Kanenrá:ke LBTrocks robenglund .indulgecountry jhomes87

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5 reviews tonight. Lets go!

Luke Bryan Fast B-.

I wanna like this because it is Luke Bryan being serious. One problem his vocals don't do anything for me and the production is toothless. It has its heart in the right place but this song is way too sleepy for me.

Kelsea Ballerini Yeah Boy C.

A female bro country song from a mediocre vocalist. What saves this song is the chorus melody which is very infectious. However on most days I'd skip this.

Dan + Shay How Not To A-.

Solid slice of pop country with a great hook and very solid lyrics. I'm not the biggest fan of their vocals on the chorus, but the way they say "Is strong and just moves on" is amazing!

High Valley Make You Mine A-.

Infectious. Literally everything about this is pure jumping ear candy. Also love the big beating production.

Garth Brooks Baby Lets Lay Down And Dance D-

All I have to say is Garth Brooks sounds absolutely terrible on this. I'm not the biggest fan of his voice, but I am shocked at how much it has worn down. Also I don't wanna imagine the song title like that's disgusting. Overall terrible song.

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New batch of 5 coming in

Michael Ray Think A Little Less D+.
This song is so boring and I have never been enamored with Michael Ray as a vocal like at all. Also the lyrics, let's be real here this is a pickup track. What saves it from bottom of the barrel is the overall "meh" factor in the production.

Darius Rucker If I Told You A.
A deep look at the vulnerability of a relationship, not to mention the production lets Darius Rucker vocals shine deeply.

LoCash Ring On Every Finger A+.
Guilty pleasure. Like I love everything about this the harmonies the lyrics, also the production is amazing. Look LoCash isn't everyone's cup of tea but man these guys know how to write a great hook.

Brett Eldredge Wanna Be That Song C-.
Boring. With the overplay this has recieved it brings it down a notch. Nice sentiment here though.

Maren Morris 80's Mercedes A-.
An ego trip that could have gone terribly wrong (let's face it this is what this song is about) but like LoCash, Maren Morris knows how to write a hook and get an amazing melody to boot. The lyrics do leave me a tag lukewarm which is this songs only qualm. But overall this is an amazing song.

Tags: bboat11 Kanenrá:ke

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Instead of doing single reviews. Every week I will be doing an analysis of the Top 60 oing quick grades of each one and will use single reviews for songs not yet charting

1. Brett Eldredge Wanna Be That Song C-
2. Keith Urban Blue Ain't Your Color F
3. Old Dominion Song For Another B+
4. Carrie Underwood Dirty Laundry A-
5. Florida Georgia Line & Tim McGraw May We All B-
6. Tim McGraw How I'll Always Be B+
7. Blake Shelton A Guy With A Girl B
8. Thomas Rhett Star Of The Show C
9. Granger Smith If The Boot Fits C+
10. Dustin Lynch Seein Red F (worst song)
11. Chris Young & Vince Gill Sober Saturday B-
12. Eric Church & Rhiannon Giddens Kill A Word A+
13. Little Big Town Better Man A
14. Maren Morris 80's Mercedes A-
15. Brad Paisley Today B+
16. Michael Ray Think A Little Less D+
17. Lauren Alaina Road Less Traveled A+ (best song)
18. Chris Stapleton Parachute B+
19. Jon Pardi Dirt On My Boots B
20. Brantley Gilbert The Weekend C+
21. Garth Brooks Baby Lets Lay Down And Dance F
22. High Valley Make You Mine A-
23. Kelsea Ballerini Yeah Boy C+
24. Luke Bryan Fast B-
25. Chris Janson Holdin Her A+
26. Josh Turner Hometown Girl B-
27. Trent Harmon There's A Girl B+
28. Craig Campbell Outskirts Of Heaven A-
29. Dierks Bentley Black B-
30. Jason Aldean Any Ole Barstool B+
31. Raelynn Love Triangle A+
32. Darius Rucker If I Told You A
33. Runaway June Lipstick A+
34. Dan + Shay How Not To B+
35. Miranda Lambert We Should Be Friends B+
36. Ronnie Dunn featuring Kix Brooks Damn Drunk B
37. Parmalee Roots A
38. Dylan Scott My Girl C-
39. Justin Moore Somebody Else Will D
40. Jake Owen If He Ain't Gonna Love You D-
41. Chris Lane For Her B (guilty pleasure)
42. LoCash Ring On Every Finger A+
43. Luke Combs Hurricane C
44. Chase Rice Everybody We Know Does D-
45. Hunter Hayes Yesterday's Song C-
46. Chase Bryant Room To Breathe D-
47. Brett Young In Case You Didn't Know C+
48. Billy Currington Do I Make You Wanna C
49. Morgan Wallen The Way I Talk C+
50. Joe Nichols Undone C-
51. Cody Johnson With You I Am C+
52. Brett Eldredge & Meghan Trainor Baby It's Cold Outside C
53. Tyler Farr Our Town C-
54. Kane Brown Thunder In The Rain D-
55. Kenny Chesney Bar At The End Of The World B
56. Jana Kramer Circles A-
57. Tucker Beathard Momma and Jesus D
58. Chris Young The Christmas Song B-
59. Ryan Folesee Put A Label On It D
60. Love and Theft Candyland D-

Starting in the new year I will highlight the Top 60 and every new arrival I will write why I graded that song a certain way.

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Now since all the songs that re entered have been covered, I'll only be talking about the one new arrival and the one re entry I think I missed.

Candi Carpenter Burn the Bed A

Haunting and detailed lyrics. A compelling vocalist and an intense production, what more could you want?

Drake White Makin Me Look Good Again A-

A lot of soul and passion in this song. I don't necessarily love his voice but I like it enough and with all the other great things about this song, it's more than easy for me to ignore.

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Three new arrivals so three quick reviews

Rascal Flatts It's Yours If You Want It B
Seth Ennis Woke Up In Nashville A-
Aaron Watson Outta Style B-

All 3 songs I like a good amount and the only one I don't particularly care for is Aaron Watson as I find it boring