iCF Music Poll (10.24.08)

Time for a poll, I think.  I wanted to write a new recommendation, but of course, I’m pretty busy these days and I gotta get ready for my week long trip in a few days (gonna visit my friends).  Got some other good news: got internet back at home, so I should be able to post more often when I can.  I feel so far behind on several things right now, and am still catching up.  WordPress just added a new poll feature and I wanted to try it out!  I counted up all of my recommendations and the songs, and while there have been 36 recommendation posts, there have been 42 total recommended songs.  I divided the polls into six songs each.  Might be tough, but thought it might be fun.  I’ll make a post after the post is published with my own answers and why (I chose the palm tree background to coincide with my West coast trip lol – which I’d like to have variety, but y’know, that’d look weird…).

I gotta mention: very very excited for the upcoming OO7 movie, “Quantum of Solace” (out Nov 14th, 2008).  I’m gonna be Bond for Halloween :D (again, 7 years later  but this time, it will be better).  Also, I’m lovin’ the latest Lee Ann Womack album, Call Me Crazy.  Picked up my copy on Tuesday at Best Buy and am listening to it now!  Go here to read my review on it (it took quite a while to type it up!).  Any country fan will appreciate the album.

Enjoy the rest of October.  Say “hi” to your mother for me… I’ll be in Cali in a few.

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iCF Single Reviews #5 (Week of October 12, 2008)

Alright, I’m back… this time, I’m hoping to review a lot more radio singles.  Today is a nice, sunny (but chilly) Monday in Colorado.  I am happy to say that we have got XM Radio back in the car and it’s going great again so far.  Right now in my life, I’m just preparing for my trip to California and trying to pay off things (like my loans… ahh, it sucks.  It should be after I graduate, not before…but I may be able to kill some interest charges this way.)  Anyway, let’s get to it.  I’m going to start off with songs I didn’t review last time and skip songs I’ve already reviewed, so the numbers won’t be in order for some.

11. “Already Gone”: – Sugarland:

- (I chose the picture above because I think she looks beautiful there, but that will not change my opinion on the music lol) I just took another listen to it, and surprise, I actually think it’s okay.  Jennifer Nettles’s voice is tolerable here and the music isn’t bad: kinda folky and definitely more country-sounding than their other stuff (especially their last single).  I was delightfully shocked to hear “the guy” sing at the end…I think Kristian Bush is his name.  I’ll continue to change the channel, though, for my own sanity.  2.5 out of 5 stars.

16. “Start a Band” – Brad Paisley & Keith Urban:

- Hmm…this is kinda cool.  In this present time in the music industry, Paisley and Urban are definitely two of the most talented guitar players, and the production is an appealing blend of both of their guitar-playing.  Not a bad song, but I gotta admit, nothing really special special.  I’m sure they’ll perform this live on the CMAs, so that will be something to look forward to, kinda.  3.0 out of 5 stars.

18. “Here” – Rascal Flatts:

- I really hesitated to press play for this one, because I know what to expect: high-pitched screaming over loud drums and guitars with some fiddle, steel, or banjo thrown in.  Let me get something clear: I don’t hate Rascal Flatts, I actually like a few of their songs (maybe like three), but I don’t think they really care about country music and what they’re doing to it.  They may bring new fans to the genre, but IMO it’s usually the “wrong” kinda fans.  Back to the song: it’s no horrible.  Tolerable, and the mandolin’s got a nice touch (well, it’s a mandolin, how could it not?).  Vocals decent in parts, overdone everywhere else.  I’ll be nice.  2.0 out of 5 stars.

19. “Chicken Fried” – Zac Brown Band:

- Immediately after hearing this, I knew I’d like it (the title did turn me off, at first, but that proves you can’t judge a song by its title…)  A refreshing country sound with a refreshing voice.  It reminds me of another song from the past but I can’t quite think of it (but I’ll try to add to the post, if I remember).  Nice to see it’s doing so well on iTunes.  4.0 out of 5 stars. Buy here!

22. “Lookin’ for a Good Time” – Lady Antebellum:

- Ah, I love this song.  A new one-night stand song with exciting vocals.  When I first heard this song, I didn’t know exactly who it was…I thought it was duet but could not fit the voices.  For sure, I’m going to check this group out.  I liked their first single too (“Love Don’t Live Here”).  5.0 out of 5 stars. Buy here!

27. “Anything Goes” – Randy Houser:

- Instantly I just had to like this…a slight traditional production but with gospel/blues-touches throughout, and with a powerful voice, quite like Ronnie Dunn and Blake Shelton.  I’ve heard of this Houser guy before, but now I’m more intrigued.  Hopefully this charts a lot higher.  4.5 out of 5 stars. Buy here!

iCF Single Reviews #4 (Week of September 28, 2008)

I’m hoping that I can get this done tonight.  I wanted to do another round of single reviews, since I haven’t done one in about two months or so.  There’s a good amount of newer material waiting for me to get my opinionization on with (not a word, but I like the way it sounds), so here it goes.  I’m using the Radio & Records website chart for this week, and I will take a listen to every song to its entirety (if I can stand it), and give it a fair review.  Fortunately (or unfortunately) I have heard most of these songs already, since the XM Radio service in the car is gone (yes, I’m crying the blues – it is horrible without our baby) and I am now listening to normal commercial country radio.  Good thing for me is that I usually listen to the alternative/independent rock station here more, so I don’t have to deal with some of the problems that plague today’s country radio.  I’ll review as far long as I can get before I have to take off.  Time for critical iCF to return (my last recommendations fired me up!)…

01. “Don’t Think I Don’t Think About It” – Darius Rucker:

- Wow, did not think this song would reach number one!  I already reviewed it in my last post, and my opinion has changed slightly.  It’s still a good song and the music is still pleasant.  I’m OK with the vocals… a bit overdone with the “don’t thank I don’t thank about it” part.  Gets kinda old, but I’m happy for Mr. Rucker.  I have yet to really check out his new album but from the clips I’ve listened to, it’s good-sounding music.  3.5 out of 5 stars. Buy here!

02. “Everybody Wants to Go to Heaven” – Kenny Chesney:

- Already another hit?  Let me just say: George Strait does it much better (aside from the weird Jamaican accent thing he does at the end of his version…just bizarre).  I personally think it’s a disgrace that in years from now, Kenny Chesney will be considered a “legend” in country music history.  Thanks radio!  (I admit, I like a little of his music, but radio plays the heck out of whatever he releases, no matter what quality it is, so that’s not really saying much).  We’re in the Hurricane Kenny era, and our beaches are not safe.  2.0 out of 5 stars.

03. “She Never Cried In Front of Me” – Toby Keith:

- This is a different sound for Toby, and it’s not bad.  Not my favorite from him, but it’s a lot better than some of his other material that grew tiresome for me.  The production is heavy on the drums and electric guitar in the chorus, and with the strings, but whatever.  I like variety and I’m not really gonna complain here.  3.0 out of 5 stars.

04. “All Summer Long” – Kid Rock:

- Man, talk about overplayed… even on XM Radio, this song was cranked out on about every music station I listened to and I could not escape it.  I gotta give it credit: it’s a good song and very catchy, but all those listens, had me lunging for the next number to play anything but this.  Still, I’d rather hear this tune than hear the mother of overplayed songs – and the one that he took the music from – Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Sweet Home Alabama” (don’t get started with that song…ahh).  3.0 out of 5 stars.

05. “Do You Believe Me Now?” – Jimmy Wayne:

- I also already reviewed this one and I was stoked and happy that it reached number one some weeks ago.  Now, Jimmy just needs to release his duet with Patty Loveless, “No Good for Me” (I’ve got no clip, unfortunately), and I’ll be in heaven.  4.5 out of 5 stars. Buy here!

06. “Just a Dream” – Carrie Underwood:

- The poppy piano intro music is a great way to start off this ballad, and it sounds beautiful with the voice to go with it.  She does tend to overdo it at times in the chorus, though, but it is distinguishable in her catalog.  The lyrics are just as good as the vocals, and this is probably one of her best singles so far.  I may not be a “fan” of her’s, but I support her.  4.0 out of 5 stars. Buy here!