Top 10 Least Favorite CM Radio Singles of 2009

Welcome to 2010! I told you I would make a least favorite list for 2009’s country radio singles and here it is (prolonged, yes, but it’s here). My Christmas and New Years were interesting, but good (first time my family and I have ever celebrated Christmas at a Thai restaurant – long story haha – and I also spent New Years Eve for the first time as a 21-year old in downtown Denver, which was entertaining and freezing). I’ve been lazy about going to the gym this past month, so now that this new decade is amongst us, I must partake to that healthier lifestyle again either tonight or tomorrow (probably tomorrow lol).

Keep in mind, like I said in my previous entry, I didn’t listen to a lot of country radio this year, so I am not aware of all of the bad songs from this year and I’m only going by what I hear and remember.  And the hippo? To be explained soon. Now to my list of…

Top 10 Least Favorite Country Music Radio Singles of 2009:

• 10. “River of Love” – George Strait:
  • Now you know why the top picture is hanging out there: I think that river looks filthy and those hippos are ugly, which is kinda like the song (hippos are very deadly too! – the comparisons can go on and on).  King George is my favorite artist of all time, but not even he can get away with recording a bad song.  This is one shining example. I don’t hate the song and there are definitely worst songs out there, but even with its radio success, it was an unappealing choice for a single, from an artistic standpoint and considering he had better choices from his Troubadour album.  The only sorta-saving grace of this Chesney-like downgrade is the steel guitar solo and George’s voice, otherwise, it’s just filler I try to like and occasionally sing along with, yet it’s bad stuff. This river stinks!
• 09. “Ride” – Martina McBride:
  • Another one of my favorites has found themselves on my naughty-list: Martina.  Lately, she’s kinda hit-or-miss with me, so this single wasn’t exactly a shocker.  Basically a “This Ones for the Girls” Part II-ish thing, but that’s not good.  I’m a very optimistic person, but give me a break: I guess it’s the feeling that this song is geared towards teenage girls again that gets me, and even if it isn’t, it just sounds like it. The lyrics are just weak. Vocals just okay this time.
• 08. “Sissy’s Song” – Alan Jackson:
  • I’m definitely getting burned at the stake for this one haha! I know the back-story to this and I appreciate his idea for a tribute song to her and all, but no disrespect intended, I just could never get into this one. The production, first of all, I do applaud its simplicity, however when you combine that sorta production with the melody and the vocals, it just sounds like a gnawing nursery rhyme to me. That being said, I love Alan Jackson and even though I’m not a fan of this song, I can see why people would embrace it.  Just not my cup of tea.
• 07. “It’s America” – Rodney Atkins:
  • Opportunistic. Guaranteed to be a hit because if someone says they no likey, they’re labeled as a terrorist-sympathizer lol. I love America, although when he sings about it, you almost feel ashamed haha (I’m kidding, but you know what I mean. It could have been done much better, all around – He’s only had one good single). And he needs to take off that damn cap!…

iCF Single Reviews #6 (Week of December 11, 2008)

Wow wow wow.  I’m so neglectful of this blog sometimes lol.  I actually had started writing this post like the day after Christmas, but I never finished it and just kept it as a draft until now (I also erased some comments I made that wouldn’t make sense today lol – I just left the pic of Toby there).  Anyway, I’m here to review some singles I have yet to have voiced my opinion on, so far.  This is based off of the current R & R chart rankings.

10. “Down the Road” – Kenny Chesney & Mac MacAnally:

– Can’t believe I’m saying this, but this song isn’t too bad.  I like the acoustic and simplicity it has and I’m glad Kenny experimented on something kinda different here and introduced us to MacAnally.  Not an incredible song or anything, but gotta give this Jimmy Buffett-wannabe some credit (and credit for ditching the puka necklace – that was getting so old, man).  2.0 out of 5 stars.

12. “Sweet Thing” – Keith Urban:

– I kinda reviewed this in my CMA Awards reaction post, and it was actually favorable.  Urban did a solidly gripping performance of his new single and it stood out.  I would not consider it country at all, but damn, is it catchy.  I think some of the verses’ sound are reminiscent of Rascal Flatts’s (horrific) remake of  “Life Is a Highway”, but Urban is miles better than them (but just as pop, IMO) and the comparison with those songs only lies there.  This single’s chorus, as mentioned in other online reviews, is similar to Urban’s other songs, like “Better Life” and “Somebody Like You”, however it is still pretty fresh.  Surprisingly, I like the “do do do do do“s, and I think a lot of my likeness for the song began with the CMA performance, in which I first heard the song debuted.  Not country at all, but I like it, and bought the Mp3 on Amazon.com (well, I used my Pepsi free points to get it, so I don’t feel so guilty supporting him lol).  4.0 out of 5 stars. Buy here!

13. “God Love Her” – Toby Keith:

– This is actually my first time hearing this (btw, that is a nice pic of Toby above), and I don’t think it’s great or horrible – kind of in the middle.  Definitely a more mainstream-rock/poppier sounding Toby, with a similar feel of “Whiskey Girl”.  It’s catchy, though a little overproduced.  I wouldn’t call myself a Toby fan anymore, by no means (I think that shipped sailed several years ago – he just got annoying).  Nothing special here.  2.0 out of 5 stars.

14. “Cowgirls Don’t Cry” – Brooks & Dunn with Reba McEntire:

– Like I’ve said before: I’m lovin’ that B&D brought back the fiddle to their music! It’s been absent way too long.  This song is classic Brooks & Dunn, like their old stuff in the ’90s and I love it.  Bringing on Reba made it even better (though, I think this new recording sounds too “live” and it was edited in somewhat oddly).  I would comment more, but I’m considering another post on them in the future, so I don’t wanna repeat myself.  Cool music video too! 4.5 out of 5 stars. Buy here!

16. “River of Love” – George Strait:

– Don’t want to say much about this huge disappointment of a single (and a song), especially since Strait is my #1, because it’s just a bad choice of a song to record.  Nice steel guitar but not even the King could get me to like this.  Now, I really see how radio stations will play just about anything from certain people, regardless of the quality, even from some of my favorites.  This is a shipwreck, in my eyes, but of course it will be a top 5.  1.5 out of 5 stars.

Top 16 Favorite CM Radio Singles of 2008

It took me a while to think up of a list.  I wanted to keep it mainly mainstream-based (my excuse for not including alternative country/americana singles, those of which I really couldn’t list lol).  I didn’t listen to a whole lot of mainstream country radio this year, as compared to past years, because of, of course, XM Radio and my iTunes/iPod.  My list definitely includes, and excludes, singles that other sites have placed on their year-end lists.  For my own, I was bent on making sure that the tracks considered were mostly 2008-played singles, and so I came up with these.  Some of these are surprises and others maybe not so much.

Happy New Years to everyone and hopefully your 2009 is much better (I know the first half of my ’08 was much better than the second, but I am satisfied with the time I got the spend the time with my family over this time – and kinda crazy – but it’s been a great year).  Btw, the pic above I chose because I was pretty green the whole year and I thought it looked nice, especially as a negative, as it is now)

Time to reveal my:

Top 16 Favorite Country Music Radio Singles of 2008:

• 16. “No Air” – Rissi Palmer:
  • Call me surprised as well.  When Rissi first came about, I supported her, but didn’t particularly care for her debut single (“Country Girl”).  It wasn’t until I heard her “countrified” remake of Jordin Sparks & Chris Brown’s pop hit, “No Air” that I became really interested.  Though Rissi’s version is still very poppy, I find myself lovin’ the heavy fiddle, mandolin, and steel production with the catchy vocals.  Too bad it wasn’t a hit.  Woulda been sorta cool if she maybe made this a duet with Keith Urban or something.

• 15. “Workin’ for a Livin'” – Garth Brooks & Huey Lewis:
  • Hahaha, another remake, I say?  Yes.  I find this a very catchy track, and it’s classic Garth: full of bluesy harmonica and rockin’ fiddle.  It’s like a hybrid of “Ain’t Goin’ Down (‘Til the Sun Comes Up)” and “Beer Run”.  To be quite honest, before this, I didn’t really know who Huey Lewis was, but had heard of him.  The music video is really cool and liking the NASCAR-theme.  Definitely a fun number to listen to and the lyrics are totally true.  I could do without the “working” female background vocals, however.  They’re annoying lol.

• 14. “Sounds So Good” – Ashton Shepherd:
  • The song title explains itself on how I feel about the track.  I love her über-twangy accent (I used to hate when people used that term, but it’s fine if I do it) and it confirms how much she loves being at home in the country.  Reminds me of the summer and of being out in the Arizona desert.  It’s contemporary country with traditional country soul.  I’m glad this song got played a decent amount, which was more than expected since radio kinda sucks.

• 13. “You and Me and Time” – George Jones & Georgette Jones:
  • I don’t think this song went anywhere on the charts, and was one of the best songs of 2008, IMO.  Georgette has such a beautiful voice and it’s very reminiscent of her mother, Tammy Wynette.  The song is about her childhood relationship with her father, and his absence that shadowed those times, and now, they’ve got time to be closer than ever.  It’s a sweet and pure country duet.  In the chorus, I love the pause after “time” and before “finally got together“… awesome.

• 12. “Rocks In Your Shoes” – Emily West:
  • Another one gone… newcomer Emily West really impressed me this one.  Very poppy, but as proven, country-pop can be done well, and she did it.  She got the title of the song from a phrase her grandfather used to say, if I’m not mistaken, and it took a big meaning.  Her voice reminds me of a younger, playful Patty Loveless.  One of the most catchiest songs of the year.  Check out her EP.

• 11. “His Kind of Money (My Kind of Love)” – Eric Church:
  • My favorite single from this guy.  I’ve never been too big on him, but have always liked this singles.  I really like the message of this song…money can’t buy everything, and you’ll realize that.  It can’t replace real and good love.

myTunes 36 Most Played Songs (12.10.08)

I’ve been thinking about doing this for quite some time – revealing what my top played songs are on iTunes.  By default, the most played playlist is set at 25 or something, but since 36 is my lucky number and 36 just happens to fit perfectly in the height of laptop screen monitor (to where I didn’t have to scroll down to see the whole list), it worked out so so good.

Revealing this list, for me, feels like letting out my public tax return information to the public lol (well, it wouldn’t be big at all, but just imagine that I’m a celebrity and this is now common knowledge).  I’ve got nothing to be ashamed of, though some of my choices and rankings of some songs and artists might surprise/turn off/turn on some people, so it’s your choice on what you’ll decide to think of me from now on hahaha.  Whatever, though.  We all have our guilty pleasures/inner demons :p.

I’ll list it backwards, from #36 to #1.  It’s pretty accurate (well, these are based on plays from when I uploaded the tracks to my laptop’s iTunes in summer 2006, and from iPod plays, so it’s based from then).  You will see my varying tastes, from traditional/pop/alternative/rocking/country,bluegrass, rock, pop, and alternative rock.

These below are my stats, as of this moment, Tuesday night, December 9th. 2008 @ 11:23pm (out of about 39,000 plays):

42nd Annual “Country Music” Association Awards

Just read some interesting live blogs (CU & The9513) covering last night’s award show and while my opinions lined up with their’s at times, I also had disagreements.  I did actually watch the whole show last night, “live” as it came to my Mountain Time home (so, in other words, an hour behind), because I wanted it to be fresh this year for me, and I know going online would mess up any surprises.  I also actually watched the live red-carpet show on CMT.  Since I did not do a live blog, I thought I might share my opinions right here as a day-after analysis.  And I ain’t gonna hold back…

(you like my picture above?  I made it green because, you know, after all is done and said, that’s what the awards were all about.  The green… and I don’t mean the environmentally-friendly kind)

On the red-carpet pre-show.  It was decent, but I was kinda wanting to see other people than the ones they interviewed. Remember, I’m going by my memory here, so I might miss out on some details.  Two things I remember: Jack Ingram‘s wife, Amy’s, oddly short dress: wow… don’t know what she was thinking lol, but no worries (I’m a guy, yes, but I thought it was a strange choice).  And I guess Alan Jackson‘s daughters are all into the pop-country craze, which I found interesting.  So cool to see him and his family, though.

For us, the awards didn’t televise until an hour after the red-carpet show, which I always hate because I wish I could see it live live.  Brad Paisley and Keith Urban started into the show with their duet, “Start a Band”, which I thought was cool that it was the first time they performed it together live, but I wasn’t too impressed, and waited for what was next.  When Brad finally performed his own song, “Waitin’ On a Woman”, it was nice too, but I wasn’t crazy for it.  Keith’s new song is anything but country, though I found myself liking it, for some reason (like I’ve noticed and posted before, I seem to like his really pop singles lol).  Not country at all but not bad.

I thought Paisley and Carrie Underwood, overall, did a fine job as hosts.  Of course, could have been done better, but it is a tough job to do, so I give them props for that.  Carrie did an amazing execution of “Just a Dream”.  I think it was a good idea to have the war widow speak before that because it gave it more meaning.  Definitely one of the best and moving performances of the night.  Also, congrats on her “Female” win.

I was stoked that George Strait won for “Single of the Year” for his excellent song, “I Saw God Today”.  I was pretty sure that “Stay” was going to win.  While we’re on the topic of King George, I gotta say his win for “Album of the Year” was even greater because I really like Troubadour and it was even more special that Lee Ann Womack got to present it to him (with Josh Turner) because they have such admiration for one another and George is one of her biggest heroes and she had won that award for the amazing There’s More Where That Came From years before.  I bet she’ll be accepting the award next year for Call Me Crazy.  Even better that producer, Tony Brown, went up there too! (he produced Strait’s & Womack’s latest projects).  Moving further in the program, honestly, George’s performance of “River of Love” was definitely not something I was looking forward to because I don’t really care for the song (too Kenny Chesney-like) but I think his vocals and the steel guitar save the song from being a total failure (in anybody else’s hands, it would be really bad).

Kellie Pickler.  I really don’t know what people see in her, to be honest.  Her personality is really cute, but dumb blondes don’t really do anything for me, unless I know the person and can’t tease them up front.  I thought her performance was the worse of the night.  I think she tries too hard and the music was way louder than her vocals.  Just a bad performance through and through.  Horrible.

Recommendation XXV: Josh Turner

Today for 4th of July, I wanted to do a recommendation that was connected to the day in some way, shape, or form. I went through my list of potential recommendations to post about, and then went through my iTunes to see songs and artists I might have missed, and I didn’t have any typical patriotic songs set up, but then I saw it and knew it was about perfect.  I’ll get back to that later in the post, though. What are you up to for today?  Any special festivities you’ve got planned/already celebrated so far?  All I’ve done so far is worked, deposited my paycheck, and am now online reading things lol – no fireworks, no barbecues, or the like for me – definitely not an exciting Independence Day for me, but everything is fine.  I was going to take my mom out to dinner tonight but my plans fell through and it will not work out, but I still plan to celebrate the day as an American and probably watch TV tonight to check out what’s going on in the nation.  Back to the music… last year, my post was “Recommendation #13: Lee Ann Womack” and now here’s my latest…

My twenty-fifth recommendation is: Josh Turner’s “The Longer the Waiting (The Sweeter the Kiss)” from his 2007 Everything Is Fine album.  Back last year in late 2007, I won a free album download from The 9513 in a contest (along with 39 other people) and I chose this album from Josh Turner (there were some other choices but from what I heard of this one, it sounded good and plus, I loved “Firecracker”).  I’ve been a fan of Josh’s since I heard his deep baritone voice gravel through his bluegrass-ish debut single, “Long Black Train”, and I’ve liked all his singles since then – he’s pure country and couldn’t be taken for anything else (I say “pure country”, meaning, despite some of his songs having a pop/ac-sound to them, his heart and soul are dedicated to country, and most of his catalog is traditional stuff anyway).  He, and Brad Paisley, I’d say, are our younger modern-day real country saviors who keep the mainstream format from going to hell, and I’m proud to be a fan of this South Carolina guy.

iCF Single Reviews #2 (Week of June 22, 2008)

Looking at my blog, I decided that what I really need to do if I want to ensure its survival and interest, I need to post a lot more (obviously lol), and I think it is necessary to expand into other things/ideas because just doing recommendations is not enough (even though it is this blog’s specialty, I am quite aware that my monthly blog posts isn’t adequate enough to keep my readers staying around, because as a fellow blog reader, I am the same way – I need constant and consistent postings!).  So, I’m going to try to do other things on this site, but the recommendations will still, be first and foremost, the most important feature of the site and I’ll try to do them more frequently!

One feature I started some months ago was reviewing current “country” radio singles.  I noticed that I usually only review songs I like or artists I like and don’t really review ones I don’t.  I’m all for optimism but reality is, they are a lot of songs that are pure crap and need to be justifiably criticized for it lol (Rascal Flatts come to mind?).  Anyway, I’m going to review the Top 17 songs of the week based on the Radio & Records‘ website chart.  My opinions will vary and I will definitely be as honest as possible.  I will not post links to the review singles because chances are you most likely have already heard the songs and plus, I’m lazy to look them all up lol.  FYI: you should know I don’t listen to mainstream country radio a lot (well, now I am a lil bit more because I have my stereo in my room and didn’t have an iPod for a while. Otherwise, I listen to XM Radio in the car or iTunes when I’m at school), so I may not be as sick of these overplayed songs as you are, so we shall see. Here we go… (this will be a longggg post!)

01.  “Better As a Memory” – Kenny Chesney

– Surprise, surprise.  Look who’s #1 again.  The song is OK, but not worthy of #1,  The lyrics are mediocre and the vocals just the same.  I admit it’s nice that it’s not overproduced, but all in all, I don’t see what people see in him these days.  2 out of 5 stars.

02.  “Last Name” – Carrie Underwood

– Usually I don’t care for Miss Underwood’s singles because radio KILLS them with overplay (even though they’re good, country or not), but with this song, I just can’t get enough of it.  It’s catchy and fun to sing along with (I sing “I don’t know even know her last name” instead lol but it doesn’t quite make as much sense but whatever).  Musically, it reminds me of Shania’s “Honey I’m Home” with the rocking guitar, drums, and the fiddle.  This was a great choice for a summer song.  I think she is really talented and I’m liking her more, though I still think she is way overplayed.  5 out of 5 stars. Buy here!

03.  “Home” – Blake Shelton

– Blake has lately been hit-and-miss with me over the last few years.  I’m just not into him as much.  I really don’t like this song even though his vocals are nice.  Sometimes doing remakes/covers is annoying because you keep comparing it with the original or another version.  I just don’t like it.  1 out of 5 stars.

04.  “I’m Still a Guy” – Brad Paisley

– Here’s a guy who’s music I must recommend sometime in the future.  I love that he helps make traditional/real country popular with his songs and that he does it while being so cool.  This single, one of his other gimmicky haha songs is really clever, once again displaying his immense talent as a songwriter, and his ode to traditional country.  His novelty songs do get annoying though sometimes.  I should love this song, but I don’t.  I like it but for some reason, the extremely unnecessary, but short, whole baby/cradle-music thing that’s goes on the song is like chalkboard-scratching to my ears.  I think it kinda messes up the song to be honest lol (just like when children sing in songs, for example: like in  “Ain’t Nothin’ Like” on his Mud on the Tires album.  Good song until the kids get involved).  I just don’t like that.  4 out of 5 stars. Buy here!

05.  “Every Day” – Rascal Flatts

– Crap.  Annoying crap like always.  Seriously, though.  The music, though it isn’t country at all, is not too bad and the vocals are OK (but get pretty whiny several times, as expected from Gary LeVox).  This boy band continues their Murder Row Massacre once again with this song, so of course, radio can’t get enough of it.  One somewhat positive thing about it: MUCH better than their next single, “Bob That Head” (yes, I said bob that head… a title which makes you think, and considering the double entendre and who’s singing it to you, makes you just want to barf).  1.5 out of 5 stars.

Recommendation XVII: Rebecca Lynn Howard

Hello all, I am back with a new recommendation! I’ve been thinking about this one for a while since my last entry and I’ve always had this next song on my list: there was never any doubt that I would use it. But, before that, I’ve got to give out another shout-out to The 9513 (which has recently been redesigned) for their very fine gift to me: a digital copy of Josh Turner‘s latest album, Everything Is Fine. They gave it to me for free, because I simply made a post at their site for their one-year anniversary and I won randomly, along with thirty-nine other people! I had thought about giving away select free iTunes music before, but I never knew how to do it, so that gave me some ideas for later, so check back for that ;-). With Thanksgiving coming around so soon, this next recommendation is somewhat related because it deals with a very special member of the family who one cannot thank enough: Mom.

My seventeenth recommendation is: Rebecca Lynn Howard’s “No One’ll Ever Love Me” from her 2005 No One’ll Ever Love Me – Single album on iTunes. This is the first song that I’ve ever reviewed that is just a single and not part of any released album, and it’s available right through iTunes, so you better get it fast, in case iTunes ever takes it off. I was first introduced to Rebecca Lynn Howard‘s music through her (only) hit radio single, “Forgive” years ago. Even though, I don’t really consider that song that country, it was a superb way to highlight her fascinating power country vocals to the audience, and I really liked the video that came with it. After hearing the song a considerable amount on the radio, I already liked her, and eventually, I heard her duet with Ronnie Dunn on “If I Could Only Win Your Love” and WOW…such a traditional country song and so catchy with their vocals and the honky-tonk feel (the duet is from the immensely awesomeness of the Livin’, Lovin’, Losin’: Songs of the Louvin Brothers tribute album, which I’ll choose a song from later on in a future entry). Anyway, Rebecca is severely underrated and you can hear more of her vocal work on her debut self-titled album and Forgive, and other projects, like background harmonies in Patty Loveless‘s Mountain Soul and Vince Gill‘s These Days.