George Ducas – Volume Up, Windows Down (Propel Records)
George Ducas had a couple of well-received albums and singles (Top 10 hit “Lipstick Promises”) in the mid 1990s before settling into a successful songwriter with hits like Eli Young Band’s “Always The Love Songs,” and Sara Evans’ “Real Fine Place To Start” but he always wanted to return to a career as a performing artist and this six song EP is the first collection that bears the fruit of that labor. Produced by George himself, the album features rockin tunes like “Twang Thang” and “Cowtown” mixed in with fantastic ballads like “Amnesia,” the kind of song radio could use a little more of, a unique take on the end of a relationship that reminds me of the film “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.” While not the kind of record that he made in the 1990s, Volume Up, Windows Down is a nice return to the performing world for Ducas. - Matt Bjorke.
You can support George Ducas by purchasing this album at Amazon | iTunes.
JB and the Moonshine Band - Ain't Goin' Back To Jail (Average Joes's Entertainment)
The latest artist signed to burgeoning Nashville indie label Average Joes Entertainment, JB and the Moonshine Band are a tight-knit band with a sound that is squarely in the Red Dirt/Texas Music scene with get you dancin’ tunes like “I’m Broke”, and “Whiskey Days” along with interesting vignettes like the title track “Ain’t Goin’ Back To Jail” and “Glad That You’re Mine.” The tune “Sticker Peck Out” could be deemed offensive to some but it recalls Chris Knight to me. “Chasin’ Rainbows” is an arena-ready tune that will have people flickin’ on the lighter apps of their phones and stickin’ ‘em in the air. If you like the tunes from the Red Dirt/Texas music scene, chances are you’ll find something enjoyableon Ain’t Goin’ Back To Jail. At the very least, JB and the Moonshine Band are a group to keep an eye out for.
You can support JB and the Moonshine band by purchasing this album at Amazon | iTunes.
Leah Seawright – Country Girl 101 (SkyTone Records)
The first thing that will grab your attention about this artist is her unique smoky voice. Definitely a one of a kind voice that transitions well throughout all of the musical styles on Country Girl 101. Those styles include southern rock, ballads, Blues and rockabilly. Emotionally charged ballads (like “Strong”) seem to showcase not only her vocal ability but her gift of capturing life in a song. Throughout this album you will see how Leah excels as writer as she artistically captures the pure raw emotion of someone contemplating signing divorce papers (“Don’t Take My Lexus”), young lovers exploring the back roads (“On The Back Roads”), or gives it’s listeners a crash course on how to treat a woman(“Country Girl 101”).
After listening to this album it left me wanting to see Leah perform live. I bet she really puts on a heck of a great show - the kind of show where you can let your hair down and really rock out with the music. - Laurie Petricka
You can support Leah Seawright by purchasing this album at Amazon | iTunes.
Emma Jacob – Strong Like Me (Sassy Angel/LEX Music Group)
After releasing her debut album 2,232 Miles on the Black River Records label, Emma returns with a new 8 track EP on her own Sassy Angel label. Produced by Lex Lipsitz (Jordyn Shellhart, Jon Wolfe), the Strong Like Me EP features a strong mix of ballads like “After All” and “I’m Tired” and uptempo, fiddle-soaked story songs like “Black Crow.” The album opener has all the might and muscle of a vintage Patty Loveless radio hit and if radio would give the bluesy, funky and downright fun song a chance, it could be Emma Jacob’s break-through hit. This EP shows fantastic growth and potential for even more growth in the future. -M.Bjorke
You can support Emma Jacob by purchasing this album at Amazon | iTunes.
Susan Hickman – Susan Hickman
On her debut, Susan Hickman matches her strong, clear voice with well-written examples of common country music tropes for the first nine tracks. Broken hearts are front and center in “Hell Still Ain’t Frozen Over”; religious themes in “One of Those Who Make It Up There” and “Wounded Hearts”; kiss-off in “Sunday Paper” and “You Just Missed This Train”; and reluctance to get over someone in “Friday at the Latest.” She breaks from convention on the closer, a surprisingly convincing take on the Allman Brothers Band’s “Whipping Post.” Overall, a varied, top-notch debut. - Bobby Peacock.
You can support Susan Hickman by purchasing this album at Amazon | iTunes.
James Hyland and the Joint Chiefs – Celestial Navigation
Mixing an alt-rock or ‘indie rock aesthetic with some country rock can be a dicey thing but James Hyland & the Joint Chiefs manage to make it work better than most do on Celestial Navigation, a record which recalls Ryan Adams in places and Ben Kweller in others. Standouts on the album include “Lancelot and Lady Shallott,” “Radio City,” the fiddle soaked “More Than I Let On,” and “21 Days, 21 Towns.” - M.Bjorke.
You can support James Hyland and the Joint Chiefs by purchasing this album here.
Ryan Montbleau Band - Heavy On The Vine (Blue's Mountain Records)
This Boston-based band is a collective of five talented musicians with a sound that mixes roots music with soul and R&B. In otherwords they could be considered in the same artistic league as Ray Lamontagne & the Pariah Dogs and the Zac Brown Band. Their latest album, Heavy On The Vine is a fantastic collection of tunes which show off solid songwriting and musicianship. The album opener “Slippery Road,” the reggae-like “Songbird,” the gentle ballad “Carry” and “Stray in the Wind” are particular standouts on a record that manages to get better and better with each listen. - M.Bjorke
You can support the Ryan Montbleau Band by purchasing this album at Amazon | iTunes.
Jennette McCurdy - Jenette McCurdy EP (Capitol Nashville)
With a voice that recalls Carrie Underwood, McCurdy certainly is a fantastic vocal talent. The teenager is better-known as the sidekick to fellow singin’ teen Miranda Cosgrove on the hugely popular iCarly show. With a stronger set of songs the cute McCurdy could have herself a strong career. The four songs on this EP the uptempos “Not That Far Away,” “Stronger” and the ballads “Break Your Heart” and “Put Your Arms Around Someone” are competent tunes but nothing that stand-out from the pack. However, that doesn’t mean that Jennette couldn’t get herself a little hit with the best of the bunch, “Put Your Arms Around Someone.” -M.Bjorke
You can support Jennette McCurdy by purchasing this EP at Amazon | iTunes.
Jerry Castle – Don’t Even Ask (My World Records)
Perhaps known to some people as one of the folks who worked at Big Machine Records as the label broke Taylor Swift at radio, Jerry Castle is now working on his own singer/songwriter career. Castle’s Don’t Even Ask wanders in to territory that recalls East Nashville native Todd Snider at times while also echoing Buddy Miller in other places. The highlights of this rockier/edgy country record include “Rainbows For Ava,” a song written for his daughter, the Hammond-heavy “Take The Best,” the opening “Charades” (written with Mando Saenz) and “In A Song.” -M.Bjorke
You can support Jerry Castle by purchasing this album at Amazon | iTunes.
Greg Hanna – Greg Hanna (Pheremone Records)
Greg Hanna’s self-titled debut album was released in late 2009 and shows off his sold vocal skills with a strong set of songs written with folks like David Lee Murphy, Ashley Gorley, Keith Follesse, Wade Kirby and Chris Farren. Featuring a variety of producers, on a couple of tracks, the majority of the album was produced by Greg and songwriter Kim Tribble. “Bump In The Road” is a fiddle-drenched ‘rocker’ that is paired with the previous single “It’s A Man’s Job” has a rockin’ Aldean vibe to it while the mid-tempo “Live For Today” has a melody that gets in your head while the lyrics aim for inspiration. The romantic “Makin’ Love Real” and “She Means Everything To Me” balance out the record along with the Shane Minor and Brad Mates co-write “In Between Dreams.” -Marc Erickson
You can support Greg Hanna by purchasing this album at Amazon | iTunes.
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