The Weekly Release Report: November 11, 2014

Garth Brooks leads our list of new releases this week with his much-anticipated Man Against Machine, his first new album since 2001’s Scarecrow. He’s joined this week by honky tanker James Carothers, Jeff Bates’ Me And Conway and the Christmas release from the Nashville TV program, among other releases. Since it’s a big week for Garth Brooks, We’ve got a special giveaway for you too. If you enter a comment about why you’re excited for Garth Brooks’ return to country music, we have one GhostTunes download of the new album Man Against Machine that you could possibly win! Just leave a comment below to enter for a chance to win the album!

Garth Brooks - Man Against Machine (Pearl/RCA)
It’s pretty clear from the songs on Man Against Machine that Garth Brooks has made an album he promised to make, an album of “Garth Brooks Music.” Songs like “All American Kid” “Cold Like That,” “She’s Tired of Boys” and “Rodeo And Juliet” certainly feel like songs that could’ve been on any of his albums in the past. In other words, timeless. “Wrong About You” proves that you can cut a song and have it say everything it needs to say in less than two minutes. “Mom” and “Send ‘Em On Down The Road” feel like radio hits that could go further than “People Loving People,” while “Tacoma” may be one of the best singles Garth’s ever recorded. It may not be the big time radio hit like all his previous records but Man Against Machine certainly is a welcomed release for any fans and perhaps some younger fans looking for music that doesn’t hide fiddle and steel guitars deep in the production mix.

See Below for a special message on how you can enter to win a copy of the album!

Jeff Bates - Me And Conway (SkyDancer/Red River)
On his new album Me And Conway, Jeff Bates finally has stopped running from what we’ve always known about him. He has a voice that is as close to Conway Twitty as any other vocalist we’ve ever heard. This album features five new tracks and seven recordings of Conway Twitty’s songs like “Don’t Take It Away,” “She’s Got A Single Thing In Mind” and “That’s My Job.” There’s also a special duet with Loretta Lynn on “After The Fire Is Gone.” The new material like the title track and “If Heaven Had A Phone” stand right with the timeless Conway Twitty tunes.

James Carothers - Honky Tonk Land (Independent)
Songs like “New Country singers” and “Honky Tonk Land” certainly showcase James Carothers ability with songwriting (he wrote 7 of the 8 tracks on Honky Tonk Land by himself). Fans of Merle, Hank Jr., George Jones, Randy Travis, Waylon, and Jamey Johnson will all find something to love on the album. James Carothers is an ‘outlaw’ like vocalist like no others (Check out “Have Another round” and “I Must Be Alive”). The production is tight, the pickin’ is hot and the vocals are stout. This newcomer deserves any an all attention he can gather. He proves that there is definitely new artists still making the traditional country music that many fans are yearning for.

Colt Ford - Crank It Up: Live At Wild Adventures (Average Joes Entertainment/EagleVision)
For his full live Concert DVD, Colt Ford showcases over 20 of his most well-known songs why he’s the superstar he’s become. Songs like “The High Life,” “Back,” “Workin’ On,” “Ride Through The Country,” “Ride Through The Country” and “Dirt Road Anthem” (the original artist of that song), the DVD is well-produced and showcases Colt Ford’s ability to connect with his audience and how his music has more traditional instruments (though the lyrics are delivered in a different way, through talking and rapping than single). It's Colt Ford exactly as his fans and a growing audience loves him.

Nashville Cast - Christmas With Nashville (Lionsgate/Big Machine Records)
The cast of Nashville delivers their first collection of Christmas songs and it’s entirely classic songs like Clare Bowen’s “Santa Baby,” Hayden Pannetiere’s “White Christmas,” Will Chase’s “O Little Town Of Bethlehem” and Charles Esten’s “Blue Christmas.” “River,” from Sam Palladio is a big highlight as is the whole cast’s version of “Celebrate Me Home,” Aubrey Peebles “Merry Christmas Baby” and Lennon & Maisy’s “Christmas Coming Home,” a song their parents (The Stellas) wrote.

Again, as a reminder, since it’s a big week for Garth Brooks, If you enter a comment about why you’re excited for Garth Brooks’ return to country music, we have one GhostTunes download of the new album Man Against Machine that you could possibly win! Just leave a comment below to enter for a chance to win the album!

Winner will be picked on Friday.