The Weekly New Release Report for March 17, 2015

Here's our weekly look at the new releases in country/americana top-lined by Allison Moorer's latest.

Allison Moorer leads the small list of new releases on The Weekly New Release Report for March 17, 2015 (this week) with “Down To Believing.” Also included are a big handful of new singles from pre-orders and Kacey Musgraves' new music, a handful of indie acts as well, all on The Weekly New Release Report for March 17, 2015.

Abi Ann - 17 EP (N-Sound Entertainment)
With a powerful voice and energy to spare, Abi Ann has a countrified Pat Benatar vibe to her music. She is unafraid to write unique songs like “Truck Candy” (written with Walker Hayes) and record songs like “It’s The Bones.” Lead single “Future Ex-Boyfriend” is strong and showcases Abi Ann’s vocal dexterity. “Cage Without A Key” (another song written by ABI (with Bill DiLuigi and Melissa Ballea) is a lyrically strong song and showcases Abi as an artist that we should keep on our radar.

Mayeux & Broussard - High Times & Good Rhymes (Independent)
The Texas-based duo’s sophomore release showcases their take on Honky Tonk music that would likely fall into the same camp as the music of Sturgill Simpson and Whitey Morgan. It’s that kind of indie country honky tonk and standouts include “CAn’t Fall off the Floor,” “Three People,” “Stoned And Broke Down” and “One Way To Heaven” which wouldn’t have been outta place on a Dwight Yoakam album from the 1990s. Their lone cover, “Rolin’ In My Sweet Baby’s Arms” is tastefully done. While the duo don't have the best vocals we've ever heard, there's still plenty to recommend. So, if you’re looking for some new, interesting honky tonk music, High Times & Good Rhymes is certainly a record to check out.

The Snyder Family Band - Wherever I Wander (Mountain Home Music Company)
This talented band is fronted by the teenaged Samantha and Zeb. Their father Bud plays the upright bass in the band. They blend influences that range from acoustic country, southern rock and bluegrass into a blender that makes the band simply one of Bluegrass’ most exciting newcomers in years. The talent that the youngsters have on their instruments (Samantha is a fiddler and also plays mandolin) while Zeb plays anything with strings (teaching his father Bud how to play the Bass) and excels on guitar playing. Their talent is showcased on the instrumentals like “Nantucket Sleigh Ride,” “Trick Shot,” “The Peach Truck” and “New River Rapids.” The vocals by both Samantha and Zeb are strong on songs like “Wherever I Wander,” “A Whaler’s Song,” “The Keeper,” “Hitting’ The Highway” and “Highway Call.” The last young bluegrass band this good that I know of was Nickel Creek. Check out Wherever I Wander, you won’t be let down.

Allison Moorer - Down To Believing (Entertainment One)
On her 9th studio album, Allison Moorer digs deep into her own personal life and delivers the best album since her first one, Alabama Song, if not her career. Down To Believing features strong melodies, stronger lyrics and tight production from Kenny Greenberg, the producer of that first album. Everything about Down To Believing stands out, from opener “Like It Used To Be” to “Down To Believing” to “Mama Let The Wolf In” to “Wish I” to “Gonna Get It Wrong.” Her recent divorce from husband Steve Earle inspired many tracks here as did her son with Earle, John Henry Earle, who inspired the brilliant “Mama Let The Wolf In.” Stunning ballads include “Wish I” and “Down To Believing.” Many of these songs could work on mainstream radio if given a shot but it’s likely she’s too ‘deep’ or ‘story song’ for many programmers. Their loss is our gain as Down To Believing is easily one of 2015’s best so far.

Singles out this week include Kacey Musgrave’s “Biscuits,” Shelby Lynne (Allison Moorer’s sister)’s “I Can’t Imagine” from her upcoming album of the same name, Kristian Bush’s “Southern Gravity” track from the album of the same name, Darius Rucker’s “Southern Style” from the upcoming album of the same name, A Thousand Horses “Smoke” (which among six pre-sale tracks from Southernality), Striking Matches’ “Hanging On A Lie” from their upcoming album Nothing But The Silence, Mo Pitney’s “Country” (which is only 69¢ on iTunes) and Ashley Monroe’s “On To Something Good.”

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