Comments on: Album Review: Brandon Rhyder – Every Night

By: Mike W

Mike W — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 23:11:32 +0000

Agreed with the review. It’s a decent enough album, but most of the songs are not very memorable which is a bit surprising considering the talent he worked with.

Oh well, still have Chris Knight and Randy Rogers Band albums to look forward to. And doesnt Jason Boland’s latest drop next week?

By: Matt B.

Matt B. — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 22:43:32 +0000

Kelly,

Creager’s “Here It Is” reminds me of some of the older Pat Green Records. Lloyd Maines produced 4 of the tracks with Radney Foster producing the other 9. So, like Brandon Rhyder, the production adds to the album while Creager’s co-writers (which include Foster, Trent Willmon, and Paul Overstreet) help give him some focus that was lacking on older efforts.

By: Kelly

Kelly — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 21:29:29 +0000

Mtt B., can you expand on what is “interesting” on the new Creager disc. I havent been a huge fan of his, to be honest.

By: Kelly

Kelly — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 21:27:05 +0000

I gotcha. I can easily see myself feeling that way if i were to have listened more closely on the first go ’round. The “grovelling” would wear very thin very quickly if i were to catch that.

I guess I responded well to the hooks,the vocals and the overall pace of the album .

By: Matt B.

Matt B. — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 21:24:04 +0000

I am loving this record. But then again, I am liking the new Jimmy Wayne record so take my opinion for what it may or many not be worth. Also have Roger Creager’s new one and it’s interesting…

By: Brady Vercher

Brady Vercher — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 21:19:23 +0000

I dunno, man. I wish I could review every song individually. There wouldn’t be anything wrong with a grovelling song, but considering there are at least three, it wears a little thin. Comparing falling for someone or lying down for them to an eagle going in for the kill has got to be pretty clumsy. He also compared a relationship to a storm in three different songs. The hooks are strong, the performances are strong, and the production is mostly strong, but the songs are pretty weak.

By: Kelly

Kelly — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 20:47:48 +0000

Thanks Brady! I just listened to a good chunk of it, and I will disagree (respectfully, of course) with Ben’s “pop-rock” comments, at least after my first casual listen. I have no problem calling this a country record, or even a country-rock disc. I see what you are saying about the lyrics Brady, but I dont know if I go as far to call them clumsy or akward. I see them as chances that he took to avoid being too predictable (ala the fake josh gracin). I also enjoy what I feel to be a laid-back general vibe to the disc that serves as a refreshing contrast to much of what is being billed as “texas/red dirt” these days. Defnintely not up there with Hayes Carll, 1100 and Reckless Kelly as my favorite Texas releases of the year, but pretty solid. Of course, I confess to have only listened casually on-line as the fire alarm goes off here at work.

I find it interesting and encouraging that many of the bigger “texas names” are reaching out to talented folks in Nashville for co-writing and help with performance on thier new discs. Wade Bowen, Randy Rogers and Mando Saenz have done the same recently.

By: Brady Vercher

Brady Vercher — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 19:49:38 +0000

Thanks Kelly. I’d be interested in hearing your thoughts on the album. I think Galleywinter has it loaded in their music player if you want to check it out before buying it.

I’ll have to get that right next time I mention Radney Foster’s name, Ben. In addition to what you mentioned, a few of the songs felt like they started off as hooks, but the rest of the song wasn’t adequately fleshed out and the hook is the only thing with any sort of substance. “Cowboy’s Work” is a perfect example.

By: Hollerin' Ben

Hollerin' Ben — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 19:13:16 +0000

“With Radney Foster at the helm”

That should read “Texas Born Nashville Hit-maker singer-songwriter Radney Foster”

Seriously though, good review of an interesting album. Rhyder is a much more interesting singer than the current Nashville guys, and I definitely get why he’s gaining in popularity, but I just can’t stand all the pop-rock.

The whole thing with pop-rock is that it relies on song form for its emotional impact instead of lyrical insight, or even just pretty, simple melodies. and it’s not that there isn’t any place for it in country music I guess (I’m guessing someone could show me some Steve Earle songs or maybe Dwight songs with leading pre-choruses that, after some quarter notes pounding on the drums segue into ridiculous, soaring choruses), but that seems to be the basis of Rhyder’s whole deal. Even if the lyrics are there, which in this case is questionable, I think they get whitewashed out with all of the hullabaloo.

Rhyder is a talented guy though, maybe he can get some kind of pop-masterpiece together someday, because he seems pretty disinclined towards simple, devastatingly effective country music.

By: Kelly

Kelly — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 18:50:29 +0000

I have been looking forward to this release (and many other notable texas releases soon coming), and I am big fan of his big voice. I always get nervous reading a review before i buy the album, but it’ll be interesting to listen to the lyrics and see how they “hit me” after reading your well-done review…