Best Songs of November ‘08

Only eight artists make an appearance on November’s list due to a dearth of quality material, but don’t let that fool you about the top songs–they really are that good. There are only a few releases for December, so I’ll be skipping next month, but look for our end of year lists closer to the end of this month. On to the list…

• 20. “More Than a Wave from a Boat” – Mark Elliott
  The Celctic influences are strong in “More Than a Wave from a Boat” as Elliott sings about the impact of a former relationship. I could see this being elevated if one of the elder statesman of country music were to rework it.
• 19. “Never Lovin’ You” – Blake Shelton
  CM Wilcox’s closing statement on his review of Startin’ Fires pretty much sums up this song. Here’s what he had to say, “Instead, it’s just very good, expertly-sung contemporary country that manages to satisfy even as it refuses to challenge convention or try anything especially new–such music certainly has its place.”

  Read the review of Blake Shelton’s Startin’ Fires by CM Wilcox.

• 18. “Cordell” – Mark Elliott
  Elliott was commissioned to write this song to promote the legacy of Cordell Hurd who received the Nobel Peace Prize for his role in establishing the United Nations. This is just a cool little mini-biography of our nation’s longest-serving Secretary of State.
• 17. “Free” – Zac Brown Band
  Where do you suppose they’ll get the gas to drive their van all across the land if all the two lovers need is love? It’s just as much a fairytale as any of Taylor Swift’s love stories, but I suppose one can dream every once in awhile.

  Read the review of Zac Brown Band’s The Foundation by Pierce Greenberg.

• 16. “Fifteen” – Taylor Swift
  The best material on Fearless speaks to reality. The problem is that she’s usually targeting an unconventional audience, but if that’s what country music has come to, this song speaks to the reality of that audience.

  Read the review of Taylor Swift’s Fearless by Jim Malec.

• 15. “Toes” – Zac Brown Band
  The Zac Brown Band captures the easy-going vibe that Chesney goes for in every damn song these days, but they actually pull it off to great effect. It’s kinda funny that “Toes” is probably a little too edgy for radio these days. Can you imagine them playing lines like “I got my toes in the water/Ass in the sand” and “Gonna lay in the hot sun/And roll a big fat one/And grab my guitar and play.”

  Read the review of Zac Brown Band’s The Foundation by Pierce Greenberg.

• 14. “Good At Startin’ Fires” – Blake Shelton
  This isn’t much more than a rewrite of “Baby’s Got Her Blue Jeans On,” but it’s that smooth flowing melody that makes for an easy listen.

  Read the review of Blake Shelton’s Startin’ Fires by CM Wilcox.

• 13. “Bye Bye Baby Jane” – Mark Elliott
  A breakup that doesn’t revolve around heartbreak or vindication? Now way. Not in country music.
• 12. “Lie” – Randy Houser
  “Lie” is a talking story number that sounds like it’d make for a good Ray Scott number–for once. It semi-humorously–or offensively, depending on your perception–discusses lying to women to sleep with them.

  Read the review of Randy Houser’s Anything Goes by yours truly.

• 11. “What A Friend We Have In Jesus” – Brad Paisley
  On his instrumental album, Play, that featured mostly fast picking, “What A Friend We Have In Jesus” served as a tender, mellow reprieve. It serves the same purpose if you just need to get away from the wall of sound Nashville is throwing at you these days.

  Read the review of Brad Paisley’s Play by Ben Cisneros.

• 10. “Highway 20 Ride” – Zac Brown Band
  We’ve had a couple of songs this year that have dealt with divorce (”‘73″ and “Every Other Weekend”), but none of them have dealt with the heartbreak a parent with minimal visitation rights goes through. “Highway 20 Ride” is emotionally touching without descending into melodrama.

  Read the review of Zac Brown Band’s The Foundation by Pierce Greenberg.

• 9. “Come On In” – Brad Paisley feat. Buck Owens
  Buck Owens wrote and recorded the demo for “Come On In,” laying down harmony vocals, mandolin and dobro tracks, before his death and Brad Paisley joins him for a posthumous duet that sounds pretty dang cool.

  Read the review of Brad Paisley’s Play by Ben Cisneros.

• 8. “White Horse” – Taylor Swift
  About the moment a young girls wakes up from her fairytale and faces reality, “White Horse” marks the zenith of Taylor Swift’s sophomore effort. Now, how about that alt.country record?

  Read the review of Taylor Swift’s Fearless by Jim Malec.

• 7. “I’ll Sleep” – Randy Houser
  There’s a sort of duality to this touching tribute to his father, who died when Houser was 21. When he was young, Houser’s father would sing to him as he fell asleep and in the end, when his father was taking his last breaths, it was Houser who sang to him to comfort him as he fell asleep. I’m still trying to figure out what the pianist was thinking at the 2:03 mark, though.

  Read the review of Randy Houser’s Anything Goes by yours truly.

• 6. “Come On Home” – Honeyhoney
  It’s a stretch to call Honeyhoney country, but Jim Malec made the case for their country influences and as reader Lynn commented, “At first, I heard more Amy Winehouse than country, but I fell quickly in love with ‘Come on Home.’ There’s definitely a bluegrass undercurrent that builds. Great song.”

  Read the excellent profile of Honeyhoney by Jim Malec.

• 5. “Anything Goes” – Randy Houser
  The subject of “Anything Goes,” predicated on the idea that the narrator’s moral compass relies on the presence of the love he lost, is similar in theme to Jamey Johnson’s “Mary Go Round,” only from a slightly different perspective. It’s real strength, however, lies in the believability of Houser’s vocal, which bears a strong resemblance to Ronnie Dunn with shades of Blake Shelton.

  Read the review of Randy Houser’s Anything Goes by yours truly.

• 4. “Bare Skin Rug” – Blake Shelton
  Easily the most interesting song on his latest album, Shelton and girlfriend Miranda Lambert stripped the production down to an acoustic guitar and recorded “Bare Skin Rug” around a campfire. I don’t know if the sound effects are natural or not, but they nailed the annoying aspect of those damn cicadas.

  Read review of Blake Shelton’s Startin’ Fires by CM Wilcox.

• 3. “Til The Last Shot’s Fired” – Trace Adkins
  Sung from the perspective of fallen soldiers, “Till The Last Shot’s Fired” is reminiscent of “Highwayman” and similarly, would make for a cool collaboration–as long as they cut the choir at the end. The fact that it’s the West Point cadet choir that joins in is cool for respect’s sake (and PR), but it was a misguided musical decision. Despite that mistake, the song is still able to shine.

  Read the review of Trace Adkin’s X by Jim Malec.

• 2. “Sometimes A Man Takes A Drink” – Trace Adkins
  “Sometimes a man takes a drink/Sometimes the drink takes a man.” Now that’s just straight up good country music. Our protagonist throws his head back and laughs about his problems while searching for temporary reprieve in the bottle, only to find that he’s no longer in control. It’s a situation anyone could find themselves in when the pressure piles up and that’s what makes it so affecting.

  Read the review of Trace Adkin’s X by Jim Malec.

• 1. “I Can’t Outrun You” – Trace Adkins
  Backed almost solely by a piano, Adkins shows he isn’t afraid to place his vocal front and center in what might be the most sparse mainstream release of the year. The lyric is solid, but it’s that stripped down production and gripping vocal that elevate “I Can’t Outrun You” to the best song of the month and one of the best of the year.

  Read the review of Trace Adkin’s X by Jim Malec.

Listen to the Best Songs of November 2008 Playlist on Rhapsody