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Willie Nelson - Spirit
One of my best friends once asked me “Hey Ben, I want to get some Willie Nelson albums and I wanted to find out which were the best ones.” I can’t tell you how grateful I was that he asked, and how excited I was to share my opinions on the subject.
After […] -
Album Review: Hayes Carll - Trouble In Mind
Far too much of the country music coming out today is “successful” in achieving a very limited aim; to be enjoyable by leaning heavily on pop-rock conventions while using the lyrics to vaguely define the emotional point of the song and to provide just enough of a hook for folks to sing to. […]
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Album Review: Kathy Mattea - Coal
Kathy Mattea’s recently released album, Coal, is a superb concept album centered around coal and it’s effect on the people who depend upon it for their livelihood. She’s taken a collection of songs that stood well on their own when released previously and molded them into her greater thematic vision to tell the story […]
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Album Review: Josh Gracin - We Weren’t Crazy
Four long years after the release of his self-titled debut, Josh Gracin returns with We Weren’t Crazy, a full-throttle, balls-to-the-wall effort that, despite its obsession with tempo, reads as the most sincere country effort yet from an American Idol alumnus.
The album avoids all of the song-traps that artistically doom so many of its contemporaries, […]Continue reading "Album Review: Josh Gracin - We Weren’t Crazy"
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March ‘08 Album Review Wrap-Up
Carlene Carter - Stronger
Born the daughter of June Carter and Carl Smith and step-daughter to Johnny Cash made Carlene Carter an heir to a rich line of country music nobility, but that doesn’t mean you’ll finder her latest album dripping with steel guitars, fiddles, and hillbilly twang. Stronger is at times beautiful and poignant, […] -
Album Review: James Otto - Sunset Man
James Otto has garnered a few mentions on The 9513 thus far, including making Jim Malec’s list of Artists to Watch in 2008, but even so, his name may not be familiar. Hopefully that will change with the release of his sophomore album, Sunset Man, featuring John Rich and Otto as producers, with Jay […]
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Album Review: George Strait - Troubadour
George Strait has a knack for choosing the right songs, which has helped him remain a constant on the charts over the past twenty seven years, so it’s hard not to jump on his bandwagon and praise everything he does. His twenty-fifth studio album, Troubadour, no doubt contains some strong singles and has him […]
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Album Review: Justin Townes Earle - “The Good Life”
Justin Townes Earle has given us an interesting, compelling album that sways and strides like a young, charming wino; The Good Life contains moments of picturesque reflection, moments of intense focus, and moments of grinning exuberance–all of which are informed and intensified by the sense of candor that accompanies that fourth glass of wine […]
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Album Review: Alan Jackson - Good Time
In 71 minutes, Alan Jackson’s latest album, Good Time, takes us back four years, to the last batch of his traditional variety of country music, What I Do. It’s good to have him back.
That’s not to say the years since 2004 have been fruitless. Precious Memories, a sentimental collection of hymns, and Like Red […] -
February ‘08 Album Review Wrap-Up
Blue Highway - Through the Window of a Train
If Dierks Bentley ever makes a bluegrass album, and I suspect that he will, it would sound a lot like this. The Dierksache may not much resemble Tim Stafford’s high lonesome, but Through the Window of a Train finds this veteran bluegrass group crooning a self-penned set […]
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Ashley Gearing - “Out the Window” Gearing makes this mediocre song listenable enough that it earns a very qualified thumbs up.
Taylor Swift - “Should’ve Said No” This song is way too loud. It starts out with that nice banjo lick and then – wham! – I’m diving for the volume control.
Craig Morgan - “Love Remembers” Morgan has here abandoned the sometimes quirky, often twangy nature of his music, instead offering what sits as a startling departure from songs like “Redneck Yacht Club” and “International Harvester.”
Ashton Shepherd - “Sounds So Good” Shepherd lovingly sings her life’s soundtrack in a voice imbued with honest, lived experiences. 
Ben Cisneros chats with Star De Azlan about her upcoming record, her influences, and her plans as an artist.
Guy Clark, Joe Ely, John Hiatt & Lyle Lovett at the Paramount Theater, Austin, TX - For two hours they captivated the audience with perfectly-timed stage banter, well-oiled stories, and songs pulled from several decades of their illustrious careers.
Not only is Spirit Ben Cisneros' favorite Willie album, he dubs it Willie's finest accomplishment, claiming "Hank Williams never did anything so excellent; neither did Johnny Cash for that matter." High praise, indeed.
Brody Vercher offers up ten songs inspired the great Willie Nelson.
It should come as no surprise that many fine country songs feature prisoners waiting to die. Here are 10 of the finest.Current Discussion
- Eve: Interesting; I always maintain (and mean it!) that I don't like Country music - ...
- Eve: It took every ounce of self-discipline for me to stay seated during one of the s...
- jesse: great song...
- Jim Malec: FYI these are predictions, not who we think should win....
- alex: no, i'm saying that you exaggerated greatly and you cannot say that she is talen...
- Funk: I admit it, I'm a pig. I really want Kellie Pickler to turn around in that swim...
- Funk: So alex, what you are saying is what I said, but with more words. Ok. I saw ...
- alex: funk, it a stretch to say she's "uncreative, vulgar and lacking talent" at fir...
- John M.: These braids are indeed swanky. Thanks again guys!...
- Eve: WOW!! - was this (incredibly long) discussion thread refreshing or WHAT?!? Asid...
