Ned Ledoux Continues His Father's Legacy in Forever a Cowboy

     During Chris LeDoux's 56 years on earth he recorded a whopping 36 albums, sold 6 million albums and was a rodeo champion. Chris never signed a record deal and accomplished as much as he did as an independent artist. Chris' remarkable career was cut short after a fight with cancer ended in 2005 and now his son Ned has released a 5 song ep which continues his fathers legacy. The ep is not perfect but, for a debut ep it more than exceeds expectations.
     The album begins with "We Ain't Got it All" which is about a working class family who most of America would classify as poor. They owe their souls to the bank and they don't have much but, they are happy. They have food in the refrigerator, a piece of land and most importantly, they have each other. Other people would look down on this family and maybe even feel sorry for them, when in reality they have it all. They have a different kind of wealth that no amount of money can buy. Next up is "Brother Highway" which has an infectious sound from start to finish with the guitars carrying the melody. The song is about the parallels between himself and the highway and all time the two of them have spent together. Like the highway he has seen it all through the rain, the sleet and the snowfall. There have been some rough patches and detour signs along the way and like the highway he keeps rolling on. "Forever a Cowboy" is an honest take on what it means to be a cowboy. The man in this song is tough, handy and doesn't know when to quit. This man is a free spirit and will always remain a cowboy. I find it hard to believe listening to this song that it isn't a salute to his late father who lived this song. In mainstream country we often see shallow representations of what being country or being a cowboy is. The difference with LeDoux is you feel like he has actually lived what he is singing about.
     "Johnson County War" begins with the sound of horses galloping followed by a gun being fired. The time period the song takes place is 1882 in Wyoming during the time when people began to settle the west. "Johnson County War" is about the struggle of the people who settled the west and how many people did not survive. Droughts, winters and theft of cattle made surviving and sustaining a family a formidable task. The best song on the album "The Hawk" is a tribute to Ned's father Chris. Before the narrators father passed away he had told him that he always wanted to fly just like a hawk. After he passed away the family began to notice a hawk on their ranch. What was so peculiar about the hawk was that hawk's were almost never spotted on the ranch. This hawk was always watching over the family and never left. The narrator and his family believe that it is his father watching over all of them. It is a beautifully touching song about a family coping with loss. I almost never like hearing talk singing in a country song but, it actually adds to the idea of the story that is being told. It allows you to feel like LeDoux is talking to you about his father and the hawk.
     I sincerely hope that this ep is successful and LeDoux is able to release a full length album soon. The ep is not perfect but, it is a terrific start to a career. What we get is a very personal, honest ep about the cowboy life and what it means. This is a unique style of country western that we just do not get to hear very often. LeDoux carries on his father's legacy with grace and honor in this debut.

Album Grade: 7/10

Enjoyment: 7/10

Favorite Song: The Hawk    

Dear Life Album Review

    

      High Valley is a Canadian Country duo that hails from La Crete, Alberta. The duo is made up of brothers Brad and Curtis who have released four albums. I have followed High Valley for a few years and they always had a few songs that I enjoyed. Previously High Valley had only released singles to Canadian Country radio but, in February the duo released their first single to American radio "Make You Mine." Make You Mine is a song that immediately reminds one of Mumford and Sons and their song "I Will Wait" which is something to note in regards to their sound. On previous albums you had songs like "Make You Mine" and "She's With Me" that had that folk/pop sound but, with this album they go completely in that folk country direction. What Dear Life does if nothing else is make clear what High Valley's sound is going to be henceforth. The way that I would describe their sound is the infusion of folk, pop, country and bluegrass in that order. This is not traditional country music.
     My biggest takeaway from the album is that there are two major flaws on an otherwise enjoyable album. The first problem with the album that I have, is that it does not feel personal. What I mean by this is I don't feel like after listening to this album I know anything about High Valley besides their sound. The album is full of uplifting, fun songs but, there is not one song that feels personal. My other problem with the album is there is not one heartbreak song. Now, not every album has to be a breakup album filled with heartbreak like Tradition Lives however, couldn't you include one or two?
     My criticisms of the album do not mean that I think that High Valley's music is bad in fact, I really enjoy the individual songs on Dear Life. If you are looking at the songs one by one they are fun, uplifting songs with a positive message.  One of the songs on this album I liked is the title track "Dear Life." This song describes how quickly life goes by and wanting to hang on for as long as you can. The song talks about how the narrator has loved every minute of his life even though he has had some "hits and misses" along the way. Something this song fails to do however is go into any detail about any subject that is broached. The song moves so quickly which adds to the fun and energy of the song but, we are left without any substantive material. My favorite song on the album is "Don't Stop" which is the closest we get on the album to slowing down the pace and trying to be more descriptive. "Don't Stop" is another song with a positive message about being who you are and chasing your dreams no matter what. The duo actually goes on to describe some of the instances where you shouldn't stop moving forward such as when you get your heart broken, faith and loving life while you have the opportunity.
     "Roads We've Never Taken" has some bluegrass, country and folk influences blended together and displays the best music on the album. There is banjo, steel guitar and acoustic throughout the song with a fun drum tap beat. The song is about leaving home and going to new places you haven't yet been before. The song is about not settling for the same monotonous life at home every day and the need to change things up occasionally. The low point on the album is actually a part of the Madden 17 soundtrack "Young Forever." Just the title of the song gave me horrible flashbacks to "Live Forever" from The Band Perry. The song is straight pop and the theme of the song is that they are going to stay young forever. I hate this idea for a song and not just because it has been done to death but because the premise is just awful. As if there is something wrong with growing up and acting like an adult instead of a stupid frat boy. Usually on mainstream country albums the best song is buried last on the album but, in this case the worst song is buried which I guess is a good thing.
     The current single "Make You Mine" and the first song on the album "She's With Me" are both songs that were recycled from their last album County Line. I actually liked the original version of "Make You Mine" better because it included a verse by the legendary Ricky Skaggs but, it's not a bad song. "She's With Me" is way too much pop for my tastes however, when you dig into the song it's not a bad premise. The song is about the narrator being amazed that his spouse is with him. The song describes a woman who is out of his league and sticks by him through thick and thin. He does not know what he would do without her and it's clear that he loves her. What ultimately drags the song down is the hand clapping and during the chorus when the song goes "She's with me e e e e e e e."
     I would consider Dear Life to be a debut album even though High Valley has been around for some time and recorded a few albums already, since this is their American debut. What Dear Life does well is define the duo's sound and provide songs with a positive and uplifting message. What the album fails to do is get personal, being descriptive and not having a single heartbreak song. As individual songs, most of them are enjoyable to me however, as an album it is lacking. I would recommend giving this album a try as long as you go into it knowing that this is not traditional, down the middle country music.

Album Grade: 5.5/10

Enjoyment: 7/10

Favorite Song: "Don't Stop"
     

2017 Breakthrough Country Artist Predictions

2016 was a tremendous year for fans of country music that are eager for the genre to have more substance and get back to a more traditional sound. In 2016 the mainstream saw Jon Pardi and William Michael Morgan grace the top of country music's charts with Pardi having the most played song in country music with "Head Over Boots." Outside of the mainstream, artists like Cody Jinks, Margo Price and Sturgill Simpson among many others released terrific albums of substance that not only performed incredibly well but, gained these artists huge followings. In 2017 I believe we will see a lot of what we saw in 2016 meaning that we will continue to see traditional leaning artists of substance have success while the bro's and pop singers clutter the charts as usual. The list that I have comprised is a list of exciting, young artists who have the potential to break out in 2017. When I say "breakout" I should be clear that I am not necessarily talking about radio success. Plenty of artists have shown in recent years that you can be successful without country radio getting on board (see Chris Stapleton please). I chose artists specifically that have not had a major radio hit or had major independent success to this point. I was tempted to put William Michael Morgan and Jon Pardi on this list because, I believe 2017 will be huge for both of them but, I decided they have had too much success already to be on a list like this.  The artists that I chose for this list are artists whose music I can admire and appreciate and believe can have success like they have never seen in 2017. So, without further ado, here are my picks for breakout artists of 2017.  

Aubrie Sellers

Lee Ann Womacks daughter splashed onto the scene in 2016 releasing her garage country album New City Blues in January and then re-releasing it in September with her new record label Carnival Recording Company. The album was recieved mostly well by critics and established Sellers as an incredible vocalist and an artist who's music had real substance and a real edge. Her sound is not for everyone and the production on her first album is a bit heavy but, that is her unique garage country style. I am definately excited to see what is to come next for Sellers and whether or not country radio will give her a chance. 

Midland

I learned of Midlands existence from a random tweet I saw made by Jon Pardi. I decided to check out the Big Machine Label band and I was SHOCKED! This band brings back the sounds of 90's country in a way that I thought was dead. Not only is Midland's music unquestionably country but, there isn't a single bad song on their debut ep. What is so encouraging is that Big Machine is behind them which increases the odds that country radio will give these guys a chance. Regardless of what country radio does with them though it is impossible to believe they won't be a big success. 

Runaway June

Believe it or not but, Runaway June is the first female trio to have a top 30 hit in a decade. Their debut single "Lipstick" is a song about loving someone that will treat you right (someone who will ruin your lipstick, not your mascara). The song has wonderful fiddle play throughout the song and reminds you of a song the Dixie Chicks could have recorded. For such a new group they sound great together and showcase the kind of music women can give us on country radio if the industry would give them a chance. 

Mo Pitney

I truly wish Curb Records would just set this incredible artist free of their mismanagement of his career. It took until October of 2016 to get a debut album from Pitney. And may I add they did a horrible job of promoting the album and are chosing to release the worst song from Behind This Guitar "Everywhere." Despite all this I believe "Everywhere" has a shot to have success on country radio and with the traditional country resurgence this is the time to push Mo Pitney. The only question is whether or not Curb will screw this up.

Whitney Rose

Whitney Rose is great for anyone who is a fan of Margo Prices work. Whitney Rose has a throwback country sound that is just so refreshing. Rose is the one artist on this list that is not a mainstream artist so her success in 2017 will not be predicated on radio at all besides maybe Texas country radio. Rose who was born in Canada and currently resides and plays in the Texas scene is set to release a new album in 2017 after releasing the terrific first single "My Boots," which is a song about being a strong, independent woman who doesn't change who she is despite the circumstances.

Trump Vows to Read Every Year End Country Music List Before Taking Office

   

     Critically Country has obtained exclusive content in regards to President elect Donald Trump. Trump has vowed to read every single year end country music list before he will assume the duties of the presidency. "During all my campaigning this year I just didn't have time to hear all the big league country music. A lot of people have been saying I could have been a country singer and I mean that bigly. So before I take office I am going to really grab these lists by the pickup so that I am all caught up." This news has come as a great shock to the country that is set to officially elect Trump to the presidency when the electoral college convenes on Monday. Nobody knows just how long it could take one person to go through all the year end lists but, our estimates at Critically Country are that it would take upwards of four Turnpike Troubadour album cycles. In the meantime just who will assume the role of the presidency of the most powerful nation on earth? Will it be vice presidential nominee Mike Pence or perhaps Garth Brooks? As a modest country music blog I am afraid we do not have all the answers but, we pray that this all sorts itself out before a new president is set to take office in January.

Undeniably Country Album Review

There's just something about pure, uncompromising, traditional country music. Since Curtis Grimes began his career in Austin Texas, he has released six albums/eps  one of which was a live album. I can say unequivocally that this is Grimes best work to date. You won't find any pop country or trend chasing on this short eight track album. The album begins with a song titled "Everything Hank did." The song talks about how Hank was Grimes hero growing up and how he did all the crazy things that Hank did with the exception of dying. In "If You Ask Me," Grimes admits he's an old fashioned guy with a "backwoods opinion" of how the world should be and all the things that he believes to be true such as how lucky he is to have ended up with his wife. Next, we have Grimes current Texas radio single "From Where I'm Standing" which describes the view of the woman he loves and how he loves the way she looks from where he's standing. This is easily the most lightweight song on the album, not that this is a bad song it just speaks to the quality of the rest of the album. "Right about Now" is a song about a relationship ending over a stupid fight that could have been prevented if the narrator would stop worrying about being right and maintaining his pride. He goes on to say sarcastically that he has his pride and by golly your proud while his ex is hooking up with one of his friends. "Had a Thing" is a song about the vices that Grimes has had such as women, whiskey and weed among others but, he gave them up because, he came to the realization that those things are not worth the heavy toll it takes on you and at the end of the day you have to sleep in the bed you make. "Born to Die" is a religiously charged song about how Jesus was born to die and how he died for us. Despite Jesus having the ability to stop his death and stop the beatings he received, he let it happen because he was born to die. "Put my Money on That," is similar to "If You Ask Me" in the way that Grimes lists things that he believes to be right and true such as Jesus coming back and his grandpa's advice. Last but not least is "Ten Year Town," which as you can guess is about Nashville and how it is not a place artists can make it very long. My favorite line on this song is "I came out here so I could write and sing, not rap on stage wearing skinny jeans." Country radio has clearly changed its sound chasing after the all mighty dollar but, Grimes prefers to stick out of the "in crowd" and play the music he loves. He describes coming to Nashville and seeing old for sale signs and empty pews at the Grand Ole Opry. Overall, I thought this was a really solid album that is pure traditional country from start to finish. The album is littered with steel guitar and fiddle throughout which in 2016 is more than a pleasant surprise. Also, one thing I wanted to add was how much Grimes reminds me of Clay Walker. I have not seen that comparison made anywhere else but, to me he sounds so similar in his voice and style. 

Album Grade 8/10

Enjoyment 8/10

Favorite Song: If You Ask Me 

**Album Grades: Since this is my first review, I will explain the very simple grading method. The regular grade will simply be out of 10. There will also be a second grade which will be an enjoyment grade. I think this is useful to have because, there are albums that I can appreciate and acknowledge as great pieces of art but, for whatever reason maybe I didn't particularly like it from a listening perspective. That grade will also be out of 10 to prevent any confusion. The third thing I will include is my favorite song from the album which is self explanatory. I would greatly appreciate any feedback or comments that you have as I try to learn and improve my writing on this blog. -Thanks, Alexander

       

Mission Statement

To my friends visiting this site you may be wondering why? Why did this person create a country music website? Well the truth is I love Country Music. I live in a part of the country where my favorite genre of music just isn't as appreciated as it is in most of the country. Therefore, I really have nobody to discuss my different opinions and thoughts on country music with. Since I listen to country music so often and read about country music every day on various blogs, I have a lot to say and nobody to say it to! Ultimately, I would love for this blog to b a place where we have great discussions about the music we love and love to hate. I will do reviews, think pieces and anything else the future readers of this blog suggest. I'm not doing this to make money (I won't) and I am a busy person with a job, internship and I am a full time college student but, I have a passion for Country Music and have wanted to start a Country Music blog for years. I have been inspired by some outstanding blogs that have turned me on to music that I would never have found without them, shout out to Saving Country Music and Country Perspective. My only goal is that this blog gets an audience that enjoys our content and that we can have intelligent conversations about our passion of Country Music.