KEAN 105 Today's Best Country » Reviews

George Strait, 'Love Is Everything' – Album Review

Billy Dukes — Thu, 16 May 2013 18:00:37 +0000

George Strait steps back in time for his newest release, 'Love Is Everything.' In the past, the singer always found a way to add a touch of contemporary to his traditional sound. There's nothing to separate this from albums he made throughout the '80s and '90s, but that's not necessarily a criticism.

Zane Williams Reaches a New Level of Success With 'Overnight Success' – CD Review

Dave Wheaton — Wed, 15 May 2013 21:14:19 +0000

Zane Williams is kicking his career into high gear these days, with singles rising higher and higher on the Texas radio charts and a spot on the popular documentary TV show Troubadour TX. Now, with the release of his latest CD, 'Overnight Success', it appears Zane will continue his upward trend.

Kellie Pickler, 'Someone Somewhere Tonight' – Song Review

Billy Dukes — Tue, 14 May 2013 18:00:05 +0000

Kellie Pickler delivers an inspired performance with a new single called 'Someone Somewhere Tonight.' The song -- originally recorded by Kenny Rogers -- is a soaring ballad that touches a range of emotions. Few will find nothing relatable on the singer's first release from an upcoming album.

Trace Adkins, 'Love Will …' – Album Review

Billy Dukes — Tue, 14 May 2013 13:30:18 +0000

The idea behind Trace Adkins‘ new album ‘Love Will …’ makes so much sense you almost wonder why he hadn’t done it sooner. This collection of love songs is as obvious as the tagless T-shirt, yet for years we went without both. ‘Love Will …’ stops short of being able to melt wax on its [...]

Craig Campbell, 'Never Regret' – Album Review

Billy Dukes — Fri, 10 May 2013 21:00:00 +0000

Craig Campbell does a lot of things better than average. He’s a better than average singer who has chosen better than average songs for his new album ‘Never Regret,’ yet somehow, the project ends up feeling rather ordinary. There’s no defining moment that will etch Campbell’s name into the Nashville cement. If anything, the line [...]

Lauren Alaina, 'Barefoot and Buckwild' – Song Review

Billy Dukes — Thu, 09 May 2013 17:00:59 +0000

Meet the new Lauren Alaina. With just a few weeks of her senior year of high school remaining, the singer introduces a grown-up new look, grown-up style and grown-up attitude with her latest single, 'Barefoot and Buckwild.' It's especially difficult to find songs that fit when you're short on life experience, so the one-time 'American Idol' runner-up wrote her own ...

Lady Antebellum, 'Golden' – Album Review

Billy Dukes — Wed, 08 May 2013 17:30:33 +0000

The best moments on Lady Antebellum's fourth album 'Golden' find Charles Kelley or Hillary Scott singing solo, with minimal help from the other on harmonies. There is no shortage of songs that act as features for the two talented vocalists. The evolution of the trio finds them becoming a dual threat super power instead of a two-headed pop-rock-country group.

Joe Nichols, 'Sunny and 75′ – Song Review

Billy Dukes — Wed, 08 May 2013 15:30:14 +0000

Joe Nichols‘ voice always has a way of putting one in a trance, and his performance on the new single ‘Sunny and 75′ is no less effective. He’s pure country gold, and when he’s paired with a great song, there are few surer things in Nashville. This is a good song. The arrangement and tempo [...]

Pistol Annies, 'Annie Up' – Album Review

Billy Dukes — Tue, 07 May 2013 14:00:33 +0000

Strong production keeps 'Annie Up' -- the new album from Pistol Annies -- from being something their debut effort certainly was not: boring. The women thrive among thick, bluesy guitars that moan and wail throughout the 12 cuts. It's a throwback sound that fits the trio as well as the daring outfits they've become known for wearing.

Lady Antebellum, 'Goodbye Town' – Song Review

Billy Dukes — Mon, 06 May 2013 21:00:19 +0000

Charles Kelley's desperation turns to anger by the end of 'Goodbye Town,' the second single from Lady Antebellum's new 'Golden' album. The song finds the trio working their bread and butter: heartbreak and a yearning for love lost. Sonically, this song forges ahead with fresh production, but it's not quite as exciting as the lead single, 'Downtown.'

Eric Paslay, 'Friday Night' – Song Review

Billy Dukes — Mon, 06 May 2013 13:00:52 +0000

Eric Paslay‘s new single ‘Friday Night’ genuinely feels like a carefree, summertime Friday night. It’s wide-open, catchy and easy to fall in love with, even if it’s not exactly crammed full of tangible memories. Paslay puts his stamp on this uptempo pop-country cut. His performance is charming without becoming distracting. His freestyling over the banjo [...]

Thomas Rhett, 'It Goes Like This' – Song Review

Billy Dukes — Thu, 02 May 2013 17:00:17 +0000

‘It Goes Like This’ is the safest of the three singles Thomas Rhett has released, but he sacrifices nothing in sharp songwriting in his effort to land a hit on country radio. The charismatic songwriter is a natural storyteller, and his lyrics bounce to life with each verse and chorus. Rhett’s previous two singles didn’t realize their [...]

William Clark Green Has a Texas Country Album to Be Proud of With 'Rose Queen' – CD Review

Dave Wheaton — Wed, 01 May 2013 18:58:53 +0000

William Clark Green has been pushing his music for years, running around the state of Texas and beyond, playing his songs for anyone who will listen. He has the great attitude and work ethic that’s essential to surviving in the music business. Now, with the release of his new CD ‘The Rose Queen’, WCG has [...]

The Tejas Brothers Improve on an Already Great Sound With 'Live A Little More' – CD Review

Dave Wheaton — Wed, 01 May 2013 18:01:45 +0000

It's been a joy following the Tejas Brothers for the past few years. All along, the band has been up to the challenge of carrying the tradition of Tejano/Texas country music. With such a distinct sound that so clearly honors their influences (Texas Tornados and their solo offshoots, along with classic country artists), Dave Perez and the guys are still able to be fresh, current and continue to evolve as a band. The Tejas Brothers' evolution has taken the next step with the release of 'Live A Little More'.

Kenny Chesney, 'Life on a Rock' – Album Review

Billy Dukes — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 13:30:17 +0000

Kenny Chesney's 'Life on a Rock' album is as revealing of a record as 'Be as You Are' -- more so in some ways. The songwriting isn't as sharp as the 2005 project (the most closely comparable to 'Life on a Rock' in style and substance), but the experiences are as mixed and honest.

Are Bane Boxer Briefs Cooler Than Batman Briefs? Probably, Yeah

Jackie Mancini — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 17:00:45 +0000

As resident babe, allow me to first give you a little inside scoop on men’s underwear: Most times, “funny” novelty drawers are not a good strategy. Accidental first-date sex excluded (I forgive you, dude from a year ago who was wearing happy face boxers) you can usually tell a lot about a man by the [...]

Poker Night 2 Review

Luke Brown — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 23:23:30 +0000

Telltale Games surprised a lot of people with the announcement of Poker Night 2, a sequel to a niche game with quirky co-stars and lots of humor. This follow-up picks up where the original left off, and brings a host of new faces and catch phrases to the poker table. Though it isn't as robust or deep as some other poker video games, Poker Night 2 has an incredible amount of charm and wit to more than help it stand out from the crowd.

Joanna Smith, 'Girls Are Crazy' – Song Review

Billy Dukes — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 16:45:35 +0000

In general, songs that paint an entire group of people with one broad brush stroke don't fare well on country radio, but Joanna Smith is hoping to prove 'em wrong with her new single 'Girls Are Crazy.' The peppy new track is fun and flirty, and a short hop backward for women in country music.

Injustice: Gods Among Us Review

John Llewellyn Martin — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 15:57:58 +0000

Every once in a while, a fighting game comes along that heralds in a new era of brawlers and redefines the genre, changing everything fight fans knew and shakes them to their frame-counting cores. Unfortunately, Injustice: Gods Among Us is not that game. But regardless, it's still a pretty kickass experience for both lovers of fighting games and fans of DC Comics' pantheon of heroes and villains. And for those who like those things all rolled into one, it's something truly entertaining.

Dead Island: Riptide Review

Alex Keen — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 14:31:53 +0000

The follow-up to the surprise hit of the same title, Dead Island: Riptide is now on shelves and ready for you to play with your buddies. Some of you are like me -- you’d heard of the zombie RPG original but missed it in the flood of constant video game releases. So, with fresh and untarnished eyes, here’s my look at Dead Island: Riptide.