Read Jenn's thoughts on the new country music singles that are released for the week of May 4, 2009.
Heidi Newfield - "What Am I Waiting For"
Curb Records
Heidi Newfield has been on a roll lately and it continues with the "open-road" themed "What Am I Waiting For." If you have plans - go out and do them. There's a big world and a better life out there, so take your chances. That's the point to this song. Listen
Download/Purchase
Download/Purchase
Oak Ridge Boys - "Seven Nation Army"
The Oak Ridge Boys' version of "Seven Nation Army" has to be the most interesting and fascinating single released so far in 2009. It is completely different than anything I've ever heard from the group and makes me wonder what other artists will latch on to artist Jack White's music. First it was Ashley Monroe and Ricky Skaggs lending vocals to The Raconteurs' "Old Enough," now enter Oak Ridge Boys taking the cue from The White Stripes. Not to mention that Jack White produced Loretta Lynn's 2004 album, Van Lear Rose. This would raise some eyebrows if played on the radio. I like it a lot.Luke Bryan - "Do I"
Capitol Nashville
Another great single from Luke Bryan's upcoming album, due out in October but will surely be released quicker if this song takes off like I think it will. Now that Luke's released a few upbeat songs, this is his time to show the other side - and he knocks it out of the park here. What I like is the clever way the song title "Do I" helps ask questions of the marriage instead of making a statement such as when you say "I Do." It shows just how upside down things have become between the two people. It was co-written by Luke along with Charles Kelley and Dave Haywood from Lady Antebellum. Listen
Download/Purchase (Available May 5, 2009)
Download/Purchase (Available May 5, 2009)
Miranda Lambert - "Dead Flowers"
I'm always so proud of Miranda Lambert whenever she releases new material. Seeing her perform this song on the ACM Awards and do such a fantastic job, really put a smile on my face. Though she's received plenty of recognition, I still think she deserves a heck of a lot more than what she's been given so far. I hope with this single and her upcoming album she'll continue to show people that you don't have to be a prissy person just to prove that you can make it in the genre. You can have a tough side and also be able to pack an emotional punch with your material. ListenTaylor Hicks - "Seven Mile Breakdown"
Modern Whomp/CO5
If you like bluesy, southern rock you might enjoy "Seven Mile Breakdown" from American Idol's fifth season winner, Taylor Hicks. It's a good song, but what I don't like about it is that there are two versions: one is the regular and the second is marked as a "country mix." The original version sounds more authentic as that was probably the original. I feel that adding some piano and fiddle doesn't really constitute what I would call a "country mix." Listen
Download/Purchase
Download/Purchase
