Are We Sure He's Not A Robot?

Hi! Hello! Howdy!

The long weekend is (almost) here!! I know you've been waiting all week for the long weekend a new hit of country in your life so I won't bother with some involved intro and just get right into the good stuff, cool?

The First: How I'll Always Be by Tim McGraw

Tim McGraw recently released his newest single so you just know we're going to talk about it.
I really don't understand how he always picks winners. Like, I can't remember the last time he put his name on something and I was like, "Nah imma pass this time, Timmy." Exhibit A: this song is from his album, Damn Country Music and the title track on it is also a gem. A gem that's just sitting on top of a pile of other, equally sparkly gems that Tim probably just refers to as his "discography."
It's not that I want him to start putting out bad stuff (obviously)... all I'm saying is that it would be nice to get a little reassurance that he's not some sort of music savvy robot who likes extra tight tshirts, you know? Is that too much to ask?


The Second: Home Sweet Home by The Lovelocks

I learned about The Lovelocks in the very obvious location that is my dental office.
I went to a new dentist this week and it's one of those fancypants ones that have the TVs on the ceiling, ya know? Anyways, I was handed a remote and headphones and after flipping through a few channels, I settled on CMT because, as you can probably guess, I just don't get enough country music in my life as it is; I really need to squeeze it in while I'm getting my mouth prodded at.
CMT was playing the music video for their new cover of Cyndi Lauper's, Time After Time. Normally I'd say, "Please don't mess with Lauper," but their harmonies actually make it killer. So naturally I went home and found this for your listening pleasure.


The Third and Final: Save A Little Sugar by Chris Janson

Despite the name and what we typically hear from Chris Janson, this is such a sweet, mellow song. Not that I have an issue with his more ridiculous and wonderful sing-a-longs, you know I love them. I just find the contrast of this one to be a breath of fresh air - with his own unique twist, of course.

What are your long weekend plans? Are you going to go to the beach? Are you going to watch some fireworks? Are you going to spend a whole day deep cleaning and organizing your already clean and organized apartment instead of frolicking in the sunshine because that's just what brings you peace and joy? Oh... no? Just me then. Enjoy yourself, whatever you get up to!

Thanks for listening!
Karla

Artist of the Week: Brett Eldredge

Good morning! Happy Monday! We're chatting about Brett Eldredge today! I like exclamation points!

Originally from Illinois (which, you might have already guessed if you knew that was the name of one of his albums), Brett is right at the brink of being big. He's had success with his last few singles and, event though he hasn't been in the business for all that long, he's managed to tour with the likes of Keith Urban, Taylor Swift, Little Big Town, and Miranda Lambert, to name a few. On an unrelated note, I can also tell you that I assumed he was much older than he actually is. He's just 30 and I definitely would have put money down on a number a bit north of that. So good for you, Brett! You exude the look of maturity and wisdom well beyond your years.

I think the thing I like most about Brett's sound is that if I were on vacation somewhere tropical and I was walking around a resort and they were playing a little Brett Eldredge, it wouldn't sound totally out of place. They've got a bit of a tropical, beach-y vibe. And so, in turn, I always feel like I'm on a mini vacation whenever I listen to his music. Does that make sense? I hope so. I rewrote that three times in my attempt to explain it and what you just read was the best I could do.

Now, since I already subtly mentioned it earlier, I'm just gonna talk at you about his album Illinois for a hot second. It may not be his current album, but imma be bold and just say that every last one of the tracks on it are all excellent.
Like... Just. Go.
Go buy the album.


The First: Signs

This song immediately makes me happy from the moment you hear that guitar start to strum. And then the drums jump in and I'm just like, yep, this is great. I think there's some sort of unspoken rule in Nashville that every country artist needs to eventually come out with a song about their tiny hometown (it's like a right of passage or something) and Brett here is no exception. In fact, he does it better than most.


The Second: Gotta Get There

Here he is again following another trend, because for some reason girls are always running off to California in country songs. I'm not sure why. But they do it often.


The Third and Final: Wanna Be That Song

We don't slow it down too often here on CMF, but this one is too sweet to pass up. Not only is this his current single (how appropriately timed), but the music video isn't completely awful, so that's a big win in my books. It's also possible that he likes baseball, which I thoroughly respect. He mayyy be a Cubs fan. Maybe.

That's a wrap for today, folks. I hope this week is a great one for you.

Thanks for listening!
Karla

Pre-Long Weekend Weekend

Good morning!

For those of you who only visit this little corner of the internet on Fridays, you may have missed a new feature here on CMF - Artist of the Week! You see, I find myself falling down the rabbit hole of a single artist way too often when picking out selections each week and it takes everything in me to not include more than the reasonable selection of three songs. To give you a mental image, it's basically me just yelling at my computer, "Why can't I just feature thirty Chris Young songs?!!" every Thursday night. My neighbours are probably less than pleased.

So. To avoid you actually getting a post with thirty Chris Young songs in it (even though we all know that would be amazing), I've created this new series. Each Monday we'll take a bit of a deeper dive into a single artist. You can get a taste of Artist of the Week by reading this week's post on Miranda Lambert and tell me what you think.

Now onto the reason you're all here...

The First: Every Little Thing by Russell Dickerson

LITERALLY GOOD LUCK TRYING TO GET THIS ONE OUT OF YOUR HEAD AND OFF REPEAT. It's not possible. It. Is. Not. Believe me, I've been trying for a month now. In fact, at this point I really don't know whether to say, "you're welcome" or, "geez, I'm so sorry."
(I kid. It's obviously the former. #noregrets.)


The Second: Lipstick by Runaway June

If you're not into twang... you may wish to skip this one. I find the vocals are very Dixie Chicks-esque, which is probably why I love it. Almost as much as I love the twins dancing at 2:00. They're basically the real life version of the emoji twins.


The Third and Final: Left Side Of Leavin' by Brett Young

First off, let's all revisit this cutie's CMF debut and the song that I still have not grown tired of. It's so sweet and catchy! The only reason it's no longer on repeat is because selection numero uno by Russell up there has taken over, at least temporarily. What I appreciate here is that Brett has decided that this breakup song doesn't have to be sad and slow. It can be fun and make you wanna sing along and groove a little. Because if we have to listen to breakup songs, why not have fun with them... right? PS He's working on his first album and I'm excited!

Have a happy pre-long weekend, weekend! It's real important that you rest up in order to truly make the most out of August Long. I'm spending mine hanging out with friends in the sunshine, watching some fireworks, and accompanying a very special friend wedding dress shopping (likely followed by Olive Garden because why the heck not?)

Thanks for listening!
Karla

Artist of the Week: Miranda Lambert

Welcome to a new addition here on CMF, which I shall tentatively name Artist of the Week. The Artist of the Week series will go up once a week - on Mondays - as a way to explore some artists a bit more closely.

Artist of the Week does not currently live on e-newsletter form as well, though perhaps one day it will. For now you'll just have to visit the blog directly. My apologies to you and your likely now broken heart. (But you can still subscribe to CMF, if you aren't already, by clicking that handy button to the right ->).

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We're starting off with none other than Miranda Lambert or today's Queen of Country, as I like to call her.

The Texas native has had success with not only her solo career, but also with her trio, The Pistol Annies. The first song I ever heard from her was back in 2007 when I was visiting my friend Melissa for a weekend and we listened to Kerosene on repeat for three days. When I got back home on Sunday night the first thing I did was load up my iPod with as much Miranda as I could find and had those songs memorized within a day or two.

I've said it before, but I love Miranda because she is more badass than I could ever dream to be and few people own the stage like she does. She can be rock and roll and quickly turn back to her acoustic roots, all the while walking the line of "sweet southern girl next door who has also single-handedly wrangled a bull or two."

The First: Famous In A Small Town

I think this was the song I really latched onto after my weekend of singing Kerosene ad nauseam. I may or may not have loved it so much that I recorded myself singing along to a karaoke version of it with the thickest twang I could muster. And yes, I did learn that I shouldn't try to force a country twang like that upon listening to the playback of said recording.
And also yes, I did delete that recording immediately.
You're welcome, world.


The Second: Over You

Get ready for heartbreak. I actually can't sing this song without accompanying myself on the guitar; it's too sad and I get choked up unless I'm focusing on something else like needing to strum the right chords. Miranda and Blake co-wrote this song in memory of his late brother and I think it's the most hauntingly beautiful song she's ever performed - especially this time.


The Third and Final: Platinum

This song took a few listens to get used to, but it's a win overall. Perfectly sassy, just like Miss. Lambert.

Finally, if you're looking for a few other Miranda tunes, I would recommend Kerosene (obviously) and We Were Us which she performed with Keith Urban, both of which have been featured here before so the videos aren't being posted again.

Hope you like this new addition, and if you have any artists you're dying for me to feature, I'm open to suggestions!

Thanks for listening,
Karla

Grand Ole Opry Covers

The Grand Ole Opry is definitely at the tip top of my list of venues to see a show (another top contender is Red Rocks because... I mean, did you click on that link? It would be epic.)

With that in mind, I thought I'd take us to a virtual concert of some great covers that have been performed on that epic and historic stage (that I one day plan to touch).

The First: 9 to 5 covered by Jennifer Nettles and Carrie Underwood

Two voices - that may just be well on their way to Dolly-like recognition one day - just rockin' this gem of a song. These ladies are definitely two of my favourites in country music these days because not only are their voices so strong but they also always own the stage and make it look easy, breezy... (~beautiful CoverGirl~).

The Second: Mama Tried covered by Scotty McCreery

It still throws me off a bit every time his sweet baby face opens his mouth to sing, but then he sounds so great we can't really complain, can we? If we learn anything from this song, it's that we can all be a little better at listening to our mama's... goodness knows that Merle Haggard, in his infamous wisdom, knew he should have. 

The Third: Ring of Fire covered by Lennon & Maisy

First off, they're adorable. 

Secondly, they're so talented. How?!*

Thirdly, what a great song. Now, yes, they bring a different sound to this Johnny Cash classic, but it works for them and their sibling harmonies.

* I think it might have something to do with their genes. But, like, that's just a guess.

Hope this brought a little bit of light into your day, or at least a few moments of distraction from the heartbreaking things happening in this world of ours. Take some time this weekend to do someone else a kindness and to send up a prayer for all those who hurt. Xo.

Thanks for listening,

Karla

Sometimes we TSwift it

Once in a while country artists get a little pop-y. Usually I try to avoid songs that blur that genre line, but this week I've chosen to overlook the boundary lines and just go with it. Now, I'm not talking about artists who outrightly crossed the border and burn their passports without looking back like Taylor Swift did (still love her, tbh). For the record all these artists are still country, but some of these selections just happen to be a little more Red than Our Song, if you know what I mean.


The First: Saltwater Gospel by Eli Young Band

What have these boys been up to lately? Apparently working on some new stuff like this salty gem. I think the steady power of the drums is what gets me most.


The Second: War Paint by Madeline Merlo

I like this song. What are your thoughts on it?
Additionally, what are your thoughts on her lip syncing only some of the words in the music video? What about the attempts to oversell those aforementioned words with a bounty of emotion and over-exaggerated facial reactions? And let's not forget about the profuse head shaking, à la Shania in Party for Two. Because on those fronts I'm a little torn.
Still super into the song though (and also the "unplugged" version).


The Third and Final: Song For Another Time by Old Dominion

Old Dominion is still one of my favourite obsessions of 2015. So much so that they've remained an obsession into this calendar year. These boys will apparently be performing just over the Canada/US border (with the likes of Kenny Chesney, Miranda Lambert, and Sam Hunt... like... what?!) and that makes me sad. Come over to Vancouver, guys! It's fun here too!
I love the references to other songs within this one. Very inception-y. At least I think it is... I still haven't seen the film.


Thanks for listening!
Karla

Oh, Canada!

In honour of Canada Day, I thought we could celebrate some of the many talented Canadian artists. Please join me in celebrating this strange, silly, and wonderful place with a little country music (because it's Friday, after all).

The First: Convoy by Paul Brandt

When I'm setting out on a long car ride (aka anything longer than, like, 20 minutes), there legitimately is no other song that I hope comes on the radio more than this one. Do I have to actually be in a convoy myself? Absolutely not! I just pretend that the other drivers are my squad and I give them knowing nods while singing the lyrics to this song. I may confuse the heck out of people, but goodness gracious does it make me feel cool.


The Second: Truck Got Stuck by Corb Lund

Boy, oh boy! I cannot express to you how fired up I was when I realized that this song had never before been featured. Past Karla's mistake is your great reward today. This poetry is still one of those songs that I can't help but laugh-sing along with.
You know what I appreciate about the production of this video ten years ago? That it portrays the narrative of this song so perfectly. Because who needs/wants to use their imagination on a holiday?
Agriculture Canada is definitely gonna be lookin' for us!


The Third and Final: If You Ask Me To by Mackenzie Porter

Get ready for one of the sweetest videos - it's a hard one to beat. If I think about it, actually, Mackenzie Porter is real good at making music videos that don't make my brain hurt. Maybe this lady from Medicine Hat, Alberta can teach a thing or two to whoever keeps directing those annoying Florida Georgia Line vids...


Enjoy the long weekend, everyone! If you have the pleasure to live in Canada, I hope you have a chance to get out and enjoy its beauty in one way or another. I plan to be inside as little as possible (because I only put up with Vancouver's rain in order to enjoy the killer summers here).

Thanks for listening!
Karla