BIG FROG 104 » Reviews

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 [...]

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.

Tate Stevens, 'Tate Stevens' – Album Review

Billy Dukes — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 13:00:18 +0000

The debut effort from Tate Stevens is about as straight-forward of a country album as you'll find. 'Tate Stevens' is an end cap-at-Walmart sort of record that proves the 'X Factor' winner can compete with the big names in Nashville.

Justin Moore in Concert – What To Expect At Wild West FrogFest and Rodeo

Tad Pole — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 22:26:19 +0000

If you caught Polly Wogg's interview with this year's Wild West FrogFest and Rodeo headliner, Justin Moore, you heard her ask him what we could expect from his live show. His reply, "mediocrity." Obviously he was joking. A reporter assigned to cover the annual Country Thunder concert in Arizona had a somewhat lackadaisical anticipation of Justin's show as well. That was until he saw it. Check out his review and some video of Justin live.

Krystal Keith, 'Krystal Keith' – EP Review

Billy Dukes — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 21:00:06 +0000

Krystal Keith proves she has the talent to make it in Nashville, but a larger sample is needed to distinguish her as her own artist. At her best she's Bonnie Raitt for a new generation -- but at other times her style, pacing and lyrics are too heavily influenced by Toby Keith.

Luke Bryan, 'Crash My Party' – Song Review

Billy Dukes — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 19:00:50 +0000

Luke Bryan's new song 'Crash My Party' would fit well on his last album 'Tailgates and Tanlines.' The ballad is a continuation of themes introduced with 'I Don't Want This Night to End' and 'Drunk on You,' two No. 1 hits for the ACM Entertainer of the Year. At first listen, it's difficult to become excited about a song that's so familiar.

Brad Paisley, 'Wheelhouse' – Album Review

Billy Dukes — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 14:00:46 +0000

Brad Paisley's 'Wheelhouse' delivers a familiar mix of humor, life lessons and scorching guitar solos, but it does it in a way different from any of the other eight albums the 'Beat This Summer' singer has released. He took his old formula, balled it up, lit it on fire and tossed the ashes in the garbage. The result is a meaty and ambitious project that doesn't always click, but clears new ground when it does.

Hunter Hayes, 'I Want Crazy' – Song Review

Billy Dukes — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 21:00:52 +0000

In his new song 'I Want Crazy.' Hunter Hayes doesn't soar like Ronnie Dunn or croon like Chris Young. His vocal performance is an exercise in diction -- and memory. Simply put, he packs a ton of words into a tight space without straining or slurring one idea into another. It's not easy.

Carrie Underwood, 'See You Again' – Song Review

Billy Dukes — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 15:00:28 +0000

Carrie Underwood changed directions with the release of ‘See You Again’ as the fourth single from ‘Blown Away.’ The ballad is anything but dark and stormy. Instead it’s an inspirational reminder that will be especially meaningful to fans who have lost someone close recently. The album version begins with a thin piano and drum machine, both [...]

The Band Perry, 'Pioneer' – Album Review

Billy Dukes — Tue, 02 Apr 2013 13:30:32 +0000

The Band Perry‘s new album ‘Pioneer’ is just as dramatic, yet dramatically more steady than their debut effort. The bar was raised and reached vocally, and songs like ‘Done,’ ‘Forever Mine Nevermind’ and ‘Chainsaw’ prove the family trio has lost nothing in terms of lyrical edge. The highs aren’t quite as high (no song matches [...]

Thompson Square, 'Just Feels Good' – Album Review

Billy Dukes — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 17:00:55 +0000

The best songs on Thompson Square's new album 'Just Feels Good' sound like a conversation between the two married lovers. Early on, their back-and-forth is light and playful. Later ballads take a more somber tone, but all that find the 'If I Didn't Have You' singers sharing lead are highlights from the duo's sophomore project.

Blake Shelton, 'Based on a True Story …' – Album Review

Billy Dukes — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 13:00:16 +0000

Women who already think Blake Shelton singing is the sexiest thing since Johnny Castle pulled Baby from the corner may want to take the rest of the week off. The best moments on 'Based on a True Story ...' sizzle, and not in that ironic "bow-chicka-wow-wow" sort of way that's occasionally implied with this singer's sense of humor. Songs like 'Mine Would Be You' are safe to put on any red wine and candles soundtrack. Guys, you can thank Shelton via his Twitter account, if you'd like.

James Wesley, 'Thank a Farmer' – Song Review

Billy Dukes — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 19:00:27 +0000

James Wesley has a real feel for the life and struggles of the blue-collar American. His new song 'Thank a Farmer' is similar to his previous Top 30 hit 'Real' in its honest, no-nonsense approach. The worst thing a singer can do with a song like either of these is come off as contrived. Wesley is a long way away from being accused of that.

Justin Moore, 'Point at You' – Song Review

Billy Dukes — Mon, 04 Mar 2013 22:30:59 +0000

Justin Moore's lead single from his third studio album is a familiar combination of all of his best songs. It's the well-meaning bad boy in 'How I Got to Be This Way' meeting the soft and sensitive lover in ''Til My Last Day.' Fans familiar with Moore's previous two studio albums can find a few more tracks 'Point at You' resembles.

Charlie Daniels "Hits of the South" Review [VIDEO]

Matt Herkimer — Tue, 26 Feb 2013 13:15:40 +0000

The Charlie Daniels Band has been recording and touring for well over 40 years now and it doesn't look like the road is going to end any time soon. The CDB's latest album "Hits of the South" was released last week and it's a knockout! Here are some of my thoughts on it.

Tim McGraw, 'Two Lanes of Freedom' – Album Review

Billy Dukes — Fri, 08 Feb 2013 16:27:53 +0000

"Optimism" is the word Tim McGraw uses to describe his new album 'Two Lanes of Freedom,' and despite a garnish of somber ballads and hopeless love stories, the singer is dead on. The project's production creates the buoyant mood that carries each of the 15 songs on the accelerated deluxe version. In fact, one's opinion of 'Two Lanes of Freedom' may rest on production decisions made by McGraw and Byron Gallimore.

Gary Allan, 'Set You Free' – Album Review

Billy Dukes — Thu, 24 Jan 2013 22:00:25 +0000

Gary Allan delivers the emotionally rich album his fans expect while stretching his sound in multiple new directions on 'Set You Free,' the singer's ninth studio album and first in three years. The songwriting is strong from the first track to the last, with Allan mixing moments of joy and hope within his familiar anguish.

Randy Houser, 'How Country Feels' – Album Review

Billy Dukes — Tue, 22 Jan 2013 19:30:45 +0000

Randy Houser comes in from the edges of country music with his third album ‘How Country Feels’ — his first on new label Stoney Creek Records. The singer wrote just seven of the project’s 15 cuts, but employed many of Nashville’s top songwriters to help with the others. The result is an even effort with [...]

2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Unveiled

Matt Herkimer — Tue, 15 Jan 2013 10:00:40 +0000

It's an American automotive icon. Chevrolet has unveiled the 2014 Stringray the first update of the classic model since 2005. The LA Times reports the car was introduced Sunday at the North American International Auto Show in Detoit. Check out some of the hot new features of the 2014 Stingray.

Big and Rich vs. Lee Brice – The Showdown

Billy Dukes — Fri, 07 Dec 2012 15:00:28 +0000

Big and Rich needed every last vote, literally, to top Kix Brooks's new song on the Showdown yesterday and last night on Taste of Country Nights radio. 'Party Like Cowboyz' won by just two votes, the smallest margin of victory ever. The duo will need those voters to return -- and to bring friends -- on Friday.