If you only pay attention, interact, or share one thing from Saving Country Music, make it be this playlist. It’s all about boiling it all down to the songs, artists, and albums that are saving country music right here, right now.
Braxton Keith – “I Own This Bar” – Braxton continues to build a strong case for himself as one of the premier young neotraditionalists in country music. “I Own This Bar” reminds you a bit of Zach Top’s “I Never Lie” in how it takes a flip of perspective to tell it’s story in a clever and compelling manner. It’s co-written by Liz Rose. Muchacho Sanchez – “First Mind” – Austin-based Muchacho Sanchez benefits from the production of Billy Horton and the guitar playing of Dave Biller to turn in this excellent little classic country track, then adds his own Hispanic spice. It comes from Muchacho’s debut album When I Get This Way.
Randall King – “Thinkin’ ‘Bout Drinkin’” – On paper, maybe this looks like a cliche country song. But that’s what exposes what a great singer, and timeless country sounds can do: make a common theme feel evergreen. Rachel Brooke – “I Chose Poorly” – Rachel Brooke uses a little humor to chase the darkness in the debut track from her upcoming album This One’s For You out April 24th. All indications this new album will be COUNTRY. Flatland Cavalry – “On and On” – Great country tune from the boys from West Texas, with great fiddle and a halftime beat, getting you excited for their new album Work of Heart out March 27th. Ward Davis – “Downright Awful Stupid Beautiful Lie” – Ward’s new record Here I Am is a great exploration into the nature of sin, redemption, and addiction. The opening song is an excellent way to start that journey. Danny Harrington w/ Brendan McCormack – “9 O’Clock News” – With his second single, Danny Harrington gives you a reason to get this emerging songwriter on your radar. Heartfelt writing with an enrapturing melody makes “9 O’Clock News” a memorable listen. Josh Grider – “Tough” – Added by request, Josh Grider once again shows his ability to take a song somewhere unexpected, and change your perspective on life by where it goes. It was co-written by Gunnar Latham and Rachel Loy. Nick Sizemore – “Long Time Coming” – Sizemore has just released a very tasty album with lots of variety appropriately titled Everything. Though he dabbles in a lot of different country styles, it’s the Outlaw influences in songs like “Long Time Coming” that make the greatest impact. – – – – – – – – – –
The Saving Country Music Top 25 Playlist primarily lives on Spotify, but is also available for those who use Amazon Music, YouTube, and Apple Music. For those who don’t stream music, you can still find the song recommendations in list form below.CLICK HERE to follow Saving Country Music on Spotify, and/or follow the Spotify Top 25 Playlist.Please Note: The songs on this playlist are curated for listening pleasure and flow. Otherwise, they are not in any specific order.
Flatland Cavalry are one of my all-time favorite bands. But I have to say, their last singles, “On and On” and “Never Comin’ Back,” didn’t really grab me. We’ll see how the new album turns out. I thought “Wandering Star” was outstanding. In my opinion, their last truly great work was their collaboration with the Castellows, “A Place Called Home.”
And I think the more Braxton Keith releases, the more apparent is the difference between a good artist (Braxton Keith) and a great artist (Zach Top). Somehow, Braxton Keith lacks the youthful energy, the modern freshness and the vibrancy that other neo-traditionalists like Zach Top, the Castellows, or William Beckmann bring to the table. He sounds too staid and too purely retro to me. But of course, that’s all a matter of personal taste.
Source: savingcountrymusic.com