This week's new releases features the new album from Discovering Lucy Angel stars Lucy Angel, Cody Canada and the Departed's new project (their first since Seth James left the group), Billy Yates' latest offering and newcomer Trey Hensley's album with Rob Ickes.
Rob Ickes & Trey Hensley - Before The Sun Goes Down (Compass Records)
The 15 time IBMA Dobro of the Year superstar Ickes joins forces with rising country vocalist Trey Hensley for an album of traditional country songs that recall early Marty Raybon, Keith Whitley and Daryle Singletary records. Sure, there's bluegrass here, sure but this record is mostly a traditional country affair. Standouts include the title track, covers of the Merle Haggard classics "When My Last Song Is Sung" and "I'd Rather Be Gone," Billy Joe Shaver's "Georgia On A Fast Train" and Hensley's own "My Way Is The Highway" and the classic Fatt/Monroe piece "Little Cabin up On A Hill." Everything is here is strong.
Cody Canada & The Departed - HippieLovePunk (Underground Sound)
The band which features two of Cross Canadian Ragweed's founding members (Canada and bassist Jeremy Plato), The Departed now is fronted only by Canada after the amicable departure of Seth James. Canada and The Departed in turn offer up a record that should satisfy longtime fans of both bands as it blends the best of both worlds. Standouts include "Comin To Me," "Maker," "Great Big Nothin'," and "All Nighter."
Billy Yates - These Old Walls (M.O.D. Records)
The indie artist has released nine albums and one 'hits' project through the years before his latest, These Old Walls hit stores this week. The superstar of European touring and entrepreneurial spirit delivers a strong collection of honest-to-god traditional (or honky tonk) country music. If you're a fan of classic stars like George Jones, George Strait, Keith Whitley, Merle Haggard and Dwight Yoakam, you're in for a treat with Billy Yates music. These Old Walls ranks amongst his best work with great songs like "She's Got A Heart," lead single "Zeroes," "It's Just A Scratch,' "That's All She Wrote" and "Her Old Stompin' Grounds."
Lucy Angel - Lucy Angel (G-Force/New Revolution/Average Joes Entertainment)
The mother and daughter trio showcases their tight harmonies on this debut album from the longtime road warriors. The songs here run the gamut of top songwriters like Shane McAnally and Brandy Clark and the production (from Noah Gordon) is tight. The songs chosen here feature fiddles and acoustic country instruments and present the trio as a sort of Wilson Phillips for country music. Standouts are hit single "Crazy Too," the band's take on "18 Wheels," a song once a moderate hit for Lee Ann Womack and "Stripes," a song that songwriter Brandy Clark released to SiriusXM in 2013. Each of the songs here showcase the band's talent and their ability to break out as stars, something their TV show on AXSTV, Discovering Lucy Angel is promising to do too.
RaeLynn - Me EP (The Valory Music Co./Republic Records)
Raelynn's new 5 track EP showcases the fiery singer of breakout hit "God Made Girls." But for as interesting that song is, it's the songs "Kissing Frogs" and "Better Do It" that showcase the true talent that the former The Voice contestant posseses, a talent and a penchant for songs that showcase a fiery personality and attitude.
New singles include a track from Zac Brown Band called "Homegrown" and Reba's "Going Out Like That."
Brian Cole
Are you going to release the Top 30 Country Digital Songs and Top Country CD Sales/SEA/TEA totals of the past week this week?