July 2021 - STAGING Maverick

Reviews: ‘Rosenblume’ – Rosenblume

The debut album from Rosenblume introduces us to his rich, earthy vocals and soulful songwriting. The opening track begins with all the focus being on his voice whilst the backing vocals that enter in the first chorus propel the song into new heights. It’s a bold choice for an opening track – it takes three minutes for the song to switch up. By contrast, Knight In Shining Armour, the record’s lead single, gives us more instant gratification with the unique and vibrant production from the off. There is a depth to Rosenblume’s songwriting that’s to be admired, demonstrated in the fragile In The Long Run, Rosenblume’s lyrics are bound to strike a chord with listeners. I especially like the lone trumpet on this song. Theme’s of love and discovering ones self dominate this record. There is a sense of nostalgia throughout too which is more prominent in songs like Enough To Burn which do reflect upon past relationships. Rosenblume’s vocals are clear and distinct and though firmly rooted in the folk/americana genre, some of his melodies coupled with his emotive delivery could see him crossing over into the mainstream in the UK. To stay up to date on the latest country music news, please register to receive our newsletter here. Media contact Zoe Hodges, Editor, Maverick Magazine Tel: +44 (0) 1622 823920 Email: editor@maverick-country.com

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Review: ‘The Desert Trilogy EP’ – Dean Owens

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Dean Owens has been whetting fans appetites with a series of EP releases as a prelude to his album ‘Sinner’s Shrine’ which is due out in 2022. The Desert Trilogy EP began with The Burning Heart which was released in March of this year. The theme running throughout the trilogy follows Owens love of the American Southwest and the first track we hear, New Mexico, introduces us to those themes with a high end production accompanying the Scottish singers vocals. The addition of a trumpet in the instrumental section adds a different flavour to this track. This energy is paralleled on the second instalment ‘Sand and Blood’ on tracks such as Land of the Hummingbird which has a Spanish flavour, added by the voice of Gaby Moreno, who sings in Spanish, whilst we hear a more delicate side to Owens on the stripped back Tombstone Rose. The third EP of the set, ‘Ghosts’, which comes out in September, boasts the stand out tracks, The Hopeless Ghosts and Even When I’m Gone. The Hopeless Ghosts sees the return of the trumpet in the arrangement and features Grant Lee Phillips. There is an intensity to the track which is very well produced. Meanwhile, Even When I’m Gone is stripped back and sombre, the haunting whistling is captivating. This comprehensive collection is well thought out and certainly pricks the ears up in anticipation for ‘Sinner’s Shrine’. To stay up to date on the latest country music news, please register to receive our newsletter here. Media contact Zoe Hodges, Editor, Maverick Magazine Tel: +44 (0) 1622 823920 Email: editor@maverick-country.com

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Review: ‘Triage’ – Rodney Crowell

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Rodney Crowell’s songwriting prowess knows no bounds and this record is testament to that. In his latest record Triage, he explores themes of universal love and spirituality within his songs, but leaving no stone unturned or should we say no word left unconsidered, his lyrics are focused and meaningful in their delivery. The production was approached in a way that asked, ‘does this best serve the song? Does it support what the lyrics are trying to say?’ A standout on the album comes from ‘Girl On The Street’ a song which Crowell says is derived from a chance meeting with a girl whilst he was on tour, the detail he took in and it plagued him as he wondered what more he could have done. The imagery he portrays, the character he paints stands vivid in the listeners mind as he gets us thinking about the broader themes and our role in the story. The drums pound in your chest, and there is an eeriness about the production. In contrast One Little Bird, has a much more upbeat tone as Crowell reflects on his life, the positives and the regrets. The album is Crowell’s most personal to date, yet it is filled with moments that make you reflect upon your own place in the world. The lyrics are the strongest point, so intricately crafted and woven into the music, painting a vivid picture in the listeners mind with every song. To stay up to date on the latest country music news, please register to receive our newsletter here. Media contact Zoe Hodges, Editor, Maverick Magazine Tel: +44 (0) 1622 823920 Email: editor@maverick-country.com

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Review: ‘Treasure of Love’ – The Flatlanders

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Revered Texas songwriters Joe Ely, Jimmy Dale Gilmore and Butch Hancock team up again to release the first Flatlanders record in 12 years. Treasure of Love features songs that the trio began writing a number of years ago but the pandemic forced them off the road with their solo projects and gave them time to focus on finishing the record. It opens with Moanin’ of the Midnight Train which features a heavily distorted guitar which perfectly emulates the lyric ‘When I hear the moaning of the midnight train, reminds me so much of you’. To counteract this southern rock start Long Time Gone has a classic country feel to it with the togetherness of the vocals, the pedal steel and walking bass. I like the yodelling sound they give to the phrase ‘when I leave’. It reminds me of Hank Williams or Slim Whitman in some ways. Meanwhile, songs like Mama Do The Kangaroo have a Rock n Roll feel to them. The album as a whole has enough similarities to make it sound cohesive whilst having enough variation to showcase the full extent of their abilities as musicians and songwriters. There is something for everyone on this record. To stay up to date on the latest country music news, please register to receive our newsletter here. Media contact Zoe Hodges, Editor, Maverick Magazine Tel: +44 (0) 1622 823920 Email: editor@maverick-country.com

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Review: ‘Mod Americana’ – Roger Johnson

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Johnson’s ‘Mod Americana’ opens with the intense undertones of Winter Kills. The six and a half minute ballad introduces us to Johnson’s detailed lyrics that perfectly sets the scene for his characters and their stories to come to life; ‘A glass of port with its ruby glow reflecting’. His voice is controlled, with great diction that allows the lyrics to be hammered home. The production throughout seems a little busy at times however it still serves each song well. The strings in that opening number are enchanting. From the intensity of Winter Kills to the chirpy, honky-tonk vibe of songs such as High or Low, which features some gorgeous backing vocals in the chorus; there are some really skilled musicians playing throughout. There is a good mix of humour on the record as well as more common themes of heart break but at the centre of it all is Johnson’s storytelling lyrics. I’d like to have heard a little more variation in the production, a stripped-back arrangement perhaps in a more vulnerable song, that gives a little room for Johnson’s lyrics and vocals to take centre stage. We hear a glimpse of this on Waiting For The Rain and it proves effective. On the whole ‘Mod Americana’ is lyrical masterclass backed by a talented band. To stay up to date on the latest country music news, please register to receive our newsletter here. Media contact Zoe Hodges, Editor, Maverick Magazine Tel: +44 (0) 1622 823920 Email: editor@maverick-country.com

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Review: ‘Famous Friends’ – Chris Young

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Chris Young’s latest offering is littered with catchy melodies and clever lyrics. The Tennessee native has amassed 5 billion career streams and 11 number one singles but he opens a new chapter of success with this latest record. The 14 track collection features a range of famous friends of Young’s such as Kane Brown, who features on the title track which was released late last year. The song written by Young, Corey Crowder and Cary Barlowe performed well on the charts which is no surprise as the pair’s voices work so well together and the hook gets stuck in your head for days after first listen. It’s not the only ear worm on the album though, or the only collaboration Town Ain’t Big Enough features country powerhouse Lauren Alaina. The duet is beautiful as both artists pack emotion into their voices, though the small-town theme is common in country music, they reimagine this classic saying and make the story their own. For all the upbeat, toe-tapping numbers there’s a fair few tear-jerkers too; Drowning explores the theme of losing a loved one too soon whilst Break Like You Do is about struggling to move on after a break up. Meanwhile, the ballad Love Looks Good On You feels like the perfect first dance song. The production throughout the record is slick and Young’s vocals have never sounded stronger. This is evident in the collaboration he does with Mitchell Tenpenny, At the End of a Bar features a big chorus with both men passionately belting out the lyrics that are tied to soaring melodies. A range of co-writers work with Young on this record, like Hillary Lindsey, who also provides backing vocals alongside Shay Mooney from Dan and Shay. Production credits go to Corey Crowder, Chris Destefano and Mark Holman as well as Young himself. ‘Famous Friends’ really does feel like a collaborative and cohesive effort between country music’s finest artists, writers and producers. It feels like for many, this could be the soundtrack to the summer! To stay up to date on the latest country music news, please register to receive our newsletter here. Media contact Zoe Hodges, Editor, Maverick Magazine Tel: +44 (0) 1622 823920 Email: editor@maverick-country.com

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Review: ‘Ruthless’ – Gary Allan

Review: ‘Love, Kylie’ – Kylie Morgan

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Morgan has bounded onto the scene with feisty record, ‘Love, Kylie’ which is packed full of life advice and personal stories of love and family. Produced by Shane McAnally and Ben Johnson the collection opens with the explosive Shoulda which boasts a catchy and rhythmic chorus. The country-pop sounds of the lead track are supported by a big production that compliments the melody perfectly, the themes of regret after a relationship, resonates with fans. She stays with the upbeat country-pop beat with her latest single I Only Date Cowboys which was inspired by her fiancé Jay. Her vocals are flawlessly suited to this cross-over sound with the power she possesses reminiscent of Carrie Underwood. Meanwhile, there are a couple of heartfelt songs that really add depth and maturity to the EP; Mad I Need You is the most vulnerable track on the record as Morgan explores the themes of being both madly in love and fiercely independent at the same time. The songwriting is exceptional and McAnally and Johnson have perfectly brought this record to life, particularly on Outdoor Voices where the string arrangements help it to take off and soar mid-way through. To stay up to date on the latest country music news, please register to receive our newsletter here. Media contact Zoe Hodges, Editor, Maverick Magazine Tel: +44 (0) 1622 823920 Email: editor@maverick-country.com

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Review: ‘Priscilla Block EP’ – Priscilla Block

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Priscilla Block has had a whirlwind year. After losing her job and apartment and struggling to gig during the pandemic, the songs she shared via TikTok propelled her career. It helped her to build a fanbase, a loyal fanbase that would assist Block in raising the funds to independently record her music. Now she has released her major label, self-titled, debut EP. Block impresses in the six song collection with her own blend of country pop and southern rock, accompanying her honest lyrics. A real stand-out is the opening track Wish You Were The Whiskey, which introduces us to both Block’s clever lyric writing and her southern rock sound. The production throughout the EP, though laced with faint, arpeggiated banjos, focuses on those big electric guitar sounds. Block’s catchy melodies and internal rhyme help it to stay within the country-pop realm and this is demonstrated within the chorus of Just About Over You. We do see a softer, more vulnerable side to Block’s songwriting and vocals in songs such as Sad Girls Do Sad Things and Bad Part Of Good and though they are strong it’s the ear worms that litter the slightly more up-beat songs that will make Priscilla Block stick in your mind! To stay up to date on the latest country music news, please register to receive our newsletter here. Media contact Zoe Hodges, Editor, Maverick Magazine Tel: +44 (0) 1622 823920 Email: editor@maverick-country.com

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Review: ‘Called Back’ – John Hinshelwood

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Has there ever been a more gorgeous start to an album? I think not! The steel playing in the instrumental Let It Breathe is just beautiful. The record is book ended by two instrumentals whilst the remaining tracks draw their inspiration from the poems of Emily Dickinson, delicately arranged and set to music by Hinshelwood. It brings these poems to life, reigning them, whilst respectfully honouring the original works; the Scottish songwriters vocals, soft in their delivery. Though limited somewhat by the words, Hinshelwood has managed to reflect the themes in the arrangements and musical styles of the songs as the album incorporates country, bluegrass and even Jazz. Beauty and Truth takes on a celtic feel to it whilst stand out track The Sun gives us a touch more of that slide and acoustic guitar. Hinshelwood has done a wonderful job at interpreting these works. In what was a Brave move, he has managed to marry together two art forms and push his own boundaries whilst opening up a world of possibilities. To stay up to date on the latest country music news, please register to receive our newsletter here. Media contact Zoe Hodges, Editor, Maverick Magazine Tel: +44 (0) 1622 823920 Email: editor@maverick-country.com

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