By Andrew W. Griffin
pop writer
When it comes to shopping for holiday gifts, this music lover is always on the look for musically-related presents to give my loved ones.
If you are looking for some contemporary country music albums to give that special someone this holiday, here are a few suggestions.
Carrie Underwood
"Play On"
Arista Nashville (2009)
Checotah native and "American Idol" alumna Carrie Underwood recently released her follow-up to 2007's "Carnival Ride," appropriately titled "Play On."
Underwood wastes no time getting down to the ugly business of love gone wrong on the muscular opener, the No. 1 country single "Cowboy Casanova," written by the same team that penned her earlier hit, "Jesus, Take The Wheel."
This cautionary tale, complete with a stomping beat, has Underwood warning other women of a "snake with blue eyes" who "looks like a cool drink of water but he's candy-coated misery."
The folksy, Edie Brickell-esque "Undo It" has just enough fiddle to keep it country, but it's also a powerful enough song to crossover. The same could be said of the catchy pop-country of "This Time," a song that Keith Urban fans will certainly enjoy.
"Temporary Home" is a tender ballad worthy of her vocals, while "What Can I Say," a duet with the Sons of Sylvia, is a powerful track where Underwood shows she can hold a note with the best of them.
Underwood's strong vocals are apparent on the uptempo "Quitter," while on "Mama's Song," Underwood slows things down with a ballad Underwood co-wrote reassuring her mother that her man treats her well.
For more information go to www.carrieunderwoodofficial.com.
Grade ? B
Bart Crow Band
"Heartworn Tragedy"
Drift Ring Records (2009)
When I caught the Bart Crow Band at the Wormy Dog Saloon in Oklahoma City last month, the band showcased a significant amount of its new material off of its newest album, "Heartworn Tragedy."
Let's just say I was pleasantly surprised and actually quite impressed.
During the show, the band showed signs of real growth and Crow, the frontman hailing from Maypearl, Texas, sounded great.
For instance, the first single, "Saying Goodbye," a melodic Texas country song, was instantly appealing performed live. Here on disc, the small details -- a strike on a snare, an organ riff -- are detectable and engaging.
Plus, all the songs recorded for "Heartworn Tragedy" were written or co-written by Crow. Along with guitarist Paul Russell, bassist Matt Slagle, drummer Brian Smith and keyboardist David Fralin, "Heartworn Tragedy" runs through the highs and lows of life.
On the high side, few can resist the funky groove of "Shadow Dancer." Then there is a song like "Broken," about soldiers struggling to readjust to civilian life after time at war.
"Surrender," a song about his mother's struggle with depression and suicide, packs an emotional punch while
The alterna-pop sounds of the heartfelt "Traded It All For Love" has Crow singing about how his woman traded everything to share her life with her man.
For more information, go to www.bartcrowband.com.
Grade ? A-
Joe Nichols
"Old Things New"
Universal South (2009)
I always find it encouraging when an artists, who appears to be at the end of their rope and at a career low point, have the strength and courage to pick up the pieces and put everything into their craft.
And in this case, the now-sober country singer Joe Nichols has released clearly the best album of his career -- the largely neo-traditional country "Old Things New."
With his smooth, Southern baritone and his knack for picking strong material, Nichols offers everything from the rock-inflected country-pop of "Gimmie That Girl" to the tender ballad of "Old Things New."
For a guy who went through alcohol rehab, it's interesting to hear pro-drinking songs like "Cheaper Than a Shrink."
Every song on "Old Things New" is a little slice of country heaven. It's amazing how focused Nichols sounds on this record. One well-worth picking up.
Grade - A
