Not all summer songs come across as fun and breezy. Too often they’re saturated with sugar or references to the juniper in Georgia or how hot the sun in Oklahoma shines on the scorched earth. JB and the Moonshine Band don’t overthink things with their new single ‘No Better Than This.’ It’s an easy emotion tied up in under three minutes.
‘Blown Away’ is the signature song on Carrie Underwood‘s new album of the same name. It’s the dangerous storm cloud that looms over the other tracks on a surprisingly dark project. Is this really the same woman who cut ‘All-American Girl?’ This is what critics are talking about when they hammer the importance of subtly reinventing one’s self with each new album. The singer has built to this point over three previous albums.
Every once in awhile, an artist like Miranda Lambert needs to remind the country music community what crazy looks like. All this talk of marriage, babies and puppy dogs could have left some (unwisely) wondering if Nashville’s most explosive firecracker had settled into life as a domestic diva. ‘Fastest Girl in Town’ is Lambert breathing fire again.
Willie Nelson‘s new album ‘Heroes’ is an eclectic collection of ambient emo-country, Texas swing and jazzy ballads. The singer isn’t confined by the country genre on any of the 14 songs. No one will ever doubt his credentials, so even songs like ‘The Scientist’ feel like one Hank Sr. may have chosen decades ago. OK, perhaps that’s an exaggeration, but few other singers could give the political lyric the proper twang.
Much like he did with ‘Take a Back Road’ in 2011, Rodney Atkins has released a song you’ll struggle to keep from singing along with by summer’s end. ‘Just Wanna Rock N’ Roll’ is carefree fun that showcases the singer as a cool breeze on a dog’s-breath-hot summer day.
Luke Bryan‘s new EP ‘Spring Break 4 … Suntan City’ is like a good speed boat. Owning one is pretty cool, but borrowing your buddy’s whenever you need it is even better.
After an accidental hit with ‘Red Solo Cup,’ Toby Keith returns to his regularly scheduled programming with a new song, ‘Beers Ago.’ The cut is another country rocker with Keith playing the role of story teller.
Blake Shelton and Miranda Lambert lend a hand in co-producing ‘XII,’ Neal McCoy‘s first album in almost seven years. The superstar country couple’s fingerprints cover almost every track. At times, it even sounds like Shelton singing.
July 16, 2011 Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 2, is the final adventure in the Harry Potter film series. According to Rotten Tomtoes, the movie is a huge success. The top movie critics in the business give it a 97% approval rating and just after the opening day, the audience gives it a 93%.
April 25, 2011 Over the weekend I saw the movie 'Water For Elephants' starring Oscar winning actress Reese Witherspoon and actor Robert Pattinson. I had read the book written by talented author, Sara Gruen, several years before. I fell in love with the story then, and even more after I saw the film.
Even with the critics being unkind about the film, I loved it! I found it too be a beautiful, interesting and romantic period film.
Emmy and Tony Award winner Hal Holbrook, whom I did not know was even in the film, gives a stirring and touching performance. Read more and watch the movie trailer after the jump.
