Artist: Blake Daryle Singletary

Album: Rockin' in the Country

Release Date: 09 June 2009

Review:

Daryle Singletary is one of his singers who deserve to be known and stay in the shadows. His voice is comparable to Randy Travis, Josh Turner, she takes you into his traditional country. And yes if you like a more pop or rock side, go your way !. For purists, this opus’ll delight you. If I find that this album is a bit slow, arrived in the middle of the CD, I wanted Daryl to give us more pace, but taste and colors aren’t always the same ... The artist gives us beautiful melodies on tempos that suit her, slow ones. Love You with the Lights On perfectly sticks to his voice. The romantic atmosphere suits him beautifully. He surprised me with his That's Why God Made Me and its romantic lyrics which‘ll make fall more than one. His religious intro on She Sure Looks Good in Black is very good. This is a good country album that’ll relax you. In addition we end up with a very good Take Me Home, Country Roads. Daryle offers us a very good album, he proves that his talent is amazing, he has nothing to envy to the best. After that it's just a matter of style.Rating:

By Sheppard Micoud - ACS Staff Journalist

 

 

Artist : Sunny Sweeney

Album: Sunny Sweeney

Release Date: 18 January 2011

Review:

To make us wait until the release in July of her second album, her record label release this EP. It's a good surprise to find Sunny on a New Country sound, with softer songs where we didn’t expect her. We enjoy tracks like Amy, Staying's Worse Than leaving and From A Table Away. Knowing that her album‘ll include four new songs, we can only wait and say that it’s gonna be tough to wait more longer. Her beautiful voice fits perfectly with his new style. She feels more mature, calmer, it's a whole new Sunny Sweeney. We love this artist from Texas and we want more.

Rating:  

By Sheppard Micoud - ACS Staff Journalist

 

 

 

 

Artist : Taylor Swift

Album: Speak Now (Deluxe Edition)

Release Date: 25 October 2010

Review:

This third album of Taylor Swift is available in two versions, the simple and deluxe one with 6 tracks in addition with two bonus videos. It’s the latter that I reviewed and I advise everyone to choose this one. It took her two years to prepare this album, but when we learn that she wrote all her songs, I am impress. We knew this singer for her beautiful voice, now she imposed herself as a composer. So if her music is primarily intended for new country fans or pop, we must recognize that even Taylor took everyone by surprise. From the start we are hook to Mine. After we can again blame a lack of country sound in some songs. It wasn’t until the sweet ballad Back To December where she apologized to a former boyfriend that her country styles back. This is a new Taylor, more mature. Then we have songs that’ll please the Europeans, very pop, then we have a country song with Mean. However we’ll forget The Story Of Us, too many synths. Bonuses and additional songs allow us measure her talent and stay in a new country registry. One last thing, the deluxe version is also available in two versions. International, mainly for the European market, and one for the US market. So I don’t want to be mean but choose the American version. The version called "international", isn’t country, or a very small dose, then that’s just my opinion. We appreciate this new Taylor, she feels more secure, more mature. Is she the new Shania Twain? The future’ll tell. If you like new country, the album is for you.

Rating:  

By Sheppard Micoud - ACS Staff Journalist

 

 

 

Artist : Steel Magnolia

Album: Steel Magnolia

Release Date: 11 January 2011

Review:

After being pushed back, here they are at last. And I have to admit that we might have to postpone it again. The whole is rather mixed. This country quite pop, presents a nice cover but too little musically. Apart from the slow Just By Being You (Halo and Wings), where we can see they have potential, but this is still the third songs. Then we’ll only have a few tracks like Bulletproof, Last Night Again or Rainbow that are very average, the rest is really barely drinkable. I won’t talk about the cover song Homespun Love. I may be a little hard with this duo but there is so much better in country music, that it’s hard to stay focused even during playback. So we’ll wait for a new album to get a better image.

Rating:  

By Sheppard Micoud - ACS Staff Journalist

 

 

 

Artist : Thompson Square

Album: Thompson Square

Release Date: 08 February 2011

Review:

Thompson Square is a new duo in the world of country music, consisting of Keifer Thompson and his wife Shawna Thompson. If we find the group to co-write most of their tracks, the themes are quite repetitive. This revolves around relationships, love, ups and downs. In fact, the compositions are like a circle, all tend to look alike. So yes some songs are catchy as Are You Gonna Kiss Me or Not, Getaway Car or Glass and its beautiful vocal harmonies. But the biggest complaint we could make to this album, is that’s more rock than country. At least that's my opinion. We feel a little country, but everything sounds really rock, with a little pop. The CD is pleasant to listen, but we would like to hear a little more country. We expect the next one to get a better idea of their musical style, their orientation.

Rating:  

By Sheppard Micoud - ACS Staff Journalist

 

 

 

Artist : Kristin Scott Benson

Album: Second Season

Release Date: 13 January 2009

Review:

Before becoming The Grascals’s banjo player, one of the best bluegrass band, Kristin produced solo albums. Twelve tracks including eight instrumentals,  are there to remind us of her immense talent. So if this opus is primarily to bluegrass fans, or people who just love to hear superb instrument combos, enjoy to see this talented young violinist. In addition you may have discovered her during his visit to France with The Grascals at the 2009 Festival Country Rendez-vous in Craponne sur Arzon. 

Rating:  

By Sheppard Micoud - ACS Staff Journalist

 

 

 

 

 

Artist : The Sunny Cowgirls

Album: Dust Will Settle

Release Date: 01 November 2008

Review:

After two albums that had worked, this new album announced a milestone in their career. This CD was recorded in Sydney and Tamworth with Graham Thompson their producer and he gives us everything that makes them so special. Their trademark is found condensed on this album. Their talented songwriter skills, their humor, everything is there. The way they tell stories with humor as Grog Monster, Old Silo or their powerful sound, yes they hit the target. But this album is characterised by a greater number of romantic ballads, exploiting a new side of the two sisters. Like Pink Galahs or the splendid Dust Will Settle, Take The Time and their beautiful vocal harmonies. The song Ten Bucks In The Glovebox alone compact their whole universe, a marvel. In addition we end in style with Adam Brand, Great Australian country singer, with Someday. After their very good precedent Long Five Days, Sophie and Celeste Clabburn reconfirms. This duo offers us a very high quality album. Do not miss it.

Rating:  

By Sheppard Micoud - ACS Staff Journalist

 

 

Artist : Sugarland

Album: The Incredible Machine  

Release Date: 19 October 2010

Review:

A long awaited album and what a disappointment !. The incredible machine turns into an incredible disaster in terms of their country style. If from the start we feel the change with All We Are, the whole is more rock. In fact it is a pop rock album with a little punk, but where is the country music? Don’t look for violin, there are no more. I don’t even talk about their style who is diluted into a pop sound, it’s really a musical change. Between the horrible Incredible Machine, and Stuck Like Glue where we begin to hope for a bit of country, but not nothing works. Even Jennifer’s voice won’t Help on Tonight. Only Stand Up, Every Girl Like Me and Little Miss, are good songs for a pop rock album. Then it’s a big disappointment and I am a fan. It makes you wonder what did happen. We’ll forget this album. We only have to wait and hope that they’ll come back to their foundations. Otherwise, I'm afraid that the country music world has lost one of its best duo.

Rating:  

By Sheppard Micoud - ACS Staff Journalist

 

 

 

Artist : Sugarland

Album: Live On The Inside

Release Date: 04 August 2009

Review:

If a live album from Sugarland seemed like a good idea, the results are rather mixed here. If I had fallen for the DVD version that gives you chills, this album is a compilation incorporating several concerts. Let me explain, all the songs weren’t recorded during the same concert. So if you have the DVD, the CD is very different. We find good tracks like All I Want To Do, Joey, Stay, six of the ten tracks are not their original songs. Nothing wrong with it, but it included artists like Beyoncé and Irreplaceable, The B-52, Edie Brickell, REM, Kings of Leon and Pearl Jam with the highly successful Better Man. That's where this is problematic when you know their repertoire and we saw their live DVD, one wonders why not put more value in their country style ?. Personally I don’t have the answer and I think the album doesn’t represent their music. It's a shame when you know their talent. While the results are mixed, this CD is primarily for their fans.

Rating:  

By Sheppard Micoud - ACS Staff Journalist

 

 

 

Artist : The Sunny Cowgirls

Album: Long Five Days

Release Date: 04 September 2006

Review:

For a long time I wanted to find out this Australian duo. I just received Sophie and Celeste Clabburn’s second CD, aka The Sunny Cowgirls. What is the most striking with these two sisters is that they are comfortable no matter the tempos. They enchant us on rather soft ballads like Back Into Gear, Still Circling, Stay or Dry Land Crop. Moreover they are wonderful composers. Their stories speak of Australian’s everyday life in a rural environment, mixing a life that can sometimes be tough with romance and love. Their Humor works wonders on The City Thing and their vocal harmonies are very successful on Dangerous Tonight. But what surprises us the most is their potential on powerful sound. With tracks like Six Pack Short, Gunshot and Pick Me Up, we are speechless. I am impressed by such a musical and vocal quality. This is really a big crush that I had for this album. If you wish to explore the Australian country music, so do not hesitate. You’ll make a trip you won’t soon regret it.

Rating:  

By Sheppard Micoud - ACS Staff Journalist

 

 

 

Artist : Blake Shelton

Album: Loaded The Best Of Blake Shelton

Release Date: 09 November 2010

Review:

This compilation is really coming. We take pleasure finding tracks like Ol’ Red, Playboys of the Southwestern World, Some Beach and Nobody but me. With all the new albums he has released since his last greatest hits, he has to make a small update, now it’s done. Then he makes no surprise, but all the compositions are very well chosen among his discography. It's a real pleasure to be one of the lucky country singers, country music experts’ll understand me.

Rating:  

By Sheppard Micoud - ACS Staff Journalist

 

 

 

 

Artist: Blake Shelton

Album: All About Tonight

Release Date: 10 August 2010

Review:

This "six pak” by Blake Shelton is surprising. If I was wondering why release an album with only with 6 tracks, all my doubts disappeared listening to this album. We find at the writing Rhett Akins, Ben Hayslip, Dallas Davidson and Miranda Lambert, only great people. This is a good mix between some pretty sweet songs and some other more rocks. This artist happens once again to interpret a lot of romantic song, and this no matter the pace. Note the presence of a duo with his beloved Miranda Lambert on Draggin' The River which is very successful. Then all songs worked, no complaints. This is maybe just an album with 6 songs, but it’s clear that we won’t talk about the quantity but rather on the quality of this album. We want more.

Rating:

By Sheppard Micoud - ACS Staff Journalist

 

 

 

Artist : Joanna Smith

Album: Volume 1

Release Date: 2009

Review:

If we are attracted by the cover of the album, the lovely Joanna surprises us with her clear and powerful voice and capacity to vary styles. Between the very rhythmic Farm Girl that hooks us from the start and the sublime ballads like Wyoming and Love is for Giving, we think that we have heard everything, well we are wrong. We are speechless by the impeccable mastery of her voice on Uncomfortable, My Friend's Boyfriend and Gettin’ Married. These catchy melodies and compositions are all successful. This is a real surprise and a huge crush that I had for this young singer. Her album has a real variety, originality and simplicity that it left me speechless. We would like to receive more like that. An artist to follow because she deserves it, I'm sure this isn’t the last time we heard of her. To obtain.

Rating:  

By Sheppard Micoud - ACS Staff Journalist

 

 

Artist:Sugarland

Album: Gold And Green

Release Date: 13 October 2009

Review:

It was inevitable that it happens to them one day, Sugarland released a Christmas album as all the greatest. But the originality of this CD is that they not just give us some classics songs, to sing them or even to put them on country sounds, No, Sugarland add their magical touch. This duo does nothing like the others, and that's why we love them so much. Jennifer and Kristian have wrote 5 of the 10 tracks on the album, no, you aren’t dreaming. You’ll enjoy songs like Coming Home, which unleashes all Jennifer’s vocal power, but also with the so bluegrass Nuttin’ For Christmas. Furthermore, and this is very good news, Kristian’s voice is more present on this album. We love songs like O Come, O Come, Emmanuel; Little Wood Guitar. We end the album in style and we would like so much that Jennifer sings her version of Silent Night, just for us. Then you'll understand, it doesn’t matter if you like them, spoil yourself.

Rating:

By Sheppard Micoud - ACS Staff Journalist

 

 

 

 

Artist: Sunny Sweeney 

Album: Heartbreaker's Hall of Fame

Release Date: 06 March 2007

Review:

This young Texan native is a honky tonk in the soul. She knows what she wants.We feel a lot of maturity in this debut album. Her style is a mix of honky tonk and rock, that grabs you and doesn’t let you go. Her strength: her voice. Not only has she a very nice voice but she know how to use it. I am hook on the very rock East Texas Pines. Next Big Nothing surprises us with its shifted lyrics and her voice makes all the difference. The vocal harmonies of Sunny and Keith Sykes on Lavender Blue are superb, they offer us a beautiful soft ballad. We found that she wrote three songs, which is not bad for a first opus. Her strengths? Her strong personality that is felt through her music and her voice. She shows us all her vocal mastery on a song like If I Could. A young singer to watch and that deserves your attention.

Rating :   

By Sheppard Micoud - ACS Staff Journalist

 

 

 

Artist: Blake Shelton            

Album: Blake Shelton's Bar And Grill

Release Date: 26 October 2004

Review:

For this third album, Blake Shelton has definitely set the bar very high; we have a collection of drinking song and love stories that end badly. The atmosphere is wonderfully successful. Between Some Beach that relaxes us after one working day, Nobody But Me that allows us to take the full measure of her voice’s power. The artist never ceases to surprise us, she goes faster with Love Gets In The Way and its banjos, its violins, without forgetting Cotton Pickin’ Time. But the most beautiful pieces are, those with the superb and powerful meaning lyrics, When Somebody Knows You That Well and The Bartender. With this album Shelton shows the world of country music that he moves to a new stage and that he is ready to compete with the best, and let’s face it, I won’t be the one to tell him otherwise. An album to get.

Rating:

By Sheppard Micoud - ACS Staff Journalist

 

 

Artist: Blake Shelton 

Album: Best Of-2001  (Blake Shelton)

Release Date: 31 January 2001

Review:

First album for Mr Shelton, produced by Bobby Braddock and surrounded by Billy Montana and Don Ellis, the artist delivers an opus that lacks balances. Some songs are good, we love tunes like Every Time I Look At You, She Doesn't Know She's Got It. Same Old Song’s lyrics are original enough for such an artist, and we love her voice on I Thought There Was Time. But we discover his real potential on Ol’ Red and That's What I Call Home. This is a nice album to listen but the mixture doesn’t fit, as we might have been expected. Maybe a little lack of pace and too many sugary songs that aren’t in his style. But rest assure, since the album Shelton proved us what he was capable of. For his fans.

Rating:

By Sheppard Micoud - ACS Staff Journalist

 

 

Artist: Blake Shelton  

Album: The Dreamer

Release Date: 04 February 2003

Review:

The Oklahoma native delivers a good sound. If it’s one of his first album, the whole is ver catchy. The artist is surrounded by Bobby Braddock, a veteran in the composition and we can feel it in the songs. We go from sad but beautiful tunes like The Baby, the ballad Asphalt Cowboy although I prefer Jason Aldean  version. W feel a certain innocence on In My Heaven and the young ladies’ll be thrilled with Underneath, The Same Moon. But the most beautiful song is probably the ballad Playboys Of The Southwestern World, really perfect, catchy, speaking of friendship. An album to discover and diffuse because this singer really deserves to be listened, especially in France. A power, a little tenderness, all on a good country sound, that’s can be summed up in this album.

Rating:

By Sheppard Micoud - ACS Staff Journalist

 

 

Artist: Becky Schlegel   

Album: Dandelion

Release Date: 06 April 2010

Review:

Becky Schlegel is back with this new album Dandelion. She reminds me of Alison Krauss with tracks like Anna, So Embarrassing. The instrumental parts are beautiful, the artist’s voice is very beautiful, the whole is of extreme tenderness. I never loved you cowboy is however sad, but her interpretation is so soft that we feels no sadness but we find ourselves transported. Her voice is magical. All songs are like moments her life, is it a reflection on her life? In addition she wrote alls lyrics and co produce the album. Between the very bluegrass Colorado Line, Nowhere Bound where her voice is like a soft whisper landing on your ears, like an angelic caress, the album is really successful. The cover is surprising, it’s an invitation to enter her world, so real but imaginary. The meeting with Becky is one of those moments when we wondered whether we dreamed or if it has just been a sweet reality. Let yourself be touched by her grace, for bluegrass fans.

Rating:

By Sheppard Micoud - ACS Staff Journalist

 

 

Artist: SHeDAISY  

Album: The Whole SHeBANG

Release Date: 11 May 1999

Review:

The first CD of the three Osborn sisters named Shedaisy is a refreshing sweetness. Beautiful walks, beautiful voices, all very well interpreted, the group offers us beautiful compositions with Little Good-Byes, I Will ... But, Before Me And You, Lucky 4 You (Tonight I'm Just Me). We can say that it’s really a successful start, this trio is full of energy and confidence, and it shows in the quality of their instrumental compositions. If they were quickly compared to the Dixie Chicks, their style is still quite different.The album deserves the name of "The Whole Shebang”, so let us try this group.

Rating:

By Sheppard Micoud - ACS Staff Journalist

 

 

Artist: Sugarland

Album: Twice The Speed Of Life

Release Date: 26 October 2004

Review:

I know it's been a long time that the album has been released, but it’s a pleasure to review the maximum opus, when it comes to Sugarland, that’s even better. This band has stormed the world of country music in 2004 with their album. What a CD! Between the music that transports you, frantic rhythms and above all incredible voices, just listen to Down In Mississippi (Up To No Good) to realize the powerful voice of Jennifer Nettles, impressive. The album is a succession of great songs, Something More, Baby Girl, Hello, Fly Away, Speed Of Life, Small Town Jericho, Stand Back Up, and yet we didn’t ask much for a first opus. Yes you read that right. Very good musicians, voice very high level, texts that challenge you, Sugarland is one of those groups that cheers you up undeniably, for their music, they give you strength, hope.

Rating : 

By Sheppard Micoud - ACS Staff Journalist

 

 

 

Artist: Taylor Swift

Album: Fearless

Release Date: 11 November 2008

Review:

A strong comeback with an album that was expected for the young Taylor Swift. An album that’ll probably make lots of noise and that will flow lot of ink. A much more pop new country sound, exude her youthfulness. A somewhat radical change for the beautiful lady. But do not worry, her voice is still there, the enchantment does occur, the artist opens up a little more, the only downside for some is her age. Concerns, expectations are much more teenagers than in the first album, a lack of maturity for some, maybe an album where the beautiful treat herself. The young age of Taylor has a lot to do with it, it gives us a tender album, without taking herself too seriously. Taylor has all the time to grow and mature, offer us more elaborate albums as would like another public, so let’s just enjoy this moment, that sweet moment of innocence that we all lost growing up. I invite you to discover Fearless, Love Story, Hey Stephen and the beautiful Breathe. Let's enjoys!

Rating:

By Sheppard Micoud - ACS Staff Journalist

 

 

 

Artist:  Blake Shelton

Album: Startin Fires

Release Date: September 2008

Review:

I was looking forward to this album, firstly because it provides us with singer who has a good start and I knew that one more duet with his girlfriend, Miranda Lambert’ll be in this album. I must admit that I am disappointed with the opus, some tracks are really worth it, asides from Green, Country Strong, the rest is flat. Even Bare Skin Rug duo with our beautiful Miranda Lambert can’t save the album, which is a lot. Soon disappointed, we only have get the duo single, who is wonderful, then wait the next album, because he still remains a singer who makes good country, at least usually.

Rating : 

By Sheppard Micoud - ACS Staff Journalist

 

 

 

Artist:  Taylor Swift 

Album: Beautiful Eyes

Release Date: September 2008

Review:

I have been eagerly waiting for this album. I know I know it’s only an appetizer while waiting for her second album Fearless, which will be released on November 11, 2008. But what can I say except that I like literally this CD, in addition to make us listen to tracks like Should've Said No (remix) and an acoustic version of Teardrops on my guitar, she gives us three new songs which are very successful I'm only me when I'm with you, I heart and Beautiful Eyes. In addition there are six videos on this CD, so I know I’ll be told that this adds nothing to her discography, but frankly if like me you aren’t insensitive to music, run buy it because it’s a really good package. We need that so we can wait for her second album you might say.

Rating : 

By Sheppard Micoud - ACS Staff Journalist

 

 

Artist : The Sacred Shakers

Album: The Sacred Shakers

Release Date: 16 September  2008

Review:

Here is just a small gem. Musically it’s impressive, this group with their traditional instruments interpreter us 11 Americans legendary tracks on 14. A perfect blend of blues, jazz, swing, country, a really varied and colorful album. We can’t help but dance on Straighten’ Em, and enjoy songs like Twelve Gates To The City, Taggin' Along With Jesus. Don’t miss this album, the band brings us a magnificent piece, an album that surprises you and makes you want to listen it in loop.

Rating :   

By Sheppard Micoud - ACS Staff Journalist

 

 

Artist: Jessica Simpson

Album: Do You Know

Release Date: 09 September  2008

Review:

The least I can say is that I waited impatiently for this album, surprised by the announcement of the beautiful Jessica Simpson putting herself in Country Music, perhaps a turning point in her career? Already I can confirm that it’s a country album and she has a nice voice’s tone. The young singer surrounded herself with the best songwriter in the field for this album: Troy Verges, Hillary Lindsey. Also the first single Come On Over was written in part by Jessica Simpson, with the help of Rachel Proctor and Victoria Banks. If everything sounds very pop, her album launch started strong as her single Come and Over was able to already reach success. The video clip is placed in the top 5 at CMT, a first for an artist without a past in Country Music. I must say that this is the most successful song of the entire album. While on other tunes are interesting as Pray Out Loud or Still Beautiful. But the most beautiful track was Do You Know, song written for her by one of Jessica's idols, Dolly Parton, who sings this song with her. A very good duet. Then of course the charm of Miss Simpson adds interest, the album is easy listening and will appeal to many fans of Country Music and pop, however that adds nothing to Country Music. An album that is not transcendent, that doesn’t add much, the only song you’ll listen in loop is Come and Over, after there is something for all tastes, it’s not a bad album but they are so much better newcomer in country.

Rating :   

By Sheppard Micoud - ACS Staff Journalist

 

Artist: Crystal Shawanda

Album: Dawn Of A New Day

Release Date: 19 August 2008

Review:

This young Canadian who comes from a Native American reservation remind me of Gretchen Wilson with her particular style. One thing is sure, his talent is remarkable, she has a broken and smooth voice that captivate us from the beginning to the end of the album. I loved the emotional You can let go, the beautiful Tender side, but also tracks like My roots are showing, Your cheatin heart. If John Rich and Gretchen Wilson coproduce the song Baby you’re back, we feel the influence of the Honky Tonk Girl everywhere in the album. A very good first CD for a singer with a bewitching voice who has not finished to surprise us.

Rating :   

By Sheppard Micoud - ACS Staff Journalist

 

Artist:  Sugarland 

Album: Love on the Inside

Release Date: 22 July 2008

Review:

Our favorite duo is back for new adventures. I was pleasantly surprised to receive the "Deluxe Fan Edition"  to review. It’s with a free afternoon that I undertake to listen it. And then the shock. I loved their first opus which was to me just a total revelation, their second album was always of a high quality with a small decline, at the same time doing better than Twice the Speed ​​of Life was impossible, well I was wrong again. This is a real gem, honestly it’s useless to quote the songs to tell you the ones I liked, they are all worthy of their greatest hits. The group is more mature and shows it. The duo wrote most of those titles which is impressive given their qualities, Kristian Bush is more present in the song for our greatest pleasure. But above all there is the beautiful and catchy Jennifer Nettles, a singer with a voice so beautiful and powerful than you’ll fall under her spell from the first notes. Gosh, it's a real pleasure to find her. She shows us that she knows how to use her voice. The simple version includes 12 tracks, 12 gems, the deluxe is a treat, 17 tracks, including 2 live. Do not hesitate, this group is here to make you discover country music. But what strikes tme most once gain with the deluxe version, it’s not only the sequence of titles but also the perfect balance between rhythmic tunes and other slower. Between tracks that’ll make you move like, All I Want To Do, It Happens, We Run, Genevieve, Take Me As I Am, Steve Earle, Operation: Working Vacation and those quieter as Joey, Love, Already Gone, Keep You, What I'd Give, Very Last Country Song, Fall Into Me, Wishing, Come On Get Higher (Live), Life In A Northern Town (Live with Little big town and Jake Owen). This new album is so well cared that it gives you the chills. Sugarland has reminded me what makes me love country music above all, see groups who have just arrived making us dream, enchanted us a way  only the best can do. This music comes from the heart or I don’t know music anymore!

Rating : 

By Sheppard Micoud - ACS Staff Journalist

 

 

Artist: Taylor Swift

Album: Taylor Swift

Release Date: 24 October 2006

Review:

The cover presents a fairly young and beautiful singer. Two things surprised me, she has an incredible look and she is very young, only 16 years old, I know I know calm down. Her voice is so beautiful, it's good. What strikes me the most is the freshness and innocence that emerges from this album. Instead, we used to have romantic male artists, now we have a teenager who talks about: hope, disappointment, innocence, lightness, this gently lulls us. Her voice does the rest. Whether on beautiful ballads or more rhythmic passages, the mixture fits. I could give you one by one the tracks on this album as I enjoyed them all. My favorite are still Tim McGraw, Picture to Burn, Cold As You, Should've Said No, Our Song. If you like romantic singers with a fine voice, sweet melodies, so do not hesitate, it gives you a joie de vivre that only youth can give you.

Rating: 

By Sheppard Micoud - ACS Staff Journalist

 

Artist:  Sugarland 

Album: Enjoy The Ride

Release Date: 7 November 2006

Review:

Finally, they are again one of the Country music band that had impressed me the most and which I really loved their first album. I was left speechless before the vocal performances of Jennifer Nettles on their first album and their duet with Bon Jovi, S o it’s with eagerness that I listen to this new CD. If the group has lost one member, guitarist and songwriter Kristen Hall left, butt Sugarland is always there. If I find it all a little less rhythmic than Twice the Speed of Life, tracks like Settlin’, Country Line, Everyday America, Mean Girls, are very good, the spirit of Sugarland is there. I must admit that all is not as good as their previous album but it was hard to do better, but make no mistake, the album is great, Jennifer Nettles still sings beautifully, her voice is so beautiful, in short a very good country music album!

Rating:

By Sheppard Micoud - ACS Staff Journalist

 

Artist:  Ryan Shupe & the Rubberband

Album: Dream Big

Release Date: 6 September 2005

Review: 

Here is a cd that causes great excitement. Like Mr Cowboy Troy, you love it or you hate it, that's how it is, we can’t do anything. It's more country pop with funky than pure country, so I just wanted to clarify before the purists fall on me as they will know that I loved some songs, the most country for my taste. Certainly I didn’t enjoy all songs, but when this band want, it can. Don’t tell me that tracks like: Rain Falls Down, Even Superman, Dream Big, Would You Love Me, Rain Falls Down are not well successful. Okay this isn’t the album of the year, pop or country, but it ’s worth the cost. A son is missing in the album, I saw then sang the splendid, It's Clear, why not add it to the album?, mystery.

Rating:

By Sheppard Micoud - ACS Staff Journalist

 

    

 

Artist:  Blake Shelton

Album: Pure BS

Release Date: 01 May 2007

Review: 

I know this will piss me off to say it, but that's an artist that surprised me. Knowing that I am very fond of Miranda Lambert, here I am asked to review her boyfriend, that's how at first it annoyed me a bit, but I have to remain objective. We understand right away who he is from the second tracks. Don't Make Me. This song is like his album, very romantic, beautiful ballads, good rhythms: The More I Drink, The Last Country Song. Slower songs are also very good surprises like the magnificent Back There Again, I Have Been Lonely. But what I most appreciate in the album, are the words, all lyrics are great, it's a real treat to understand if Shakespeare's language is not a mystery for you. If for him, It Ain't Easy Bein' Me, in addition to being a great song, I think a lot of people would love to be in his place.

Rating:    

By Sheppard Micoud - ACS Staff Journalist

 

 

Artist:  Becky Schlegel

Album: For All The World To See

Release Date: 17 June 2008

Review:

This album sounds very traditional and bluegrass, it’sa pure moment of happiness, so much that I dare to compare the young artist to the mythical Alison Krauss. And yes you read it right, I dared to make the comparison. Her voice is soft, it blends perfectly with this style of music as our national Alison. So it’s really a big crush I had for this album. Certainly I won’t say it’s perfect, but she seems to have a bright future, because it’s really a pleasure to listen to the album. Okay you have to be a bluegrass fans, because if you only like New Country, go your way, even if I think everyone should listen Why Maybe. We like it, no we love! ...

Rating:

By Sheppard Micoud - ACS Staff Journalist

 

 

Artist:  Ashton Shepherd

Album: Sounds So Good

Release Date: 04 March 2008

Review:

Here's a singer with a voice like Patty Loveless and Jennifer Nettles, it’s a good start. Moreover it’s important to note that for this first album, she wrote all her tracks, a rare thing that needs to be said. The album is really very beautiful, songs like Takin off this pain, Sounds so good, Lost in you, Old memory, Regular joe, Bigger the heart are purely beautiful. In short, a very successful first album, a beautiful voice and an opus to quickly obtain!

Rating:

By Sheppard Micoud - ACS Staff Journalist

 

 

 

Artist:  Amanda Shaw

Album: Pretty Runs Out

Release Date: 08 January 2008

Review:

For her debut album she offers us a lot of mix. In fact here is a cd of Country Music influenced by some Jazz/Blues in New Orleans. Dont try to found some Nashville’s influence, close your eyes and you're in Louisiana. The artist has really been influenced by Cajun music, a lot of banjo, violin too. WE have three tracks for the band as French Jig, McGee's Medley, Reels: The Gaspé Reel / Sam's Slammer / Imogen's Ride. Then some very good Country song like Pretty Runs Out, I don't Want to Be Your Friend and the very soft Wishing Me Away. In short, a good album to listen!

Rating:

By Sheppard Micoud - ACS Staff Journalist

 

 

 

Artist: Shedaisy

Album : Fortuneteller’s Melody

Release Date : 14 March 2006

Review :

And here I just got the 6th album of Shedaisy. This bandp is how to say it, well we expect them, who doesn’t know Shedaisy !!!. Here I put the CD in the sound system and I listen to (finally). So what do you say? They released a good album, musically it’s clear that the musicians are happy, good country, the voices are there, the three beautiful young women too and that's good you might me. If I'm Taking the Wheel and God Bless the American Housewife are very successful, I didn’t feel the same thing than with their previous album. At the same time it was hard to do better than the wonderful Sweet Right Here, Fortuneteller's Melody varied rhythms, some country rock, pop and even ballads. But if it looks like a good country album, it lacks something, which would have allowed it to become a very good album.

Rating :

By Sheppard Micoud - ACS Staff Journalist

 

 

Artist:  Shedaisy

Album: The Best Of

Release Date: 05 February 2008

Review:

Finally a best of Shedaisy, here is a CD containing all the best songs of the group, and it's pretty good, we wanted such a CD for quite some time. So I rediscovered songs like Lucky 4 you, Mine all mine, good songs, beautiful voices. This CD is set to be a very good country compilation, we would have liked just one or two new tunes that would have allowed me to give one more star...  Anyway, The Best Of, is a must-have, if you like this band or new country, the album is for you!

Rating:

By Sheppard Micoud - ACS Staff Journalist