Country Charts: August 10, 2007
I'm going to try this again -- my review of the top 20 songs of the week in the world of country music, as determined by Billboard. This time with grades from me.
20. So Small -- Carrie Underwood
It's an okay song, but it just seems too immediately post-Idol to resonate with me as I listen to the first song from a second album. B-
19. How I Feel -- Martina McBride
Is that Jack Ingram in the background? Either way, another song from her that will do better on adult contemporary than in country. C+
18. Free And Easy (Down The Road I Go) -- Dierks Bentley
I like the song, it just sounds a little bit too much like "Lot of Leavin' Left To Do." B+
17. All My Friends Say -- Luke Bryan
An impressive debut from a new artist. If not for the obligatory-in-every-country-drinking-song singalong at the end, it'd get a complete A. A-
16. Online -- Brad Paisley
Just listen to the song and try to tell me that this isn't how I was (and several others of us at #idiotsite) were five years ago. A
15. If You're Reading This -- Tim McGraw
Give me a studio recording and this'd be an A+, as it's by far the best country song of the year so far. A
14. I Wonder -- Kellie Pickler
Honesty from a country singer. In an industry where most songs are written by someone other than the artist, her autobiographical account is very refreshing. A-
13. Love Me If You Can -- Toby Keith
Better than "High Maintenance Woman," but sounds a bit too much like the country-pop everyone else is churning out right now. B+
12. Everyday America -- Sugarland
Careful, Ms. Nettles. You're approaching the territory of your first album too close here, when I couldn't stand the way you accentuated the long notes. Better than "Baby Girl" by far, but not the best I've heard from them, and not the best from "Enjoy The Ride." C+
11. Tough -- Craig Morgan
The second verse takes it on an interesting turn, but eliminates 95% of listeners from being able to relate to it. Not a bad effort, though. B
10. Proud Of The House We Built -- Brooks & Dunn
At least Kix Brooks actually is harmonizing this time, but it's far, FAR too much like "Red Dirt Road" melodically. C+
9. Take Me There -- Rascal Flatts
Sounds EXACTLY like their previous two singles. Ugh. D+
8. I Need You -- Tim McGraw & Faith Hill
I don't mind the song, but hopefully it peaks soon so that "If You're Reading This" and "Lost" can get a bump in airplay. B+
7. Lost In This Moment -- Big & Rich
Who knew the duo could produce a damn good wedding song? I still like "Never Mind Me" and "Wild West Show" more, but it's still a very good song. A
6. A Different World -- Bucky Covington
Yes, he's only in his 20s. But his voice is older, and I can honestly hear him channeling those who actually grew up in an earlier time period. A-
5. Because Of You -- Reba McEntire & Kelly Clarkson
I like this better than the original, and that's impressive since I liked Clarkson's solo version. There's just a little too much Reba and not enough Kelly for it to be a true "duet" to me. A-
4. I Told You So -- Keith Urban
If his next single is to my liking, I may have to finally stop saying that I hate Keith Urban. A
3. These Are My People -- Rodney Atkins
My fourth favorite song on the album, behind the other two singles and "Invisibly Shaken." Since the latter would peak at about #50 on the charts, he's made a good choice. It loses a lot though poetically when "busting our asses" becomes "busting our backs." A-
2. Teardrops On My Guitar -- Taylor Swift
She has a wisdom beyond her age. I just wish she'd rock out for once. A-
1. Never Wanted Nothing More -- Kenny Chesney
Okay, it's better than the atrocious "Beer In Mexico." But he could release a pile of crap to radio and they'd put it to #1 within ten weeks. I just have a little resentment over that. B
20. So Small -- Carrie Underwood
It's an okay song, but it just seems too immediately post-Idol to resonate with me as I listen to the first song from a second album. B-
19. How I Feel -- Martina McBride
Is that Jack Ingram in the background? Either way, another song from her that will do better on adult contemporary than in country. C+
18. Free And Easy (Down The Road I Go) -- Dierks Bentley
I like the song, it just sounds a little bit too much like "Lot of Leavin' Left To Do." B+
17. All My Friends Say -- Luke Bryan
An impressive debut from a new artist. If not for the obligatory-in-every-country-drinking-song singalong at the end, it'd get a complete A. A-
16. Online -- Brad Paisley
Just listen to the song and try to tell me that this isn't how I was (and several others of us at #idiotsite) were five years ago. A
15. If You're Reading This -- Tim McGraw
Give me a studio recording and this'd be an A+, as it's by far the best country song of the year so far. A
14. I Wonder -- Kellie Pickler
Honesty from a country singer. In an industry where most songs are written by someone other than the artist, her autobiographical account is very refreshing. A-
13. Love Me If You Can -- Toby Keith
Better than "High Maintenance Woman," but sounds a bit too much like the country-pop everyone else is churning out right now. B+
12. Everyday America -- Sugarland
Careful, Ms. Nettles. You're approaching the territory of your first album too close here, when I couldn't stand the way you accentuated the long notes. Better than "Baby Girl" by far, but not the best I've heard from them, and not the best from "Enjoy The Ride." C+
11. Tough -- Craig Morgan
The second verse takes it on an interesting turn, but eliminates 95% of listeners from being able to relate to it. Not a bad effort, though. B
10. Proud Of The House We Built -- Brooks & Dunn
At least Kix Brooks actually is harmonizing this time, but it's far, FAR too much like "Red Dirt Road" melodically. C+
9. Take Me There -- Rascal Flatts
Sounds EXACTLY like their previous two singles. Ugh. D+
8. I Need You -- Tim McGraw & Faith Hill
I don't mind the song, but hopefully it peaks soon so that "If You're Reading This" and "Lost" can get a bump in airplay. B+
7. Lost In This Moment -- Big & Rich
Who knew the duo could produce a damn good wedding song? I still like "Never Mind Me" and "Wild West Show" more, but it's still a very good song. A
6. A Different World -- Bucky Covington
Yes, he's only in his 20s. But his voice is older, and I can honestly hear him channeling those who actually grew up in an earlier time period. A-
5. Because Of You -- Reba McEntire & Kelly Clarkson
I like this better than the original, and that's impressive since I liked Clarkson's solo version. There's just a little too much Reba and not enough Kelly for it to be a true "duet" to me. A-
4. I Told You So -- Keith Urban
If his next single is to my liking, I may have to finally stop saying that I hate Keith Urban. A
3. These Are My People -- Rodney Atkins
My fourth favorite song on the album, behind the other two singles and "Invisibly Shaken." Since the latter would peak at about #50 on the charts, he's made a good choice. It loses a lot though poetically when "busting our asses" becomes "busting our backs." A-
2. Teardrops On My Guitar -- Taylor Swift
She has a wisdom beyond her age. I just wish she'd rock out for once. A-
1. Never Wanted Nothing More -- Kenny Chesney
Okay, it's better than the atrocious "Beer In Mexico." But he could release a pile of crap to radio and they'd put it to #1 within ten weeks. I just have a little resentment over that. B