This has been awhile in coming, mainly because several albums we had originally intended to feature here got better with time and ended up getting full reviews. For new people to the feature, here we place good songs from mediocre albums, songs from albums we didn’t review due to time constraints or out of deference to artists, and sometimes tracks from albums where we just didn’t have the right words for a full review. It pops up at random whenever we have enough songs to produce one.
Gretchen Peters: “Wichita”
This song is on the May playlist, along with one other song from Dancing with the Beast. Gretchen Peters is definitely a great writer, but this album just bored and depressed me. “Wichita” is the only somewhat upbeat moment, differing from the elegant, polished ballads that make up most of the album. It’s still an intense song about a disabled child protecting her sister from being raped, but here, the production is more interesting and really sells this song. Peters’ record is still something I”d recommend if you like darker, more depressing material–for someone in the right frame of mind, there could be a lot to appreciate because the writing is undeniably strong throughout.
Parker Millsap: “Tell Me”
I swear, I’ve really tried to get into Parker, but it just hasn’t happened. And I also don’t care for the sort of rootsy, vintage pop style he adopted on Other Arrangements. I think it does work well on this song, though, as the soulful style really suits his voice.
Neko Case: “Sleep All Summer”
Neko Case’s album Hell-on just went right over my head lyrically; she’s a great writer, but often it’s at the expense of relating to her audience, or at least to me. This is not country, but fits in the vein of Americana well, and I can tell it has been great for a lot of people unlike it has been for me. She’s a wonderful vocalist, and her melodies are enchanting. There are a couple songs I like here just for their melodies and her performance. This duet is the one I chose to feature here because I think it’s the most accessible lyrically.
Tami Neilson: “A Woman’s Pain”
Sassafrass! is a fascinating album, and much of it is fueled from uniquely female anger, covering discrimination and double standards and sexual assault scandals. It’s the musical style I’m not sold on personally, but of all the albums here, it’s the one I’d recommend everyone listen to the most because it really has some cool things to say. I loved this song on first listen.
Tami Neilson: “Manitoba Sunrise at Motel 6”
After all that anger and energy throughout the whole album, it’s such a great moment when this song comes on near the end and displays a tender side to Tami Neilson. An excellent song of life on the road and missing those she loves that stands out even more on such a record.
And now to Brianna, for her selections from the latest album from Cody Canada & the Departed.
Cody Canada & the Departed: “Lipstick”
Cody Canada is an artist I’ve liked for a few years now. I was a fan even before he announced the formation of The departed. I really liked their last two albums, so needless to say when 3 came out, I was quite excited to hear it. Therefore, when I listened and only liked about six of the fourteen songs on the record, you can imagine my disappointment. While this album did not grow on me personally, I think that any fan of this band should check it out. The songs have various tempos and instrumentation, so you will definitely not be bored with this material. My main problem was that the writing left a little to be desired with a lot of vague lyrics, but that could be just me. I cannot come up with enough things to say about this album for a full review, so I thought I’d highlight my two favorite tracks.
“Lipstick” is a very catchy and more upbeat song. From my interpretation, it has to do with how beauty can lead to sin and cause people to lie. I like the melody a lot, and I find myself going back to this song whenever I look at this album.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sh3nbFGfY-E
Cody Canada & the Departed: “Footlights”
“Footlights” is my second favorite song from this album. I think it’s a very honest look at what singing as you get older is like. I definitely feel like Cody Canada is speaking from personal experience on this track even though it’s a Merle Haggard cover, and it makes it one of the most relatable and real songs off this record.