I’ve been out of the loop for a while with one thing and another , but recently started to catch up with the new ( well , newish ) country music and videos out there . It quickly became apparent that , like it’s been for some time now , most of the interesting work being done is by the female artists in the genre . This may not be reflected in sales , but since when has that been accurate measure of quality in the music business ?
Gretchen Peters is a long established songwriter probably most remembered for providing Martina McBride with Independence Day . She’s released a number of albums in her own right with her latest , Blackbirds , probably being her best to date . Gretchen regularly tours Britain and has built up a loyal following over the years . This is a stylish video for the album’s title song and who doesn’t love a good old murder ballad ?
This is Ashley Monroe performing her latest single , On To Something Good . I’m a big fan of her last album , Like A Rose , and her duet with Blake Shelton ( Lonely Tonight ) was the highlight of his last effort . In fact , I’d say that Like A Rose was every bit as good as the much more hyped Same Trailer Different Park by Kacey Musgrave and that this single is better than the latter’s slightly disappointing new one , Biscuits . Hopefully , Ashley has a new album ready to go soon .
Carrie Underwood follows up the monumental Something In The Water with the other new song on her Greatest Hits collection , Little Toy Guns . Another great vocal , another strong song and another good lyric . It may be some time before we get another full length album from new mum Carrie , but it should be something to look forward to .
Last up we have Allison Moorer with another track , Tear Me Apart , from her recent Down To Believing album . This is a powerful video that’ll probably end up being controversial if it ever breaks out to a mainstream audience . Along with the Gretchen Peters’ record , I’d recommend Down To Believing to any country fan looking for something outside the standard chart playlists .
northernoutlaw 