Covering Up

     Every season on a singing competition reality show, someone performs a recent hit. The judges or coaches always say something similar: that it was just too big of a hit recently to be redone so fast. Apparently David Nail, who recently released a video of the Adele staple "Someone Like You," never heard them say that. And thank goodness he didn't.
     He proves with this performance that sometimes even the tiniest inflection can make or break a song. Even though "Someone Like You" is already an international hit, Nail's small twists make it an entirely new interpretation, rather than just one of the thousands of covers out there. He hits the higher notes fearlessly, without losing any of the passion of the lyrics. The video is simple and elegant, adding to the intensity of the feeling. Shot in black and white, candlelight casts shadows on his face and the keys of the piano, the only instrument used.
     With a string of country Adele covers coming out lately, Nail's manages to stay true to the original interpretation while still putting his own spin on it. An out of the ordinary song choice, "Someone Like You" showcases his range, both vocally and stylistically. As we wait for more new music from David Nail, we definitely now know that there is no limit to what this performer can do.

Cruisin' into Summer

     It's that time of year again. Time for all of the singles to come out claiming to be the "Song of the Summer." In the endless parade that is the summer anthem song list, "Cruise" by duo Florida George Line is one of those summer songs that should do very well, and already is.
     Combining country with a rock edge, FGL's vocals give the expressive lyrics of this song a unique sound that brings a breath of fresh air just in time for summer. The harmonies keep the melody from getting repetitive, giving it an added punch when the chorus comes around, without overcomplicating the tune. This will easily become a concert staple, with the singers holding their mics out to the crowd, who will be singing along with arms waving back and forth in the air.
     "Cruise" paints the picture of summer love, the desire to just drive down some back roads, and being care free. All the things that we all want from our summer. But more than just the well written narrative, this song is catchy and completely relatable. Because let's face it: who doesn't love to roll the windows down and cruise?

One Dream, One Connection

As you're driving down the road, a song comes on the radio. That one song that, when you hear it, memories wash over you as quickly as water rushing through a river after a heavy rain. You can't help but smile as you're transported to another time, another place. The title track from David Nail's sophomore album, The Sound of A Million Dreams, explores the artist's point of view in creating those songs.

"Dreams," written by Scooter Carusoe and Phil Vassar, definitely draws on Vassar's piano skills. Throughout the entire song, the piano remains the solo instrument. The piano evens makes it's way into the lyrics, when Nail sings, "out of these piano keys, comes the sound of a million dreams." That same lyric opens up an immense ideal: that one song could connect a million dreams, a million people, a million souls.

     

You won't find a country twang in Nail's voice, but that in itself, sets him apart from other male country singers today. His voice brings soul to each song that he sings, "Dreams" included. He has a unique sound that really could give him a lot of cross-genre appeal.

     

David Nail has finally been starting to get the traction in the music world that he has deserved for a while now, with his first #1 "Let It Rain" (featuring Sarah Buxton) and his Grammy Nomination for "Turning Home." "The Sound of A Million Dreams" should get the same high praises. David's fans can only hope that other listeners connect their own dreams and memories to the song that could connect us all.

Leave What's Safe, Take the New Sound

Taylor Swift is repetitive. On all three of her very popular albums, she basically sang the same couple songs over and over, with meanings, melodies, and even the tone of her voice, telling the same story with a slightly different presentation. While millions of fans remain on the bandwagon for her relatability, others continually jump off in search of something more meaningful and new. Well, rejoice past Swift fans, for the single that will bring you back into a loving embrace with the blonde beauty has arrived.


"Safe and Sound" leads off the soundtrack from The Hunger Games, the highly anticipated movie, based on the book by Suzanne Collins. Singer-songwriter duo, The Civil Wars, lend their words and vocals to the song, as well as their very unique folk sound. The track starts out with an almost eerie guitar plucking; Swift comes in with her vocals, recalling tears running down someone's face. Rather than her normal belting, she softens her voice, adding to the beauty of this song. Themes of struggle give a dark vibe, but the overlying theme definitely develops into one of the promise of protection. The latter makes the single relatable, without taking things too far.


Swift definitely takes the lead vocal position, but The Civil Wars add haunting harmonies that their fans have come to expect. The combination of their harmonies with Swift's vocals gives "Safe" a sound that has never been heard from Swift before. We can only hope that she continues her musical evolution, leading to more singles like this. Otherwise, we will once again find ourselves dancing to the same song for hours, banging our heads against the wall hoping that the DJ puts on something new.

Tractors Are Cool

Imagine for a moment: standing deep within the woods at a log cabin. You inhale and smell the familiar scent of trees with the sound of a creek running behind you. Family and friends surround you. Your significant other tells your son to stop harassing his siblings, and your grandfather sits on the porch in his rocking chair with you by his side, telling you the secret of life. Imagine that and you can imagine the themes of Take a Back Road, Rodney Atkins’ newest album. To some that will sound like a stereotypical country album, but for country lovers, this record will add some new songs to the Favorites playlist.

“Take a Back Road,” the title track from Atkins’ fourth studio album, hit #1 upon release, making it his sixth #1 single but this album has a different feel to it than his previous ones and shows some artistic growth. Rather than relying on mostly fun-loving country anthems, Atkins focuses more on intimate love songs.

“Feet” tells the story of a typical couple, going through the usual fights. Someone always says not to go to bed angry, but what couple actually follows that advice? In the chorus, Atkins sings, “We’ll go to bed, butting heads and tugging sheets, but we never fall asleep without touching feet.” This song explores the small allowances each person makes in the moments before falling asleep, just to let the other know that they won’t leave. The soft guitar instrumentation allows Atkins’ vocals to take precedent and vocal harmonies come in during the refrain to give the song a fuller sound.

“The Corner” starts out with only percussion and Atkins speaking. An electric guitar comes in once he starts singing, highlighting impressive skills on guitar as well as his vocals. “The Corner” records a continuous string of conversations between a father and son with the kind of advice we have all heard: don’t drive too fast, think before you speak, call your mother while you still can. As Atkins sings “I’ve been around the block enough to know what’s ‘round the corner,” he leaves you believing what he says and wanting to follow his guidance.

Something about a harmonica just gives country songs that much more character. In “Family,” the third track on Take a Back Road, a harmonica gives the song a homey feel. Most people understand the slight dread of going to a family reunion, when you realize that you have to see those crazy family members that you only see every three years or so. This is what “Family” is about. You can’t choose your family, but most people would never change a thing about them, no matter how crazy they may be. Atkins sings this song with a sincerity that anyone can relate to when thinking about their own relatives. Interestingly enough, Atkins was adopted into his family.

“Take a Back Road” becomes the country anthem that fans have grown to expect from Atkins. On past albums, this song would have been one of at least three, but on this record, it stands alone. Anyone who grew up in a small town understands. Sitting in your car, stuck in traffic in the city, can make anyone angry. So instead of dealing with the interstate system, Atkins decides that he needs “a curvin’, windin’, twistin’ dusty path to nowhere.” While a lot of people will agree that they would love to escape the hustle and bustle of the city for a while, only the hardcore country kids will agree that “if I’m gonna hit a traffic jam, well, it better be a tractor, man.”

Not a lot of artists these days have a company claiming to be “the official tractor of (insert artist’s name here.)” Rodney Atkins does. Inside the cover of his album, you find an insert from Massey Ferguson, the official tractor of Rodney Atkins, proving that he will always be a country boy at heart. Which just happens to be exactly why his fans love him.