Currently at the CST blogs
Play On –
Through three releases, the one constant about Carrie Underwood is her big voice. It's an instrument in and of itself no matter whether going for somewhat of a country sound, a pure pop bent or a tougher, rocking edge. She can add the right touch to sad songs such as Temporary Home in part about a young boy who has to shuffle from home to home or the tough sounding Quitter. »»»
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Old Things New –
Joe Nichols' life has taken some dramatic turns since the release of his last record, "Real Things." Ironically, the 2007 album's title was a perfect fit for this offering as those turns have led Nichols to record some of the most personal songs of his career. »»»
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Girl of the Century –
Rosie Flores is the last person that needs more spunk, but somehow producer Jon Langford found a way to add a few more ounces of bounce to this rockabilly firebrand's stride. Flores might be small in stature, but she sure works up a big, bold sound throughout this excellent release. »»»
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Family Circle –
From Sweet Appalachia to his girl leaning on a car fender in all of her Barbaric Splendor, Del McCoury reminds us his music and rural life is far from unsophisticated. The songs range from the straight bluegrass of Hello Lonely to the near swing tune I Remember You sung in high lonesome. There are waltzes, breakdowns, gold rush story songs and odes to moonshine in The Revenuer's Blues. »»»
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Dolly –
Over the course of 99 tracks on 4 discs, RCA/Legacy Recordings has given music fans a concise and nearly complete snapshot of Dolly Parton's considerable impact on country music with the release of the new box set - a task not accomplished by any other collection. The set covers all the career-defining hits you would expect. »»»
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Editorial: A fine night for Taylor Swift –
Taylor Swift's showing at the Country Music Association awards Wednesday night was no surprise. In some respects, it was invigorating to see someone who was not male and not around umpteen years like some of her male counterparts take home the biggest prize of the night, entertainer of the year. »»»
Country Standard Time started as a magazine in 1993, added a website in 1999, and recently switched to web only. Country Standard Time is devoted to covering country, bluegrass, roots/Americana and rockabilly music through insightful features, news that matters, comprehensive CD, concert and book reviews, opinion pieces, editorials and more. What started as a regional publication in New England has become an eZine read by country music fans around the globe.
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Lyle Lovett takes nothing for granted on "Natural Forces" (or anywhere else) –
To say that Lyle Lovett has a great new album in "Natural Forces" is a newsflash akin to announcing that oxygen is now available for mass consumption at no charge. Lovett's musical quality is as automatic as a politician's promise and infinitely more trustworthy, which might lead one to believe that, at a certain level, the Texas singer/songwriter has become slightly jaded by the consistent accolades thrown his way. One would be very mistaken. »»»
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Patty Loveless brings her "Mountain Soul" again –
When "Mountain Soul" became a critical success, it wasn't long before fans began requesting a follow-up from Patty Loveless. "They were questioning last year when I was ever going to do another record such as the first 'Mountain Soul,'" Loveless says. "So, Saguaro Records came to me about doing another record with them, and we suggested doing one to coincide with the popularity of what the first one did." »»»
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Rosie Flores becomes "Girl of the Century" –
Rosie Flores played in Screaming Sirens, back when cow-punk wasn't (yet) cool. She also helped turn Los Angeles, that underground roots rock town south of Bakersfield, into a flourishing alternative country music scene in the '80s. Her self-titled debut album was produced by Peter Anderson, who played guitar and produced some guy named Dwight Yoakam, and she even handled lead guitar work for Butch Hancock's band in 1994. She ain't done yet, though, as her new CD demonstrates. »»»
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The Avett Brothers get darker –
Since Scott and Seth Avett traded in the shredding indie rock sound of their first band, Nemo, for the front porch bluegrass vibe of the Avett Brothers nearly a decade ago, the North Carolina trio (Scott on banjo/vocals, Seth on guitar/vocals and stand-up bassist Bob Crawford) has come to define the DIY ethic. But now on a major label and uber producer Rick Rubin still at the helm, is that still the case? »»»
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Deer Tick rises with "Born on Flag Day" –
Deer Tick vocalist/guitarist/songwriter John McCauley III is clearly a guy who lets his music do the talking. And on the day of our interview, the Providence, R.I. native is letting his talking do the drinking as he simultaneously enjoys a sunny Colorado afternoon and a margarita before getting ready to drive to Portland, Ore. for the next night's show. "Wasting away again," says McCauley with an audible smile. »»»
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For Monsters of Folk, it's in the stars –
Time and tide do funny things to memory. When Matt Ward thinks back to how Monsters of Folk - the new multi-genre indie super group featuring Ward, Bright Eyes' Conor Oberst and Mike Mogis and My Morning Jacket's Jim James - came to be christened, he recalls that the name blinked into consciousness as though "it just came down out of the sky." »»»
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Hot Club of Cowtown pursues "Wishful Thinking" –
Once upon a time, Hot Club of Cowtown was an Austin-based trio, following in the footsteps of Bob Wills & the Texas Playboys. But with "Wishful Thinking," things are different. Hot Club is now a quartet, and they also have gone beyond the Wills effort to expand their sound. »»»
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Concert Review: Radney Foster sparks a revival –
Radney Foster told fans that he came home from the University of the South one weekend early in his college career and told his parents in the wee hours of the morning that he wanted to quit college and head to Nashville to pursue a music career. His parents agreed...fortunately.
Three decades later, that resulted in Foster playing songs on this... »»»
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