Artist: Ambush
Album: Ambush
Label: 306 Records
Ambush pleases the crowd once again with a new album, simply titled ‘Ambush’. This 15 track CD brings the energy of our favourite Ottawa/Valley band into your homes.
This project is a collection of some terrific new Ambush tunes mixed in with some classic covers like ‘Every Breath You Take’, and `Wasn`t That A Party`.
One big thing that I have noticed in these new Ambush songs is the great song writing. On this album the boys of Ambush had some top notch help writing these tunes; Brad Johner, Jamie Warren, J.K Gulley, Steve Mandile, and Chris Farren shared their song writing talents, PLUS 11 of the 15 tracks were written or co-written by one of the guys in the band.
There are many great songs on this album including, my favourite, track number 3: ‘She Doesn’t Come Close’; the song has great harmonies and the clever lyrics are fun and relatable.  Or you can feel like you are sitting in the front row watching the band while listening to their rowdy version of `Wasn`t That A Party`.
Overall, it`s great to hear new material from a band that is instrumental in Ottawa and the Valley…Way to go guys!
For more information on the band, tour dates and lyrics of the new songs, head to www.getambushed.com .

‘Ambush’ track listing:
1. Small Town
2. Wasn’t That A Party
3. She Doesn’t Come Close
4. My Little Girl
5. Fun In The Sun
6. In This Room
7. Drive
8. Take My Picture
9. Born 2 Farm
10. Exactly U
11. Every Breath You Take
12. Anything For You
13. I Ain`t Letting Go
14. What Can I Do
15. My Forever Best Friend

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Artist: Doc Walker
Album: Go
Label: Open Road Recordings

I was really looking forward to hearing this new album from Doc Walker, and as I began to play it, it dawned on me that I seem to have high expectations when it comes to this band. As one of Canada’s most decorated Country bands, they always have great songs with inspiring or fun loving lyrics, great melodies, rhythms, and an undeniable chemistry, so I guess I just expected the best…and I was NOT disappointed.

Doc Walker’s sixth studio album had big shoes to fill as there last album ‘Beautiful Life’ won the 2009 Juno for Country Recording of the Year. Lead singer and front man Chris Thorsteinson said that “Simplicity is the best hook sometimes” and that rings true for this album. A lot of the music and lyrics are stripped down, yet very relatable, as if each song has been written and performed for each individual listener.
Some tunes that really jumped out to me were ‘If I Fall’, and ‘I’m Gonna Make You Love Me’, a song that was co-written with Canadian Country sensation Victoria Banks. ‘If I Fall’ has the token Doc Walker harmonies that just melt your heart and relay the emotion of the song…on a totally different note ‘I’m Gonna Make You Love Me’ has a catchy melody and the fact that there is nothing fancy about the music, or lyrics brings a down home charm to the song.
The talent of Dave Wasyliw, Chris Thorsteinson, and Murray Pulver doesn’t end with the guitars and vocals…they also wrote/co-wrote all the songs but the Springsteen cover, ‘Girls In Their Summer Clothes’.
This band doesn’t only have the ability to charm you with their harmonies, raw vocals, and catchy guitar riffs, but if you have ever seen these guys live, you really know how amazing they are, and after hearing this material…I am excited for the next time I get to hear and see them perform live.
So, after hearing 10 new tracks I am convinced that ALL my expectations where met. ANOTHER great album boys!!

Go – Track listing
Coming Home   
Speed of Life   
If I Fall   
Why   
The Hard Way   
I’m Gonna Make You Love Me   
From Here   
Girls In Their Summer Clothes   
Go   
Dancin’ All Night

Review done by: Amanda Kingsland

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Artist: Terri Clark
Album: The Long Way Home
Label: EMI Music

After four long years, Terri Clark has released her new album ‘The Long Way Home’…and it seems to have been really worth the wait.
Terri returns with some of the most soulful and truly inspiring songs she’s ever shared. Not only is this some of Terri’s greatest material it is also a project of truth, as Terri has co-written or independently written each and every track on this album.
When listening to this album you really feel as if Terri is taking you on a journey, from one moment in her life to another, story after story, you feel as if she is really sharing part of herself.
One of my favourite tracks on this project is ‘The One You Love’, with a throat full of emotion Terri sings about life situations that touch so many of us on a daily basis, and how hard it can be to come to terms with something you have no control over. With the amazing harmonies of Country legend Vince Gill, this song is an incredible addition to this album.
Another familiar voice you’ll hear on this album is none other then Canadian Crooner, Johnny Reid.  The song ‘You Tell Me’ definitely stands out on this album. As different as their voices are, they are mixed beautifully and really compliment each other in a simple song about a complications in a relationship.
Not only are there terrific and very soulful vocals on this album, but it is laced with some of the best studio musicians like, John Diamond, Brent Mason, Stuart Duncan and Wes Hightower.
Over all I was very impressed with this album, it’s a true reflection of the talent that the ONLY Canadian female Grand Ole Opry Member possesses.

The Long Way Home – Track listing:
1. Gypsy Boots
2. If You Want Fire
3. A Million Ways To Run
4. What Happens In Vegas (Follows You Home)
5. Merry Go Round
6. The One You Love (Featuring Vince Gill)
7. Poor Girls Dream
8. If I Could Be You
9. Tough With Me
10. You Tell Me (Duet with Johnny Reid)
11. Bonus Track: Gypsy Boots (Acoustic Demo Version)

Review done by: Amanda Kingsland

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Artist: Reba
Album: Keep On Loving You
Label: Valory Records

Caution: I am a HUGE Reba fan so the below review may be a bit bias! HA!

This is Reba’s 31st studio album, her first solo studio album in 6 years and her first since her departure from her long time label MCA Nashville. Reba has joined the Valory Records family which has re-joined her with industry leader, and close friend Scott Borchetta.

‘Keep on Loving You’ became the #1 most downloaded Country album on iTunes within hours of it’s release, and by noon on the day of it’s release it had moved to 3rd most downloaded album of ANY genre, an extraordinary feat for the 54 year old Country Music pioneer.

Reba who has sold over 55 million albums worldwide and seen her last 13 studio albums all achieved platinum-plus status, was recently recognized as the biggest female hit-maker in country music history by Billboard Magazine.

The first release from the new project, ‘Strange’ became a Top 10 hit right off the bat, the sassy story of how strange it is that she is not too sad about a break up, it was a great first release, as it left many of her fans anticipating the release of this CD, just so we could her what she had in store for us…and the rest of the album did not disappoint!

The second release from the CD ‘Consider Me Gone’ is one of my most favourite tunes. It’s a confrontational song about the lacking communication in a relationship. The upbeat, yet melodic rhythm of the song and Reba’s sassy story telling reminds me of her early 90s music.
Another favourite of mine from this new collection is ‘I’ll Have What She’s Having’ a Texas-swing sound, with witty lyrics about ordering up a handsome cowboy rather then a beverage; and in the song ‘Nothing to Lose’ Reba’s band really steps it up and shines through.

Another new thing about this CD that you won’t find on many other Reba CDs is her name on the songwriting credits. Reba co-wrote the tune ‘She’s Turning 50 Today’. This song was two years in the making before it was added to the song list on this project. This song is sung with strong emotion and makes you feel like Reba is telling you word for word the story of her life. That is a skill the Queen of Country music has honed in her over 30 years making records.

Over all, I think that there are many great songs on this CD. It’s a bright and upbeat feeling record that would be a great add to any Country lover’s collection!

Keep On Loving You – Track listing:
Strange 
Just When I Thought I’d Stopped Loving You 
I Keep On Lovin’ You 
I Want A Cowboy
Consider Me Gone
But Why
Pink Guitar
She’s Turning 50 Today
Eight Crazy Hours (In The Story Of Love)
Nothing To Lose 
Over You
Maggie Creek Road
I’ll Have What She’s Having

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Artist: George Strait
Album: Twang
Label: MCA Nashville

This past May the Academy of Country Music (ACM) honoured George Strait as the ‘Artist of the Decade’. During that induction ceremony Lee Ann Womack sang a beautiful song that was specifically written about and for George by writers Amy Romeo, Brad Warren, Brett Warren, and Kenneth Wright titled ‘Stand There and Sing’; with lyrics like ‘The way you tell a story makes it easy to believe’ and ‘knowing the smoke and mirrors where just that, you just smile and tip your hat’ any George fan can appreciate the truth to the song, and by his speechless reaction after Le Ann’s performance I think that Mr. Strait was just as blown away.

While listening to George Strait’s new album ‘Twang’ I couldn’t help but hear the truth of the song ‘Stand There and Sing’ in each and every song George sings.

One thing on this CD that you can only find on one other George CD in his impressive 30+ collection, is that George co-wrote a few of the tracks on this project. It’s not a regular thing to see George’s name in the songwriting credits. Strait’s contributions were a result of writing with his son Bubba.
George co-wrote three songs on ‘Twang’ including the debut single, “Living for the Night,” which has become George’s 81st top 10 hit, and is still climbing the country charts.

My favourite tune on the CD is ‘The Breath You Take’, this song is a good depiction of George himself; it’s simple, true and most definitely country.

Another song that I really enjoy is ‘Where Have I Been’ a great lesson in slowing down and really living rather then speeding from one milestone to the next.
A real treat for those who enjoy George’s songs that carry a Spanish flare is ‘El Rey’. ‘El Rey’ is an all Spanish classic, originally written and song by José Alfredo Jiménez.

All in all, ‘Twang’ is a traditional, well produced addition to any George Strait lover’s collection.

Watch the video ‘Stand There and Sing’ www.youtube.com/watch?v=rFFCnKa7sl0

Twang – Track listing:
Twang
Where Have I Been All My Life
I Gotta Get to You
Easy as You Go
Living for the Night
Same Kind of Crazy
Out of Sight, Out of Mind
Arkansas Dave
The Breath You Take
He’s Got That Something Special
Hot Grease and Zydeco
Beautiful Day for Goodbye
El Rey

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Artist: Brad Paisley
Album: American Saturday Night
Label: Sony Music

Brad Paisley does not disappoint with his 7th studio album ‘American Saturday Night’! Because his last album was not a standard Paisley piece, it was more of a ‘love affair with his guitar’ as he says; American Saturday Night was a highly anticipated release.

One thing you have to love about this album is that there are 14 tracks, and you absolutely get your money’s worth. All 14 songs on this project were co-written by Brad and his talents on this album don’t stop there…besides his smooth, emotion filled vocals you also hear Paisley tearin’ it up on the mandolin, acoustic, and electric guitars! As one of Country Music’s most skilled players it’s a real pleasure to hear Brad play!

The first track released from this album was Brad’s 10th consecutive #1 ‘Then’. If that song doesn’t set a tone for the quality you’ll hear on this album I don’t know what would.
‘Welcome to the Future’, the second release from the CD is a song that will make you smile as the witty lyrics are ones that everyone can relate to.
The Blues sounding guitar and organ in addition to the mellow vocals in ‘She’s Her Own Woman’ show Brad’s diversity as a writer and musician.
‘Anything Like Me’ is a favourite of mine, and any parent can relate to the sentimental lyrics and genuine emotion generated by Brad’s 2 sons. If you listen closely at the end of the tune you can hear a cute cameo appearance by Brad’s son Huck.

Over all, this collection is probably my favourite BP album. ‘American Saturday Night’ is a true work of art, from an artist who knows himself and his audience.

American Saturday Nigh – Track listing:
American Saturday Night
Everybody’s Here
Welcome To The Future 
Then
Water 
She’s Her Own Woman 
Welcome To The Future (Reprise) 
Anything Like Me 
You Do The Math 
No
Catch All The Fish
Oh Yeah, You’re Gone 
The Pants 
I Hope That’s Me  
Bonus Track: Back To The Future

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Artist: Martina McBride
Album: Shine
Label: Sony Nashville

Martina McBride has released yet another masterpiece. ‘Shine’ is Martina’s fourth album and it debuted at #1 on Billboard’s Top Country Albums Chart.
Selling over 41,000 units in its first week on store shelves proves that Martina’s angelic voice matched with some of the most incredible songs makes for another excellent album.
Not only did Shine top the country charts but it also debuted in the Top 10 on Billboard All-Genre 200 chart.

This album co-produced by Dann Huff is stocked full of passionate songs that Martina sings with perfection. Her ability to paint a picture with the words of her songs is completely captivating.
From the rockin’ riffs of ‘Wrong Baby Wrong Baby Wrong’ to the bouncing guitar in ‘Ride’ this album definitely covers off a song for every mood. The soft and beautiful song ‘I Just Call You Mine’ is a true favourite of mine and incredibly Martina sings it as if it’s a favourite of hers as well.
There are 2 songs on this album that I can’t seem to stop listening to are ‘I’m Trying’ on of the most real, raw, and truthful songs I have every heard. Tagged with a the sounds of a melodically smooth acoustic guitar, and the story telling of Martina this song screams ‘HIT’…and then there is ‘Lies’, Martina sings flawlessly, every note is sung with excellence and pure emotion.
All in all one of the most diverse, and moving Martina albums yet.

Martina makes recording top selling albums seem so easy, it’s no wonder she has sold over 18 million albums to date, has had 22 Top 10 singles…6 of which ranked number one, and let’s not forget that she has a record tying four CMA Female Vocalists of the Year Awards under her belt!

It’s no surprise that ‘Shine’ is another Martina success!

‘Shine’ Track Listing
1. Wrong Baby Wrong Baby Wrong 
2. I Just Call You Mine
3. Sunny Side Up 
4. Walk Away  
5. I’m Trying 
6. What Do I Have To Do 
7. Don’t Cost A Dime 
8. Ride
9. You’re Not Leaving Me

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Artist: Eric Church
Album: Carolina
Label: Capitol Records Nashville
In Stores Now!

After hearing ‘Love Your Love The Most’ on the radio…I was hooked…I was counting down the days until Eric Church’s CD ‘Carolina’ hit store shelves, and I was not disappointed when I finally got to listen to the whole album!

Eric’s last album ‘Sinners like Me’ was very successful having found a spot in the Top 10 on Billboard Country Albums Chart; it produced 3 Top 20 singles and a #1 video. Carolina is not too far behind having already placed in the Top 5 on Billboard Country Charts. Well, he definitely didn’t lose the magic behind making a great album because ‘Carolina’ had me hooked after just one listen!

Besides having a voice that could make any woman just melt, he also penned the majority of the tunes on this project. Talent is something that just pours out of Mr. Church.

Some of my favourite songs are ‘Where She Told Me To Go’ and of course ‘Love Your Love The Most’ two songs where Eric makes you feel like you are looking into his heart, that added with his rugged and intimate voice, you will be completely mesmerized.

When I first heard the song ‘Lotta Boot Left To Fill’ I was immediately able to picture this tune blaring out of every country boy’s truck. A song that puts the facts that the music industry is becoming more of a show then a testament of true talent, meanwhile using Country Legends like Waylon Jennings and Johnny Cash to get his point across.
With lyrics like ‘You sing about Johnny Cash, the man in black would’ve whipped your ass’ and ‘Well I don’t think Waylon done it that way, And if he was here he’d say Hoss, neither did Hank’.

This album is a great rockin’ country collection that would be a terrific addition to anyone’s music collection.
Eric is out on his ‘Young & Wild’ Tour, and most of the dates have already been sold out.

‘Carolina’ Track Listing
1. Ain’t Killed Me Yet
2. Lotta Boot Left To Fill
3. Young And Wild
4. Where She Told Me To Go
5. Longer Gone
6. Love Your Love The Most
7. Smoke A Little Smoke
8. Without You Here
9. You Make It Look So Easy
10. Carolina
11. Hell On The Heart
12. Those I’ve Loved

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Artist: Blake Shelton
Album: Startin’ Fires
Label: Warner Music
In Stores Now!
Blake Shelton has been a name that we have heard on country radio for over 8 years now, with his debut single ‘Austin’ reaching number 1 and staying there for 5 weeks in 2001, country fans got to know him quickly.  Throughout the last 8 years Blake has had 4 #1 songs, Austin (2001), The Baby (2003), Some Beach (2004-2005) and Home (2008) plus he’s had another 3 Top 10 hits. Needless to say Blake Shelton has found a home in country music and his latest album ‘Startin’ Fires’ fits right in at home!

Startin’ Fires is Blake’s fifth album release and by far my favourite! Not only does Blake do a terrific job singing, he also shows his writing talents on this album too. He had a part in co-writing 3 of the 12 tracks on this CD and it seems that the songs that he wrote he sings with and amazing realness…the songs ‘Here I Am’ and ‘I Don’t Care’ show an emotional and raw quality in Shelton’s voice that instantly makes your heart melt. The other song that he penned is a duet with his girlfriend Miranda Lambert; ‘Bare Skin Rug’ is a backwoods, stripped down, duet with the two singing around a camp fire. This is not the first time we’ve heard Miranda and Blake pair up either, as her voice is the sweet harmonies on his 2008, #1 hit, ‘Home’. 

Blake’s rich baritone voice allows him to sing more modern country tunes while maintaining a very traditional sound, this is displayed in songs like ‘This is Gonna Take All Night’,  ‘Never Lovin’ You’ and of course the opening song on the CD, filled with ‘country’ whit and homour, ‘Green’.

Blake has found a formula for his music and sound that has lead him to success over the past 8 years and as long as he is singing that are written with equal talent to his voice, there is no telling just how far Blake will go.

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Artist: Randy Houser
Album: Anything Goes
Label: Universal South
In Stores Now!

Country Music like every other format can be broken down into many different types and sounds; Western Swing, Bluegrass, Modern or what was referred to as Young Country and of course the tear-filled ballots in which Country Music is known for. Many artists become successful by creating their own sounds which falls into one of the pervious categories, but then there are some who are so skilled, with such versatile voices that they can sing, and sound at home in any style of the genre. When I think of these artists some that come to mind are Eddy Arnold, Keith Whitley, Martina McBride, Ronnie Dunn…and now Randy Houser.

‘Anything Goes’ the debut album from Randy Houser is a rare gem; it’s an album where no two songs sound the same but every song memorable. The song writing, musicianship, and production was all skillfully done, and every note of every song is sung passionately and with conviction.

In 2008 the Mississippi native was signed to Universal South and released this collection in November of the same year. Houser is no stranger to Country Music charts as a song writer; in 2007 Randy along with co-writers Jamey Johnson and Dallas Davidson had their song ‘Honky Tonk Badonkadonk’ hit the chart as a hit for Trace Adkins. Randy didn’t slow down on the song writing front, he wrote/co-wrote all but three of the tracks from ‘Anything Goes’.

This album has a song that every listener will fall in love with. Songs like ‘My Kinda Country’ and ‘Boots On’ are songs that you can hear playing out of every country boy’s pick up truck, and then there are songs that completely captivate you from beginning to end like the emotional songs ‘Something Real’ a song which Houser co-wrote with David Lee Murphy and the title track ‘Anything Goes’.

I personally love the song ‘How Many Times’ a unique song with a soulful groove, that is topped off with beautiful harmonies of Vince Gill; and then there is ‘I’ll Sleep’ a moving song that Houser wrote after losing his father, his mentor and hero, when her was just 21.

The first single from this album, the title track ‘Anything Goes’ was a Top 20 hit on Billboard charts in 2008, and if this CD is any example of what we can expect from this artist I don’t see his career slowing down at all in 2009.

In an industry full of stars I can’t help but think that Randy Houser will be one that we see shine for years to come.

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