DisClaimer: LOCASH Wins With “Ring On Every Finger”

One contest has a clear winner; the other, not so much.

There’s no question but that LOCASH has the coolest sounding single of the week. Taken from the duo’s CD The Fighters, “Ring on Every Finger” is the obvious Disc of the Day.

In our DisCovery Award department, confusion reigns. Even if you divide it up into categories, you can’t see clearly. Okay, the group winner is The Warhorses. The female winners are Hadley Park. And then you get to a tie between Jamie Kent (the stronger songwriter) and Troy Cartwright (the stronger singer) in the male category. Listen to ‘em all, and make up your own minds.

ADRIAN JOHNSTON/Rather Have You
Writers: Adrian Johnston/Zac Maloy; Producer: Zac Maloy; Publishers: none listed, ASCAP; Just Another
-She sings strongly, although there’s nothing particularly distinctive about her style. The assertive song and tasteful production are both solid.

LOCASH/Ring On Every Finger
Writers: Josh Kear/Jesse Frasure/Thomas Rhett; Producer: Lindsay Rimes; Publishers: none listed; Reviver (track)
– Country as can be, yet ultra modern sounding. The loverboy lyric, catchy tune and plaintive delivery are augmented by a super rhythmic track and clever production touches that keep your ears perked up throughout the playing time. Utterly delightful. Highly recommended.

JAMIE KENT/All American Mutt
Writers: Jamie Kent/Dave Brainard/Tim Jackson; Producers: Dave Brainard; Publisher: none listed; Road Dog (track)
– The title tune of this kid’s CD is a rootsy, rollicking, harmonica-punctuated track with a very cool lyric about tolerance and diversity. Choice.

 
THE RAGING KIDIOTS/The Planet Song
Writers: Bobby Bones; Producers: Nick Autry, Bobby Bones, Lindsay Ell; Publishers: none listed; Black River (track)
– Bobby Bones and company have a new children’s music CD called Kiddy Up! This tune teaches the little ones about our solar system in a highly catchy white-boy rap. Fun for the little ones.

HADLEY PARK/Retrospect
Writers: C. Dasche/M.L. Garner/J. Shellhart; Producer: Hadley Park; Publishers: No Bull About It/Morgan Leigh Garner/New House of Sea Gayle/ClearBox, BMI/ASCAP; Hadley Park (track)
– The harmonies of this female duo go down as smoothly as blended scotch. I enjoyed this hooky, reminiscing title tune of their seven-song EP so much that I stayed tuned for the whole collection. The understated yet punchy and supportive production stays out of the way of their superbly rehearsed, flawless performances. Wildly promising.

GARTH BROOKS/Baby Let’s Lay Down And Dance
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Pearl
– Uptempo, jaunty and smiley, with a retro pop vibe.

TROY CARTWRIGHT/Don’t Fade
Writers: none listed; Producers: Rob Baird/Brian Douglas Phillips; Publishers: none listed; Foolish Kings/Hard Luck (track)
– A tenor voice languishes in an echoey atmosphere while guitars and steel sigh and swoon wistfully in the dark. This gorgeous thing is one of the most perfectly produced ballads I’ve heard all year. Essential listening.

TY HERNDON/That Kind Of Night
Writers: Erik Halbig/J.T. Hodges/Rich Redmond; Producers: Ty Herndon, Erik Halbig & Drew Davis; Publishers: none listed; BFD (track)
– Young lovers on the loose with tunes, a set of wheels and romance on the brain. The tempo chugs along nonstop while this fine singer soars skyward. Radio-ready ear candy. Get up and bop along.

CHARLIE McCOY & VINCE HATFIELD/The Hatfields & McCoys
Writers: Charlie McCoy; Producer: none listed; Publishers: Glass Slipper, ASCAP; Blue Moon
– He may be in the Country Music Hall of Fame, but Charlie McCoy still has plenty of steam in his boilers. He heats up this toe-tapping story song every time he sings or his harp lets fly.

THE WARHORSES/Leaving In Your Eyes
Writers: Casey Shaw; Producer: David Percefull; Publisher: 19 Charlie, BMI; 19 Charlie (track)
-Country-rock perfection, complete with a heartbeat rhythm undertow, chiming guitars, hearty harmonies and a drawling, regular-guy lead vocalist. Whoever these guys are, I’m a fan. Turn it up.