Put A Record On: A Bed of Roses (without a bed of nails, etc)
2025 report thus far: good for music, no comment on the rest
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The Good
“Bed of Roses,” Caylee Hammack: Who needs Carrie Underwood when you have a power vocalist like this? I’m always so impressed by how Hammack uses a lot of super traditional arrangements and instrumentations in her songs, and still makes it sound really modern – I think it’s the edge she pushes on that incredible voice. - MM [Love this one too! - NW]
“Dope Boy,” RVSHVD: Hallelujah, he’s back!!! Longtime readers will know how much I love RVSHVD, and especially the now-vintage “My Side Of Town” and “Dirt Road” — finally, he’s back to tapping that same well, pairing subject matter more often associated with hip-hop with an uptempo, wholly convincing country backing (with a saxophone solo!?!). Sorry, I love this - still want more beat-centric stuff a la “Dirt Road” but this is also so smart and refreshing. — NW
“Bad Spot,” Kip Moore: I love a song about personally accountability – and if it’s a man accounting for not only how he fucked up but also admitting to his weaknesses, all the better! Kip always hits it. “If I don’t sound like the old me it’s because I’m not” - phew. - MM
“Dream Again,” The Carlile Family Band: Why yes, I am writing about this band on the flight to see them - and Brandi Carlile and Shania Twain and Maren Morris and many more - at Brandi’s Girls Just Wanna Weekend festival in Mexico. And I’ve seen them at the last two festivals and I can 100% confess that when I heard this song I was gobsmacked by the young talent and was also SOBBING as a mom of young kids. Listen in a place you can weep. - MM
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