Of Course Kane Brown Is Collaborating With That Marshmallow Guy
Oh you’ve got to love watching the contortions of the fawning media trying to convince the masses that Kane Brown is some kind of country music revivalist because they believe his “diversity” is good for the genre.
Recently Variety named Kane Brown’s song “Heaven” a quote unquote “pure country smash.” The word “pure” is just the latest to be commandeered from actual country music fans and artists who have long used the term to delineate themselves from whatever the hell is going on in the mainstream, and it’s now being used to describe a guy who arguably illustrates the antithesis of country music purity. Kane Brown’s songs sound exactly the same as all of the generic white guys stacked up on the country radio charts waiting for their opportunity at #1 with mediocre R&B songs. He’s not the presence of diversity, he’s the death of it.
“Heaven” by Kane Brown was also just revealed as the most-played song on country radio in 2018. A little dobro can’t make up for the electronic finger snapping or the R&B styling. “Heaven” is a fine song, for pop. But it’s not country. And if you need any further evidence to underscore just how far Kane Brown is from the heart of true country music, the fact that he’s collaborating with the EDM superstar that runs around with a marshmallow on his head should tell you all you need to know.
“I’m thankful that me and Kane Brown have a song coming out next year,” Marshmellow tweeted out in late November. Kane Brown replied, “It’s to [sic] real …. it’s gonna get to many people in their feelings…. and it’s a jam, only listened to it like 600 times.”
It’s not that cross-genre collaborations should be forbidden or something. They can be quite compelling or culturally-significant. But they should be rare and unique to enhance their meaningfulness. Kane Brown is no Willie Nelson, and Marshmellow is no Julio Iglesias. When artists or the media talk about “opening up” country music, what they really mean is making it more like every other genre for the widest possible commercial applicability. Kane Brown working with Marshmellow would have been like Alan Jackson collaborating with Depeche Mode back in the day, except Kane Brown is no Alan Jackson, and Marshmellow is … well, you get it.
Perhaps a Marshmallow collaboration with Kane Brown will result in the song being on the top of the country charts for 50+ weeks like we saw with Florida Georgia Line and Bebe Rexha, rewriting the country music history books. Or perhaps it will be like Maren Morris and Zedd’s “The Middle”—a superfluous song released to advertise Target stores during the Grammy Awards that went to top the pop charts, and that the Grammy Awards then returned the favor to by nominating it for two major awards. Or perhaps it will just be a popcorn fart, like Kelsea Ballerini’s collaboration with The Chainsmokers, or Zac Brown’s with Avicii.
Either way, someone that the media is labeling “pure country” and a “revivalist” is collaborating with a guy with a marshmallow on his head, further blurring the lines for the public of what the term “country” even means. Kane Brown can collaborate with whomever he wants. Let’s just make sure to call him what he is, which is a pop star who is perhaps slightly country flavored as an avenue to popularity because he would get trounced in the pop genre proper, and leave the “pure” label for the artists in country music who actually deserve it.
hoptowntiger94
December 11, 2018 @ 10:06 am
CMA’s S’more of the year!
The Ghost of Hey Arnold
December 11, 2018 @ 10:42 am
I feel that if a country artist wants to infuse Pop influences into their songs… Well it shouldn’t be a modern Pop R & B sound… they should be infusing old Pop sounds , like Doo-Wop orsounds into their country music. Country & Doo-Wop go well together. Please listen to “Poor Little Fool” by Ricky Nelson from 1957. It was a “rock pop” genre back then, but it’s super country sounding of today. I’ll try to link a youtube video of it below.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=_5UDiQC3RDs
Bradley Olson
December 15, 2018 @ 9:11 pm
In fact, Poor Little Fool was a Top 10 country chart hit back in the day as well
Johnny
December 11, 2018 @ 10:43 am
I’ve been hating this dude for quite a while, but the moment he decided to stand on the roof of that Camaro…… no bueno…
Pud
December 11, 2018 @ 11:17 am
Jealous
Stringbuzz
December 11, 2018 @ 10:44 am
“the fact that he’s collaborating with the EDM superstar that runs around with a marshmallow on his head should tell you all you need to know.”
This made me laugh out loud.
Bill Goodman
December 11, 2018 @ 10:50 am
Waiting to see if the Brownies will come along and defend this douche.
Dirt Road Derek
December 11, 2018 @ 10:56 am
“it’s gonna get to many people in their feelings”
Well, that’s really all that needed to be said. I’ve been waiting years for a song to get me in my feelings, and who better to do it than Kane Brown and a guy with a marshmallow for a head?
Kevin Davis
December 11, 2018 @ 11:22 am
Yep, move over “Old Violin” and “He Stopped Loving Her Today.” Kane Brown and marshmallow man are going to hit us in our feels!
Mike2
December 11, 2018 @ 11:12 am
And here come the Kane Brown fans to his rescue…UR JUST JELUZ!!!!!!!
Saving Bro Country Music
December 11, 2018 @ 11:13 am
So I had the same reaction to that “pure country” line that you did. But if you actually read the article, they mean something a bit different in context. They’re mainly using it as contrast for songs like Meant To Be.
Meant To Be was a multi-format single that featured a pop artist. Heaven was only promoted to country radio — and it solely features an artist who identifies as country. So it’s a big hit that was “purely” a country radio single.
Granted, that doesn’t make their point a compelling one. It doesn’t justify the use of “pure.” And it doesn’t mean they’re correct in how they analyze his sound. Just saying that this particular line isn’t as problematic as you’re thinking.
Trigger
December 11, 2018 @ 12:22 pm
As we’ve been seeing throughout 2018, as newsrooms and writing staffs get obliterated, more and more pop and general entertainment writers have been tasked or compelled to cover country music to the detriment of the genre. To post a headline proclaiming proclaiming Kane Brown’s “Heaven” as “pure” country is irresponsible. You have to understand that term means something to people within the country community. I understand the context in which it was being used, but I would quibble about the term “country” even being used in regards to Kane Brown. It’s similar to the Washington Post a few weeks ago saying that country radio was too “traditional” for Kacey Musgraves. Whether the context of how the word was used is different from what the word means to actual country fans, it’s a bad application. You never see this coming from CMT, Taste of Country, or some other mega pop country site. Even though they may be proponents of someone like Kane Brown, they also know the rules of the road, and follow them. They would never make these kind of faux pas, especially in a headline. I don’t want to run down Chris Willman who wrote the article for Variety because I think generally he’s a good writer. But he’s not a country writer. If these outlets want to cover country, use country writers. Put them on staff. Instead, what we often have is politically-motivated writers who only know country from the outside looking in talking down to the genre’s own fans like their proles, using bad nomenclature based off of a shallow understanding of the music while making hyperbolic proclamations.
It’s bad enough that Kane Brown’s “Heaven” was the #1 song on country radio in 2018. For the love of God, please don’t label it “pure” country.
Melissa
December 11, 2018 @ 11:16 am
I’m waiting for the day where Kane Brown is the thing of the past and long forgotten
Pud
December 11, 2018 @ 11:22 am
You are all jealous
Don’t like him but you know a lot about him
Don’t listen t to him if you don’t like marshmallows
Johnny
December 11, 2018 @ 2:33 pm
Jealous.
albert
December 11, 2018 @ 2:41 pm
I DO like marshmallows …that’s why I’m afraid to listen to this ‘ collaboration ”
And I like mice …..so I stopped listening to that Deadmouse guy too
My friend and I have a quadruple turn-table set where we both put pumpkins on our heads and jam mash-ups of Sinatra and Tiny Tim to a dry- ice ‘n strobe show . Its kind of scary-sweet if you can dig that, but the 12 year old girls and their mom’s eat it up ….so yeah ….I think were onto something .
Tyrone
December 12, 2018 @ 9:33 am
TROLLLLLL IN THE DUNGEON
Corncaster
December 11, 2018 @ 11:24 am
Boring.
disgruntled college kid
December 11, 2018 @ 11:30 am
I’ve been a long time lurker and this site has been great for helping discover some great new artists. I’m just trying to understand the point of all this. Do you really think that mainstream country will ever go back to traditional sounding artists? I don’t think so. There’s too much money to be made in this current iteration of crossover garbage. I wouldnt even call it crossover to be honest though. At least some of the country pop stuff from years past had some country back bone to it. When Nashville has always been trying to make money don’t you think it makes sense that they’re pushing this 100% pop music? Nashville will never change its motives and currently hip hop/rnb and edm are huge in America. Its not going to make traditional country disappear though. I live in a college town in Montana and am always surprised by the massive concert turnout to real country, bluegrass, or roots music in general. Its not as big as the stadium “country” acts but it still gives me hope for the future of the genres. Maybe things are different outside Montana but I dont understand the point to calling out the media or Nashville when the traditional scene is thriving outside of all that. Does anyone understand my rambling or am I completely missing the point?
Cory Holdren
December 11, 2018 @ 12:29 pm
I agree. Country radio will never go back to what it once was. Maybe another format will become viable which features artists who do traditional country.
Bradley Olson
December 15, 2018 @ 9:12 pm
The closest formats that features artists that do traditional country is Americana and also Texas Red Dirt.
Trigger
December 11, 2018 @ 12:51 pm
Country music has improved over the last few years, since 2015. It just happens to be that we continue to have stars like Kane Brown finding success. The biggest overall artist in country music in 2018 taking in a number of factors including album sales, songs streams, radio play, and touring was Chris Stapleton. This is according to Billboard. I understand that some find Chris Stapleton as mild, or even part of the problem. But that’s a hell of a lot better than previous year when the biggest artist was Florida Georgia Line, Sam Hunt, or Luke Bryan. The market share for independent music continues to rise. Awards shows are finally starting to recognize non radio stars like Brandi Carlile and Kacey Musgraves. I’m seeing lots of reasons to be positive. But we also must remain vigilant, and let our opinions know that artists like Kane Brown don’t represent us as country fans. No offense to Kane, but he’s a pop/R&B star. Underscoring that fact is the point of all of this.
Disgruntled college kid
December 11, 2018 @ 1:16 pm
That makes sense. It pisses me off too that its called country but I just don’t see it ever changing. I guess what I’m trying to say is it makes sense to be fighting this but I dont think it will ever stop being called country. People that like it will defend it till they die cause god forbid it be called something else and ruin their whole identity of being “country”. Im kinda curious what your take on Patsy Cline is. Personally I think its great music but John Denvers “country roads” and the Byrds “You aint goin nowhere” is more country than most of her stuff. She gets praised as one of the greatest female voices in country music but most of that doesnt sound as traditional as some of the crossover country pop and country rock from the 60s and 70s.
Altaltcountry
December 11, 2018 @ 8:06 pm
Notorious Byrd Brothers does have some country elements, and of course Sweetheart of the Rodeo is a decent homage to the past, but if you want real country from that quarter, try Gene Clark’s White Light or Clark and Carla Olsson’s So Rebellious a Lover.
Traditional country is more of a feeling than an instrumentation or a set of words. Patsy Cline is real country, much more so than John Denver.
Blackh4t
December 12, 2018 @ 3:17 am
Sorry, never liked Patsy or all that ‘countrypolitan’. Bad era for country. If it doesn’t make you feel like you got cow **** on your boots and proud of it, it probably isn’t country.
altaltcountry
December 12, 2018 @ 10:54 am
Those countrypolitan choruses and slick arrangements make me cringe, but if you focus on the vocals, Cline is pure country (same with the early Connie Smith, the later Ray Price, later Johnny Paycheck, and other artists who got thrown into the countrypolitan stewpot).
Kane is Lame
December 11, 2018 @ 11:40 am
Cue the Kane Brown fan girl mob in 3, 2, 1…
“He’s so awesome” , ” He’s so hot”, “Haters gonna hate”, “He’s real country”, “Yall are racist”,
“Yer just jealous” , “He rocks my world”,
There. Saved you all the trouble. Will that cover it , girls?
Big Red
December 11, 2018 @ 11:46 am
A marshmallow? So… he’s an airhead? All fluff? Sickeningly sweet?
Talk about a sticky situation.
Lmuah
December 11, 2018 @ 11:52 am
Hehehehehe
S’more
SMH
Hehehe
Tom
December 13, 2018 @ 3:19 pm
They really need to form a trio with a southern white dude, because everyone knows you can’t have a s’more without a cracker.
Kathleen Wright
December 11, 2018 @ 11:54 am
The level of hate in this article and comments is just amazing. I love old school country…Cash, Travis, Jones BUT I also love the new country as well. Combs and Kane Brown are killing it right now. I’m a 53 year old female and I love Kane Brown! If you don’t like his music… DON’T LISTEN TO IT! But give the young man some credit for getting out there and going after his dream! Who cares who he’s collaborating with? Blake Shelton had collaborated with Shakira and Gwen Stefani and no one had a heart attack. There’s room for everyone. Show a little kindness…he’s not stealing any food from your table!
Tracy Coleman
December 11, 2018 @ 12:19 pm
EXACTLY!!!!!
hoptowntiger94
December 11, 2018 @ 12:51 pm
Grandma’s Sunshine Jello Salad
1 small pkg. lemon jello
1 cup boiling water
8 oz. can crushed pineapple
2 tblsp. lemon juice
3 medium carrots, grated
½ cup chopped pecans
dash salt
Mayonnaise (optional)
Drain the pineapple, reserving the juice. Set the pineapple aside for now. To the reserved pineapple juice, add the lemon juice and enough cold water to equal one cup.
Dissolve the jello with boiling water. Stir the pineapple juice mixture into the dissolved jello. Pour the jello into a mold or a small square baking dish. Place it in the refrigerator and chill until it begins to thicken (about 45 minutes to 1 hour).
Add the reserved pineapple, shredded carrots, pecans and salt. Stir very well to combine the ingredients. Pour into a mold and chill until set (4 hours or overnight). To serve, cut into squares and top with a small dollop of mayonnaise (if desired).
Enjoy!
*my grandma substituted a whipped topping
Kat
December 11, 2018 @ 3:53 pm
Lol. Are you 5?
Billy Wayne Ruddick
December 11, 2018 @ 1:06 pm
Part of what Trigger does with this website is write critical reviews of music and music industry happenings. He explains very, very clearly why and how he feels, which is exactly what a critic does. Part of running a country music site entails covering happenings in the industry overall, and unfortunately, right now that means covering and critiquing all this sound-alike, no soul, Nashville Pop crap. Especially when it is referenced as “pure country”. The “don’t listen to it” thing makes no sense. That’s literally his job.
On the plus side, god knows how many Kane Brown fans this article will bring to this site via search engine, facebook etc., who will then be shown that there is much more out there in the realm of real, sincere country music that goes far beyond the commercialized teenie pop that “country radio” unfortunately plays these days.
Kat
December 11, 2018 @ 3:54 pm
Billy… I’m talking about people who are not fans of his music.
scott
December 11, 2018 @ 1:08 pm
Blake Shelton ain’t country, either. So, there’s that…
Bradley Olson
December 15, 2018 @ 9:14 pm
Blake started out country with songs such as Austin, Old Red, etc.
Dan
December 11, 2018 @ 2:36 pm
I think you have missed the point Kathleen…its not that people on here don’t like Kane Brown, its that they don’t appreciate people calling his style of music “country”. Its not country music, nether is any of those other folks you mentioned. Blake Shelton is not putting our country music either….listen to chew tobacco, spit and tell me that’s country. The point to all this, for me anyway, is the stuff being classified as county music these days just isn’t country music at all. I give two shits what anyone lese listens to, but let’s call it what it is.
Kat
December 11, 2018 @ 3:56 pm
Dan,
It’s the next generation of country. Everything changes.
Kat
December 11, 2018 @ 4:12 pm
But it is. It’s not pop. It’s an infusion. Again… plenty of room for all.
Billy Wayne Ruddick
December 11, 2018 @ 6:46 pm
Completely wrong, Kat. In fact, this is a great time of year for you to do a little exploring and look at this site’s recently posted album and song of the year nominee articles. Also the essential albums articles. That will be a great starting point to begin learning what the next generation of country looks like.
Ulysses McCaskill
December 11, 2018 @ 7:41 pm
An infusion of what exactly?
Tom
December 13, 2018 @ 3:27 pm
What exactly is “not pop” about Kane Brown? I’m dead serious here. I have nothing against the guy, but other than seeing a video of him singing “Three Wooden Crosses” – which was a tribute and not a single release – I’ve never heard anything come out of his mouth to suggest that his music should be played anywhere but stations that also play Justin Bieber and Shawn Mendes. So please, instead of recycling the tired old “country music must evolve” line of BS, please tell me exactly what it is about Kane Brown that makes him country.
Tom
December 17, 2018 @ 8:58 am
Still waiting.
Ken
December 11, 2018 @ 3:41 pm
You are so wrong Kathleen. Kane Brown being called country is “stealing food” from real country music artists. He shouldn’t be at the table let alone be allowed to pick bits from it. Nothing wrong with you liking him but to say that’s he makes the same kind of music as Cash, Jones and any of these real country artists is beyond comprehension. You’ll be telling us next that Santa Claus listen to Kane Brown albums. Santa’s not that daft!
Kat
December 11, 2018 @ 3:51 pm
No he’s not. There’s room for all. I didn’t say he makes the same music as Cash and Jones. I said I LIKED both. BTW… Knowing Santa here probably does. 😉 Again…if you don’t like the newer country… DON’T LISTEN TO IT.
JB-Chicago
December 11, 2018 @ 5:44 pm
“BUT I also love the new country as well. Combs and Kane Brown are killing it right now.”
I know you’re not comparing the music of those 2 just the popularity Kathleen. Yes they’re both “killing it” but only one of them comes close to playing Country music, and he deserves the success. The other one is doing a pop duet with a marshmallow. See/hear the difference?
Chris
December 11, 2018 @ 7:56 pm
If by “killing” you mean “murdering,” and the “it” being referred to is true country music, then you’re absolutely right as far as Kane Brown goes.
PaulineJ
December 12, 2018 @ 9:34 am
Exactly!!!!! If you don’t like it don’t listen….I happen to like it ….at least he’s doing what he loves to do with his life!! What are the test of you doing Except criticizing someone who is…like you know so much!!!p
AllDaySoupKitchen
December 11, 2018 @ 11:57 am
Marty Robbins wouldn’t listen to this shit…
Dobe Daddy
December 11, 2018 @ 3:55 pm
🙂
NPC
December 11, 2018 @ 11:58 am
This whole thing is completely terrible, but for editorial purposes, the artist name is spelled Marshmello… so even the spelling is dumb.
OlaR
December 11, 2018 @ 12:00 pm
Had to google who or what Marshmello is…meh.
In Germany a rapper with the name Cro is running around with a panda-face-mask.
The same shit worldwide & worldwide more shit in the charts.
Much Better Music:
Donavon Lee Carpenter – Donavon Lee Project – Album – 12 Tracks – Released
Kickstarter, cowboy hat, (classic) country sound, some fine tracks like “What Kind Of Memory Am I” & some so-so tracks like “Another Beach Song”.
Dani Young – “Stepping Stones” – Single – Released
My first top-track for 2019. Australian alt-country & not too far away from “Queen Of Boomtown” (Gretta Ziller). My personal #1 song of 2017.
Lizzie Cates – “Such A Mess” – Single – Released
Young singer/songwriter with a country-pop sound & Taylor Swift as an influence. I like the song & the production…but don’t need the next Taylor-clone.
Melanie Gray – “My Bet’s On Love” – Single – Released
Australian singer/songwriter with an “australiana” sound (well…mostly country-pop) & classic themes. “My Bet’s…” is radio-friendly with a positive message. Sounds like a hit.
Jerry
December 11, 2018 @ 12:06 pm
Willie Nelson ain’t country he collaborated with Snoop Dogg. Haggard ain’t country he rapped. Tim McGraw ain’t country he collaborated with Nelly.
MH
December 11, 2018 @ 12:24 pm
Haggard rapped?
L
O
L
altaltcountry
December 12, 2018 @ 10:44 am
https://youtu.be/aPrnbGm7jas
Disgruntled college kid
December 11, 2018 @ 3:03 pm
The willie and snoop friendship is hilarious to me. I think there is a difference with that though. Their collaborations were most likely meant to just do something different, and to have an excuse to smoke and make music together. They both probably knew their collaborations wouldn’t ever hit the radio and would just be something fun for their fans. What do I know though.
Ulysses McCaskill
December 11, 2018 @ 5:35 pm
When you have the history and the kind of records in the books that Willie and Haggard have, you can do whatever the hell you want. Where did Haggard ever “rap” though?
On Tim McGraw, I agree. He’s not country.
Regarding Kane, let me know when he comes out with an album comparible to Shotgun Willie, Tougher than Leather or, the greatest album of all time, Red Headed Stranger.
Moondog
December 11, 2018 @ 12:22 pm
maybe Wheeler wrote the song….Cobb produced it….at Sun Records
Pierre
December 11, 2018 @ 12:53 pm
Let’s call a cat a cat and be done with this hypocrisy. He has nothing to do with “pure country”. I would have a greater respect for the guy if he would call himself a pop artist. There is no harm in being a pop artist. Micheal Jackson was the king of pop. He never called himself country.
Mariana
December 11, 2018 @ 12:59 pm
This comments section reeks of jealousy. Kane Brown is smoking hot right now, in more ways than one. I know all the incels here are angry about that, but calm down. You’re precious drinking and cheating songs from bearded white men are still a thing. It’s time to come together and embrace the new country that is much more reflective of the demographics of America.
Fat Freddy's Cat
December 11, 2018 @ 2:32 pm
Excuse me, but you’re not going to win many converts to your cause with that approach.
For many of us here, music is a deeply important part of our lives, deeper than simply who is “smoking hot”. Music that we love is being shoved aside for a tight pair of jeans. Many fine country artists–including many women, not just “bearded white men”–have worked hard for all of their lives to create real country music and in many cases have little to show for it, because some music industry suit would rather have a male pop singer chosen primarily for his ability to waggle his butt.
There’s plenty of space in the pop music world for pop singers. Why not let us have our own little space? Do you really have to take everything?
Kat
December 11, 2018 @ 4:16 pm
Whine much? If it makes me want to move or sing, I don’t care what it’s called. Lol
Ulysses McCaskill
December 11, 2018 @ 7:39 pm
Well good then. If you don’t care what’s it called, we’ll keep correctly calling it pop and chiding those who insist on calling it country.
So, if it doesn’t matter, why exactly are you here?
Fat Freddy's Cat
December 12, 2018 @ 7:09 am
Apparently it’s unrealistic to expect you to be able to engage in an adult conversation.
DJ
December 11, 2018 @ 3:15 pm
You’re is a contraction of you are. Your is belonging to or associated with- speaking of demographics. Smoking hot is highly subjective which by nature divides. Pure is defined as not mixed or adulterated with any other substance. What grade did you complete where?
Billy Wayne Ruddick
December 11, 2018 @ 3:26 pm
Americans eat 554 million Jack in the Box tacos each year, which makes them a “smokin hot” menu item at Jack in the Box…..does that mean that they are quality food? Absolutely not. Jack in the Box taco sales and Kane Brown album / tour sales are nothing more than sad statements about the consumption habits of food and music in our country right now. One is driven by cheap drunks/stoners, and the other is driven by clueless teens and lazy soccer moms who don’t care to actually seek out meaningful music.
Mariana
December 11, 2018 @ 4:06 pm
Disgusting comment. Those cheap drunk stoners you speak of are likely hard working immigrants. You should be thankful instead of extremely condescending. And secondly, your notion of meaningful music could be completely different. Serveral months ago I can remember listening to Kane Brown with some friends at a hotel and it was a night to remember. I have great memories that I associate with his music. I would say that’s pretty meaningful.
Jack Humphrey
December 11, 2018 @ 6:00 pm
I have some awesome memories associated with some terrible music, though thankfully none of them involve a single Kane Brown song. For an artist’s music to be “meaningful”, it must be able to do more than evoke a few good memories from listeners. The lyrics have to be able to resound with a broad group of people, and the instrumentation should stand out from the rest of the shit flooding into mainstream music.
P.S. Billy Wayne nailed it with his comment.
Billy Wayne Ruddick
December 11, 2018 @ 6:54 pm
Lord help me. If you are closed minded enough to equate Jack in the Box tacos with actual Mexican food….well I really don’t know what to say. I guess that comment does provide a good parallel to Kane Brown being mistaken for country music, though. I can guarantee you Mexican immigrants don’t eat those things. They are pre made at a factory, frozen and then deep fried whole.
Tom
December 14, 2018 @ 10:43 am
One night last summer I was sitting around a campfire with some friends and a little girl sang “Baby Shark” over and over. It was a great night, but that doesn’t make Baby Shark a good song. But it is more country than Kane Brown.
LG
December 11, 2018 @ 5:01 pm
“Reflective of the demographics of America?” … I’ve traveled extensively and seen a lot in my time. Never once I have encountered someone running around with a marshmallow on his or her head. Though there was that one dude in Guns N Roses for a bit who wore a KFC bucket.
Trigger
December 11, 2018 @ 5:18 pm
😀
JB-Chicago
December 11, 2018 @ 6:14 pm
At Buckethead can play the guitar what does the marshmallow chode do?…..lol Just askin.
Sherrel
December 11, 2018 @ 1:21 pm
Never have I ever heard of so much jealousy of a man trying to have something y’all ain’t talented enough to do for yourselves. Hate much!!! God America is is getting to be such an embarrassment. People we have more damn important things to worry about than this, y’all need get your shit together. Shame on you!!!!! So very sad!!!
albert
December 11, 2018 @ 2:54 pm
If an automobile assembly plant in your town decided to make Flintstone pedal cars for ToysR Us putting 2000 people out of work you’d be upset …right ?
Guess how many ACTUAL COUNTRY singers, writers ,performers and instrumentalists don’t get work cuz Music Row has decided to make ”Flintstone pedal cars” for kids at a fraction of the costs , employees , skills and talent it took to make REAL music ?
DJ
December 11, 2018 @ 3:18 pm
LOL- where “pure” country music is concerned I’d say we pretty much have our shit together.
Notice the name of the site- Saving Country Music- country music, not pop music.
LG
December 11, 2018 @ 5:04 pm
I’m not jealous at all … I just can’t stop laughing about the dude with the marshmallow on his head.
albert
December 12, 2018 @ 9:52 am
…remember when you had to play an instrument to be called a musician ?
you know …back when you had to do more than say words fast to be called a singer ..??
Tyrone
December 12, 2018 @ 9:38 am
Take your Centrum Silver and calm down.
The Other Wayne
December 11, 2018 @ 1:22 pm
I know my share of EDM fans who have similar sentiments to our own about the pop takeover of their preferred genre. The same goes in rock, and hip-hop, and most music.
Corncaster
December 11, 2018 @ 1:47 pm
Here’s what I don’t get.
Let’s say a style of music is getting made and pushed to radio by just three companies. For a while, they make money. Then the leadership of those companies changes, and a new generation comes in. They look around and say, you know what, there’s just not enough money to be made in this style of music. Let’s make another style of music. So they do.
Would you say “oh, the music has evolved!” No. Why would you let corporate decisions determine what a style of music is? Screw them.
The Ghost of Hey Arnold
December 11, 2018 @ 1:49 pm
Trig, for your Saving Country Music Award show on here, how about a category for “Best single from Country Radio Airplay” . I would love to see a compilation of the best/most traditional singles released to the Mainstream Country Radio this year. (That at least charted Top 50)
My nominations would be Burn Out Midland. She Ain’t in It. Better Boat. Runaway June’s Buy my own Drink.
What else am I missing?
The Ghost of Hey Arnold
December 11, 2018 @ 2:49 pm
Cody Johnson has a Top 30 hit now
T Baldwin
December 11, 2018 @ 2:05 pm
I think the bottom line is….regardless of what type of music a person thinks it is or if it’s the type of music that a person likes to listen to or not, us there a big concern on why people have to point out what kind of music “they” think it is? Shouldn’t we just let people be who they are, let people sing what they want to sing, and let people listen to what they want to listen to??? The world (to include what we think music should or should not sound like) is not going to stay the way it was 50 years ago or 30 years ago and it’s going to change and people need to just flow with it. We all have choices we can make so if people don’t like certain types of music then they can listen to the music that they like and let everyone else do what they do.
Billy Wayne Ruddick
December 11, 2018 @ 3:33 pm
The problem is that this garbage is taking up spots on country radio, at country (or what used to be) music labels, at country award shows, etc. etc. that should be reserved for actual, talented country artists. A HUGE promotional opportunity for the many deserving country artists out there is being hijacked every time Nashville pushes another indistinguishable crappy pop act as country, and every time an article by the “country” press gets written about a guy like Kane. So yes, it does matter. In a big way. Lastly, I can guarantee you if Kane brown was properly marketed and promoted as a pure pop act, you would never have seen his name mentioned around here. It’s not like we are just randomly picking musical acts we don’t like and ragging on them.
Madwolf
December 11, 2018 @ 7:46 pm
“The world (to include what we think music should or should not sound like) is not going to stay the way it was 50 years ago or 30 years ago and it’s going to change and people need to just flow with it.”
This is an incredibly annoying sentiment that I read all too often in this comment’s section. No one who frequents and comments on this site suggests that the world would be a better place if only we could revive the music of our grandfathers or that Country music should not “evolve”. On the contrary, we welcome and search out new Country music…and there’s plenty of it out there. Our biggest complaint is not the quality of music played on country music radio (that’s subjective…people are free to like what they like), it’s the fact that it is NOT Country music. Listen objectively; there isn’t a single element within contemporary popular country music that resembles what most reasonable people consider Country music.
albert
December 12, 2018 @ 10:15 am
”No one who frequents and comments on this site suggests that the world would be a better place if only we could revive the music of our grandfathers or that Country music should not “evolve”. On the contrary, we welcome and search out new Country music…and there’s plenty of it out there. Our biggest complaint is not the quality of music played on country music radio (that’s subjective…people are free to like what they like), it’s the fact that it is NOT Country music.”
yeah ….for as many times as we’ve stated this , Madwolf , a lot of folks are not ‘ listening’ or not taking the time to appreciate this statement . Why ??? Its a straightforward sentiment ….most longtime fans of country music welcome fresh takes , great writing , a killer soloist , a beautiful country duet with a strong melody and harmony . NONE of those things seem to be a part of the ‘new country evolution ‘ , with very few exceptions . we aren’t living in the past …we’re living WITH the past’s greatness in all the above respects and saddened,frustrated/disappointed/…and yes …somewhat angered that all of that greatness has been forsaken for image and the dollar in chasing an audience who don’t appreciate those things or realize just how shortchanged they are .
wayne
December 11, 2018 @ 2:10 pm
Political correctness and the stars associated with it have, or are in the process of, hijacking good ole’ country music.
Alternatives such as the still yet undefined description of “AMERICANA” offer little hope as most of those artists align themselves with the same political correct diversity-is-a-must crowd.
Glad we can still find Aaron Tippen on youtube, etc.
albert
December 11, 2018 @ 2:29 pm
”Let’s just make sure to call him what he is, which is a pop star who is perhaps slightly country flavored as an avenue to popularity because he would get trounced in the pop genre proper, and leave the “pure” label for the artists in country music who actually deserve it.”
……. ….what I wouldn’t give to be a fly on George Strait’s wall when he sits down with his morning java and reads about KB and some Marshmallow-head making ‘ country ‘ music .
If radio music gets any stupider ( yes …STUPIDER ) I’m rooting for global warming sooner than later ……Jesus ……..
Bill Weiler
December 11, 2018 @ 3:50 pm
Listening to Pinto Bennett and the Famous Motel Cowboys and reading this at the same time. I have barely heard of Kane Brown and now I’m supposed to check out some idiot that wears a marshmallow on his head? Because nothing says Country music like the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man. You really can’t make this shit up.
Bad One
December 11, 2018 @ 4:00 pm
I don’t listen to country radio. I’m too picky. But, because of that, I’m proud to be able to say that I have no idea what Kane Brown sounds like.
albert
December 11, 2018 @ 4:08 pm
if you listen to any POP radio you know what Kane Brown sounds like .
AllDaySoupKitchen
December 11, 2018 @ 4:14 pm
The best thing about this Great Nation, we can speak our minds and not have to agree. If what I think bothers you, too bad. And if I don’t like what you think? That sucks. Why hold it against someone just because they disagree with you. We free to like and dislike anything we want. The only genre of music we have is American Music…. some of it is just older and better HAHA Clint Eastwood for President
Seth of Lampasas
December 11, 2018 @ 4:58 pm
What about Avicii and the guy from Union station? That was an interesting mix. It got overplayed, but it’s actually a pretty cool song.
Y’all just mad cuz he fine AND country
December 11, 2018 @ 5:29 pm
Y’all get ova yaselves. He country and he attractive. Also I’m a man.
Hits the road peeps.
Ulysses McCaskill
December 11, 2018 @ 6:05 pm
Ulysses no like this.
Ben Parks
December 11, 2018 @ 6:09 pm
Ok, I am put I’d the loop, is this a real thing? There is actually a pop singer dressed as a marshmallow?
Tom
December 14, 2018 @ 10:46 am
Depends how you define “singer”, I guess.
Phil Oxford
December 11, 2018 @ 7:09 pm
Looking through the comments, I think we have been infiltrated by a member of the Kane Brown PR camp. We made it!
Eli
December 11, 2018 @ 7:29 pm
I honestly only clicked the link to see whether or not Kane Brown was joining Rascal Flatts.
Benny Lee
December 11, 2018 @ 7:38 pm
Went to a Whitey Morgan & the 78s concert last week. They were excellent, as always.
Can’t imagine having to sit through a Kane Brown concert, although I did once endure Jake Owen and Old Dominion waiting for Miranda Lambert to take the stage. That was awful.
ScottG
December 11, 2018 @ 7:40 pm
I’ve spent way too much time in the past commenting on this topic. Resistance is futile: This is the future, like it or not. Fight the good fight if you want to, and more respect to you in doing so, but I’ve decided I don’t give a shit. This topic is misunderstood anyway, there is no convincing the bro/pop fans of anything, and it’s a waist of time for me personally. I love your reviews and posts about good (actual country) music and will keep reading them as long as you keep posting them.
Ulysses McCaskill
December 11, 2018 @ 7:45 pm
I’ve strived to take a similar stance to yours, but the problem becomes when I am asked what type of music I like. If I answer country, the mind of the person who asked the question goes immediately to the likes of Florida Georgia Line, Luke Bryan, Jason Aldean, Kane Brown and so on. Then I have to go into detail and oftentimes they still don’t get it.
I guess from now I’ll just say I like “old country” and “new old country”.
Ulysses McCaskill
December 11, 2018 @ 7:48 pm
Kinda like when Jason Eady once said during a show “I play country music. The old kind. But it’s gonna be the new kind again, I think.”.
ScottG
December 11, 2018 @ 8:56 pm
Yeah I understand the why, and I understand the concept of fighting the good fight, but the horse is out of the barn. I appreciate what Trigger says and what Tyler C has said on the subject, but is it going to change? It’s just wasted energy at this point, and puts people at odds. I’m not sure the antagonistic approach that I was taking was right… as the old saying goes you catch more flies with honey. Maybe instead of making fun of bro/pop fans we should just point them to artists we like.
All of this said…long live the old kind of country music.
Trigger
December 12, 2018 @ 12:17 am
ScottG,
Unfortunately I have lost some readers over the years due to people approaching Saving Country Music as a daily reader. I feel honored and flattered that so many folks comes here on a daily basis, and feel compelled to read everything I post. But sometimes the point of an article is not to satiate the desire of dedicated readers, but to enter ideas into the country music marketplace to hopefully make an impact on the music, or influence the direction of the genre. I also try to stay very cognizant that some people could care less about posts like this, and only come here for music recommendations. Others come here almost strictly for the think pieces, or for the negative reviews. As a one-man operation, it is very difficult to fill everyone’s desires. But I try, and ask for everyone’s understanding about the multiple hats I have to wear, and the multiple fronts I’ve chosen to open in the effort to “save country music” har har har.
ScottG
December 12, 2018 @ 8:03 am
I understand Trigger, and tried to make that clear. I was mostly referring to myself and my past comments on this topic, that I directed at the fans that came here. However, having seen this go down so many times now, I’m not sure if any of the fans had anything else to say anout your posts about KB than they are “hateful” and that he is really the “evolution of country.” If one of your posts pulls someone in from the “outside,” why not take the opportunity to promote the real artists. Maybe the end of your article or a first comment posted here should be a recommendation and a link to checkout who we all do think is good, as an alternative to the Sam Hunts and KBs of the world – maybe the most recent year end lists? Making fun of them and belittling them may not be the way to do that, and I was as guilty as anyone on that front in the past. Anyway, just food for thought, with respect.
Deb
December 11, 2018 @ 7:49 pm
I love Kane Brown. Who cares what genre he is. He’s good! Many hateful people on here
altaltcountry
December 11, 2018 @ 9:04 pm
I love Hatfield and the North. But if anyone on these pages said Hatfield and the North was country music, I would argue with them.
Alex
December 12, 2018 @ 4:39 am
Im a 16 year old male. I enjoy listening to Colt Ford or Taylor Ray Holbrook. They do not consider themselves country, they are rap artists that have a country upbringing, so that is what they rap about. They have good music because they knew what they are making. If they would call themselves country artists, I wouldn’t listen to them. Lately i’ve been listening to a lot of Cody Johnson. Also find myself listening to George Strait, Haggard, Jennings, Cash and Nelson. Sure I missed some in that list.
Tom
December 14, 2018 @ 10:58 am
Deb, I’m pretty sure nobody here “hates” Kane Brown.
What they hate is the fact that his music, which contains no element of country whatsoever beyond the fact that he sings through his nose, is promoted as country music and played on country radio stations.
If his music were played on pop stations nobody here would care. His name would never come up.
Bottom line: I think it’s great that you claim to like Kane Brown. But the fact of the matter is, if you really cared that much, you wouldn’t be griping about the fact that some people don’t like hearing him on country radio. Rather, you’d be griping about the fact that he’s ot being played on pop radio where he belongs. Despite “country” music’s surge in popularity the last few years it’s still pop music’s unwanted bastard stepchild, and being a big deal in country really just means you’re not good enough to make it in the pop market.
So by you coming here you’re essentially acknowledging that Kane Brown really isn’t all that good. Is that really the message you want to send? Marshmello & Bastille had the number one song on the CHR charts last week; I don’t have any idea who Bastille is, but he, she, or it must be better than Kane Brown according to pop radio. Are you good with that?
altaltcountry
December 11, 2018 @ 8:59 pm
“Country music must change.”
Sure, but change is not necessarily progress or growth. When a tree fell on my house, that was change.
I won’t judge Kane + Marshmallow Head until I’ve heard it, but I have listened to the Kane Brown albums, and they are a step backwards–not toward tradition (ANY tradition) but away from it. “Experiment” is a “hide your talent under a bushel basket” (i.e. “play it safe”) effort, not a bold exploration.
Anyone who thinks Kane Brown has moved country music forward should listen to banjoist Nathan Bowles’ album Plainly Mistaken. Here’s one of the more conventional tracks, but listen to the whole album. It goes to some pretty far-flung places.
https://youtu.be/5CiQf7G9_A4
And if you want to hear a collaboration that advances rather than dilutes the different streams, try Charles Lloyd and Lucinda Williams’ songs on Forgotten Gardens. Like Rhiannon Giddens’ Freedom Highway, it’s not country, but both works contribute more to our understanding of the heart of country music than any country pop song of the past 3 decades.
https://youtu.be/Pddf0MJdf3A
Listen to those three albums and then come back and tell me you think Kane Brown moves country music forward.
altaltcountry
December 11, 2018 @ 9:15 pm
correction: “Vanished Gardens” not “Forgotten Gardens”–it’s on the major streaming services.
Liz Walton
December 11, 2018 @ 11:05 pm
Country music is it’s own brand. You can not replace it. Newer country music, Kane Brown,(yes his CD s in my car stero), means he’s something that gets me moving in the morning. Nothing wrong with a little go getter, since I can’t drink coffee like the younger generation can. Music has always made my life move. Let Kane Brown do his thing, I am really enjoying it every morning. This for listening.
DJ
December 12, 2018 @ 8:07 am
LOL- the younger generation doesn’t drink coffee. I’ll be 71 later this month (if I make it) and I drink 8 or 10 cups of coffee a day- (and not from Starbucks) that’s drinking coffee. And yes, Country Music is it’s own brand- that’s the point(s) being made. That you get to moving in the morning to something other than Country Music is immaterial. No one has said anything about Kane not “doing his thing” for crying out loud, learn how to read, or, stay stuck with the “younger generation” because they either can’t or don’t read before opening their no coffee mouth.
Trainwreck92
December 13, 2018 @ 5:42 am
Good lord, DJ, I think you’ve got a coffee addiction.
DJ
December 13, 2018 @ 7:23 am
Yeah? It may kill me……….. some day. 😉
Benny Lee
December 12, 2018 @ 8:14 am
Dear Liz,
Country may only be a brand to you, but it is family, culture, history, and a way of life to me.
Would you support a musical genocide? If you say Kane Brown is Country, that’s exactly what you’re doing, whether you realize it or not.
The moment acts like Kane Brown stop calling themselves Country, we will stop fighting to save Country from them.
You are free to like whatever music you choose. I’m glad you’ve found music that gets you moving. Just don’t spit on my family by calling that music Country.
Liz Walton
December 11, 2018 @ 11:23 pm
Who can not love seeing Randy Travis make a come back. I, for one, will always be in his court. He is still after people who wanted only WHAT They wanted took the things in his life. I would be proud to STAND UP for him and NOT TAKE ADVANTAGE OF HIM or people. Who r you people, hurting him like u did. I hope u all die in hell for forgetting Randy’s feelings. HOW DARE U.
His talents are great and no one can take that away. (Thank the Dear Lord for that).
‘
‘
Liz Walton
December 12, 2018 @ 12:04 am
What do these people do, bitch and then go to bed at 9pm. I know, I worked honorably for a long time (and wish I still could, but my back bones say “No Way Mom”.) I have won many awards at McGraw-Hill, life choices go on. It is hard being disable when your mind keeps on growing. Keep healthy, always. LIZ ( June Bug)
Liz Walton
December 12, 2018 @ 12:12 am
OK , I WILL listen to Nathan Bowles to see what he has to sing about. Kane Brown is doing his thing and so am I, so if I enjoy him singing throughout my day, it is a good thing. (LIZ)
Lizzy Red Field Wake up all u opinionated prople. While u r sleeping, the world of wonder goes on without you. psmmkkk
December 12, 2018 @ 1:05 am
When a great life leaves u lemons, u make lemonade. My love affair with reading and children, hopefully will help me inspire more children to read. EVERY DAY IS AN ADVENTURE. I will be helping with the ” the LIBRARIES” project. I will start my own.
LIZ
BigPete
December 12, 2018 @ 4:12 am
I get why chicks dig Kane; he’s a young, good lookin’ guy that clearly can sing. And like Trigger said: it’s pretty good pop music, although not my cup of tea. But what i don’t get is his rabid fanbase’s obsession with mislabeling him as country. What is the allure with the country genre that makes rappers, r&b singers and dance dj’s desire that label so ferociously? Why would it be bad if Kane got labeled for what he actually is?: a r&b popstar from a rural backround
Corncaster
December 12, 2018 @ 7:05 pm
Otis Redding was an R&B popstar from a rural background. Why do Kane Brown fans hate Kane’s debt to Otis Redding?
Jack Williams
December 13, 2018 @ 11:35 am
Not that I really have the pulse on current R&B, but from what little I’ve heard, it does seem to me that KB and other pop country singers dabbling in R&B sounds are quite watered down and maybe not all that current. I wouldn’t think too many people that consider themselves fans of current R&B artists would get that into KB. And maybe not too many KB fans are into current R&B stars.
mitten_bound
December 12, 2018 @ 5:24 am
It never ceases to amaze me how many commentors read the first paragraph of the article and then “bash” all the “white bearded men” who are “stuck in the past” and dont see how “hot” kane brown is and we should “let him do his thing” and “I like Johnny Cash too so Kane Brown is country now.” Folks need to try reading the whole article, and researching what Trigger’s intents and goals are in his efforts across the site as a whole. No one wants to see Kane Brown go away from making music. He just needs to stay in his lane. Country music is being hijacked, there is no question. I get tired of having to explain to people “well, I like country music, but not the ‘country’ that you hear on the radio….”
Trigger
December 12, 2018 @ 9:32 am
If I was a Kane Brown fan, I would want him to get out of country music. I would be tired of the drama, and constant criticism. I would want him to take a cue from Taylor Swift, and understand that both parties would be better if they just moved on.
Charlie
December 12, 2018 @ 7:15 am
I’ve got 2:
‘Great–another puff piece! ‘
‘I won’t stay for this puft piece!’
You could also [sic] it like this:
“I’m thankful that me and Kane Brown [sic] have a song coming out next year,” Marshmellow tweeted . . .
Thi$ collaboration bull$hit i$ di$gu$ting, and it’$ only going to get wor$e.
altaltcountry
December 12, 2018 @ 10:39 am
Hipster webzine Stereogum just posted an article about the demise of innovative rock music (on the radio and elsewhere). Interestingly, some of their comments parallel what people here are saying about the fate of real country radio, and Marshmallow Head gets raked over by Stereogum as well:
” Pop-punk veterans like Fall Out Boy and Panic! At The Disco may still technically identify as rock, but they’re staying the hell away from rocking. Why? Because rock is a losing business. They’re not dummies. If the kids want something like Marshmello or Post Malone, then that’s what they’ll get because that’s what sells. Such hybridization, in which genre parameters become so blurred that rock ceases to be recognizable as rock, is how you get the likes of Twenty One Pilots, lovelytheband, and Imagine Dragons — all of whom had a big year in 2018.”
https://www.stereogum.com/2025666/mainstream-rock-2018-nostalgia-weezer-greta-van-fleet/franchises/2018-in-review/
Stereogum also just released their 10 Best Country Albums of 2018. The article begins with a consideration of the popularity of Kane Brown and Jimmie Allen: “Neither, of course, will appeal much to country traditionalists, as they favor slick production, the occasional programmed beat, big rock guitars, and rap-influenced melodies. The instruments that once made up the bedrock of country music — pedal steel, banjo, fiddle — are only flourishes in their music. Yet both albums are fine collections of slightly twangy pop-rock, best when they rock out and almost insufferable when they slow-jam.” Stereogum also points out that fans of Brown and Allen tend to prefer similar male country pop / bro country artists “selling highly polished, extremely familiar music that defines country as a market rather than a music.”
Brown and Allen don’t show up in the top ten list–the choices there are much more discerning (and more geared to female performers–7 out of 10).
10 Sarah Shook & The Disarmers – Years
9 Loretta Lynn – Wouldn’t It Be Great
8 Eric Church – Desperate Man
7 Ashley Monroe – Sparrow
6 Brothers Osborne – Port Saint Joe
5 Ashley McBryde – Girl Going Nowhere
4 Erin Rae – Putting On Airs
3 John Prine – The Tree Of Forgiveness
2 Pistol Annies – Interstate Gospel
1 Kacey Musgraves – Golden Hour
https://www.stereogum.com/2025206/best-country-albums-2018/franchises/2018-in-review/
Music Jedi
December 12, 2018 @ 7:27 pm
As a side note I’m looking at the latest issue of Entertainment Weekly (lame stream media) magazine, dated Dec. 14/21 and titled “The Best and Worst of 2018”. In the music section under “the Year’s Best Albums” – #1 is GOLDEN HOUR by Kacey Musgraves. AND #6 is INTERSTATE GOSPEL by Pistol Annies and #8 is DESPERATE MAN by Eric Church. The rest are all pop (I guess) not recognizable to me. But here’s the kicker: under “The 5 Worst Albums of 2018” – #4 is Joytime II by MARSHMELLOW. 😂 Good choice Kane Brown for a collaboration!
Barstool Hero
December 12, 2018 @ 11:44 am
Someone call the Ghostbusters. I thought they handled this marshmallow problem circa 1984.
Mike
March 18, 2019 @ 3:36 pm
Hey, we’ve been going about this all along He’s dressed like a sailor, we’re in New York, we get this guy laid, no problem!!!
Mike
December 12, 2018 @ 2:14 pm
“If Alan Jackson did a song with Depeche Mode…”
Depeche Mode could make a better country music song than Kane Brown and Sta-Puft Marshmello any day of the week and twice on Sunday!!
altaltcountry
December 13, 2018 @ 1:27 pm
More Best of 2018 lists without Kane Brown or Marshmallow Head:
NPR’s readers’ choice has 4 real and 0 faux country artists, evenly split between male and female. Some of the other winners might be country, but I doubt it.
Kacey Musgraves #2
Brandi Carlile #12
John Prine #22
Eric Church #84
In the not quite country but not exactly Americana category:
Jeff Tweedy #52
First Aid Kit #55
KB and Marshmallow Head didn’t make the Top 20 Albums by Connecticut Musicians poll (apparently KB’s publicist couldn’t figure out how to fake residency there), but then again neither did Kacey Musgraves. Still, quite a few country / Americana artists amid the folk, rap, alt-rock, and psychedelic musicians from the Nutmeg State:
* Brian Dolzani: Horse. According to the Hartford Courant poll, “He has taken his experiences traversing the country and implanted them on this album, complete with enough dusty back roads and heartfelt storytelling to make any Americana fan smile.”
* Daphne Lee Martin: Scared Fearless. “Pulling in alt country and folk sensibilities and coating them in enough indie aesthetics, Martin has somehow made an Americana-laced record wholly accessible to even someone whose stomach churns at the sight of cowboy boots.”
* Kerri Powers: Starseeds. “Powers is becoming a veritable powerhouse in the Americana/alt country/indie folk world, and each of her releases is met with critical acclaim from literally all over the country.” She plays a moving bottleneck guitar and a decent foot tambourine in the video there.
* Tiny Ocean: Sometimes You’re Right. “Taking alt country and Americana and draping it in a supple indie noir tapestry, Tiny Ocean completely knocked it out of the park. Both lyrically and vocally, front woman Kierstin Sieser delivers a biting performance seething with a brooding and emotive edge.” The video there is the closest of these to contemporary country singer / songwriters like Ashley McBryde, though a bit more subdued.
Full list: https://www.courant.com/ctnow/music/hc-ctnow-20-top-local-albums-2018-story.html
altaltcountry
December 16, 2018 @ 9:45 am
Still more Best of 2018 polls. This time Kane Brown finally gets a nod (still no love for Marshmallow Head, though).
In addition to Brown’s Experiment (at #40 out of 40), Rolling Stone’s top Country / Americana includes Colter Wall, Sarah Shook, Mike and the Moonpies, and lots of other favorites from these discussions. Coming in at #2 and #1 are Pistol Annies and Kacey Musgraves, probably to no one’s surprise. No mention of Kane Brown on Rolling Stone’s 40 Best Pop Albums or 50 Best Songs. The RS Best Songs poll covers all genres; country stars there include (in ascending order) Willie Nelson, Pistol Annies, Eric Church, and Kacey Musgraves.
The Top 10 Country (in alphabetical order) for pop culture site The AV Club:
Courtney Marie Andrews
Brandi Carlile
Brent Cobb
I’m with Her
Ashley McBryde
Lori McKenna
Kacey Musgraves
Pistol Annies
Carrie Underwood
Colter Wall
I’m not posting these polls to criticize Kane Brown (or Marshmallow Head), but to point out that it’s not only old white men who don’t care for Kane Brown or his blend of pop country and mediocre rap music. The younger savvy reviewers (and the general listeners of audience polls) aren’t particularly impressed either. Nor is it a matter of racism–these lists include many African American and African artists. The simple takeaway is that Brown is “succeeding” because he has chosen to belong to a category where, as a novelty, he’s more likely to generate mass media coverage, which turns into mass media airplay, which yields in turn a large and largely uninformed fan base.
altaltcountry
December 17, 2018 @ 6:39 pm
AllMusic’s Best of 2018 (all categories–country hasn’t been announced yet), in alphabetical order:
Ashley Monroe
Brothers Osborne
I’m with Her
John Prine
Kacey Musgraves
Old Crow Medicine Show
Pistol Annies