country – NZ Film Freak

Windows – Greye

Windows by Greye is a country-pop song, which echoes early Taylor Swift and Ashley Simpson.

With squeaky-clean, youthful and energetic female vocals – not dissimilar to the likes of Paramore’s lead vocalist – Greye certainly has a distinctive, almost acoustic folk, sound at times.

With vivid lyrical imagery, I could actually imagine this song featuring on The Hunger Games:

“…and shoot that arrow, who know if it’ll be there tomorrow.”

At more than five and a half minutes in duration, Windows is quite a marathon song. Nevertheless, this song has plenty of emotional suspense and instrumental build-up that keeps you listening.

With clear talent on the band’s behalf, I’m sure this song could easily find its way on to an easy-listening or country tunes radio station, if it hasn’t already. Certainly a harmless, sweet, harmonious and youthful group of musicians.

Greye will be hitting the road on July 15, 2017 for a tour of the Eastern United States in support of Windows. Information and dates can be found at here.

Follow Greye on Facebook and Twitter!

Promised Land – Russ Still and the Moonshiners

Still Cookin' - Russ Still and the Moonshiners

With a strong country twang and bluesy piano, Russ Still and the Moonshiners sport the well-known sound of classic country music. But when the electric guitar strikes and the heavy punch of drums begin, their sound is undeniably country rock.

The Promised Land on the band’s album Still Cookin’, sounds exactly like how the band look: Cowboy hats, worn-in jeans, black shirts, leather boots, and I imagine double-shots of neat whiskey and smoky rural bars are in reach.

The band seems to be honest and true to themselves. They look how they sound, straight up and down, raw, authentic country rock with no surprises.

Russ Still and the Moonshiners

Country rock fans need to check out their website and Facebook

Joshua – Leah Capelle

Leah Capelle is an emerging band from LA, who has a clean and positive pop sound.

Despite the band identifying with being alternative rock/pop, judging by their recent release called Joshua, I found the band’s style to be classic ‘modern country’. They remind me of Wilson Phillips and Carrie Underwood – very G-rated, very safe-listening.

Joshua is described as a song about ‘friendship and freedom’ – a positive message that is rarely explored in typical young rock bands – and reminded me of songs in the Christian soft rock genre.

In the music video, the band’s look conflicts with the sound. Whereas I was expecting to see early Taylor Swift’s ‘Love Story‘ clothing style, the Leah Capelle band sport dark lipstick, heavy eyeliner and revealing gothic clothes.

leah capelle rock band

Nevertheless, the song is professionally produced and the band has undeniable talent.

Check them out:
Facebook
Website

Little Johnny – Billy Roberts and the Rough Riders

Billy Roberts and the Rough Riders Little Johnny song review

You’ve probably seen my reviews of Billy Roberts and the Rough Riders here, here and here. Here’s another – their new song, Little Johnny.

This slow rock song is featured on their third album, Greenbah. A dark and moody tune akin to that of Johnny Cash and The Eagles, I reckon.

The band’s distinctive husky voice, rhythmic drums (Ed Glass), whining violin and tense guitar (Alex Quinn) can still be heard – Billy Roberts and the Rough Riders are loyal to their sound.

I love the violin, it’s like a Gypsy/Country sound. Something that could be featured on the Thelma & Louise soundtrack.

A great listen – definitely check it out if you’re into a bit of rock and a bit of country.

Love Ain’t A Prize – Donica Knight

Donica Knight Can't buy a Southern Girl song review

Another country princess makes a pop song.

Despite being a high-production-value song and music video, Love Ain’t a Prize left me feeling like I had heard it all before. The country-pop genre tends to be quite monotonous for me.
Love Ain’t A Prize is not a poorly-made song, but the chorus repeats itself too often, which makes the writing appear lazy.

The style and sound becomes a self-fulfilling stereotype. The classic black-tassel-wearing and silver-studded band members came as no surprise in Donica Knight’s video.

Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy a bit of country music (Kelly Willis), a bit of pop (Katy Perry), and rock ‘n’ roll (Johnny Cash). But I tend to stay away from the contemporary, flamboyant country-pop genre, due to its gaudy appearance and cookie-cutter sound.
I can see why Donica Knight is growing in popularity in the Southern music scene.

She has shown her diversity and success by opening for acts including Lynyrd Skynyrd, 3 Doors Down, Kid Rock and Jamey Johnson.

Despite my personal take on the contemporary country sound and genre, if you’re into country-pop then Donica Knight is for you. She seems like the kind of artist who excels on stage with a lot of energy, and an engaging presence. She has a strong voice, confidence and style, that I’m sure will be appealing to many.

Check out her website here.

Gone to the Dogs – Billy Roberts and the Rough Riders

Gone to the Dogs - Billy Roberts and the Rough Riders song review

This is the third song I’ve reviewed of Billy Roberts’. Seen It All Before, No More Mr Nice Guy and now Gone to the Dogs.

This latest tune has lived up to the country-rock sound of Billy Roberts and co..

As I’ve mentioned in my previous reviews, the vocals are wee bit flat, in a spoken-word tone. This doesn’t quite live up to the energy of the electric guitar and sliding guitar sound.

Having said that, the classic country -rock genre of Billy Roberts and the Rough Riders remains, leaving their fans surely satisfied.

My favourite element of the band remains – their storytelling. Dark and interesting lyrics for sure.

For the most part, I really enjoyed the songs of Billy Roberts and the Rough Riders. You can check out their YouTube page here:
http://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-Fj5L70KfWvrhORMjkF6fQ

And their website:
http://billyrobertsandtheroughriders.bandcamp.com/

Jodie.

No More Mr. Nice Guy – Billy Roberts and the Rough Riders

If you’re in to old school country/rock ‘n’ roll, I think you’ll be interested in this band.

Billy Roberts and the Rough Riders certainly have a similar style of writing as the likes of Johnny Cash – and I’m a sucker for Johnny Cash songs!

The beginning of No More Mr Nice Guy has a spine-tingling harmonica and a wicked steel guitar. So awesome! My favourite part is probably the bluesy piano though.
The vocals are a little flat, making the singer sound bored. It would be great to pick up the energy for this folky genre, a genre that is great to get up and dance to. The drums sound a little too mechanical for the genre as well – we need a bit more improv!

For the most part, I really enjoyed the songs of Billy Roberts and the Rough Riders. You can check out their YouTube page here:
http://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-Fj5L70KfWvrhORMjkF6fQ

And their website:
http://billyrobertsandtheroughriders.bandcamp.com/

I say ‘well done’ for completing these decent tunes. If the band sounds like they’re enjoying their music, so will others. A more casual approach would perfect this band. I’m very pleased to be introduced to this band’s music!

Jodie.

Book me to review your favourite song, music video or film here.

Walk the Line

Director: James Mangold
Writer: James Mangold and Gill Dennis
Released: November 2005
Featuring: Joaquin Phoenix and Reese Witherspoon
—

I thoroughly enjoyed this biopic about one of the best country rock n roll singers of the sixties, Johnny Cash.

Joaquin Phoenix did an incredible job of becoming Johnny Cash. His natural intensity was perfect for the really heavy and dark life of Johnny Cash. I didn’t know much about Johnny Cash until I impulsively bought this movie. I had a few of his songs and enjoyed them, but assumed that he was just a country singer for geriatrics.

walk-the-line-folsum — Performing in Folsom Prison

It turns out that Johnny Cash’s life and the people he rubbed shoulders with is incredible. The stories he has are inspiring. I am not sticking up for everything that Johnny Cash did, but I have to say that it was so unfortunate that he was married with children just before he reached his dream of being a musician. He let that old life go, hurting his family, and continue on following his dreams and the new life that come with it.

A lot of ups and downs which can become exhausting to watch, however, that just proves how convincing the film was; it really put you in Cash’s shoes.

Reese Witherspoon, having not enjoyed her performances for almost all of her movies, pleasantly surprised me in Walk The Line. She was very convincing as June Carter and I have a new found respect for her.

Joaquin and Reese both did their own vocals… I’m afraid that I enjoyed their vocal performances more that the original Johnny and June performances! I feel bad for saying that, but their sound is so upbeat and their voices are quite similar to Johnny and June’s. Very well done indeed!

I love the sixties – as I am sure you are aware – so seeing Elvis, Jerry Lee Lewis and a few of my other favourite rock n roll stars was awesome! The clothes, the atmosphere that was so convincingly authentic was beautiful.

Can you name all of the rock and roll stars?

A gorgeously filmed biopic with fantastic actors and characters.

Jodie’s rating: 7.5/10