The Official Country Music Thread Genre • Page 48

The new Will Hoge record is streaming on All Music. I know some people around here didn't really love his last two, with his move to a more mainstream sound, but the new one is kind of a back-to-basics thing. More like The Wreckage or Draw the Curtains than Small Town Dreams. I've really been liking it a lot, especially the title track.

Album Premiere: Will Hoge, 'Anchors'

 

Some people didn't like Small Town Dreams? Man I love that cd

 

I do too. But I think some people, especially a few older fans I know, felt like Will strayed a little too far from his roots and went a little too mainstream. This record is a step back from that.

Had a really interesting interview with him a few weeks ago that should be going up in the next day or two.

 

Here's the feature on Will Hoge. We usually do Q&As, but I felt like this one deserved the article treatment.

Keep on Dreaming Even If It Breaks Your Heart: The Renaissance of Will Hoge • chorus.fm

 

Will absolutely be reading this. To Instapaper it goes for now, though, haha.

 

Ahh, the fate of so many articles! Haha

 

Haha, this is true. I have a folder of "long reads" that have piled up. I think all of those are 20+ min reads by Instapaper's count. I try to keep up with most of the other folders on a regular basis, though. I'm just currently in the middle of deciding that I would start a weekly newsletter haha. But who knows, maybe this will make it in the first issue!

 

I can't for the life of me understand how anyone could listen to anything by Will Hoge and associate it with "mainstream". I mean...I guess those albums are a bit heavier on the hooks and the production is slightly more radio-friendly but still. Christ, I WISH that was what mainstream country sounded like lol.

I dunno, in my mind, mainstream sound = dogshit like Dylan Scott/Sam Hunt/Florida Georgia Line/Luke Bryan etc. Vomit.

 

Just got my tickets for Willie Nelson and Kacey Musgraves at the Shrine Auditorium next week, very excited.

 

Well, he's definitely not pop country, and Sam Hunt is only even related to the country genre in the most superficial ways, but I could have definitely seen some of the Small Town Dreams songs ("Middle of America" and "Better Than You," in particular) doing well on country radio with a proper push. The way he put it in our interview, he was trying to present the most "palatable" version of his sound. And it almost worked!

But yeah, definitely wish that more of country radio sounded like Will. He's also got the benefit of being a better vocalist than 99% of the genre, so he can sell even his weaker songs pretty well.

 

Yo @Craig Manning , I need your expertise, of the 4 songs that carry over from the Worth the Wait EP to The Project, are the versions appreciably different?

 

They are all the same recordings. This is kind of standard operating procedure in country right now. Lots of newer artists releasing EPs as previews and then putting all/most of those songs on their records.

 

I kinda thought so. Well guess I won't bother buying the EP for the one song and cover that missed it.

 

That's fair. Can probably just send those to you if you want.

You listened to the album yet? I'm a fan. I love how much she leans on her guitar chops. On some of her earlier singles (not on this record), that side of her sound didn't come through as much.

 

I legitimately love The Project. Takes all the steps forward that you want from a preview EP to a full-length. It has the craft and hooks of Maren, it just lacks the bite/wit.

Turns out I like some of her loosie singles from before this cycle, too. "All Alright" and "By the Way" are damn good too.

And yeah if you wanted to send those two, that would be really cool. Tack them on as bonus tracks.

 

Yeah, a less witty Maren is the comparison I would make. With some clear John Mayer worship going on too.

I really like both of those songs too. "By the Way" was the one that put her on my radar.

And sure, I'll send them over when I'm back at my computer.

 

Yeah definitely a little Continuum love, which I don't think I would have spotted without the cover.

 

Really want to hear the full-length cover version of that record that she supposedly did to get ready for this album.

 

I just got hit in the head by Suzanne Santo's debut album. Highly recommend. Pow.

 

new Will Hoge is dope, the vocals on Cold Night In Santa Fe are incredible.

 

Yep, this record is great. Easily one of the most well-sung records I've heard this year.

 

Yeah thanks for this, good stuff

 

Not sure how many Little Big Town fans are in here, but they covered Tim McGraw.

 

Lindsay Ell Admits She Freaked Out Meeting John Mayer

Yes please.

 

First Listen: Lilly Hiatt, 'Trinity Lane'