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Music

Album Review: The Henningsens’ ‘World’s On Fire’ – Listen Now!

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The Henningsens have a brand new album out titled World’s On Fire. They released a 4 song EP in 2013 and and a Christmas album in 2014. In 2015 they released a single “Why I Farm” to go along with their partnership with Beck’s, which is included on the album.

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The Henningsens are made up of a family trio with Brian Henningsen and his son Aaron and daughter Clara. They have had great success writing hits such as “You Lie” and “All Your Life” for The Band Perry. It’s not always easy to release an album and that’s something artists are struggling with right now, getting their music heard because it deserves to be heard.

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Here at Variety Beat, we believe in The Henningsens and their music. They are three of the hardest working and talented artists in the business. Their songs have a true and deep meaning, the kind of songs that change your life. Brian shared his excitement of releasing the album with Variety Beat:

“We are really excited to be releasing World’s On Fire! It’s been a long road and a labor of love for us. This album encompasses the wide range of songs that we write and perform. That’s what we love about country music! We hope you enjoy!”

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World’s On Fire is a collection of diverse songs from The Henningsens. Clara takes lead vocals on most songs and all of the songs put out thus far. This album takes us on a wild ride as we listen to songs where Aaron and Brian take lead vocals on different songs. It spices things up and allows us to hear The Henningsens in a whole new light!

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The album is filled with songs of every emotion, songs that will make you dance “Like No One’s Watching,” “Sugar Rush,” love songs like “Love You Til The End,” Summer jams like “Airstreamin’,” “Country Cool” and still others that touch you in a deeper way “There’s A Line.” Of course you have to have those anthem type songs you need to turn up a little louder and scream the lyrics to: “Like A Girl.”

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Our favorite song on the album has to be “Hometown Girl.” I cried the day you told me you were leaving / I knew you had to go / But I smile every time I think about you / and hear you playing on the radio / No matter where you go / In the whole wide world / I will always be your hometown girl. 

It’s definitely a song that many people can relate to, especially wives of musicians and if you take out the line about hearing them play on the radio, it becomes even more applicable. It just has a great feeling to it, that sense of connection and happiness of being there for someone no matter where they are at, they always have someone to come home to.

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“Like A Girl” is a close second with it’s anthem type lyrics: you say I throw like a girl like that’s a bad thing / So watch me throw like a girl / When I throw out your ring / You say I run like a girl / Oh I’ll be flying / While I’m running you’ll be finding / No one else can leave you crying like a girl

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It’s a wonderful collection of mostly new songs and one even inspired by Brian in his early days. He was a little rough around the edges in his early days of his marriage to his wife and she said she was either going to pray him into the Kingdom or kill him and they wrote a song about it “Jesus Or A Bullet”

WATCH: THE HENNINGSENS PERFORM “JESUS OR A BULLET” LIVE AT THE OPRY

World’s On Fire is available for order on their site TheHenningsens.com, iTunes, amazon and Google Play! You can even stream the album on Spotify, listen below!

LISTEN TO THE HENNINGSENS’ NEW ALBUM ‘WORLD’S ON FIRE’

Track Listing

  1. Sugar Rush *                                   (Writers A,B,C Henningsen & Steve Schnur )
  2. Love You Til the End ***              (Writers A,B,C Henningsen & Tommy Collier)
  3. World’s on Fire *                            (Writers A,B,C Henningsen & Don Poythress)
  4. Texas is a Woman**                (Writers A,B,C Henningsen & Matt Rogers)
  5. Hometown Girl *                           (Writers A,B,C Henningsen & Don Poythress)  
  6. Jesus or a Bullet  *                          (Writers A,B,C Henningsen & Maren Morris)
  7. Hank (Rolling in My Grave) *   (Writers B Henningsen & Joshua O’Keefe)
  8. Airstreamin’ *                                 (Writers A,B,C Henningsen & Robert K. Wolf)
  9. Country Cool ***                             (Writers A,C Henningsen, John Ritter, Lane Bass, Mike Todd and Jennifer Todd)
  10. There’s a Line **                             (Writers A,B,C Henningsen & Don Poythress)  
  11. Why I Farm ****                              (Writers A,B,C Henningsen)
  12. Like a Girl ***                                  (Writers A,B,C Henningsen & Tim Nichols)
  13. Like No One’s Watching *****  (Writers A,B Henningsen, Lindsay Rimes & Phil Barton)
  14. Golden **                                          (Writers A,B,C Henningsen)

Producers: *Dalton Brothers **the Henningsens ***Brad Hill ****Ilya Toshinskiy ***** Lindsay Rimes

Executive Producer: Aaron Henningsen

Mixed By: Jim Cooley & Rob Burrell

Mastered St: Georgetown Masters

Production/Engineering Consultants: Chris Latham and Scott Glasel

Photography and album design: Dale Manning

Music

LOCASH Releases Their Highly Anticipated Album ‘The Fighters’ And Music Video For “I Know Somebody”

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LOCASH is back with their second full length studio album, The Fighters. This is the first full length album release since the duo, made up of Preston Brust and Chris Lucas changed their name from LOCASH Cowboys to simply LOCASH. The duo released a 6 song EP I Love This Life in 2015 and all six songs are included on The Fighters.

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The lead single “I Love This Life” was a top 5 hit for the band in early 2016 and reached number 2 on the US Country Airplay charts. The duo just released the music video for their second single, “I Know Somebody” on CMT.

The video for “I Know Somebody” is set in the year 1998, in a small-town roller rink. It follows the story of an underdog type fellow who finally gets the nerve to get the girl of his dreams. The song is about to crack the top 30 in Country Radio and is sure to be another hit for LOCASH!

The Fighters  is a mix of smooth ballads and up tempo songs that will fit in well at country radio, no matter which song is released. The album has something for everyone, whether it be ballads like “Shipwercked”  “Moonwalkin” “God Loves Me More”  and “Till The Wheels Fall Off” (which are about the feelings one gets when they find the person they are supposed to be with).

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There are also some drinking songs (cause what would a country album be without a little alcohol?). “Drunk Drunk” and “All Day” will for sure be summer/party anthems.

The final song on the album is the title track, “The Fighters” and it’s what country music is all about; saluting hard working people in all walks of life who are fighting for everything they have. It ends the album with a positive note that allows the listener to feel grateful and feel appreciated.

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Overall The Fighters hits all the right notes, and doesn’t favor one style of song over another. It has party anthems, ballads, thought provoking songs and a few just overall feel good songs as well. LOCASH accomplishes all of this by keeping a sound that is unique to them.

Listen to LOCASH’s new album The Fighters

 

Music

Album Review: Brandy Clark ‘Big Day In A Small Town’ – Must Listen!

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GRAMMY nominated artist, Brandy Clark is back to deliver one of the most honest albums in years with Big Day In A Small Town. Clark is known for her songwriting with hits like Miranda Lambert‘s “Mama’s Broken Heat” and Kacey Muscgraves‘ “Follow Your Arrow” and The Band Perry‘s “Better Dig Two.” With such success as a writer, she is continuing her quest to bring her songs to life.

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It creates a perfect picture of all the drama and life lessons you receive while living in a small town. One thing that sets Clark’s album apart from other artists’ is her unique writing style and her storytelling.  Country Music used to be known for it’s storytelling, but lately anything goes.

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Clark has the ability to make the listener feel like they’re sitting at the local gossip spot listening to the going ons in a small town. This album is filled with a mix of sassy and gutsy songs like “Soap Opera,” “Girl Next Door,” “Daughter” and “Big Day In A Small Town.”

There are also songs about what life is really like as a grown up with “Homecoming Queen,” “Three Kids No Husband” and “Broke”. Big Day In A Small Town is not without ballads; “You Can Come Over” and “Since You’ve Gone To Heaven.”  “Since You’ve Gone to Heaven” is a beautifully written and relateable song  for anyone who has ever lost someone.

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Clark’s songs are reminiscant of what Country Music has always been at it’s core – deeply personal, honest and brave. In a world of pop country and rapping country boys, Clark is a breath of fresh air. She has the ability to transport you to another place and you can tell she’s been there. She’s lived through the heartache of being broke, losing a loved one and just simply not knowing her place. It’s safe to say with this album Clark has found her place!

Clark’s talent for songwriting really shines on this album, and she shows that she’s not afraid to let the world know what she’s feeling and thinking. Clark understands how to touch the heart of the listener which is something that takes most artists year to understand. Overall Big Day In A Small Town is a must listen to album and Clark will continue to be one to watch in the coming years.

LISTEN TO BRANDY CLARK’S BIG DAY IN A SMALL TOWN

 

 

Music

Album Review: Dan + Shay’s Sophomore Album ‘Obsessed’ – Listen Now 

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Dan + Shay‘s newest album Obsessed builds on the sound they became known for when they burst onto the scene in 2014. Obsessed doesn’t abandon the sound that helped the duo shoot up the charts with “19 Me & You” and has some songs that reflect a similar lyrical and tone structure as their debut album. Obsessed also shows Dan + Shay’s maturity as individuals, songwriters and as a duo.

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While the beats and rythms have a familiar sound, the lyrics create vivid pictures and lasting impressions. With Obsessed, Dan + Shay take a more daring risk with ballads “From The Ground Up” and “Lipstick.”

“Lipstick” tells a story that most woman have experienced, a girl getting her nerve up for yet another date and going through the motions hoping she can get past the hurt of past relationships and hoping she won’t get hurt again. It’s not traditionally the type of song you would expect from a male duo but it’s refreshing that they are not afraid to try something different.

 

Overall the album does what all good sophomore albums should do, build on the foundation that was set by the first record and takes it to the next level. Obsessed is melody-filled storybook, highlighting all aspects of life and showing that Dan + Shay have continued to evolve as Country Artists.

LISTEN TO DAN + SHAY’S SOPHOMORE ALBUM OBSESSED

Music

Track By Track Review: Maren Morris Releases Debut Album ‘Hero’ Listen Now  

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With the success of Maren Morris‘s first single “My Church” (which is currently sitting at #8 at Country Radio), her debut album Hero is finally out! One of Country Music’s most talked about up-and-coming artists, Hero is a breath of fresh air. The lyrics are strong and the whole album is filled with memorable melodies and hooks.

A lot of these songs will definitely become summer and fall anthems. Hero is a mix of pop, blues and country. Morris’s voice is unique and her lyrics are open and honest. She may be young, but she is a powerhouse songwriter, much like the Texan ladies that came before her, Miranda Lambert and Kacey Musgraves.

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OVERALL FEELING OF MAREN MORRIS’S DEBUT ALBUM HERO
“80s Mercedes,” “Sugar” and “Rich” are all influenced by the pop music of the 90’s. The lyrics are not only catchy but ones that will make you want to dance. Lyrics like: I’m a 90’s baby in a 80’s Mercedes, will get stuck in your head!

“Drunk Girls Don’t Cry” is a tongue in cheek song that is sure to be a fan favorite. There are the inevitable heartbreaking songs like “How It’s Done” and “I Wish I Was.”

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TRACK BY TRACK REVIEW OF HERO

“Sugar” has a strong hook that will draw you in and undoubtedly get stuck in your head as you dance around to the lyrics. Baby would you be my sugar, sugar? / Make my heart race, even on a good day / You make the world taste better, better.

“Rich” is upbeat with a pop feel. It visually depicts the lyrics and takes the ‘If I had a dollar for every time…” quote to the next level.

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“My Church” is the lead single off Hero and truly embodies Country Music. Morris’s voice really carries the song and when she sings “Can I get a Hallelujah / can I get an amen / Feels like the Holy Ghost running through ya / When I play the highway FM / I find my soul revival / Singing every single verse / Yeah I guess that’s my church,  you really do feel like you are in the middle of a church service.

“I Could Use A Love Song” has a slower pace but a steady beat that keeps it more uptempo than your typical “slow song.” I could use a love song / That takes me back, just like that / When it comes on / To a time when I wouldn’t roll my eyes / At a guy and a girl who make it work in a world / That for me so far just seems to go so wrong.

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“80s Mercedes” will be your summer jam as you drive along with the windows rolled down. It is upbeat and instantly catchy with lyrics like: Got them Ray-Ban shades / pretty in pink / Call me old school but hey / I’m a 90’s baby /In my 80s Mercedes.

“Drunk Girls Don’t Cry” is filled with analogies for that one friend who doesn’t want to admit their relationship is no good for them. It’s a tune you will almost feel empowered singing along to as you picture yourself saying the words to your friend. You say he saw the light / the slate is clean / He swears up and down that it’s gonna be / Different this time / That’s like saying drunk girls don’t cry.

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“How It’s Done” is an easy song to really feel the groove and mood of the album. The lyrics fit together smoothly and the song is a refreshing take at wanting to be with someone, but watching them choose the wrong person over and over. Finally, you get the nerve to say ‘Hey, look at me. We can do this.'”

“Just Another Thing” has a bluesy feel to it. The song is a tale that’s been told time and time again, but wonderfully retold in Morris’s words. It’s about a girl getting hooked on a guy and he becomes an addiction she just can’t kick. You’re just another mess / another late night call I shouldn’t be making / Just another high / another one night shot / I shouldn’t be chasing.

“I Wish I Was” has a slower almost jazzy feel to it as we feel the pain of a relationship of a guy caring more for the girl than she cares for him. It’s an interesting twist, as normally we are used to hearing about the guy breaking the girl’s heart or finding someone new. It’s one of the songs that sets Morris’s apart from other artists. I’m not the hero in the story / I’m not the girl that gets the glory / Cause you’re looking for true love / And I’m not the one / But I wish, but I wish I was.

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“Second Wind” may sound familiar as it was also cut by Kelly Clarkson, but written by Morris. It’s a song everybody needs to listen to as it leaves you feeling empowered and able to face life’s battles with a little more courage. You can hate me / underestimate me / Do what you do / cause what you do don’t phase me / Just when you think I’m at the end / Any second I’mma catch my second wind

“Once” also has a bluesy feel to it, which is fitting since it’s about a relationship that has ended. It’s the story of regret, knowing you can’t change what happened but not wanting the other person to forget about you and the love you once shared.

LISTEN TO MAREN MORRIS’S DEBUT ALBUM HERO