Is this you? As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work.
Claim your profile
Articles by Retro Reviews
Album Review: The McCarters - ‘The Gift’
Posted by Paul W. Dennis on June 27, 2019 The McCarters were three young sisters from near Dolly Parton’s neck of the woods. The Gift, released in 1988 was truly a revelation resembling nothing else being played on the radio at that time. One critic described the album as the sequel to the Trio album that Dolly Parton, Emmylou Harris and Linda Ronstadt had not gotten around to making yet. High praise indeed and based on this album, the McCarters seemed to have a bright future ahead.
Album Review: The Forester Sisters - ‘I Got A Date’
Album Review: The Forester Sisters – ‘I Got A Date’ Posted by Occasional Hope on June 24, 2019 What was to prove to be the girls’ final secular album was released in 1992. ‘What’ll You Do About Me’ is a vivacious up-tempo song written by Denis Linde.
Album Review: The Forester Sisters - ‘Talkin’ ‘Bout Men’
Talkin’ ‘Bout Men was the Forester Sisters’ eighth studio album for Warner Brothers, although it should be noted that this includes a Christmas album an a religious album. Released in March 1991, Talking About Men momentarily broke the downward slope of the previous four albums, reaching #16 on the charts. Four singles were released from the album, with only the sassy title track receiving much traction at radio, reaching #8 each reaching the top ten but none getting any higher than #7.
Album Review: The Forester Sisters - ‘Come Hold Me’
Country music from a fan's point of view since 2008 Album Review: The Forester Sisters — ‘Come Hold Me’ Posted by Jonathan Pappalardo on June 19, 2019 The girls released their seventh album in 1990 amidst an upheaval of change in the commercial country music landscape. Longtime acts from the 1980s were seeing their commercial fortunes diminish as a wave of hot, young, and mostly excellent talent became the focus of music row.
Album Review: The Forester Sisters - ‘All I Need’
Country music from a fan's point of view since 2008 Album Review: The Forester Sisters – ‘All I Need’ Posted by Occasional Hope on June 17, 2019 The Forester Sisters grew up singing in church, and as their career progressed, they wanted to share their faith with their fans. In 1988 they released a side project double album of hymns entitled Family Faith on Heartland Music, and the following year came All I Need on their main label Warner Brothers.
Abum Review: Forester Sisters - ‘Sincerely’
Posted by Paul W. Dennis on June 14, 2019 Sincerely was the Forester Sisters’ fifth studio album for Warner Brothers, although it should be noted that the fourth album was a Christmas album. Released in July 1988, Sincerely continued the downward trend of charting lower than each previous (non Christmas) album, reaching only #30 on the charts. Three singles were released from the album, each reaching the top ten but none getting any higher than #7.
Album Review: The Forester Sisters - ‘You Again’
Country music from a fan's point of view since 2008 Album Review: The Forester Sisters – ‘You Again’ Posted by Jonathan Pappalardo on June 10, 2019 The girls’ third album was released in 1987 following their successful duet with the Bellamy Brothers and subsequent Brothers and Sisters concert tour. Without a strong contender for a follow-up single from their previous album, Warner Brothers went ahead and started issuing singles from this set, which was released in the Spring.
Album Review: The Forester Sisters - ‘Perfume, Ribbon & Pearls’
Album Review: The Forester Sisters – ‘Perfume, Ribbon & Pearls’ Posted by Occasional Hope on June 7, 2019 The girls’ second album was released in 1986, recorded at Muscle Shoals with Terry Skinner and J L Wallace producing. It was not quite as successful as their debut, with only one hit single, but it is a strong effort overall.
Album Review: The Forester Sisters - ‘The Forester Sisters’
Not many realize it, but the Forester Sisters were the first all-female group (defined as three or more members) to have sustained success on Billboard’s Country Singles charts. In fact, they are still the female group boasting the most top ten singles with fifteen. The Forester Sisters’ first foray came with the eponymous album The Forester Sisters, released in August 1985.
Album Review: Lee Greenwood - ‘Stronger Than Time’
Posted by Occasional Hope on May 27, 2019 Lee Greenwood’s most recent studio album was released in 2003 on Curb Records. Three singles were issued, none of which charted.
Album Review: Lee Greenwood - ‘A Perfect 10’
Album Review: Lee Greenwood – ‘A Perfect 10’ Posted by Occasional Hope on May 20, 2019 The winds of change swept through country music in the late 1980s, with younger stars reviving more traditional sounds. Lee Greenwood’s singles were getting less radio play than they had earlier in the decade, and he must have realised that if he wanted to stay relevant he needed to make some changes.
Album Review: Lee Greenwood - ‘This Is My Country’
Country music from a fan's point of view since 2008 Album Review: Lee Greenwood — ‘This Is My Country’ Posted by Jonathan Pappalardo on May 16, 2019 Lee Greenwood released his seventh studio album, This Is My Country, 31 years ago today in 1988. This was his second to be co-produced by him and Jimmy Bowen. The album’s first single, the excellent ballad “I Still Believe” peaked at #12. The second single, “You Can’t Fall In Love When You’re Cryin,” another wonderful ballad, stalled at #20.
Album Review: Lee Greenwood and Barbara Mandrell - ‘Meant For Each Other’
Country music from a fan's point of view since 2008 Album Review: Lee Greenwood and Barbara Mandrell – ‘Meant For Each Other’ Posted by Occasional Hope on May 10, 2019 At his commercial peak in 1984, Greenwood was teamed up with MCA labelmate Barbara Mandrell for a duet album. The pairing was a fitting one: both singers had strong, distinctive voices, but were making mainly bland pop-country music.
Album Review: Lee Greenwood - ‘You’ve Got A Good Love Comin”
Country music from a fan's point of view since 2008 Album Review: Lee Greenwood — ‘You’ve Got A Good Love Comin” Posted by Jonathan Pappalardo on May 9, 2019 Lee Greenwood was celebrating his first two number one singles when MCA readied his fourth album in May 1984. The project went Gold and spawned three top ten hits, and while the album likely isn’t well-remembered today, it was a game changer in Greenwood’s career.
Album Review: Lee Greenwood - ‘Somebody’s Gonna Love You’
Posted by Paul W. Dennis on May 8, 2019 Following the success of Lee’s debut album Inside Out, less than a year later MCA, in March 1983, released Lee’s second album Somebody’s Gonna Love You. The album would be Lee’s first top ten country album, reaching #3 on Billboard’s Country Albums chart and reaching #73 on Billboard’s Hot 200. Three singles were released from the album, but the bigger news was the single that wasn’t released.
Album Review: The Court Yard Hounds - ‘Amelita’
Country music from a fan's point of view since 2008 Album Review: The Court Yard Hounds – ‘Amelita’ Posted by Occasional Hope on April 26, 2019 The Court Yard Hounds’ second album, released in 2013, was folky pop rather than country. The material is all self-penned by Emily and Martie, often with the help of Emily’s new partner Martin Strayer. ‘Sunshine’ is quite a pleasant folky pop number which opens proceedings.
Album Review: Natalie Maines - ‘Mother’
For most of this decade, the story of Dixie Chicks has been one of separate lives, at least as far as recordings are concerned. Martie & Emily have released two albums as Court Yard Hounds and Natalie Maines released her own solo record, Mother, in 2013. Maines has said the album came together serendipitously through sessions with Ben Harper. She has gone on to say she had no idea they were even making an album until they had ten recorded songs.
Album Review: Court Yard Hounds - ‘Court Yard Hounds’
During the interval during which the Dixie Chicks were not recording together, sisters Emily Robison and Martie Maguire issued an album of largely acoustic tunes titled Court Yard Hounds. Recorded in 2009, the album was released in May 2010. Although the album was awaited with great interest, the album received little attention from country radio and in fact the album did not chart country at all, reaching #7 on Billboard’s all genres chart.
Album Review: Dixie Chicks - ‘Top Of The World Live’
Country music from a fan's point of view since 2008 Album Review: Dixie Chicks – ‘Top Of The World Live’ Posted by Paul W. Dennis on April 23, 2019 A little over seven years ago, I wrote an article titled 25 Greatest Live Country Albums . At the time I wrote of this album: 12. The Dixie Chicks – Top of the World Tour Live Two disc set issued in November 2003, a representative sample of the material from their years as a major label act.
Album Review: Dixie Chicks - ‘Taking The Long Way’
The storm of protest and counter-protest which followed the incident in London completely derailed the Chicks’ country music stardom. We can only wonder what might have been musically had they remained accepted by genre fans and the industry. As it was, there was a hiatus in recorded music.
Album Review: Dixie Chicks - ‘Home’
It is difficult to assess the merits of this album, partially because of the changes in the reference points by which albums are evaluated and partially because of the firestorm that the Dixie Chicks generated by their future comments while playing a small venue in England.
Album Review: Dixie Chicks - ‘Fly’
NOTE: This is the second time we’ve done a feature on Fly. Check out Chris’ take on the album from March 2009, which was formed as a discussion around whether or not the album deserved to be legendary, by clicking HERE. Also, his post promoted a 27 comment discussion well worth reading. Dixie Chicks built on the phenomenal success of Wide Open Spaces with Fly, their second album for Monument Records.
Album Review: Dixie Chicks - Wide Open Spaces’
It was the recruitment of Natalie Maines as the Chicks’ new lead singer which transformed their fortunes. The band signed to Monument Records, a subsidiary of Sony. Their debut major label album, released in January 1998, was produced by Blake Chancey and Paul Worley, who were able to meld the group’s organic roots with a commercial sound, showcasing both Natalie’s strikingly distinctive voice and the other women’s accomplished musicianship.
Album Review: Dixie Chicks - ‘Shouldn’t A Told You That’
The departure of Robin Lynn Macy following Little Ol’ Cowgirl left the Dixie Chicks (billed here as “The Dixie Chicks Cowgirl Band”) as a trio when they released their third album, Shouldn’t A Told You That, in November 1993. It would feature the remaining members, The Erwin sisters and Laura Lynch, and stand as their final release before Natalie Maines replaced Lynch in 1995. The ten-track album features an impressive lineup of songs by some of independent country’s top singer-songwriters.
Album Review: Dixie Chicks - ‘Little Ol’ Cowgirl’
The Dixie Chicks’ second album was Little Ol’ Cowgirl. Released in 1992, the album found the original lineup of Robin Lynn Macy, Laura Lynch, Martie & Emily Erwin working through an assortment of original material and covers. The album opens up with the title track, a spritely western swing number penned by John Ims. Laura Lynch sings the lead with really nice trio harmonizing by Macy and Emily Erwin.
Album Review: John Conlee - ‘Live At Billy Bob’s Texas’
Country music from a fan's point of view since 2008 Album Review: John Conlee – ‘Live At Billy Bob’s Texas’ Posted by Paul W. Dennis on March 26, 2019 Released by Smith Music in 1999 (it was recorded January 2, 1999), long after the end of Conlee’s years as a hit-maker (his last chart record having occurred nine years earlier), Live At Billy Bob’s Texas serves as a useful recap of Conlee’s career and as an exemplar of John Conlee in live performance.
Album Review: John Conlee - ‘Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus’
Country music from a fan's point of view since 2008 Album Review: John Conlee – ‘Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus’ Posted by Occasional Hope on March 25, 2019 John Conlee’s only studio album of wholly new material since 1989 was a religious album released in 2004. It is impeccably sung and produced throughout. Much of the material is familiar, but a few new songs were included.
Album Review: John Conlee - ‘Fellow Travelers/Country Heart’
John Conlee’s career was one of the casualties of the wave of young stars emerging in the late 80s swept away the old guard. Columbia having dispensed with his services, he signed a deal with prominent independent label Sixteenth Avenue, which had also recently picked up superstar Charley Pride. He decided to ‘Hit The Ground Runnin’’, a nice upbeat tune about moving on with some cheerful accordion.
Retro Reviews: Alpha Flight #1-28 By John Byrne & More For Marvel Comics
Alpha Flight #1-28 (August 1983 – November 1985) Written by John Byrne Dialogue by Chris Claremont (#17) Pencilled by John Byrne Inked by John Byrne (#1-14, 17, 19-20, 27-28), Bob Wiacek (#15-16, 18, 21-26), Terry Austin (#17) Background inks by Keith Williams (#19-20) Inking Assist by Keith Williams (#23, 27-28) Colour by Andy Yanchus (#1-28) Spoilers (from thirty-four to thirty-six years ago) As a Canadian kid, Alpha Flight meant a lot to me.
Album Review: John Conlee - ‘American Faces’
American Faces was John Conlee’s ninth studio album, and second for Columbia. Released in February 1987, the album reached #16 on Billboard’s Country Albums chart, his last top twenty-five album, all of his previous albums having reached at least #22. Three singles were released from the album in “Domestic Life” (#4), “Mama’s Rockin’ Chair” (#11) and “Living Like There’s No Tomorrow” (#55). After “Mama’s Rockin’ Chair” no John Conlee single would ever again reach the top forty.
Album Review: John Conlee - ‘Harmony’
When John Conlee released his eighth album, Harmony, in 1986, he was also making his transition from MCA to Columbia. Although he would only release two albums for the label, his hit-making streak continued. Three singles were released from the album, including the mid-tempo title track, which hit #10. The other two came from prominent artists and had varying quality.
Album Review: John Conlee - ‘Blue Highway’
Posted by Occasional Hope on March 13, 2019 What was to be John Conlee’s last studio album for MCA, 1984’s Blue Highway saw him making some adjustments to his sound in the light of the pop-leaning music which was dominating comntry radio at the time. The lead single, however, ‘Years After You’, was vintage Conlee – an emotional lost love ballad written by Thom Schuyler with strings and a lovely melody.
Album Review: John Conlee - ‘In My Eyes’
Released in 1983, In My Eyes, Conlee’s sixth album, would prove to be John’s most successful album, reaching #9 on Billboard’s Country Albums chart, The album would feature three #1 singles in “I’m Only In It for the Love”, “In My Eyes” and “As Long As I’m Rockin’ With You” , as well as a fourth single “Way Back” that reached #4.
Album Review: John Conlee - ‘Friday Night Blues’
The title track was the first of three singles released off of John Conlee’s third album Friday Night Blues, which came out in 1979.
Album Review: John Conlee - ‘Forever’
Country music from a fan's point of view since 2008 Album Review: John Conlee – ‘Forever’ Posted by Jonathan Pappalardo on March 6, 2019 Forever, John Conlee’s second album, and first for MCA, was released in 1979, produced by Bud Logan. The album’s excellent pop-leaning first single “Before My Time” is a ballad about a woman scared by a previous relationship, just like the guy in Trisha Yearwood’s equally wonderful “The Woman Before Me.” The song peaked at #2.
Album Review: John Conlee - ‘Rose Colored Glasses’
Posted by Occasional Hope on March 4, 2019 The title track was a surprise hit for John Conlee, and a career-defining hit. Swathed in strings, but allowing his powerful voice to cut through, the insightful lyrics are about a man who is almost fooling himself about a woman who is obviously over their relationship. It was written by Conlee with George Baber. The single peaked at #5 on Billboard, but its influence outweighed that by far.
Album Review: John Michael Montgomery - ‘Time Flies’
Posted by Occasional Hope on February 27, 2019 After he was dropped by Warner Brothers. JMM released one further album, 2008’s Time Flies, on independent label Stringtown Records. Recorded in his brother Eddie’s home studio, it was produced by Byron Gallimore with, for the most part, his trademark sheen and lack of subtlety.
Album Review: John Michael Montgomery - ‘Letters Fom Home’
Posted by Paul W. Dennis on February 25, 2019 Letters From Home was John Michael Montgomery’s [“JMM”] ninth studio album, and his third released on the Warner Brothers label. Released in April 2004, JMM’s career its downhill slide. Although the album charted reasonably well (#3 country /#31 all-genres), sales were tepid and the album received no RIAA certifications. There would be one more studio album (released in 2008) that charted poorly.
Album Review: John Michael Montgomery - ‘Pictures’
Posted by Jonathan Pappalardo on February 22, 2019 The promotional cycle for John Michael Montgomery’s Brand New Me had come to an end when Atlantic Records closed their Nashville division in 2001. They weren’t ready to give up on him just yet, so Montgomery moved to their parent label Warner Bros. Nashville, where he reunited with Scott Hendricks for 2002’s Pictures. The album charted three singles.
Album Review: John Michael Montgomery - ‘Brand New Me’
Album Review: John Michael Montgomery – ‘Brand New Me’ Posted by Occasional Hope on February 20, 2019 The last couple of singles from Home To You had not got the new millennium off to a good start for John Michael Montgomery, but later in 2000 he came up with his biggest hit for years.
Album Review: John Michael Montgomery - ‘Home To You’
Posted by Jonathan Pappalardo on February 18, 2019 By the time Home To You, John Michael Montgomery’s [“JMM”] sixth studio album release for Atlantic, was released in May 1999, JMM’s career was on the downslide. Although the album received generally favorable reviews, the marketplace told a different story as the album would only reach #16 on Billboard’s country albums chart (and #135 on the all-genres chart) and would fail to reach even gold certification.
Album Review: John Michael Montgomery - ‘Leave A Mark’
Posted by Jonathan Pappalardo on February 13, 2019 By the late 1990s, John Michael Montgomery was still plugging away with solid radio singles. Atlantic followed What I Do Best with his first Greatest Hits package, which featured the single “Angel In My Eyes.” The ballad, which is in line with the sound of his most previous work, hit #4 in 1997. Like most artists at the time, Montgomery had to adjust his sound to fit within the pop invasion that had overtaken the genre.
Album Review: John Michael Montgomery - ‘What I Do The Best’
Country music from a fan's point of view since 2008 Album Review: John Michael Montgomery – ‘What I Do The Best’ Posted by Occasional Hope on February 11, 2019 JMM’s career started to take a downturn in the mid 1990s. ‘Ain’t Got Nothin’ On Us’, the lead single from his fourth album, was a sad disappointment, peaking at #15, his lowest charting single ever. It’s a shame, because it is a rather charming jazzy western swing number with some very nice fiddle.
Album Review: John Michael Montgomery - ‘John Michael Montgomery’
John Michael Montgomery was under pressure when he and Scott Hendricks entered the studio to record his third album in 1994. The monster success of “I Swear” was so impactful he not only won ACM and CMA honors, but he also performed the song at the Grammy Awards. It pushed sales of Kickin’ It Up past 4 million units and cemented his place in country love song history. He was also coming off of two consecutive #1s when Atlantic released “I Can Love You Like That” to country radio in February 1995.
Album Review: John Michael Montgomery - ‘Kickin’ It Up’
Posted by Paul W. Dennis on February 6, 2019 Released in January 1994, Kickin’ It Up was JMM’s second album release for Atlantic, and would prove to be John Michael Montgomery’s [“JMM”] most successful album release reaching #1 on Billboard’s country and all-genres charts. The album’s success was fueled by the first single was the romantic ballad “I Swear” which reached #1 country/#42 pop and it was the number one country song of the year per Billboard.
Classic Album Review - ‘The Carl Smith Anniversary Album: 20 Years of Hits’
During the late 1960s-early 1970s, Columbia Records tried to mine their back catalog of songs by releasing two album sets with gatefold covers. These typically took three different directions: A) Mixed artists compilations of singles, album tracks (often Columbia artists covering hits of artists on other labels). B) Compilations of an artists’ miscellaneous older singles and album tracks into a two-album set.
Album Review: John Michael Montgomery - ‘Life’s A Dance’
Album Review: John Michael Montgomery – ‘Life’s A Dance’ Posted by Occasional Hope on February 4, 2019 John Michael Montgomery’s debut album was released in October 1992. It sold 3 million copies, launching him as a bona fide star, although it does not sound particularly distinctive.
Retro Review: Namor, The Sub-Mariner #1-25 By John Byrne For Marvel Comics
Namor the Sub-Mariner #1-25 (April 1990 – April 1992) Written by John Byrne Pencils by John Byrne Inks by Bob Wiacek (#1-3, 22-23), John Byrne (#4-21, 24-25) Coloured by Glynis Oliver (#1, 3-19, 21-24), Brad Vancata (#2), Mike Thomas (#20), Pat Garrahy (#25) Spoilers (from twenty-six to twenty-eight years ago) John Byrne is one of my all-time favourite comics creators.
Show More
loading
Actions
Is this you?
As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work.Get in touch with Retro
Contact Retro, search articles and posts on X, monitor coverage, and track replies from one place.
Learn more about Muck Rack