ALBUM REVIEW: Paul Thorn "What The Hell Is Goin' On?"

Wisconsin born and Mississippi-raised Paul Thorn has a decidedly unique voice that offers the perfect blend of earthy blues and gravelly southern rock. The artist is currently riding a wave of success following his highest Billboard charting album - 2010's "Pimps And Preachers." However, his new album will be no less controversial as the cover to "What The Hell Is Goin' On?" is easily one of the most interesting and provocative album covers of 2012. Nevertheless, it's the music that matters most, and this album is an barnstorming, hell-raising, unqualified success.

The fun begins with the soulful and upbeat "Don't Let Me Down Again," which is performed with a comfortable ease that any musician would envy, but the album really sparks with the insanely memorable "Snake Farm." Radio program managers should take notice of this killer cut.

Thorn's unusual swagger is showcased on "Shelter Me," and some of his confidence may come from the fact that he was once a professional boxer (even fighting world champion Roberto Duran in a televised match). The gospel-infused, sing-a-long track "Shed  A Little Light" is the album's biggest surprise and offers a pitch-perfect vocal performance. The quirky "Small Town Talk" is another surprise that offers thoughtful lyrics.

The title cut "What The Hell Is Going On?" is a cocksure song that boldly delivers on the promise of the album cover. Likewise, the cut offers terrific instrumentation and a memorable melody. However, the best song on the CD is the bluesy and melodic "Wrong Number." This song does everything right and shows Thorn's connection with traditional blues. Concert audiences and radio listeners will eat this song up faster than homemade peach ice cream at the annual church picnic.

"Bull Mountain Ridge" has much of the same charm of "Wrong Number," and the cut offers interesting elements that mix blues with outlaw country. Paul Thorn could have a country radio chart hit with "Bull Mountain Ridge." The best song on the album is saved the next to last with the truly lovely "She's Got A Crush On Me." The light instrumentation and Thorn's nuanced vocal performance make this track a standout moment. However, Paul Thorn rightly decides to end the album with a more upbeat cut that is a smile-inducing, toe-tapping musical treat titled "Take My Love With You."

"What The Hell Is Goin' On?" is a 48-minute extravaganza that carefully showcases a well-rounded musician in top form. Interestingly, Paul Thorn's album cover looks more like a punk rock album and prominently features the devil in several places. However, this may be a shrewd move: You see, the idiom "the devil is in the details" is truly fitting for an album that offers a thought provoking and mysterious cover that houses an equally interesting, complex and eventually fulfilling bluesy masterwork. CountryChart.com

ALBUM REVIEW: Corey Wagar "On The Edge"

Country attitude and high-energy southern rock populate the 15 original tracks on Corey Wagar's appropriately-titled new album "On The Edge." Even though Wagar is a native of New Jersey, the singer's sound and lyrics seem to have come straight from the boondocks of Texas or Tennessee.

The album begins with "Hurricane," which was the album's lead single. Corey Wagar convincingly sells the song with confidence and enthusiastic fervor, and the album's second single "I Hate My Boyfriend" has much of the same charm - along with terrific lyrics.

Wagar's winning personality shines on the irresistible "Me And My Girls," which should also be considered as a radio single. The New Jersey native's sensitive side is on display with the country pop track "Miss You For Now." However, it is the story in song "16th Candle" that emerges as one of the album's best cuts. Wagar has a knack for telling a story, and her talent is on full display with "16th Candle."

The memorable melody of "Wild Side" is infectious, but it is the country pop track "Already To Go" which is the album's biggest surprise. This cut has the perfect ingredients for a summer country hit, and Corey Wagar's pleasing vocals put her firmly in Carrie Underwood territory. Radio program managers should take notice. However, the very best track on the album is "Beautiful Lie," which offers a stunning vocal performance from Corey Wagar. Radio should also take note of the cuts "Wishing It Was You" and "Your Girl."

The song "Do" is an interesting Jo Dee Messina-esque song that sparkles, and the album's final track, "Story End," is a fitting bookend for 15 songs that will leave you wondering why you have never heard of Corey Wagar.

"On The Edge" is the perfect title for this refreshing album from a new country artist on the edge of breaking through in the rough and tumble country music industry. Corey Wagar deserves album sales and radio chart success, and the evidence presented in this exciting new album suggests that she'll soon get it. CountryChart.com

ALBUM REVIEW: Chelle Rose "Ghost Of Browder Holler"

With a hard-edged Americana sound and tight production (courtesy of Ray Wylie Hubbard), Chelle Rose bursts back onto the country and Americana music scene with a 12-song selection of fresh tracks that will quench the thirst of music lovers tired of pre-fab country pop on her new album titled "Ghost Of Browder Holler."

The album begins with the terrific "Browder Holler Boy," which has cool Lucinda Williams meets Chris Knight vibe that fires on all cylinders. Chelle Rose's seasoned vocal performance is pitch-perfect, and the slide-guitar instrumentation also deserves special mention.

The sparse and bluesy "Caney Fork Tennessee" continues the album's dark theme with winning results, and the memorable melody works. However, Chelle Rose is ready for a party, and it begins on the rockin' third cut "I Need You." Rose and her band have produced a track that will make even the least musical person on the planet start to tap his toes and groove to the beat.

However, the mid-tempo Americana song "Weepin Willow On The Hill" emerges as a contender for the album's best song. Indeed, Rose's intense and restrained vocal performance lends credence to the sincerity of the lyrics.

The biggest surprise on the album is the sing-a-long cut "Leona Barnett." The lyrics and music allow Chelle Rose to perform with an infectious and unbridled energy. Rose is definitely at the top of her game here, and "Alimony" has much of the same charm.

The restrained "If I Could" just barely beats "Weepin Willow On The Hill" as the best song on "Ghost Of Browder Holler." Describing the pure joy of this delicate track is almost indescribable, and radio program directors should take notice of this understated Americana gem, which offers a Grammy-worthy performance from Chelle Rose.

Speaking of radio, programmers should also seek out the insanely hummable "Rattlesnake In The Road" and the next to last track "Shady Grove Gonna Blow." The album ends on a quiet and winning note with "Wild Violets Pretty," which is a sparse and beautiful cut.

"Ghost Of Browder Holler" will ease the mind of country and Americana music fans who sometimes lose faith in the overly commercial pop sounds of many artists on country/Americana radio today. Yes, there is an alternative to the forgettable sound of a progression of popular but uninspiring artists. Her name is Chelle Rose, and Ray Wylie Hubbard has produced an album that won't let you forget it. CountryChart.com

ALBUM REVIEW: Family Reunion "Family Album"

If you have brothers or sisters that live far away, you probably talk at least a few times a year - maybe every couple of months or more. However, cousins who live in different parts of the country rarely speak - except for the yearly Christmas card. That's what makes the success of Family Reunion's new album "Family Album" all the more special. Six cousins - yes, the number six - have created a band that records its one-of-a-kind brand of country songs using alter egos to protect their serious day jobs (such as accounting). Indeed, the Family Reunion band is somewhat like the British group Gorillaz - except with a few more jokes and some country attitude.

The album begins with the working-class anthem "Blue Collar King," which laments the anonymity of blue collar workers to white collar bosses. Likewise, the track confronts the sense of gloom facing many Americans since the US economy became turbulent at the end of the Bush term and throughout the Obama administration. The female lead vocals on the next cut "A Hard Man (Is Good To Find)" immediately lets the listener know that the song could be the Viagra theme song. Surprisingly, it works.

Cousins JD, Carrie, Barbie, Hollywood, Tex and Slim are the alter ego identities that form the band Family Reunion, and they live in the states of Virginia, Tennessee, Texas and California. In fact, they call themselves a "truly country-wide band."

The quiet "Judy My Dear" showcases a powerful, laid-back vocal performance that is both surprising and refreshing. "The sound of your laughter I hear," croons the singer. The cut "Beautiful Judas" has much of the same charm, and the song discusses a woman who abandons her man from the male perspective.

The song "Yes" has a cool vibe reminiscent of the best duets of Faith Hill and Tim McGraw. Both cousins give powerful vocal performances, and "Yes" emerges as the album's best produced track. Indeed, the cut could have wide appeal for multiple genres of country music, and radio program managers should consider introducing the song to its listeners. At over five minutes, the song might be a bit too long for radio, and a special edit could certainly make it better while still retaining its unique musical intensity. The duet "Hey Broken Hearted" could also interest some radio program managers.

The traditional cut "Delores" is a slow, story-in-song that is surprisingly touching, and "Runnin'" picks up the pace. However, the band might have a real radio winner with "Peas Porridge Cold." The actual song itself is country gold and could be a major mainstream Number One country chart hit in the able hands of a country star such as Blake Shelton or Luke Bryan. However, the retro country sound and "ooohhh" background vocals of the track do somewhat of a disservice to a song that has the potential to be a country blockbuster. It's a great cut as it is, but it's current state could be akin to having a beautiful wife that only wears jeans and t-shirts when she would look significantly more attractive in the right dress. In short, "Peas Porridge Cold" needs the perfect mix.

While the band Family Reunion is a group of six cousins who are shown as cartoon characters, don't want to use their real names due to serious day jobs and could have the song that could help Cialis gain more market share, the band is no joke. "Family Album" showcases a group of serious musicians who should be proud to show their faces. Maybe the next album should be called "Family Photo." CountryChart.com

ALBUM REVIEW: Aaron Owens "Troublemaker"

Aaron Owens has a deep, rich voice that immediately commands attention, and his raw talent has earned him awards and critical praise, such as being named 2011's Arkansas Country Artist Of The Year. While awards are great, it's the music that matters, and Aaron Owens newest CD "Troublemaker" proves that this LA country boy is ready for the big stage. By the way, in Owens' world, LA stands for "Lower Arkansas."

The album begins with the melodic country tune "Before Forever" that has a cool Josh Turner meets Trace Adkins vibe. However, "Good Place To Start" is actually a better showcase for Aaron Owens' unique vocal talent, and radio program managers should take notice. Interestingly, the influence of Waylon Jennings is present throughout the track, and Aaron Owens makes a star turn on this stunning cut.

The title track "Troublemaker" is a dark and earthy song that succeeds, and "Let It Play" has much of the same charm. The honky tonk song "Sounds A Lot Like Me" is pure upbeat country fun. Owens softer side is shown on the quiet "Time," but the album's biggest surprise is "I Turned Her On," which purports to be a song about a woman discovering Merle Haggard and George Jones. However, concert audiences will eat up the double entendre faster than peach pie at the county fair.

The album abruptly moves to a story in song with the cut "Scars," which has a social and political message, and the album ends on a high note with the quirky "Redneck, White And Blue." Aaron Owens croons: "I'm a hillbilly with a bright red neck; blue collar country with a southern dialect; a God fearing, hard working, party loving son of a gun...making my momma proud and playing my music loud." In short, "Redneck, White And Blue" offers old fashioned, corn-fed lyrics that will please country fans on every level.

"Troublemaker," from rising country star Aaron Owens, shows exactly why this well-rounded country artist is winning awards and fans. They say you shouldn't go looking for trouble, but in this case you really should. CountryChart.com