Country Universe
@countryuniverse.net
The longest-running country music blog (f. 08.2004).
www.countryuniverse.net
www.countryuniverse.net
Pinned
Country Universe
@countryuniverse.net
· Aug 31
A Separate Peace
Considerations on separating the art from the artist in 2025.
www.countryuniverse.net
Have had this one cooking for several weeks now: www.countryuniverse.net/2025/08/31/a...
Reposted by Country Universe
As always, it's a privilege to write about queer country for @NoDepression.bsky.social This month, I write about how trans artists like Bells Larsen and Abigail Austin teach us how to trans-scend time. (See what I did there?)
nodepression.org/queer-countr...
nodepression.org/queer-countr...
November 26, 2025 at 10:35 PM
As always, it's a privilege to write about queer country for @NoDepression.bsky.social This month, I write about how trans artists like Bells Larsen and Abigail Austin teach us how to trans-scend time. (See what I did there?)
nodepression.org/queer-countr...
nodepression.org/queer-countr...
Choked up multiple times listening to Todd Snider's friends as they shared stories of what he meant to them.
Wish it went without saying that this is more important and a better tribute to Snider than self-serving Geraldo cosplay, but here we are. Hope folks allocate their attention accordingly.
Wish it went without saying that this is more important and a better tribute to Snider than self-serving Geraldo cosplay, but here we are. Hope folks allocate their attention accordingly.
This conversation is a beautiful tribute to Todd:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z_kk...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z_kk...
Todd Snider’s Friends Remember the Songwriter | Rolling Stone Nashville Now
YouTube video by Rolling Stone
www.youtube.com
November 26, 2025 at 9:25 PM
Choked up multiple times listening to Todd Snider's friends as they shared stories of what he meant to them.
Wish it went without saying that this is more important and a better tribute to Snider than self-serving Geraldo cosplay, but here we are. Hope folks allocate their attention accordingly.
Wish it went without saying that this is more important and a better tribute to Snider than self-serving Geraldo cosplay, but here we are. Hope folks allocate their attention accordingly.
Reposted by Country Universe
Get your queer country zines, hats, t-shirts and...boot conditioner???
That's right -- it's the Rainbow Rodeo gift guide -- get something awesome for your favorite people!
rainbowrodeomag.com/...
#QueerCountry #Americana #CountryMusic #RootsMusic #LGBTQMusic #QueerMusic #LGBTQMusician #lgbtq
That's right -- it's the Rainbow Rodeo gift guide -- get something awesome for your favorite people!
rainbowrodeomag.com/...
#QueerCountry #Americana #CountryMusic #RootsMusic #LGBTQMusic #QueerMusic #LGBTQMusician #lgbtq
November 26, 2025 at 7:40 PM
Get your queer country zines, hats, t-shirts and...boot conditioner???
That's right -- it's the Rainbow Rodeo gift guide -- get something awesome for your favorite people!
rainbowrodeomag.com/...
#QueerCountry #Americana #CountryMusic #RootsMusic #LGBTQMusic #QueerMusic #LGBTQMusician #lgbtq
That's right -- it's the Rainbow Rodeo gift guide -- get something awesome for your favorite people!
rainbowrodeomag.com/...
#QueerCountry #Americana #CountryMusic #RootsMusic #LGBTQMusic #QueerMusic #LGBTQMusician #lgbtq
Perfect. No notes.
This is a newspaper headline from Back to the Future 2 when Marty McFly travels to the Biff world.
November 26, 2025 at 8:36 PM
Perfect. No notes.
T. Rich, Poppy & Iris (**): Fifteen years ago, this would've gotten Hot AC airplay alongside DAUGHTRY, whose vocal timbre and aggressive competence Rich shares. Combining two earlier 2025 releases, this shows an inability to self-edit, though this is all of uniformly "fine enough" quality.
November 26, 2025 at 2:48 PM
T. Rich, Poppy & Iris (**): Fifteen years ago, this would've gotten Hot AC airplay alongside DAUGHTRY, whose vocal timbre and aggressive competence Rich shares. Combining two earlier 2025 releases, this shows an inability to self-edit, though this is all of uniformly "fine enough" quality.
T. Turner, Good Hearted Woman (****1/2): Restored from the "Tina Turns the Country On" recording sessions, and daresay this makes for an even more cohesive and singular statement than her proper solo debut. Her rock, funk, and soul influences figure prominently in the arrangements, performances...
November 26, 2025 at 2:21 PM
T. Turner, Good Hearted Woman (****1/2): Restored from the "Tina Turns the Country On" recording sessions, and daresay this makes for an even more cohesive and singular statement than her proper solo debut. Her rock, funk, and soul influences figure prominently in the arrangements, performances...
Friend and long-time CU writer Tara Frederick has launched a new project that beautifully weaves her love of music into deeply considered personal narratives. She's a gifted writer, so this is definitely a project to check out: startingoveranyway.substack.com/p/starting-o...
Starting Over, Anyway
On making sense of love, loss, and the in-between.
startingoveranyway.substack.com
November 26, 2025 at 2:06 PM
Friend and long-time CU writer Tara Frederick has launched a new project that beautifully weaves her love of music into deeply considered personal narratives. She's a gifted writer, so this is definitely a project to check out: startingoveranyway.substack.com/p/starting-o...
For the pie discourse.
My villain origin story is trying Christina Tosi's "Crack Pie"-- problematic!!-- in NYC, immediately clocking it as a (admittedly good) Chess Pie, then learning she'd *trademarked* it based on making what any Southerner knows are two common subs to the Joy Of Cooking recipe.
My villain origin story is trying Christina Tosi's "Crack Pie"-- problematic!!-- in NYC, immediately clocking it as a (admittedly good) Chess Pie, then learning she'd *trademarked* it based on making what any Southerner knows are two common subs to the Joy Of Cooking recipe.
November 26, 2025 at 2:40 AM
For the pie discourse.
My villain origin story is trying Christina Tosi's "Crack Pie"-- problematic!!-- in NYC, immediately clocking it as a (admittedly good) Chess Pie, then learning she'd *trademarked* it based on making what any Southerner knows are two common subs to the Joy Of Cooking recipe.
My villain origin story is trying Christina Tosi's "Crack Pie"-- problematic!!-- in NYC, immediately clocking it as a (admittedly good) Chess Pie, then learning she'd *trademarked* it based on making what any Southerner knows are two common subs to the Joy Of Cooking recipe.
I have now seen the most unhinged Tyler Childers take.
November 26, 2025 at 12:40 AM
I have now seen the most unhinged Tyler Childers take.
Reposted by Country Universe
5 days to go! And Samara is getting closer 😛 gofund.me/596fde0bf
Donate to Support Bee and Cats From Eviction, organized by Bee Delores
ETA: I am facing eviction with cats in just over a week. Any donations and shares would… Bee Delores needs your support for Support Bee and Cats From Eviction
gofund.me
November 25, 2025 at 3:17 PM
5 days to go! And Samara is getting closer 😛 gofund.me/596fde0bf
V. Mason, There I Go (***): The latest Pledge Week Country guy sounds like the John Mayer of Parker McCollums. The asthmatic vocals strike me as an affectation to mask what would probably be too *pretty* a natural vocal tone for the current market. Production here is better than many of his peers.
November 25, 2025 at 9:09 PM
V. Mason, There I Go (***): The latest Pledge Week Country guy sounds like the John Mayer of Parker McCollums. The asthmatic vocals strike me as an affectation to mask what would probably be too *pretty* a natural vocal tone for the current market. Production here is better than many of his peers.
L. Majcen, Makin' A Livin'... (****): Impresses for how his ability to be funny on purpose never once undercuts the poignancy or heft of his modern underclass narratives. The surface read is as a shitkicker, but there's a real sensitivity and razor-sharp intellect underneath. His best yet.
November 25, 2025 at 8:36 PM
L. Majcen, Makin' A Livin'... (****): Impresses for how his ability to be funny on purpose never once undercuts the poignancy or heft of his modern underclass narratives. The surface read is as a shitkicker, but there's a real sensitivity and razor-sharp intellect underneath. His best yet.
Snocaps, s/t (****1/2): Opens as a glorious, note-perfect homage to 90s Modern Rock radio and ends as what sounds like a great new Waxahatchee record. Meaning that I have zero interest in debating the semantics of how "country" it is and will simply claim it outright. Tremendous work by all parties.
November 25, 2025 at 8:17 PM
Snocaps, s/t (****1/2): Opens as a glorious, note-perfect homage to 90s Modern Rock radio and ends as what sounds like a great new Waxahatchee record. Meaning that I have zero interest in debating the semantics of how "country" it is and will simply claim it outright. Tremendous work by all parties.
W. Nelson, Workin' Man... (***1/2): Of his stellar current run of albums, this is perhaps the first that I wish he'd recorded back in his prime vocal era. His aged voice doesn't add to these Hag covers the way it does to much of his recent output. Still, a lovely tribute from one titan to another.
November 25, 2025 at 8:13 PM
W. Nelson, Workin' Man... (***1/2): Of his stellar current run of albums, this is perhaps the first that I wish he'd recorded back in his prime vocal era. His aged voice doesn't add to these Hag covers the way it does to much of his recent output. Still, a lovely tribute from one titan to another.
A. Wilson, Stars (**1/2): More convincing on this faith-forward set than on her debut as a would-be Music Row "Rebel" last year, she still lacks a POV that makes any of her songs distinctive-- every narrative and emotional beat here is telegraphed-- and still needs to rein in that untamed vibrato.
November 25, 2025 at 8:10 PM
A. Wilson, Stars (**1/2): More convincing on this faith-forward set than on her debut as a would-be Music Row "Rebel" last year, she still lacks a POV that makes any of her songs distinctive-- every narrative and emotional beat here is telegraphed-- and still needs to rein in that untamed vibrato.
Reposted by Country Universe
The Turnpike Troubadours released a video accompanying their cover of Todd Snider's "Just Like Old Times"
I added a bit of context and insight and it's up @rollingstone.com
Watch and read here
www.rollingstone.com/music/music-...
I added a bit of context and insight and it's up @rollingstone.com
Watch and read here
www.rollingstone.com/music/music-...
Turnpike Troubadours Pay Tribute to Todd Snider With Surprise Cover of 'Just Like Old Times'
Hear Turnpike Troubadours cover Todd Snider's 'Just Like Old Times' in new studio recording and video.
www.rollingstone.com
November 25, 2025 at 4:27 PM
The Turnpike Troubadours released a video accompanying their cover of Todd Snider's "Just Like Old Times"
I added a bit of context and insight and it's up @rollingstone.com
Watch and read here
www.rollingstone.com/music/music-...
I added a bit of context and insight and it's up @rollingstone.com
Watch and read here
www.rollingstone.com/music/music-...
Love this album and have "Everybody Pass Me By" on my playlist of the best country singles (yes, because it is) of the 90s.
JUST IN! 'Super Sound 25' by Pepe Deluxé
Sample-laden trip-hop meets electronic, surreal pop, and space age psychedelia.
www.normanrecords.com/records/2127...
Sample-laden trip-hop meets electronic, surreal pop, and space age psychedelia.
www.normanrecords.com/records/2127...
November 25, 2025 at 5:49 PM
Love this album and have "Everybody Pass Me By" on my playlist of the best country singles (yes, because it is) of the 90s.
"If you find yourself standing in the identical queue, you possibly can be a part of the world of internet. The internet has given us many great methods to take to the next stage. You have to take time to work it out."
Our WordPress spambots are going *through some shit* today, apparently.
Our WordPress spambots are going *through some shit* today, apparently.
November 25, 2025 at 4:04 PM
"If you find yourself standing in the identical queue, you possibly can be a part of the world of internet. The internet has given us many great methods to take to the next stage. You have to take time to work it out."
Our WordPress spambots are going *through some shit* today, apparently.
Our WordPress spambots are going *through some shit* today, apparently.
Reposted by Country Universe
Look, we all agree this is amazing. But we used to live comfortable in the understanding that you had to invite Chotiner in, like a vampire.
Now we know that Chotiner might strike at any time, like a velociraptor.
Now we know that Chotiner might strike at any time, like a velociraptor.
my goodness:
Chotiner: who funds this shit
Ben Smith: How dare you ask such a question. Check your facts!
Chotiner: I have now checked my facts. A thread (1/381)
Ben Smith:
Chotiner: who funds this shit
Ben Smith: How dare you ask such a question. Check your facts!
Chotiner: I have now checked my facts. A thread (1/381)
Ben Smith:
a man in a hospital gown with the words i 've made a huge mistake behind him
ALT: a man in a hospital gown with the words i 've made a huge mistake behind him
media.tenor.com
November 25, 2025 at 2:09 PM
Look, we all agree this is amazing. But we used to live comfortable in the understanding that you had to invite Chotiner in, like a vampire.
Now we know that Chotiner might strike at any time, like a velociraptor.
Now we know that Chotiner might strike at any time, like a velociraptor.
And the week prior was a Ripped From The Headlines episode about how Neil Gaiman and Amanda Palmer should be in jail, so that's honestly quite a November run for L&O: Especially Heinous.
i'm sorry, last week's SVU featured toby huss wearing a fedora????
November 24, 2025 at 9:35 PM
And the week prior was a Ripped From The Headlines episode about how Neil Gaiman and Amanda Palmer should be in jail, so that's honestly quite a November run for L&O: Especially Heinous.
L. Bell, King Is Back (****1/2): It's all too much, really, in every sense. The 28 tracks here would have been served slightly better had they been bifurcated into a couple of standalone records, though the reasons for not doing that certainly make sense on a human level.
November 24, 2025 at 5:05 PM
L. Bell, King Is Back (****1/2): It's all too much, really, in every sense. The 28 tracks here would have been served slightly better had they been bifurcated into a couple of standalone records, though the reasons for not doing that certainly make sense on a human level.
Tanya Tucker's cover of this is far superior to Barbara Fairchild's hit version: www.countryuniverse.net/2025/11/23/e...
Every No. 1 Single of the Seventies: Barbara Fairchild, “Teddy Bear Song”
A seventies star enjoys her sole No. 1 hit.
www.countryuniverse.net
November 24, 2025 at 2:41 PM
Tanya Tucker's cover of this is far superior to Barbara Fairchild's hit version: www.countryuniverse.net/2025/11/23/e...
Back with some #1 single reviews!
First up is a Gary Allan ode to parenthood that cuts far deeper than I remembered: www.countryuniverse.net/2025/11/22/e...
First up is a Gary Allan ode to parenthood that cuts far deeper than I remembered: www.countryuniverse.net/2025/11/22/e...
Every No. 1 Single of the 2000s: Gary Allan, “Tough Little Boys”
A damn near perfect encapsulation of the vulnerability of parenthood.
www.countryuniverse.net
November 24, 2025 at 2:40 PM
Back with some #1 single reviews!
First up is a Gary Allan ode to parenthood that cuts far deeper than I remembered: www.countryuniverse.net/2025/11/22/e...
First up is a Gary Allan ode to parenthood that cuts far deeper than I remembered: www.countryuniverse.net/2025/11/22/e...
LeAnn Rimes is one of the all-time great vocalists, and I won't entertain arguments to the contrary.
November 24, 2025 at 12:23 AM
LeAnn Rimes is one of the all-time great vocalists, and I won't entertain arguments to the contrary.