I just listen to all of them (at least about 1/2 way through). As a collection of five -- they really don't get me that excited. But they are "popular" songs -- someone likes 'em and buys 'em (a lot of folks actually). Did you notice the crowd start cheering when Jason Aldean started rapping?

Of course, since I have been listening to popular country music over the past 3 or 4 years, I have heard lots and lots of songs that I really, really liked. Those five are not in that group, though.

There is an art to writing popular, commercial songs -- it is dang hard to pull off. Also, popular music today is major "artist" driven (and maybe it always has been). In those 5 songs, some of the melodic parts are real good, the lift and chorus lift and separate the song to a higher gear. It is decent, formula commercial pop country. Nothing wrong with that. I'd like to be able to to do it that well with the songs I write.

"Good science comes in peer reviewed journals. Conspiracy theories come in YouTube videos. "
Kevin @ bandcamp: Crows Say Vee-Eh