Album Review: Kacey Musgraves – Same Trailer, Different Park
4 min read
There is nothing more that we love here at RenownedforSound.com than a good, meaty slice of country at its best. We also adore all things pop. Back when Shania Twain released her massive multi-million selling studio album, Come On Over, one of the first records to merge both genres into one, well, we were beside ourselves with joy. Since that release there have been many artists following in Shania’s footsteps with the likes of Miranda Lambert, Lady Antebellum, and Taylor Swift all capitalizing on both the country and pop markets to sell their records and expand their fan-bases.
Kacey Musgraves is another musician whose career path has been opened up thanks to the popularity of country and pops crossover. With 3 records already under her belt it was only a matter of time before a major label picked the songbird up and let her loose on the mainstream world. Previous studio albums have been released by Kacey through independent means but all have helped slowly pave the way for one of the most talented singer-songwriters to emerge in recent years.
Over the past few years Kacey has toured the world with country music royalty, earning envied support slots for Lady Antebellum and Little Big Town. 2013 is also shaping up to be a big year for the singer as she is currently enjoying a nationwide tour with Country superstar Kenny Chesney as they take on cities throughout North America from March through to August on the No Shoes Nation Tour. Her talent has also been recognized by some of the industry’s biggest names including Miranda Lambert who enlisted Kacey’s songwriting gifts to help pen her recent Four the Record hit, Mama’s Broken Heart.
The singer is now embracing the mainstream with the recent unveiling of album number four, Same Trailer, Different Park.
Over the course of 40 minutes Kacey turns out 12 tracks rich in the singer’s country roots and sprinkled with just the right amount of pop sweetness to appeal to a worldwide audience.
Silver Lining opens up the record and we are instantly taken on a journey with Kacey as she delivers some of the most exquisite vocals heard on a record for some time. A gentle guitar brushing guides us into the track while a slide guitar adds a subtle wailing as it laces its way through the song. The breathy tones Kacey unveils on the track’s chorus are brief yet flattering while a stripped back moment nearing the numbers closing adds a sweet contrast to the rest of the track.
The momentum is given a push with the following My House allowing us into the singer’s songwriting versatility. The numbers opening count-in gives the track a stripped back, improvised feel while the addition of a harmonica, connecting the verses and chorus’ of the song, dresses the number in a casual coating as she sings about living in a house on four wheels.
The albums lead single, Merry Go Round, has been thrashed on radio stations throughout the US and although the song seems to be on constant rotation it doesn’t appear to have worn any thinner over time and sits on the collection Kacey offers us as one the albums obvious notables. It’s a catchy country gem for the singer with some powerful lyrics like the opening; “If you ain’t got two kids by 21, you’re probably gonna die alone, at least that’s what tradition told you” putting the spotlight over the singers songwriting dexterity.
The gems aren’t all reserved for the opening half of the record, however. As we get further down the track listing, Blowin’ Smoke provides the collection with a instrumentally rocking and lyrically witty inclusion. Kacey’s laid-back vocal swagger displays a musician who is in full control, delivering quite possibly our favorite number on Same Trailer, Different Park. It’s infectious rhythm is confidently placed over some busy diner sound effects while Kacey portrays a hard-done-by woman with life’s troubles tugging at her waitress attire.
Stupid is another highlight nearing the end of the record which takes hold of a strong, busy instrumentation while album closer It Is What It Is allows Kacey’s vocals to shine on a stunning slice of balladry. Here we are really able to see just why the songbird is set to take over the world of country in 2013 as she unfolds a gorgeously constructed, slide guitar filled poem of self-awareness and heartache.
There is a distinctive quality about Kacey Musgraves that resonates throughout the record and that is what the singer conveys through her music. While the appeal of singing about ones flash-in-the-pan relationships or teen break ups are too much for many of today’s country artists to resist, Kacey sings straight from the heart and about life’s true tragedies, events and situations. Each number is sung with genuine conviction and delivered in a way that keeps you hanging on every moment and that is what we find so appealing about Same Trailer, Different Park. 2013 certainly is destined to be the year of Kacey Musgraves.
::: RenownedForSound.com’s Editor and Founder –
Interviewing and reviewing the best in new music and globally recognized artists is his passion.
Over the years he has been lucky enough to review thousands of music releases and concerts and interview artists ranging from top selling superstars like 27-time Grammy Award winner Alison Krauss, Boyz II Men, Roxette, Cyndi Lauper, Lisa Loeb and iconic Eagles front man/songwriter, Glenn Frey through to more recent successes including Newton Faulkner, Janelle Monae and Caro Emerald.
Brendon manages and coordinates the amazing team of writers on RenownedForSound.com who are based in the UK, the U.S and Australia.
