Ally's Corner

  Well, I LOVE Lainey Wilson and have listened to a tiny bit of Black Crowes over the years (found them while shuffling Allman Brothers Band and Lynyrd Skynyrd if I remember right), but when I say I didn't see this collaboration coming, I mean it.    It was, wow. It clocks in at just over five minutes, which is just right for a Rock or Blues song (gosh, Rock and Blues singers are long winded) and everything about it is super beautiful!     10/10.    As today is the final day of NaBloPoMo , I'd like to thank you all for joining me on this crazy ride! I won't be doing Blogmas this year as my entire life is crazy busy right now but I'll see ya when I see ya! So long and goodnight! 😎

  Alright, so what Callista has is pure, unadulterated, God-given talent and I've been screaming that from the empire state building since I first heard It's 'Cause I Am . This one is no exception!    It kinda sounds like it ties in with Bless Your Heart , same kinda "love her, she's leaving" type thing. This may be my new favorite, I don't know. They're all so good!     10/10.

  Alright, so this is giving me Dangerous session vibes, the same sort of "live in studio" type thing.     Lies Lies Lies: Okay, so I actually like this song better than most of One Thing At A Time and half of Dangerous. (I am an If I Know Me girl, heart and soul. I have all three CDs, but I've only ever listened to that one).  5/10.    Sunrise: Alright, this is one of my favorite songs from One Thing and no matter how many times I listen to this song, I will always be transported back to being crammed in the third row seat of a Tahoe on a road trip when I first listened to this album. It was a welcome distraction.  10/10.     I Deserve A Drink: I had honestly forgot this song existed. (There's simply too many songs on One Thing)... I actually like it more than I remember liking it.  6/10.     Graveyard Whistling: I didn't know what to expect from something like this, but dadgum, THIS IS GREAT!!! It may be my new favorites and ...

  Alright, so those of you who read my Psychopath review last year know I was not crazy about that album. Nevertheless, I liked her single Halloween and was hoping to like this song.    And I do! This is a heartbreaker and I love the steel on it! So it begs the answer to the question: is Morgan back?    We don't know. Eventually I'll listen to the new album, Obsessed and touch base with you once I do that.    I actually think it's funny that her three major label albums kinda sound like a sentence: Reckless Psychopath Obsessed (maybe the next one will be with something/someone). 

  Alright, so if you've been following the blog lately, I've been talking A LOT about Callista lately! I love her, if you couldn't tell!  She's probably my favorite artist under thirty right now (nothing against Olivia, Sabrina, Tate and so many more people I adore)!    Anyway, I've loved this song since I heard her play it live on a livestream from Blake Shelton's Ole Red bar that The Grand Ole Opry streamed as part of their Nextstage propaganda.    I'm so glad she decided to put it out because it's so incredible! I love the lyrics! The chorus, "bless your little, soon to be breakin', wasn't even thinkin', too little too late heart" is the best thing ever and reminds me of the chorus of Patty Loveless' Blame It On You're Heart which, if you're uncultured, goes "so blame it on your lyin', cheatin', cold, deadbeatin', two-timin', double-dealin', mean, mistreatin', lovin' heart".    Th...

  Alright, so I discovered Em as most did after Numb Little Bug came out and I've loved her music since then!     Okay, this is a bop and I love the forced optimism! I have to force myself to be happy 90 percent of the time so I definitely get it!    I really hope next year we get an EP or maybe even a full length album (please)! It needs to package together Rollercosters Make Me Sad, Pedestal, this one and maybe six or so new songs!     10/10.

  Hey y'all! Today I'll be reacting to a number of songs by Runaway June!    First up, as a little bonus, we have the Live Performance of their song, Fine Wine . Alright, so this is lovely! I've loved Runaway June since Lipstick (og fan, been here longer than Natalie and Stevie, IYK,YK) and I still adore their stuff!    It's such a genius song and I've heard just bits of it when they've put up clips and it's been stuck in my head since then!    I really like it and can't wait to hear the studio version! Then, we have their latest EP, Smoke, Wine & Whiskey !    Make Me Wanna Smoke: I remember listening to this when it dropped. I liked it better than Broken Hearts (Do Broken Things) but I don't love it. 5/10.     Fine Wine: Okay, so this didn't disappoint! What a fabulous song! I also love that Runaway June actually sound like a Country act in a world where most Country doesn't sound like Country! Natalie's fiddle playin' is wond...

  Hello, and welcome back to the blog where I talk about random crap!    Today I'm talking about Gabby Barrett's new-ish music video for her song, Growin' Up Raising You!    I really like the song (as I mentioned here) and the music video is really nice!    I do feel like the music industry have reached a point in time where music videos have almost no correlation to the song and this one is no different. It is nice, though.     10/10.

  Alright, so I've done a couple Gabby Barrett reactions on here before and I absolutely love her! I've been a fan since some time in 2021 after Goldmine came out and I'm super excited to listen to this new album (and the upcoming one, gosh I'm behind)!    I've heard Cowboy Back, Glory Days, Growin' Up Raising You and You're My Texas.    If I had to rank them, it'd look like this:    #4: You're My Texas.    #3: Glory Days.    #2: Growin' Up Raising You.    #1: Cowboy Back.    The Chapter:    I really relate to this song, it's beautiful! I also really like how Track One is The Chapter and the last song is called The Verse !  10/10.     Cowboy Back: So I think this one is inarguably my favorite! I first heard it when she played it at the Stagecoach festival in what, 2022 or something? It reminds me very much of several characters I write about and I already wrote a post about it so if y...

  Alright, so in modern music, Morgan Wallen and Taylor Swift are inarguably the two most popular artists regardless of genre; they've both got a massive tour happening, a very popular album, songs you can't exist without hearing and massive, dedicated fandoms.    This rerecording was the most Swift-esque thing he's ever done and it's funny because he did it for a similar reason to why Taylor has done her "(Taylor's Version)" reissues.    Let's listen...    Alright, so I like this better than the original because it's chiller and more acoustic than the other one. A very smart move. I love his note about the duck woods on the cover art. I mean imagine being duck hunting and having to leave and go rerecord a ten year old song that you don't even like anymore!     5/10.

  Salutations! Today we'll be talking about another Callista Clark song!    I really like the lyrics of this one! It's really deep! I think if I had to rank the songs from the upcoming EP that I've heard so far it'd be:    #4: Diamond.    #3: Music Box.    #2: Reckless.    #1: You Or The Highway.    We'll see how that all holds up once the EP comes out! (And before you ask, yes, I've already preordered my vinyl with the signed poster! Can't wait for it to ship)!!!     Overall, 10/10.    See y'all tomorrow! 💜😎

  Alright, so before anyone yells at me for not being a fake Morgan Wallen fan for listening to this, I don't support his ex label's decision to release this record at all. But however, I really like the original Stand Alone so I decided "what the heck?"    (And I'm using Discord's Jockie Music bot, so I don't think it's getting viewed anyway and it's released on Morgan's channel so if anything it's helping his view count).     Going Down: So this reminds me a lot of "Not Good At Not". I actually enjoyed it, even though it's not as good as anything he's put out since. 8/10.     Scared To Live Without You: If I didn't know it was Morgan, I wouldn't know it was Morgan. His voice has matured so much over the last few years! Even since If I Know Me to Dangerous and One Thing At A Time! I actually like the song, whoever wrote it knew what they were doing! 10/10.     2 of Us Alone: Alright, so it sounds promising already...

  Hello, I'm back with another Jordi song! This one is a Christmas love song (which as I've said before, I'm not generally nuts about).    Let's see what we think!    Alright, it's good! Not as good as her other music, but it's Christmas, so it's in it's own league! The instrumental is nice!    All in all, 9/10.

We're back with another Gabby Barrett song! I really like this one! It took me a couple listens to really hear and comprehend all the lyrics and realize how genius it is!  I love her vocals on this, beautiful as usual!     10/10.

  Hey y'all! We're back to usual content after yesterday's deviation with more music from Miss Callista! As I said a few days ago, I love her music and have for several years so today we'll be reacting to a couple new, Acoustic songs!     Reckless (Official Acoustic Video): So I love this song, it's kinda like an older sister to Real To Me or Brave Girl ! Vocals are on point and the guitar is great! I feel like Callista in her truest form is just her and a guitar, because that's how she started. I really like the grainy, old movie filter on the video too!  10/10.     You Or The Highway (Official Acoustic Video): This one is GORGEOUS! I love it! It really shows that sometimes, there's no saving a relationship and you just have to drive away. Been there. This video also has the vintage film filter on it and it's simply beautiful! I love that she has an old soul and we have very similar music tastes! 10/10.     See y'all tomorrow!

  Man, I don't even know what to say. I turned my phone on about an hour ago, opened Google (a horrible decision, really) and get greeted with this ...    I will never forget the feeling of reading "One Direction singer, Liam Payne, dead." Dead. DEAD. It felt like a bullet to the heart, I couldn't speak, could barely breathe. Of course, first thing I do is go to Google, search "Liam Payne" and try to see if any other news outlets had also reported it, praying it was one of those cruel hoaxes for views.    News flash, it wasn't; beautiful, incredible, talented Liam is gone, for real...    I was sitting across from a close Directioner friend who could tell I was in shock from the look on my face and immediately asked what was wrong, to which I choked out, "Liam Payne just died." She was as shocked as I was and reached for my phone to see it for herself.    The next thing I did was open to my social site of choice, Quotev, to see if my other Dir...

  So I loved this song already, and since it's Ed , it's just like ten times more perfect! I need a whole Passenger X Sheeran album now! Somebody make this happen!   The vocals are more than there, the instrumentals are freaking beautiful and it's simply Perfect (pun intended)!  10/10.

Alright, so I've been obsessed with Callista since sometime in 2022 and I think she's honestly one of the brightest stars in modern Country music. She reminds me a lot of myself with her genre-bending influences!    Today we'll be reacting to both versions of her song, Diamond! I've heard some of this song on live videos and clips she's teased (she's the absolute Queen of teasing stuff)!    Diamond (Official Acoustic Video): Okay, the aesthetics are there! I love that it's black and white and the beads remind me a lot of her It's 'Cause I Am music video! Vocals are there and this song is just such a bop! 10/10.     Diamond (Official Lyric Video): Alright, so as an acoustic girlie, I kinda like the first version better, but this one is GREAT! I love it! Callista can Rock, she can sing Country, Blues, Gospel, Christmas (BTW, we need the full album, girlie), what can she not do!? 10/10.     See y'all tomorrow! 😎

  So I'll preface this by saying I'm not a mother so I don't feel this song like some would, but I still went on knowing I would cry because I cry at everything.    And I knew I'd cry, but I didn't know I'd ugly cry... This song is beautiful and really shows what a blessing the bond between a mother and a child (a daughter in context of this) really is.    I was blessed with a wonderful mother, but I know many didn't get that, so I hope anyone who didn't has someone they can talk to as if they were their mother.     10/10.

  So I've loved Lindsay since mid-2021 when Wasted Potential came out and she is my little Indie unknown claim! She's incredible! I remember when she first posted this song and I've loved it since then so finally getting a studio version is awesome!    It's incredible, vocals, production, the bridge, it's perfect! And sadly, I relate to it a little too much!     10/10, as always!

  Okay, so I've never watched The Hunger Games but the soundtracks have always more than delivered and so does Olivia so I was very excited for this song!     This song is so beautiful, so delicate but powerful! It sounds hurt but healing knowing that the person who hurt you can't hurt you anymore. I've been there, I think we all have.     The Lyric Video is simplistic but pretty!    And since we got one, we shall now react to the Music Video !    Very nice, gives me vibes of a Visualizer more than a Music Video though! Still very good! I wasn't expecting movie clips. Also, Liv 's dress is giving me Vampire vibes!    This is going on the soundtrack playlist for this book I'm writing right now which deals a lot with the trauma of a certain character a lot of folk know and love!    Anyway, 10/10.     See y'all tomorrow!

Alright, so after my less-than-wonderful reaction to Psychopath, I've been wondering what new Morgan stuff would sound like. This sounds like old Morgan; raw, unfiltered and heartbreakingly honest.    I actually may write a story around it, stay tuned...    I don't know, but it's beautiful. We'll have to wait until I get time to listen to the new album to see if I'm still on the boat or not, but with this song, 10/10.

  Alright, welcome back! Today we'll be talking about Niall Horan 's Encore Edition to his third album, The Show ! Earlier this year, I saw him live and he was positively wonderful and I'm still kinda shook up from it!    Now I listened to the original album a year or so ago, around the time it came out so I'll be skipping those tracks. I believe the total was 100, but I'll have to refer back to my end of year album wrap up to be sure!     (I stand corrected, it actually totaled up 110 and came in eighth on the listing).     My favorite song from the original cut was You Could Start A Cult and my gosh, I will probably never be over hearing it live! (Other things I will never get over is yelling " how obsessively adore you " and " you might save my life " to him, which I do and he did).   Alright, let's get to the part y'all came for!    You Could Start A Cult (Featuring Lizzy McAlpine). So I was excited for this, to say the least! As ...

  Well, I've already heard most of this ('cause as you know, the album's two or three years old). So here we go...     This Christmas: Alright, this is nice, probably my favorite version of this song. One issue with this song is it's a Christmas love song, like the terrible Mariah Carrey song (I will say, I like the MCR version of that song) which if Christmas music isn't a little much in itself, Christmas lovey dovey music is definitely a little much! All and all, it's not bad. 9/10.     It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas: This is one of my favorite Christmas songs, and this version is very nice! Now just to wait until it isn't eighty degrees outside and actually feels like Christmas! 10/10.     Holly Jolly Christmas: I like this song too, and this version is super cute! The only version I probably like better is Point Of Grace's from years ago! 10/10.    O Come All Ye Faithful: This is stunning, the a Capella part is gorgeous and I...

  Welcome to... The post!     So at long last, I'll be finally listening to 1989 (Taylor's Version) ! So far I've heard the original album, Wildest Dreams (Taylor's Version) , This Love (Taylor's Version) , Blank Space (Taylor's Version) ,  Is It Over Now? (Taylor's Version) (From The Vault) , Clean (Taylor's Version) and the snippet of Bad Blood (Taylor's Version) that was featured in the movie, The DC League Of Superpets . My favorite song from the original is either Wonderland , You Are In Love , Style or Out Of The Woods !    Also my ranking of the TV s is RED , Speak Now , Fearless so I'm interested to see how this changes that! Of the Vaults I haven't heard, I'm claiming Suburban Legends !    Without further ado, let's listen!    Welcome To New York (Taylor's Version): Ah, Taylor teaching us once again how to start an album! This one is extremely similar to the original and an absolute bop! Welcome To New York is a son...

  Hello. So as a die hard, lifelong Judds fan, this album was anticipated. I won't be listening to all of it because several of the featured artists I either don't know or can't stand (*cough cough* no offense, Jellyroll ).     Girls Night Out by Reba McEntire, Carly Pearce, Jennifer Nettles and Gabby Barrett. Well, a note first; I'd like to spend about five minutes in the presence of any of these incredible ladies. They've all, in some way, left a remarkable mark on my life and the way I sing and the way I write. This was incredible and I can only imagine they had as much fun recording it as I do yelling it every time it comes on my radio. 10/10.    Mama He's Crazy by Lainey Wilson and Dolly Parton. I can't even imagine getting to sing with Dolly , I mean that's insane. It's the same thing as I was in awe of Kacey Musgraves years ago when she got to sing with Miss Loretta Lynn . I mean how does one not suffocate in close quarters of all that talen...

  Okay, I know what you're thinking: "SHE CALLS HERSELF A SWIFTIE AND HAS NEVER HEARD CRUEL SUMMER !?" But I am, and I have. Today I'm talking about the two alternate versions Taylor released last fall.     Cruel Summer (LP Giobbi Remix): Oh man, well this is different! Sped-up, which is weird. May be one that sounds better on different speeds, there was an Anti-Hero remix like that. I was definitely worried when this one dropped that Cruel Summer was about to get Willow ed. (Okay, maybe not "worried" but ya know what I mean)... I feel like with the sparser production you can really hear the backing vocals, an element I've always really liked. 7.5/10.     Cruel Summer (Live From TS | The Eras Tour). Well this took me back. I attended the Eras Tour Movie in theaters on October 29th, 2023 (as you may remember from this post ) and this was definitely a highlight (not quite august into illicit affair s into my tears ricochet but still a highlight). I lov...

  So I've been a Jordi fan for a serious while. She's so funny and she can SING! This song is a mix of both of those sides because it's seriously funny even though the whole idea is kinda sad. It definitely feels like a sequel to Just A Friend , after someone realizes "well, what the heck, I'm better off."    I've definitely felt this song a few times and same with Just A Friend and Hate You . Jordi's music hits me the same way Olivia Rodrigo 's does, the same way as Maisie Peters or Cate 's; heartfelt with a side of wit. She's gonna go so far and I can't wait for a whole album!!! 10/10. And now, the Music Video... Oh gosh, well this was funny! Apparently all the Jordi Music Videos are a singular, continuous story and to be honest, that's the best idea anyone's ever had!    I liked the end where stupid blond dude got broke up with by the new girl who was "just a friend". A more than well deserved fate for such a pie...

NaBloPoMo Day Three: So this is a song I've been more or less obsessed since 2022 or so when she posted a little clip of the intro. (The Intro, I love the intro too much, y'all)!    Anyway, that obsession was further fueled when she played it at Stagecoach last April. I vividly remember playing a fan video about forty times.    This is, however, the first time I've heard the studio version and as a Country Girl who has a genuine respect for Cowboys, I approve.    It reminds me so much of characters I've either made up or write with for fanfics that exist in the source material.    Anywho, 10/10. Lyric Video: This is nice! I was hoping it'd actually get a music video (I wanted a Jesus And My Mama Music Video too... Oh well)... This is really nice, almost like a Visualizer! 10/10.

NaBloPoMo Day Two: Hey y'all! Welcome to the third and final installment of Autumn Variations (or shall we call it, Latesummer Variations, because that's what it is where I live right now).    This will be the Fan Living Room Session Variations, so I've already heard the whole album plus the Live Acoustic videos he did for about half the tracklist. My favorites (and I suppose claims) are Magical , Blue , American Town and Punchline .    I'll be skipping three or four songs I don't like. Magical (Live From Brantlie's Living Room):    This lady  is living the dream of millions, man! Great performance!  10/10.     England (Live From Maynard's Living Room): A fine performance, but probably the best thing about this was the precious baby daughter of the couple Ed visited. She looked awestruck, and if she's old enough to, she'll never forget this.  10/10.     Amazing (Live from Kia's Living Room): Sad to say I didn't, but if I ...

  NaBloPoMo Day One: Hello y'all! Welcome to the first day of NaBloPoMo (Ally's Version)! Those of you familiar with NaBloPoMo (National Blog Posting Month) will know what it entails, but if you don't, I'll enlighten you.    Basically, it's a challenge where someone attempts to post a blog post once a day for the month of October, kinda like when I did Blogmas last year! I intend to do Blogmas again, but I may land up burnt out and not! (I'm planning a book with daily updates over on Quotev that will start on like the fourth of December so it may be way too much, who knows)?    Alright, that said, here's the stuff you came for.