Nashville Sound, It’s what’s hot

Dave? Dave’s not here

OK kids, you may not get that, but your parents probably will.

Can’t speak for Cheech or Chong, but Dave’s off this month. Instead, here’s what our friends at the Associated Press are tuned into.

BILLY RAY CYRUS’ life has seen a lot of upheaval in the past year. He nearly got divorced, endured public scrutiny of his daughter Miley’s behavior and a resulting backlash over his parenting, and saw the end of “Hannah Montana,” the Disney phenomenon that changed the Cyruses’ lives forever.

But even though Cyrus has lived out his drama in the tabloids, he believes everyone can identify with his struggles.

“I’ve been through a lot,” Cyrus said. “That being said, I think people around the world can look at my life and say, ‘That guy is kind of just like us – peaks and valleys, ups and downs. That’s what I’ve lived. Somewhere along the line, I think I just realized that the key to life for me and for everybody on this planet, it’s not about how many times you get knocked down, it’s about how many times you get back up. Everybody has adversities. Everybody has crossroads.”

That’s especially true of members of the military, who have been on Cyrus’ mind since the early days of his career. He salutes them on his new album, “I’m American.” He offers seven new songs on the Buddy Cannon-produced “I’M AMERICAN” and a remake of “Some Gave All,” the title track to his multi-platinum debut album that also included his breakthrough, “Achy Breaky Heart.” That remake includes appearances by Jamey Johnson, Craig Morgan and Darryl Worley.

“Three guys that not only are they veterans themselves, but they also just sing with their voices and the power and the realism that they put into the song. For me as the writer, to hear them sing it was just absolutely an awesome experience,” Cyrus said.

Cyrus, who also hosts TLC’s new military-themed show “Surprise Homecoming,” has performed regularly for troops overseas, visited military hospitals, and says those who serve are never far from his thoughts. He said the idea for the album started with one of his trips to a combat zone.

“It was during a performance in Afghanistan on ‘Some Gave All’ when some bombs went off in the background, a young soldier stood up and said, ‘Keep going Mr. Cyrus. We’re used to it,”‘ Cyrus said. “At that moment, I knew that I felt like I was going to come back and record ‘Some Gave All’ and start an entire album on a concept that was based solely on taking my hat off and saluting our troops.”

-By Chris Talbott, AP Entertainment Writer AP writer Caitlin R. King in Nashville contributed to this report.

DOLLY PARTON never has hesitated to gamble when following her heart. That’s why she’s reached such heights in her career, and it’s why occasional projects fail, sometimes in monumental fashion. “Better Day” isn’t monumental by any means, but it does highlight Parton’s periodic desire to make huge social statements.

“BETTER DAY” finds one of music’s most dynamic personalities trying to inject some positivity in the world during these dire times. But she tries too hard for uplifting messages and grand musical arrangements. The music piles on choirs and crescendos, and the lyrics fall to platitudes and greeting-card generalities. It comes off as cheesy rather than meaty and substantial.

“These are wonderful times we are living in,” Parton sings on “In the Meantime.” While there can be plenty to savor about modern life, denying the strife weighing down the world seems too Pollyanna to have any meaning.

The relationship songs also lean on positive action, even when breaking off a partnership. Here, too, Parton presses too hard for a message rather than a realistic impression of how people relate.

One of America’s most enduring artists can be excused for trying to use her songwriting to raise people up in an era of such tension and tragedy. But unfortunately, “Better Day” lacks the common touch of Parton’s best work.

Check Out This Track: “Somebody’s Missing You” is the lone track where Parton settles into a relaxed acoustic arrangement, and on the simple expression of ache that occurs when yearning for someone who has left, whether it’s for a day or for good.

-By Michael McCall, The Associated Press

JEFF THE BROTHERHOOD had a buzz-worthy gig at Bonnaroo, but unfortunately it overlapped with the set by headliners Arcade Fire, meaning most of the 80,000 fans at the festival missed the ruckus.

No matter. They’ll soon be playing on a set of headphones near you regardless: Real brothers Jake and Jamin Orrall are Nashville’s hottest non-country export at the moment. The former Be Your Own Pet members and sons of songwriter Robert Ellis Orrall, who produced Taylor Swift’s self-titled debut, lay down a righteous slab of sludge mixed with poppy-punk moments sure to resonate this summer.

The 25-year-old Jake, who sings and plays the three bottom strings on his guitar, and his 23-year-old drummer brother mine the most melodic moments of tar-dripping bands like TAD and Dinosaur Jr., cut it with the psychedelia of the Butthole Surfers and Meat Puppets, and the pure freedom you find in sledgehammer 4/4 punk on their way to a second album that not only supplies a few mind-blowing moments but marks JTB as a band to watch for years to come.

“WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS” opens with an epic sludgefest on “Hey Friend” that might be the album’s best moment. From there the boys head into full-tilt boogie mode, whipping off pop-punk blazers like “Cool Out” and “Shredder,” get reflective on “Diamond Way,” lay down a heavy jam on “Ripper” before launching into a section that Josh Homme might be proud of.

“Endless Fire” mimics blue album-era Weezer on codeine-laced cough syrup. Then things get really trippy when they break out what sounds like a sitar on “Health and Strength.”

While the influences come fast and furious, this is no tribute album. The Orralls have taken these bits and pieces from their record collection and made something wholly new.

Check out this track: “Hey Friend” is a marvel for both its crunchy beginning and the unexpected turn it takes midway through, as the thunder suddenly cuts out and Jake Orrall sings this lilting line: “I’ve been thinking about your mom/you can’t tell me it’s really wrong.” The song is both epic and tender, prog-rock and punk, fast and slow and totally refreshing.

-By Chris Talbott, AP Entertainment Writer