Maggie Baugh is a young country singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist from Florida. At 15 years old, Baugh has already released two EP's, this being her second, and has accomplished so much. Baugh played fiddle, ganjo, and guitar on the lead single of this project "Midnight Muddin" and co-wrote every track on this record. The lead single is not a highlight of the record, because of it's slightly generic topic and sound, but it's still extremely impressive that Baugh co-wrote and played most of the instruments on this track at only 15.
But the impressive accomplishments don't stop there. In addition for opening for country superstars Ashley Monroe, Cole Swindell, Josh Dorr, Montgomery Gentry, and Old Southern Moonshine Revival, and playing fiddle with Neal McCoy and Charlie Daniels Band, Baugh also co-wrote all eight of the songs on this album. Her sound is more country than many up and coming female artists sound is, and there is a prominent use of fiddle throughout the whole record, which is quite lovely an refreshing to hear being used so prominently.
The first real standout track on this EP comes at the third track, which is the song that the record was named after. "Heck of a Story" is a song that seems so true to Baugh. The majority of this EP are songs that are teen oriented, a teen-country hybrid genre. Baugh writes and sings about what she knows, and at 15, that's teenage love, and growing up, and all those insane feelings one feels during adolescence. When Baugh is the most true to herself, and doesn't try to write and sings songs that are too old for her, or it doesn't sound like she feels the story of the song, she succeeds the most. "Heck of a Story" is the most honest song on the record, and is just a song about first love and believing in love so much when you're young. The song has a youthful innocence that's lovely to listen to.
The first real standout track on this EP comes at the third track, which is the song that the record was named after. "Heck of a Story" is a song that seems so true to Baugh. The majority of this EP are songs that are teen oriented, a teen-country hybrid genre. Baugh writes and sings about what she knows, and at 15, that's teenage love, and growing up, and all those insane feelings one feels during adolescence. When Baugh is the most true to herself, and doesn't try to write and sings songs that are too old for her, or it doesn't sound like she feels the story of the song, she succeeds the most. "Heck of a Story" is the most honest song on the record, and is just a song about first love and believing in love so much when you're young. The song has a youthful innocence that's lovely to listen to.
"Typical Cowboy," a light summer song doesn't leave any lasting impression, but the next track does. "Same Scars" is tied for the best song of the collection with the title track. It's the first song (but not the last) about experiencing heartbreak for the first time. This topic is written about so much because it truly is such a heart wrenching experience. But instead of taking the slightly immature teenager angle, Baugh approaches the situation a bit more maturely and creates a track that is worth listening to, by a person of any age. Baugh takes it that the things that hurt you even when you are only 15, will stay with you your whole life. There will always be scars. It's a magnificent way for someone so young to think, and then be able to eloquently verbalize in a song.
Baugh learns how to truly tell a story in a country song with "Country Boy." Again, it's a typical country song, sort of the sequel to "Typical Cowboy," but Baugh really learns how to tell a story. Country music is all about stories, or at least it used to be, and Baugh masters that skill in this light summer love song.
The only real miss on this collection is "Crashed the Car." Baugh extends the rule of singing what you know a little too far with this song, and literally created a song about taking Driver's Ed and crashing the car. Despite the lyrical flaws, the song is produced jauntily, and has an uptempo beat that makes you want to keep on dancing even after the song and EP closes out.
Baugh has a bright future. She has so much talent, but she still is young. As she matures and grows up, her sound will mature and improve as well. If she's creating a music like this at 15, the country music industry better be prepared for what she releases in a few years. Baugh is such a star.
Best tracks: Heck of a Story, Same Scars, Country Boy
Throwaway tracks: Crashed My Car
Overall rating: 4 crowns
Baugh learns how to truly tell a story in a country song with "Country Boy." Again, it's a typical country song, sort of the sequel to "Typical Cowboy," but Baugh really learns how to tell a story. Country music is all about stories, or at least it used to be, and Baugh masters that skill in this light summer love song.
The only real miss on this collection is "Crashed the Car." Baugh extends the rule of singing what you know a little too far with this song, and literally created a song about taking Driver's Ed and crashing the car. Despite the lyrical flaws, the song is produced jauntily, and has an uptempo beat that makes you want to keep on dancing even after the song and EP closes out.
Baugh has a bright future. She has so much talent, but she still is young. As she matures and grows up, her sound will mature and improve as well. If she's creating a music like this at 15, the country music industry better be prepared for what she releases in a few years. Baugh is such a star.
Best tracks: Heck of a Story, Same Scars, Country Boy
Throwaway tracks: Crashed My Car
Overall rating: 4 crowns
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