LEAVE THE PIECES - THE WRECKERS
Country’s penchant for pop is no more evident than in the eminence of the Wreckers — Michelle Branch and buddy Jessica Harp — who topped Hot Country Singles with “Leave the Pieces” last fall (and now are riding the top 10 with “My, Oh My”). Given Branch’s mainstream rep with “All I Wanted” and Santana duet “The Game of Love,” Maverick is working a “Pop Mix” of “Pieces” in hopes of enrapturing adult top 40 radio, obviously sniffing Dixie Chicks’ recent success. Elements are in place to broaden boundaries, with the hook-laden midtempo number, ingratiated with organic guitar. Even so, the “pop” redo remains heartily country, unlike, say, Rascal Flatts’ adult contemporary chart-topper “What Hurts the Most” — whose pop remix convincingly eradicated the twang. Billboard
