Each year, country music puts out some outstanding albums. AboutCountry Staff Writer Jack Lowe gives us his choices for the Best Country Albums of 2007.
1. Taylor Swift - Taylor Swift - Deluxe Limited Edition
Big Machine
Taylor Swift has taken the country by storm with her lively and honest approach to country music. This reissue of her 2006 debut CD offers a few more songs as well as a bonus DVD with videos and behind the scenes footage. She gets my vote for the Best of 2007.
2. Toby Keith - Big Dog Daddy
Showdog Nashville
Toby Keith is back with his CD Big Dog Daddy. It's filled with the style of music that made him famous back in the 1990s. With soft balads and country rockers, this is a must have for all Toby fans.
3. Carrie Underwood - Carnival Ride
Arista Nashville / Sony BMG
When you have a #1 debut CD, there's a lot of pressure to see if you can repeat that success. Well, Carrie Underwood delivered the goods with her second CD Carnival Ride. Her songs are honest, high energy and filled with heartfelt emotion.
4. Kenny Chesney - Just Who I Am: Poets and Pirates
Sony BMG
It seems that everything that Kenny Chesney touches turns to gold. Such is the case with his CD Just Who I Am: Poets and Pirates. He teams up with Joe Walsh and George Strait for some really fun music on this CD.
5. Jason Michael Carroll - Waitin' In The Country
Sony BMG
With hits like "Livin' Our Love Song" and "Alyssa Lies," Jason Michael Carroll Gave us some very radio friendly country music. The entire CD is a joy to listen to with it's fun melodies and catchy lyrics.
6. Tim McGraw - Let It Go
Curb Records
With a career in country music that spans 13 years, Tim McGraw has become a favorite with country music fans. His 2007 CD Let It Go is a testament to his staying power in country music.
7. Brad Paisley - 5th Gear
Arista Nashville
One has to wonder if Brad Paisley can ever release a bad CD. So far, it doesn't appear so. With his fifth CD appropriately entitled 5th Gear, Brad Paisley comes through again with another fantastic CD.
8. Martina McBride - Waking Up Laughing
RCA Nashville
Carried on the strength of the hit single "Anyway," Martina McBride's CD Waking Up Laughing was one of the Best of 2007. Since her debut CD in 1992, she has been a mainstay on the country music charts, and has a parade of hits to prove it.
9. Jack Ingram - This Is It
Big Machine
Jack Ingram's CD This Is It is packed whith lots of hit songs and down home country attitude. Nowhere is this more apparent than on his hugely successful hit single "Love You."
10. Pam Tillis - Rhinestoned
Stellar Cat
Even though this CD didn't have any radio friendly hit singles, Rhinestoned can stand on its own as another fabulous offering from Pam Tillis as she keeps the traditional country sound alive on this CD.
