Shelly Fabian's Picks - Best Country Albums in 2007

Miranda started out in my #1 spot on my Top 10 list, and she ends the year in the #1 spot. This is one fine album. As much as I enjoyed her debut disc, Kerosene, I think this one is even better. As I said in my Best Country Albums - First Half of 2007 in regards to this pick, I think Miranda is a Country Rocker, sure, but she also shows her tender side on this album, and I really like that too.

Josh Turner just keeps getting better with every album he releases. His debut album, Long Black Train was fantastic, and introduced country fans to this South Carolina boy with the deep, beautiful voice. He went on to receive a platinum distinction for his debut album, and put out Your Man, which earned him a double platinum certification. Everything is Fine has just earned Josh a gold certification, and is certain to go on to do even better. With songs like the hot single, "Firecracker," the sensitive ballad, "Soulmate," and a great duet with Trisha Yearwood, Josh has got himself an exceptional album here.

Luke Bryan is a Georgia boy, with a traditional sound I just love. You could put him on a list of other traditional artists like Josh Turner, Brad Paisley, Alan Jackson, Joe Nichols and George Strait, and he fits just fine. I think anyone that likes any of those artists could also appreciate the down-home charm of this album. Whether he's partying hard in "All My Friends Say," or lamenting the loss of his greatest love in "The Car in Front of Me," every song is a gem.

Little Big Town is one of my very favorite groups. They have the best harmonies. I can hear a lot of their influences in the songs on this album. I didn't get the album in time to take it on a road trip with me, but I did get to hear "Vapor" live, and that's one of my favorite tracks on the disc as well.

As busy as I am creating content for this site, a lot of times I don't have time to listen to CDs that are sent to me. I made a point of popping this into my car CD player as I was going to visit my mom for the afternoon. The music grabbed me and held me there, and I knew it would hold a place on my Top 10 list for the year. What great choices of songs, and duet partners! I think they all compliment each other perfectly. At first, I wondered why she would choose to do a song with pop superstar Justin Timberlake, but after hearing the song, which he co-wrote, I thought, wow, this is a great song, and they sound fantastic together. I'm sorry I doubted you, Reba. You chose wisely on every single duet partner and song.

I didn't watch American Idol but maybe once or twice the year Carrie Underwood won the competition, so I didn't know much about her. I thought her first album was a little too pop for me, but I do like many of the singles. This album still has a pop feel, but has a much more country feel to it. I really enjoyed listening to it, and brought it on a road trip I took with my friend Dianne. I especially love her cover of Randy Travis' "I Told You So." Carrie can sing anything and sound fantastic, but I love her best when she sings more traditional country music. I also really enjoyed the fun "Last Name," which reminded me of the Alan Jackson song "I Don't Even Know Your Name."

Joe Nichols has always been one of my favorite newer artists. As much as I love contemporary country pop music, I also have a deep love for traditional sounding country, and that is right where Joe Nichols comes in. He's traditional to the bone. I don't think he could be pop if he tried. Favorite tracks are the fun "Comin' Back in a Cadillac," and the sweet "She's All Lady."

There must be something magical about listening to music in my car, because when I first got this CD, I listened to it at home once, and didn't care all that much for it. But, I was going to the Tim & Faith concert, so I brought the CD with me and listened again in the car on my drive down to the venue, and I was hooked. My favorite track is "Devil and the Cross." These guys are great!

As I've mentioned before, I am a big fan of contemporary country music, but I just love my traditional music too. David Ball covers some of the very best country songs on this album, and with his twangy country voice, I love his versions as well as the originals. This album made my picks for the Best of 2007 in the half year special, and I knew it would hold a place on the list when all was said and done. Great job, David!

Blake Shelton has been a favorite of mine since he first came out, and I enjoy ever album he puts out. This one is filled with some fun tunes like "The More I Drink," and a singalong with country legends George Jones and John Anderson, in "The Last Country Song," and my favorite track, which I don't understand why it didn't do better than it did on the charts, "Don't Make Me." Blake shows off his vocals more here, and it's definitely one I keep handy to play often.