Each year, country music puts out some outstanding albums. AboutCountry Staff writer Bobbi Smith gives us her choices for the Top 10 Albums for 2006.
1. Keith Urban - Love, Pain & the whole crazy thing
The reason this CD tops my list for 2006 is because there was not one song that didn't captivate me the first time I listened to the CD. If it wasn't the catchy melody or the amazing instrumentals, it was simply the lyric itself. The album has something for everyone, from the beautiful ballads such as "Got it Right This Time" to the upbeat and incredibly fun "Tu Compania." Love, Pain, and the Whole Crazy Thing is a little bit pop, a little bit rock, a little bit country... and 100% Keith Urban!
2. Chris Young - Chris Young
Chris Young won me over as a fan with one song: "Drinkin Me Lonely." The first time I heard this song I knew that Chris was going to become a big star with staying power, and I think his debut CD will make that happen. It's full of potential hits such as "Center of My World," and the tearjerker ballad "Flowers." I love how this CD is full of highs and lows, up beat fun songs, slow tender ballads, and catchy mid tempo songs. This album has definately earned its spot in in 6 disk changer in my truck!3. George Strait - It Just Comes Natural
Just one question, is it even possible for George Strait to make an album that's not fantastic? Not once has the King of Country ever disappointed me, and the new album is no different. Even though he's not a song writer, George knows how to pick exactly the right songs for his voice, and it shows. My favorite song on the album is "Wrapped." It would have been worth buying the entire album for that one song as far as I'm concerned. The rest of the fantastic music on the album is just icing on the cake.4. Dierks Bentley - Long Trip Alone
Who would have guessed at this time last year, or even a couple months ago, that Dierks Bentley would be 4th on my list of the top albums of 2006! I have never been a big fan of Dierks, but I'm going to see him in concert in January so I wanted to have at least heard some of the new songs. No one could be more shocked than me as to how much I love this CD. I have gained a lot of respect for Dierks as I've enjoyed the new album. I love the hint of gospel, and the hint of bluegrass, that is noticeable, but not overpowering.5. Rascal Flatts - Me and My Gang
There are a couple albums on my list that didn't impress me at first, but have grown on me the more I listen. I wasn't too sure about Me and My Gang when I first bought it, because I absolutely loved Rascal Flatts' Feels Like Today, so my expectations were really high. But, alas, I have been wore down into submission and here it is, #5 on my list. "Cool Thing" is an amazing song that brings with it a great deal of emotion and imagery and is probably my favorite on the album. I just love the mix of ballads and fun songs like "Backwards." Me and My Gang picks you up, makes you sad, then cheers you up again!6. Kenny Chesney - Live Those Songs Again
I just bought this album the other day and it has quickly become a favorite. Live albums are usually fantastic and Kenny's is no exception. I love the energy and how you can almost imagine what it would be like to be right there at one of his shows. My two favorite Kenny Chesney songs are on the album, "Back Where I Come From" and "Anything But Mine" so that's definately an extra star from me! My only complaint is that I think Kenny could have easily made this a double disk album.7. Taylor Swift - Taylor Swift
I have to admit that this CD probably wouldn't even be on my list or in my collection if I hadn't seen Taylor open for Rascal Flatts. She blew me away with her performance and her stage presence. When I reaized that she had wrote or co-wrote every song on her album I was even more impressed. I love how it is so mature, yet at the same time it's youthful and not too mature to be believable knowing that Taylor is only 16. I think this young woman has a very bright future if this album is any indication.8. The Dixie Chicks - Taking The Long Way
This is another album that has really grown on me. I bought it when it first came out, listened to it once and then gave it away. I thought, why did I waste my money on that?? Well I figured it out a little too late, since I couldn't very well ask for it back several months later! This album was obviously written straight from the heart, and it expresses a lot of what the ladies have gone through in the past couple years. If you have this album and it's sitting around collecting dust, I suggest you give it another listen. Or you could just send it to me so I'll have my own copy again!9. George Canyon - Somebody Wrote Love
What's a good ole Canadian girl's top ten list without a good ole Candian boy on it? I bought this CD after a George Canyon concert, played it on the way home, & loved it right away. I thought it might just be the post concert high, but when I listened to it later, I was still loving it. George has a big deep voice, and it's a cool contrast to the loving spiritual man that shines through in the lyrics. His version of "Some People Change" outdoes the current single by Montgomery Gentry by a mile! I'm glad he chose to include it on the album, but disappointed that it will never have a chance to be released as a single.