Each year, country music puts out some outstanding albums. Your AboutCountry Guide Jennifer Webb gives us her choices for the Top 10 Albums for 2006.
Keith Urban's latest album hasn't been out too long but once I listened to it a few times I was hooked. There's just something about his music that draws me in - no doubt it's the passion he has for what he does. Keith puts his heart and soul into the music and it shows. A few of my favorites are
"Raise The Barn" (with Ronnie Dunn),
"I Told You So," "Stupid Boy," and
"Tu Compania." The last song reminds me a little bit of one of my other Keith favorites -
"Jeans On."
Chris Young not only won Nashville Star, but he won me over as a big fan. Listening to this album, you would never think it was his first major-label project. Yes, he has released a few independent albums, but with national exposure you always fear an artist's sound will drastically change. Thankfully his didn't.
"Drinkin' Me Lonely" showcases Chris' vulnerable side, while songs like
"White Lightning Hit The Family Tree" make you laugh, and
"Lay It On Me" make you yearn for a honky-tonk dance floor.
Those of you reading this list might say "Who?" when reading the group name Rose's Pawn Shop, but their album really made an impression on me. I can barely tear myself away from listening to their special blend of Bluegrass / Appalachian and "whatever the heck" else kind of music and instruments they feel like throwing in to the mix. The whole album captures listener's attention from the first note to the last. That's what I love about any album.
What can I say about King George that hasn't already been said?
It Just Comes Natural is not only one of my Top 10 albums of the year but it is also one of my top George Straits I've had the pleasure to own.
"Give It Away" dragged me in and
"Texas Cookin'" sealed the deal for me with this collection.
I'm a sucker for a baritone voice and Josh Turner sure does have one. When it comes to an artist's sophomore album, there's always a chance for it not living up to expectations but this one did. The album has already produced two No. 1 back-to-back singles (
"Your Man" and
"Would You Go With Me"). Hearing Josh sing with John Anderson on
"White Noise" was a treat, as was the song
"Me And God" (with Dr. Ralph Stanley and Marty Roe, Dana Williams, and Gene Johnson of Diamond Rio).
I've been a fan of Rhonda Vincent since I first heard her singing with Daryle Singletary on one of his albums. She's a talented mandolin player and her voice is good as gold. It seems like an impossible feat, but this album proves that Rhonda keeps getting better as the years fly by. One thing I really like about the album is that Rhonda's band (The Rage) plays with a high level of excitement and you get the feeling all of them are a close-knit family.
Jake Owen's
"Yee haw" single grew on me at such a rapid pace I had to go out and buy the album just so I could hear the song whenever I wanted instead of waiting for it to be played on the radio. When I played the album all the way through I thought it was a very impressive debut effort. Not only do I like
"Yee haw," I also like
"You Can Thank Dixie" (with Randy Owen) and
"The Bad In Me."
Eddie Montgomery and Troy Gentry always release albums I'm sure to like. They just have that mix of country and rock n' roll that I love so much. They know how to tear it up (
"Hey Country") and they know how to slow it down (
"Twenty Years Ago") as needed. I also love how Montgomery Gentry sing songs that "common folks" can relate to. They don't sing songs that sound like they were pulled out of the air somewhere.
I don't know why in the world Tracy Byrd isn't getting as much airplay as he used to, but he's still one of the best in MY book.
"The More I Feel Like Rockin'" is a classic T-Byrd tune and
"Cheapest Motel" is one that should be getting more radio airplay. It's a shame he isn't played more on the radio but I'm glad I have this album to enjoy.
Julie's sophomore album has a different sound than her debut but I love it regardless. Julie seems more mature this time around and the only problem I had is the lack of upbeat songs. If there had been more upbeat songs, the rating probably would have been higher.
"Chasin' My Whiskey" is the tune that stands out the most to me.
