Kathy Coleman's Top 10 Country Albums of 2008

This was my favorite album this year, for many reasons; first, of course, it contains almost all of my favorite Dave Insley songs from his live shows. Secondly, I haven't seen Dave live in over a year, so that makes this disc absolutely invaluable to me, and third, well, it's simply his best, far as I'm concerned. I know he got more critical acclaim for Here With You Tonight, but frankly, I think this one is better (I know he didn't, but it feels like this disc was recorded just for me). Number one, all the way around.
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Roger Wallace has always consistently been one of my favorite Texas artists. He's got the sound, the feel, and the heart in all his music. While it took a long time to get It's About Time out, it was worth the wait, and while it's probably number 3 or 4 on my list of Roger Wallace CDs, for the year 2008, it comes in at a solid #2.

Talent obviously flows in the veins of the Earle family, as the ability to tell a powerful tale in song is evident in Steve Earle's son. Justin is just getting started, and if this disc is any indication, he's going to step out of his Daddy's shadow in no time. He's his own artist, and this is one of the finest debut albums I've ever listened to, more than worthy to sit at #3 for the year.
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Billy Bob Thornton and his pals have put together just about one of the best, most listenable discs I've heard in a long time with their double-length debut release. Pure, sardonic, blessedly wonderful rockabilly with no apologies and all of Billy Bob's wit and wisdom.
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James McMurtry is an extraordinarily gifted and consistent performer with some very solid credentials under his belt. Just Us Kids is more than just another notch, though; it's a bright and beautiful work and more than deserves a spot on any top ten for this year.
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Brad Paisley has been on a high road lately, turning out consistent, superior music without bending to anyone; for a mainstream artist, he manages to stay purely country and traditional, uncompromising and somehow managing to remain a top seller. As long as there are guys like Brad still in Nashville, I still have hope, and his discs always please the heck out of me. Especially this one, which is much more than "just" an instrumental.
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While a lot of Old Crow fans think that Tennessee Pusher is an example of the band going against their usual traditional roots, I disagree, and think it's a fine work from a band that's testing its boundaries and searching its sound without giving up on their true-to-country flavor. That sound makes them a solid top ten group all around, and this disc is tops, period. Besides, they performed on A Prairie Home Companion with it, and that's always a mark for cool in my book.
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If you like Reckless Kelly - and I do - then you'll like Micky and the Motorcars. The sound is very similar (and no wonder, since Micky is RK front man Willy Braun's brother and Willy kicks in on some of the songs), but still stands firmly on its own, a sharp disc that's more than worthy of a place in anyone's top ten.
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I think it's entirely reasonable to justify choosing a Willie Nelson disc for one's Top Ten with only three words: "It's Willie Nelson." But in case anyone needs more, consider that this powerhouse of talent is in his mid-seventies, he's notorious for his use of recreational marijuana, everyone across the genres thinks he's beyond cool, and he still writes some of the greatest country songs in existence. He's Willie Nelson.
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I close the countdown pretty much where I begin, with a solid, hard-working independent band who kick it up live but still can package it to send it home with the fans. Gotta love that strong rockabilly sound, and Ruby Dee's vocals with her Snake Handler pickers holds it all together.
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