Each year, country music puts out some outstanding albums. AboutCountry reviewer Kathy Coleman gives us her choices for the Top 10 Albums for 2003.
"Haggard Like Never Before" is the first release from the new "Hag Records," as Merle joins the many artists so fed up with major labels they're all starting their own. If you like country music: That simple, plain-spoken, working man music, then you need look no further than Merle Haggard.
"Population Me" is Yoakam's first release on his new imprint, Electrodisc, through his new record label, Audium. "Population Me" consists of 10 tracks, but doesn't come up short on value.
Lyle Lovett doesn't record very often; this is his first album of almost all-new material in several years, and Lovett fans will be delighted. With any luck, Lost Highway Records will know better what to do with Lyle and his peculiar but delightful style and keep us in new Lovett music for many years to come.
Music this good deserves to be heard. Ely's western style of Texas music isn't "alternative" country, it's just plain country, the way country should always have been. The hardness and harshness of life tempered by true emotions and fragile humanity, this is what country music is all about.
'Wildwood Flower' is June Carter Cash's last album. She chose several of her favorite songs to include, and her album wouldn't be complete without a song to showcase her humor. John Carter Cash produced the album, and the finished product is more like a family gathering to share their music than a cold studio album.
6. Sings - Gene Watson
Just good country music. How hard is that? Gene Watson makes it sound perfectly effortless. I guess we just have to say to heck with radio and go out and buy this disc if we want to hear it. Fortunately, it's worth it.
"I Want My Money Back" includes some really good songs and given the right promotion should push Sammy back on the charts. The overall sound of this album is much like when Sammy burst on the country music scene a few years ago. He has some slower, ballad type songs.
The Derailers may not be a household name, nor will they likely ever be, but they are a band that "does their own thing" and are respected by fans and critics alike. They are a treasure to the genre that is country music and showcase a sound that is missing from the airwaves today.
Vince Gill has put out another incredible CD on the MCA label. His name can be found in the writing credits of each and every song. Some songs he co-wrote and others he wrote solo. The CD opens with the fun and up-beat lyrics of the title track and closes with a beautiful love song.
There's no doubt this South Carolina native has what it takes. If he continues to follow those who inspired him, such as old Hank and Johnny Cash and Randy Travis, he's going to stay in really good company. Keepin' it this country, the boy can't go wrong.
