Top 10 Top Picks - Matt Bjorke's Top 10 Albums for 2004

2. Billy Yates – Anywhere But Nashville

While self-released, Billy Yates’ “Anywhere But Nashville” is anything but a cheap recording. It’s packed with top-drawer songs, studio musicians and Yates own compelling traditional country vocals.

3. Gretchen Wilson – Here For The Party

Country music has been looking for a hot new female artist for quite some time now. Gretchen Wilson is the answer to they’re prayers with her traditional country leaning songs and voice.

4. Keith Urban – Be Here

As the follow-up to Keith's, Double-Platinum-selling "Golden Road," "Be Here" delivers more of the guitar-driven music that Keith Urban fans love. From the fast paced "Days Go By" to the melancholy "Tonight I Wanna Cry" and everything in between, "here" is a good place to be.

5. Trent Willmon – Trent Willmon

Trent has that country sound I like to hear. When I heard him say: "When I drink beer, everybody's my best friend." I knew he was going to be good. Not too bad to look at either. He's one of my CD player’s new best friend. A beer man that I hear can repair your car in the morning, cater your dinner party in the evening, ride the roughest bronco, and sing the sweetest love songs. On this album you'll find all kinds of emotions going on, and Trent can sing them all. What a voice!!!!

6. Drew Womack - Drew Womack

Drew Womack is a gifted artist. Free of the "limitations" that accompany major label record deals, Drew sounds refreshed and well suited for "Texas Music." the sound is achieved while not totally abandoning the foundation set during his years in Sons Of The Desert.

7. Well Deserved Obscurity – Warren Brothers

While the Warren Brothers are no longer on a major label, they have presented their best album yet. It has something on it for fans of uptempo music. It is as close to mainstream country as an artist can get while still maintaining an independent edge.

8. Live Like You Were Dying – Tim McGraw

This is Tim McGraw's ninth Curb Records album, and features his touring band, the Dancehall Doctors, for their second consecutive project.

9. Lucky Ones - Pat Green

“Lucky Ones” is one of the best CDs I’ve heard this year. There isn’t anything on here that is not bad. Pat’s last CD set the table with a smash hit song but this one will undoubtedly make Pat a household name to everyone. “Lucky Ones” features many potential hit singles so it’s definitely worth picking up.

10. Darryl Worley – Darryl Worley

Darryl Worley has recorded one of the best albums of 2004. With complete songs that deal with life, love and death, this is one complete country record: just like what the greats recorded years ago. Fans of traditional country music will thoroughly enjoy Darryl’s great self-titled record.