One writer's top 10 country albums of 2004:
1. "Van Lear Rose," Loretta Lynn: In one of the most unexpected
pairings of the year, Lynn teams with rocker Jack White of the White
Stripes - and sounds as innovative as she did 30 years ago. White
produced the record, and Lynn wrote all the songs. The tracks were
cut in one or two takes without any polish from Nashville's studio
pros, giving them a raw, urgent feel. A surprising and worthy
addition to the legendary singer's catalog.
2. "Here for the Party," Gretchen Wilson: Sure, the rowdy hit
"Redneck Woman" was her big smash, but Wilson's no one-trick pony.
She has a rough, soulful voice that's as honest as it is refreshing.
Her aching ballad "When I Think About Cheating" and the defiant
"Homewrecker" are standouts on this strong debut. An eighth-grade
dropout who grew up tending bar, Wilson has the credibility to go
with the chops when she sings, "You might think I'm trashy, a little
too hardcore, but in my neck of the woods I'm just the girl next
door."
3. "Tambourine," Tift Merritt: This singer/songwriter who emerged
from North Carolina's alt-country scene might be the best artist
you've never heard of. Several songs from her sophomore album
channel Memphis soul with gospel-style backing vocals, organ fills
and horn sections. "Good Hearted Man," "Ain't Looking Closely" and
"Still Pretending" have the feel of Aretha Franklin or Van Morrison,
while "Wait It Out," "Stray Paper" and "Late Night Pilgrim" are rock
songs reminiscent of Tom Petty or Counting Crows. Country? Not
really. Good? Absolutely.
4. "Dwight's Used Records," Dwight Yoakam: This collection of
covers, collaborations and other odds and ends shows Yoakam's
remarkable range: a rocking cover of "Mercury Blues"; foot-tapping
bluegrass numbers "Down Where the River Bends" with Ralph Stanley
and "Some Dark Holler" with the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band; plus
renditions of Webb Pierce's honky tonk "If You Were Me (And I Were
You)," Johnny Cash's bold "Understand Your Man" and ZZ Top's slinky
"I'm Bad, I'm Nationwide." Yoakam shows how eclectic and fun country
music can be.
5. "The Unbroken Circle, The Musical Heritage of the Carter
Family," various: This tribute to country music's first family
includes covers by George Jones, Johnny and June Cash, Sheryl Crow,
Emmylou Harris, Marty Stuart, John Prine, Willie Nelson, Ricky
Skaggs, Roseanne Cash, Shawn Colvin, the Del McCoury Band, Kris
Kristofferson and the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. The songs are
performed in the spirit of the originals - with simple arrangements
that don't overpower the melodies and lyrics.
6. "Lonely Runs Both Ways," Alison Krauss and Union Station:
Despite her top billing, Krauss is very much part of a band, and her
albums are all the better for it. Dobro master Jerry Douglas
contributes the jaunty instrumental "Unionhouse Branch," guitarist
Dan Tyminksi adds his twangy vocals to "Pastures of Plenty" and
"Rain, Rain Go Away," and banjo picker Ron Block sings the
self-penned "I Don't Have to Live this Way." The result is bluegrass
album of extraordinary variety and depth.
7. "Julie Roberts," Julie Roberts: Don't let the glamour girl
cover photo fool you. Roberts is a serious singer who can belt out a
song as well as anyone. Her debut is a collection of bluesy country
with shades of Bonnie Raitt and Dolly Parton. The sound is honest
and uncluttered with her sultry vocals carrying the songs rather
than glitzy production. "Pot of Gold," "Ain't Down Home," "No Way
Out" and "Break Down Here" pack the grit and emotion missing from
much of today's country.
8. "What I Do," Alan Jackson: It's easy to dismiss Jackson as
part of the Nashville hitmaking machine, but doing so would overlook
one of country's better songwriters and a link to old school singers
like Hank Williams and Lefty Frizzell. On this latest CD, Jackson is
at the peak of his craft.
9. "My Honky Tonk History," Travis Tritt: He's been making the
rounds of pool halls and tattoo parlors for 15 years now, and he
knows the territory well. On the title track, a hard-driving guitar
rocker reminiscent of Lynyrd Skynyrd," he growls, "I love the smell
of cigarettes, whiskey on a woman's breath, the sound of outlaw
music sets me free, blame it on my honky tonk history." A veteran
who's made a veteran album.
10. "Be Here," Keith Urban: Of all the pop and rock-styled
country acts on the charts now, Urban might be the best. His songs
are tasteful and mature with strong melodies and punchy guitar, and
he moves effortlessly from rockers to mid-tempo numbers to ballads.
On "Be Here," Urban picks up where he left off with his 2002
breakthrough "Golden Road." A good choice for baby boomers no longer
comfortable with pop
radio.
