A lot of great country music was released this year and I'm here with my list of 14 albums and thoughts on them, good and bad. My reviews are only based on what albums I purchased this year. There were more albums released but I did not get them all! Here it goes.....
14. Florida Georgia Line- Anything Goes
Florida Georgia Line is back with their sophomore album called "Anything Goes". I thought this album was going to be a great followup to their first party album based on the lead single called "Dirt". That was probably the least party sounding song on this album which left me a little disappointed. I guess I was hoping for more meaningful songs like "Dirt" but like the album title "Anything Goes"....I guess anything goes? Florida Georgia Line will still have mainstream country success because of their huge following now but hoping the next album they will dig a little deeper into the dirt if you know what I mean.....still an OK album....but just OK....
13. Jason Aldean- Old Boots, New Dirt
I'm usually a huge fan of Jason Aldean's albums and they usually have a lot of great tracks on them to listen to. This one also left me a little unimpressed. Maybe I still need more time to listen to the songs and have them grow on me a little. The lead single "Burnin' It Down" is probably one of the best on the album. Another song I really like on it is called "Two Night Town" but besides that I think that's it. I looked back at last years list and it surprised me to see that Luke Bryan's album was at the bottom of the list! I've now grown to love it, hope to see the same here with this album hopefully!
12. Garth Brooks- Man Against Machine
Garth Brooks came back this year with new music along with his many tour dates across the country. His first single "People Loving People" is a great message song but did not really make it on country radio. I was not hugely in love with the song but was hopeful that this new album would have more songs on it that I would like. I feel like it's the exact opposite of the Florida Georgia Line album and has too many meaningful songs on it! My favorites on this album are "She's Tired Of Boys" and the two-steppin' tune called "Romeo And Juliet". It is a great comeback album for Garth but I think the next album needs a few beer drinkin' songs on it?
11. Chase Rice- Ignite The Night
I have to admit that it took quite a while for Chase Rice to grow on me. I'm not sure what happened but ended up seeing him live four times this year! My favorites on this album are "How She Rolls", "50 Shades Of Crazy", "Gonna Wanna Tonight" and "Jack Daniels and Jesus". This album is full of great up tempo songs and maybe what you would consider "bro-country".....but it does not seem to bother me!
10. Cole Swindell (Self-Titled)
He used to sell t-shirts for Luke Bryan and now he's had a few #1 songs and opened for Luke! Besides his hits "Chillin It" and "Hope You Get Lonely Tonight", I have other favorites on this album. "Swayin" is an amazing song that I relate to a lot because Dave and I go to so many concerts. When I listen to that song all I imagine is us in the crowd dancing along to the music! "Dozen Roses & A Six Pack" is another amazing song that if the girl in the song wants him back he's got a "Dozen Roses & A Six pack if she don't".
9. Frankie Ballard- Sunshine and Whiskey
It's been an amazing year for Frankie and could not be more proud of him! Love his two #1 songs "Helluva Life" and the title track "Sunshine and Whiskey"! He's got some other great songs on this album called "Tip Jar" and a funny one called "Don't Tell Mama I Was Drinkin'".
8. Rascal Flatts- Rewind
This album is much better than their last album called "Changed". Along with their singles "Rewind", "Payback and "Riot", there are other solid songs on this album like "I Have Never Been To Memphis" and "Powerful Stuff". They will always be one of my favorite country bands and hope to see them putting more albums out like this for many years to come!
7. The Swon Brothers (Self-Titled)
We saw The Swon Brothers earlier this year in San Jose and was blown away with their original songs. I was a pretty big fan of theirs on The Voice too and glad that they made an album that is pretty traditional sounding country that is also modern. "Chasing You Around" is a great example of the traditional sound I am talking about along with "Songs That Said It All". There are quite a few deep, meaningful songs on here as well like their current single called "Pray For You" and "Breaking". All in all this is a pretty solid debut album and hope to see them around for a long time.
6. Kenny Chesney- The Big Revival
Or more like the big redemption, this album MUCH better than the previous two! When I first heard "American Kids" I knew that Kenny was back with some more hits! I just love "Beer Can Chicken", "Don't It" and "If This Bus Could Talk". Comparing it to his last release "Hemingway's Whiskey", I've found myself not skipping any songs and enjoying this amazing album!
5. Little Big Town- Painkiller
Little Big Town never ceases to amaze me with each and every album they put out! My favorite songs off "Painkiller" are "Good People" and "Things That You Don't Think About". The title track has a great vibe and its a perfect album title. Of course the lead single "Day Drinkin'" will be going on every summer playlist from now on. Heck it doesn't even have to be summer to do a little "Day Drinkin'". They just released "Girl Crush" as their current single and it is such a different song but really speaks the truth.
4. Lady Antebellum- 747
Lady Antebellum thought this album was a departure and different from their previous albums. I don't really think it was all that different but nothing short of amazing! Like I said about "Golden" last year, they really know how to put an album together that caters to what their fans would want to listen to. It has a great mix of uptempo and slow songs. My favorites are "Damn You Seventeen" and "One Great Mystery". "Freestyle" is their current single and love that one too!
Before we do the top three, here are some honorable mentions that I did purchase but did not make the list of 14:
Ashley Ray- Call Me a Ray
Blackjack Billy- Rebel Child
Blake Shelton- Bringing Back The Sunshine
David Nail- I'm A Fire
Jennifer Nettles- That Girl
3.Eli Young Band- 10,000 Towns
I honestly do not think that I can pick a favorite from this album....or any album they have put out in the past! They are just that good! Alright one of my favorites would probably be "Just Add Moonlight", which I was hoping would be their next single. "Prayer For The Road" is their new single and it is also really amazing. "Drunk Last Night" went to #1 and this album has it all from love songs, drinkin' songs, songs about life.....you'll find it on "10,000 Towns"!
2. Miranda Lambert- Platinum
This album won a CMA for album of the year! So happy for Miranda! I felt like this album was a little different than her previous albums but in a good way. She had a bit more songs that are pretty humorous like "Gravity is a B*tch" and "Old Sh*t". My personal favorite is "Just Another Sunday In The South" which cites different country songs from the 90's. Also helps that Neal McCoy is singing on it! I really really like her duet with Carrie Underwood "Somethin' Bad" and "Smokin' and Drinkin'" with Little Big Town.
1. Dierks Bentley- Riser
You all probably know by now (I hope) that I am a HUGE Dierks Bentley fan and this album is his best yet! I knew the day that I heard "Drunk On A Plane" that it would be a huge hit for him and I'm so glad it was! Needless to say "Drunk On A Plane" is my absolute favorite. But where do I begin with the others? They are all amazing too. This is the Dierks I have been missing for the last few albums with more sorrowful sounding songs like "Damn These Dreams" and "Hurt Somebody". The title track "Riser" is a song of hope while "Say You Do" (his current single) is another classic heartbreak song for Dierks. I am so incredibly proud of Dierks for making this album and for all the success he has had this year!
That's it for this years album countdown! Did your favorites make my list? Let me know!
LOVE Miranda!
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