Here are my recommendations of 25 albums released in 2007 that I feel are essential to add to your collection. These are my personal favorites. They may not be everyone's taste. Most are what you would consider Contemporary Country artists, but I've also included a few traditional picks as well. Each album has a review to help you decide if you think the album is one you would enjoy adding to your own collection. They are listed in alphabetical order by first name.
Since breaking into the country music scene in 2001, Blake Shelton has shown us with all three releases how versatile he is. Power ballads that'll break your heart & songs that'll make you laugh even on the worst of days. Blake has proven over and over that he can deliver any type of song. This fourth release is no exception. Seven of the 11 tracks are songs that might be a reflection of where Blake is at in his life. Or, maybe not. Filled with lyrics of heartache, regret and loneliness I had to stop and think, the album's title is PURE BS. Only Blake knows for sure.More »
Brad Paisley is no longer a newcomer on the country music scene, proving with this, his fifth studio album (it's officially his sixth, counting the Christmas album), that he's in for the long haul. It'll probably be a few more years and a few more discs before one can rightly call him a classic or even legendary artist, but he's certainly working his way to that status, cruising right along with another solid, traditionally-minded mainstream disc filled with his usual powerful picking, clever lyrics, and, of course, corny carryings-on.More »
Since the early 1990's, Brooks & Dunn have remained a strong force in country music. They have been a force like no other! As country's top duo they have won numerous awards which have helped them leap into super-star status. Kix Brooks and Ronnie Dunn have managed to produce yet another album that shows their pure country voices with grade A songs that are worth listening to from beginning to end.More »
This is a solid sophomore release for Carrie Underwood. She's continuing to prove that she's not just another pretty face who won a contest. Her voice continues to carry her to the top of her game.More »
If you want an album that pays tribute to classic country songs in only a way David Ball can, then this is an album you should buy. It was produced by Dan Frizzell and David Ball and also contains one new song ("Please Feed The Jukebox").More »
'Long Trip Alone' is Dierks Bentley's third major-label release. It was produced by Brett Beavers (with Luke Wooten as associate producer) and has a total of eleven tracks. All tracks were co-written by Dierks and include writers such as Deric Ruttan, Tony Martin, Steve Bogard, Jim Beavers, Paul Nelson, and Robbie Harrington. Dierks' album has a little of this and a little of that including road songs, love songs, and bar songs.More »
'Living Hard' was produced by Mark Wright and Gary Allan. It contains a total of eleven tracks covering multiple styles and topics. If you're an old Gary Allan fan or a new one, chances are you'll like this release. For Radney Foster fans, there's a cover of "Half Of My Mistakes" included as well.More »
There are many ways to hear great country music, whether it be on the Internet or any retail store. Regardless which you prefer, you need to get country music's new duo Halfway to Hazard. They are a phenomenal duo with so much potential that they are going to give the biggest named duos a run for their money. Prepare yourself for platinum in the making with Halfway to Hazard.More »
Jack Ingram returns in 2007 with his first studio release in five years on Big Machine Records. The CD is entitled This Is It. It's filled with solid country rockers that you'll just want to crank up and sing along with. With hits like "Love You," "Lips Of An Angel," "Wherever You Go" and "Measure Of A Man," this is a CD that you'll want to listen to over and over again. Highly recommended.More »
Jason Aldean's sophomore album serves up some similar country rock tunes as those on his self-titled Platinum debut. If it ain't broke, don't fix it. Favorite tracks include "Laughed Until We Cried," "No," "My Memory Ain't What It Used To Be," and the duet with Miranda Lambert, "Grown Woman.More »
