There's a thread of instability that weaves in and out of each song on 'Edens Edge' that makes it an album you look forward to finding in the morning. Lead vocalist Hannah Blaylock tells stories like a woman who's lived through a few too many bad boyfriends, but still wants to show her friends she can smile about it. She's all over the place -- country's equivalent of Jess from 'New Girl' on Fox.
Josh Turner's booming bass voice has never sounded better than on songs from his fifth studio album 'Punching Bag,' in stores June 12. However, it's not enough to lift many of the tracks past mediocre.
There's a song on Alan Jackson's 'Thirty Miles West' album that could be the title-track. Actually, 'Nothin' Fancy' could be the title-track for his entire career. This isn't the best song on the project -- one gets lost in the long, sleepy melody -- but it's a message that speaks to why we love this country legend.
She's beautiful and talented, but where Jana Kramer really shines on her debut country album is in her ability to select songs. Not only has she found 12 tightly-packaged, colorful ballads and pop-country cuts to make her own, but she's found songs that fit her like the perfect pair of broken-in cowboy boots.
Willie Nelson's new album 'Heroes' is an eclectic collection of ambient emo-country, Texas swing and jazzy ballads. The singer isn't confined by the country genre on any of the 14 songs. No one will ever doubt his credentials, so even songs like 'The Scientist' feel like one Hank Sr. may have chosen decades ago. OK, perhaps that's an exaggeration, but few other singers could give the political lyric the proper twang.
As expected, the cover of Carrie Underwood's 'Blown Away' album foreshadows the mood of the project's 14 songs (eight co-written by Underwood). It stops short of tempestuous, but she spends more time looking back at the darkness than she does forward to sunny days.
If there was any question about Josh Abbott's intention as a Texas country artist, he answers it on 'Small Town Family Dream,' his third studio album. Actually, he doesn't just answer the question, he pulls a hot poker out of the fire and brands his love for the Lone Star state across his chest, back and arms. There's no doubt where the Josh Abbbott Band frontman's loyalty lies.
It's a little early to call any album the best anything of 2012, but it's no stretch to say Kip Moore's debut is the best by a new country artist this year, so far. 'Up All Night' introduces the gypsy from south Georgia as an inspiring storyteller, a talented lyricist and a gritty, well-traveled vocalist.
Lee Brice's new album 'Hard 2 Love' feels like a half thank you note, half apology to his soon-to-be wife and their son. Not all of the 13 cuts were written by the 'A Woman Like You' singer, but put into the context of what is going on in his life, many come across as extremely personal love letters.
The debut album by alt-country duo the Damn Quails has a looseness that once recognized can rarely be duplicated. A number of the 14 songs were written quickly, with fresh nerve and emotion. Bryon White and Gabriel Marshall are talented songwriters capable of pairing sharp lyrics with irresistible melodies.
