Top country albums of 2004

One writer's top 10 country albums of 2004:

ADVERTISEMENT

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.