Artist/Group, Album Title
. . . my commentary. Have fun!
Amanda Shires, Take It Like a Man
. . . Really developed vocals on this one. For some reason, I was always caught up with her fiddle playing. Still waiting for her husband to develop anything. Something.
Amos Lee, Dreamland
. . . Solid album. No tracks really stood out to me but the album is super smooth. I think the first few tracks were the best.
Amy Ray, If It All Goes South
. . . The buildup on THEY WON’T HAVE ME took me into another universe. Good duet with Brandi Carlile
Andrew Bird, Inside Problems
. . . Had kind of a lou reed / velvet underground vibe to it.
Aoife O’Donovan, Age of Apathy
. . . I would see this chick at a sit-down theater or opera house. Very mesmerizing. Dreamy but not sleepy
B61, PHOENIX, and PASSENGERS are good. Very Joan Baez-y
Arlo McKinley, This Mess We’re In
. . . Interesting voice. Kinda bluegrass
Ashley McBryde, Ashley McBryde Presents: Lindeville
. . . In great McBryde fashion, the opening track is BRENDA PUT YOUR BRA ON – rocker of an opener. This gal knows how to make an album. There should be more comparisons to her and John Prine but that shouldn’t take away her spotlight. She’s her own dude. IF THESE DOGS COULD TALK, FORKEN FAMILY FUNERAL HOME, BONFIRE AT TINAS, I’ll end there but all these tunes are bombtracks.
Avi Kaplan, Floating on a Dream
. . . Wow. amazing voice. His voice and lyrics are like a Quentin Tarintino film and then the title track hits and takes you to some higher ground. Much more to this album than this dude’s deep voice. Good stuff.
Bailey Zimmerman, Leave the Light On (EP)
. . . There’s a reason this collection of tunes have a billion streams. FROM THE FALL is a bombrack
Banditos, Right On
. . . THE WAVES, RIGHT ON, and OZONE are the bombtracks
Big Thief, Ragon New Warm Mountain I Believe In You
. . . Pretty psychedelic and trippy. There were some acoustic numbers – which sounded nice but it got electronic crazy.
Bill Anderson, As Far As I Can See: The Best Of
. . . Really solid sound and production. Hard to believe these tunes were recorded in the 60’s. Possibly one of the best songwriters of all-time. He wrote Whiskey Lullaby for Brad and Give It Away for George. The first three tracks – City Lights, Walk Out Backwards, Three AM blew my mind. If You Can Live With It (I Can Live Without It) and The Corner Of My Life were great tunes.
Billy Strings – Me And Dad
. . . probably a little more old school country than his wild psychedelic stuff. Good stuff
Bobby Weir & Wolf Bros, Bobby Weir & Wolf Bros: Live in Colorado
Bobby Weir & Wolf Bros, Live in Colorado, Vol. 2
. . . so this dude was in some crazy old school jamband and they played different setlists and made their live shows unique so it makes sense that this dude releases TWO live albums in one year. Guess he was glad to be back on the road after COVID? And the dude is 75
Bonnie Raitt, Just Like That…
. . . after the 4th track – the title track, i knew this one was a heavy hitter. i was sold. the production, musicianship, and delivery is out of sight. possibly my favorite album of the year. all the songs have a great flow. this is how a great album is suppose to sound. wow!
Bonny Light Horseman, Rolling Golden Holy
. . .Like a new age folk supergroup band
Brandi Carlile, In These Silent Days (Deluxe)
. . . Easy on the ears. Great Brandi style of stuff
BROKEN HORSES blows the doors off the saloon
YOU AND ME ON THE ROCK has some groovy guitar work and has Lucius, nice
Breland, Cross Country
. . . All the duets are great. The one with Ingrid (HERE FOR IT) is the bombtrack. The last three tracks were good too. Hard to classify this as country. I get it. But it is good music.
Brett Eldredge, Songs About You
. . . I FEEL FINE is a bombtrack. This guy has an incredible voice. Almost “too good” for country. After hearing it, made me wonder if vocalist don’t take him serious because he comes from the country side of music. If he did a big band / orchestral release, I would be all over it or if he performs with a symphony, I’d be the first to buy tickets.
Brooke Eden, Choosing You
. . . Only heard a sampler or EP of the album. Maybe that’s all there is? What I heard was was good and made me want more.
Brothers Osborne, Skeletons (Deluxe Edition)
. . . Not my favorite album of theirs but still good. That first album was a life-changer
CAAMP, Lavender Days
. . . FEVER rocks #bombtrack
Caroline Spence, True North
. . . Super chill album. I can dig it. Solid all the way through but no individual tune rocked my world but that’s OK too.
Carrie Underwood, Denim & Rhinestones
. . . Classic Carrie album. Her singles stand on their own and sometimes outshine her overall album delivery. SHE DON’T KNOW is a great country ballad that really hits the three chords and truth. The song that caught my ear was POOR EVERYBODY ELSE – was that punk rock?
Charley Crockett, Lil G.L. Presents: Jukebox Charley
. . . Interesting selection of covers. Digging deep into the jukebox for these tunes. He makes them his own. This is real country music. HEARTBREAK AFFAIR has some trippy vocal effects. The country music gods must be proud.
Chris Castino & Chicken Wire, Fresh Pickles
. . . A fun bluegrass record. Great musicianship. JACKSON COUNTY showcases that. YOUNG PIONEER also stood out. Liked the last track: IRREGULAR HEARTBEAT
Cole Swindell, Stereotype
. . . Classic Cole Swindell stuff. I like his concerts but the albums can be ok. The last fracks were good – SOME HABITS and GIRL GOES CRAZY but nothing blew my mind. All the singles sound good on the radio though and that should be acknowledged. SHE HAD ME AT HEADS CAROLINA! Just saw the track list again and remembered the song STEREOTYPE was another good track. Maybe I should give this album more credit
Connor Smith, Didn’t Go Too Far
. . . I listened to the album a few times. COLLEGE TOWN is a bombtrack.
Craig Morgan, God, Family, Country (Deluxe Edition)
. . . I know this is Christian album? Maybe? But I liked WHISKEY, SIPPIN THE GOOD LIFE, and I MAY DRINK A LITTLE . . . interesting how that happened.
Dailey & Vincent, Let’s Sing Some Country!
. . . Plenty of those 90’s country / vince gill vibes. THOSE MEMORIES OF YOU is good.
Dave Alvin – Eleven Eleven
. . . I’d see the dude in concert before I listen to the album again. Tough to put blues on an album. The musicianship is hot though.
David Quinn, Country Fresh
. . . I liked the honky tonk feel on these tracks, Country Fresh, Down Home, Cornbread and Chili (probably my favorite track), Grassy Trails. But not an album I would crank out all the time.
Drive-By Truckers, Welcome 2 Club XIII
. . . these guys keep kicking out albums. I have several in my “need to listen” folder. This was a trippy album. Didn’t expect it from this group. The sound does have a “club” vibe. Not honky tonk club but an actual DJ Club where people grind. But with a honky tonk delivery. Strange, I know.
Dropkick Murphys, This Machine Still Kills Fascists
. . . For Dropkick albums, this is kinda easy listening! Solid stuff. Liked the TP duet. TEN TIMES MORE was the bombrack but all these are great sing-alongs! Nice Woody Gutherie reference for the album name.
Early James, Strange Time to Be Alive
. . . Has that Easy Eye Sound vibe for sure. Bluesy folksy raunchy
Everette, Kings Of The Dairy Queen Parking Lot: Side B
. . . Great album title! Saving the best for last. MAKE ME WANT ONE and GET BY are bombtracks.
Emily Nenni, On the Ranch
. . . This is real country music. Listened to the album a few times. Probably won’t listen to it again but I’ll keep my eye on this artist. IN THE MORNIN was a bombtrack
Granger Smith – Moonrise
. . . impressed with this album. Sometimes the highlights of Granger Smith albums is appearances by Earl Dibbles Jr. This was good stuff – an no EDJ appearances. MOONRISE clocks in at 6 ½ minutes. I can listen to this album again.
Hank Williams Jr., Rich White Honky Blues
. . . a novelty but only hank can pull this off – i would recommend it for a listen.
Georgia Women – has that Black Keys vibe and love the random name checks he throws out
My Starter Won’t Start – great outro banter
Call Me Thunderhead – of course, all the times he references himself as Thunderhead!
Take Out Some Insurance – outro banter off the chain
Honey Harper – Honey Harper & The Infinite Sky
. . . real country. Good sound. Loved it. Need to listen to it a few more times.
Jason Aldean, Macon, Georgia
AFTER YOU – great start! bringing back the good ol’ WIDE OPEN album vibe
this is a solid album. i love the HEAVEN cover – not a huge fan of Bryan Adams but great cover. Any of these tracks hold their own.
SMALL TOWN SMALL is a hit.
solid albums. not sure which one i like more. i guess this is a “positive” of lockdown. time to focus on making a great album. . . . or albums THE STATE I’M IN and GOD MADE AIRPLANES stood out for me
Jimmie Allen, Tulip Drive
. . . I liked his other albums which were full of duets. This was good. Not a fan of the T-Pain Cee-Lo tune but I will say the ladies love this album.
John Mellencamp, Strictly a One-Eyed Jack
. . . Mellencamp’s voice has really matured. The instruments are raw. Not Pink Houses or Jack and Diane. Not by a long shot. Crazy.
Not to be confused with the album’s name, SIMPLY A ONE-EYED JACK is a standout track.
I AM A MAN THAT WORRIES – great track, this is what you play for your buddies and say: “who is this.” they’ll never guess.
LIE TO ME has some good blues
SWEET HONEY BROWN – i think this was the single? has a funky riff
DID YOU SAY SUCH A THING, WASTED DAYS, and A LIFE FULL OF RAIN has The Boss / Springsteen.
. . . don’t buy this album if you are looking for Jack And Diane or Pink Houses. This is rough. His voice has matured and very raw instruments.
Jon Pardi, Mr. Saturday Night
. . . NEON LIGHT SPEED a bombtrack. You’ll probably never hear SANTA CRUZ on the radio but a good tune. Good vibes. Impressed with this album. For some reason I was skeptical but not sure why. . .
Keb’ Mo’, Good to Be
. . . i don’t think you can listen to this album and be in a bad mood. he does a cover of LEAN ON ME. Super upbeat and good drivin’ in the country album
Kelsea Ballerini, Subject to Change
. . . That double album – “Kelsea” and “Ballerini” – which was before this one was one of the best albums to be released to mankind. It would be tough to beat that one.
Kendell Marvel, Come on Sunshine
. . .This is real country music. Damn good tunes. Highly recommended. One of the best of the year. No foolin.
Kylie Morgan, Songs to Say I Do (EP)
. . . BRIDESMAIDS and THAT’S MY MAN are fun little dittys that qualify as bombtracks
Lainey Wilson, Bell Bottom Country
. . . I was a fan of her from day #1… okay maybe when she came out with her album: Sayin’ What I’m Thinkin’ …She may have released an EP around 2019 or 2022? She has won a bunch of awards and on TV shows so nobody will believe that I have been a fan of her for a long time. The entire album is amazing. Top notch. All the tunes flow together. Her tune: Wildflowers and Wild Horses is a bombtrack and probably the most unique tune on there.
Little Big Town, Mr. Sun
. . .The opening track – ALL SUMMER – the definition of cool HEAVEN HAD A DANCE FLOOR, GOLD, and SONG BACK – coming to a Yacht Rock Classics playlists near you!
Luke Combs, Growin’ Up
. . . This album is filled with hits. Crazy how the deep tracks still get a million streams. The Miranda duet is off the chain.
Luke Winslow King, If These Walls Could Talk
. . . Slick and smooth album. Great stuff! LISSA’S SONG – good groovin and acoustic guitar work
WATCH ME CHANGE – another rocking groove!
LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT – killer slide guitar work!
I could easily listen to this album a few more times and not complain
Lockwood Porter, Sisyphus Happy
. . . I know I listened to this album a few times because the Neil Young reference in I WENT OUT TO FIND THE ANSWER. The album shows some promise. I make it sound like I didn’t like it but. . . I listend to the album a few times. Maybe they tricked me? Maybe it is better than I think it is!?
Maddie & Tae, Through the Madness Vol. 1
. . . GROWN MAN CRY – bombtrack. Hope they expand on this series.
Maren Morris, Humble Quest
. . . this chick can write a song. Obviously she can make a solid album. Highly recommended. the title track: HUMBLE QUEST and NERVOUS are bombtracks. CIRCLES AROUND THIS TOWN is one of the best songs about songwriting out there.
Mary Gauthier, Dark Enough to See the Stars
. . . I like the tunes that are overly underproduced but the opposite.
Miranda Lambert, Palomino
. . . Possibly one of my favorite albums of 2022. This is why country is becoming the new “rock” with solid albums and why there’s about ten different award shows featuring country music. Its because of albums like this. ACTIN UP like a Pistol Annies track what a great way to start this incredible album.
SCENES a biography of a true highway vagabound love it
GERALDENE a Jolene reference but with blues n’ twang
TOURIST lets go road trippin’
STRANGE – lets howl to a campfire in the hills
ILL BE LOVING YOU – rockin love song the only way miranda knows how
Morgan Wade, Reckless (Deluxe Edition)
WHEN THE DIRT ALL SETTLES – gets up and goes
RUN – good tune
. . . really all the tunes have an upbeat rockin vibe. SUSPICIOUS MINDS is a great take! I could listen to this a few times. I only got six tracks. Made me want to hear more – if there is more?
Nikki Lane, Denim & Diamonds
. . . I dug this album. Could easily listen to it a few hundred times and not complain
Patty Griffin, Tape
. . . solo acoustic solo piano and a robert plant duet is worth a listen KISS OF A MAN is a bombtrack and i liked OCTAVES
Punch Brothers, Hell on Church Street
. . . Bombtracks: CATTLE IN THE CAIN, ORPHAN ANNIE, PRIDE OF MAN, and a killer cover of WRECK OF THE EDMUND FITZGERALD
Rory Block, Ain’t Nobody Worried
. . . Cool little acoustic covers / ditties/
Roxi Copland, I Come From Crazy (EP)
. . . This was chill. Only five songs so chill. Nice cover of HOUSE OF THE RISING SUN
Russell Dickerson, Russell Dickerson
. . . There was a series of tunes that were super upbeat and hip. That was nice but the album mellows out with the last track.
BIG WHEELS – i was getting ready for some rapper to break out and spit some fire
I REMEMBER – bombtrack
Ryan Culwell, Run Like a Bull
. . .This is a really good album. Highly recommend it. I would like to see him solo acoustic but the band really adds something special. The songwriting is top notch.
S.G. Goodman, Teeth Marks
. . . After I listened to the album for the first time, I remember immediately playing it again. One of the best for the year for sure.
Sheryl Crow, Sheryl: Music From the Feature Documentary
. . . didn’t listen to this album but I did check out Live From The Ryman. My review of that album: hella good, as expected
Shovels & Rope, Manticore
. . . NO MAN’S LAND is a bombtrack. I always like these guys. Love their covers projects.
Steve Earle & The Dukes, Jerry Jeff
. . . Another great cover album from Earle. The Bad News: It makes me want to hear what / if he’ll do it again and who he’d cover next so I wasn’t totally focused on the album. The Good News: made me wanna bust out the ol’ guitar and pick a few songs. Inspiring.
Sunny Sweeney, Married Alone
. . . I was one of the first Oregon radio dweebs in 2010 to play her tune: From A Table Away. When she was touring her album Trophy, I interviewed her in Idaho. I think the only correct step would be to marry her in 2023 in Nebraska. I love the whole early Big Machine crew: Jack Ingram, Sunny, and some other chick named Taylor Swift. All three are true to their music.
Tami Neilson, Kingmaker
. . . had the chicka boom album in my cue/playlist forever but i can get down with this album. Had a bobbie gentry vibe to it. KING OF COUNTRY MUSIC > BEYOND THE STARS (with Willie) > GREEN PEACHES really did it for me.
Taylor Swift, Midnights
. . . see Zach Bryan’s album review. This is next level artistry. I can’t justify reviewing this album. Give me 5 years and I’ll be able to give you a solid review. I have a theory that you can only review a Swift album until she comes out with a new one. So I guess this would be the time to review: Evermore? it is kinda like that. Now she’s re-releasing (Taylor’s Version) her music. Out of control.
The Blue Dogs, Big Dreamers
. . . THAT’S HOW I KNEW featuring Radney Foster, great job of backing up Radney. THE ROAD YOU DON’T Featuring Jerry Douglas had Douglas kinda stealing the show!
I like the southern rock vibe.
The Del McCoury Band, Almost Proud
. . . What can you say about Del? A national treasure. Always glad to see him release an album.
The HawtThorns, Tarot Cards and Shooting Stars
. . . has an Eagles or CSNY or Sheryl Crow vibe. LETS GET TOGETHER and THIS ONE IS OURS are the bombtracks
The Lumineers, Brightside
. . . I could listen to this album a few times.
BRIGHTSIDE – love the darkside of the moon reference
NEVER REALLY MINE – such a good groove. simple and then a nice build up
REPRISE – has a great piano groove. which is a common theme in the album
The Po’ Ramblin’ Boys, Never Slow Down
. . . Solid bluegrass stuff. The last track is a bombtrack for sure: Old Time Angels
Thomas Rhett, Where We Started
. . . His debut will always be my favorite but this is a great one to play after playing the first one album.
Church Boots – getting a little produced up cant help but bob your head
Bass Pro Hat – this should be a single or a hit
Anything Cold – perfect rhett vibe that only he can perfect
Angels – another sunday spiritual
Death Row (featuring Tyler Hubbard & Russell Dickerson) – always love a good sunday gospel spiritual
Mama’s Front Door – another great rhett auto-bio
Tyler Childers, Can I Take My Hounds to Heaven?
. . . Holy crap! Is anybody else listening to this!? Why isn’t anybody talking about this album? This album should be everywhere and required listening. The Hallelujah version, Joyful Noise version, and Jubliee version!? Are you kidding me? Not only is this one of the best albums of the year but one of the best for the decade. And we’re only two years in. Wow! Just one of these releases would blow the doors off the wagon but three versions? That’s art fellas. That’s how it is done.
Valerie June, Under Cover (EP)
. . . Brave move to cover these tunes. FADE INTO YOU a bombtrack. Always will be. DON’T IT MAKE YOU WANT TO GO HOME and TONIGHT I’LL BE STAYING HERE WITH YOU – two more bombtracks.
Various Artists, Something Borrowed, Something New: A Tribute to John Anderson
. . . this is a solid tribute album. Lot of tribute albums are lame or some kind of charity case but this one!? Wow! Starts with John Prine but you get Eric Church and Luke Combs? Tyler Childers! Sturgill Simpson! What a great mix of tunes and artists to represent this great dude!
Wade Bowen, Somewhere Between the Secret and the Truth
. . . I thought I was getting a Hold My Beer Volume but this is martini drinking music. Good tunes though.
Walker Hayes, Country Stuff the Album
. . . U GURL – guilty pleasure to like that song. CRAIG – i read a lot about the song. pretty powerful. curious to know if it was played on christian radio. DRINKING SONGS is a great lead-off track. The Jake Owen duet is classic – has a beachin’ and vibin’ tune. The Carley Pearce duet is good too.
Wilco, Cruel Country
. . . too busy listening to the Yankee Hotel Foxtrot re-releases
Zach Bryan, American Heartbreak
. . . First off, SUN TO ME stood out to me. But what’s the point? This album is out of control. I don’t think I could “review” this album. This is an album that you need to listen to for several years. I had a feeling that I was listening to Dylan’s Blonde On Blonde with some Springstreen, acoustic Neil Young, and some more Dylan. Not that Mr Bryan “sounds” like those guys but you’d be a fool to critique those artists. I don’t know how this kid can do this on his first album? This is unreal. I don’t believe this album exists. His lyrics grab your attention and I felt like I was hallucinating or in some imaginary land. For more info, see Taylor Swift, Midnights review