Year In Review: The Top 12 Country Albums of 2012

2012 was a great year for country music.  Many artists released new albums this year, though many of the bigger names in the genre were still riding the highs of 2011 albums.  Blake Shelton, Miranda Lambert, Eric Church, Justin Moore and Luke Bryan are just some of the artists who did NOT release new albums this year.

The good side of this is that it left country music wide open for new, up and coming artists to take the spotlight.  We reviewed some of these artists album this year, though not nearly as many as we would have liked.  Some of them are featured in this countdown, while others just did not make the cut.

So without further adieu, the Top 12 Country Albums of 2012:

12.  Rachel Farley - The Truth EP - Released in the early part of the year, this young singer did not nearly get the chance to shine as her EP deserved.  She did, however, set herself up for success in 2013, opening for Luke Bryan and Jason Aldean.  At only 17, this artist is well on her way to a big national debut.

11.  Chris Lane Band - Let's Ride - Chris Lane is a small time artist from North Carolina, but the artist already fits in well alongside artists such as Jason Aldean and Luke Bryan.  "Let's Ride" features a great combination of rocking country and smooth love ballads.

10.  Colt Ford - Declaration of Independence - I have not been shy about my love of the unique sound of Colt Ford in the past.  His August release, Declaration of Independence, returned Ford to a sound that made his debut album popular, letting country stars sing while Colt sticks to the rapping.  Guest singers include Jason Aldean, Kix Brooks (Of Brook & Dunn) and Corey Smith.  The lead single, "Back", featuring Jake Owen, helped Ford score his first #1 Country Album.

9.  Toby Keith - Hope On The Rocks - Continuing with the pattern set by 2011's "Clancy's Tavern", Toby Keith kept strong his return to more traditional sounding country music.  Gone are the partying days of old, Keith's album features songs that are more reflective in nature.  The title track "Hope On The Rocks" is one of the strongest songs TK has released in recent memory.

8.  Love & Theft - Self Titled Album - The lead single "Angel Eyes" took country music by storm earlier this year, securing the duo's place in country music.  While not a new artist, L&T is likely new to most country listeners.  Look for their star to rise even more in 2013.

7.  Brian Davis Band - Under the Influence - Another locally known artist deserving of a much bigger stage.  BDB's "Under the Influence" rocking country sound will be familiarly comfortable among those who listen to the more modern outlaw side of the genre.  Fittingly, Brian Davis Band opened for Brantley Gilbert on his first headlining tour in the second half of the year.

6.  Lee Brice - Hard 2 Love - It was a big year for Brice.  His sophomore album was met with critical acclaim.  The first two singles "A Woman Like You" and "Hard To Love" enjoyed long play on the radio.  His third single, "I Drive Your Truck", changes from the love based pace that he is known for, but is still quickly rising up the charts.

5.  Thomas Rhett - Self Titled EP - One of my favorite albums of the year, this EP is only so low on the chart because of the shortened length.  The son of Rhett Akins, Thomas is enjoying success behind "Something To Do With My Hands", "Beer With Jesus" and opening for Toby Keith this previous Summer.

4.  Florida Georgia Line - Here's To The Good Times - FGL's debut album benefited from having an EP released earlier this year, one of our highest rated releases of the year.  The lead single, the summer tune, "Cruise", spent multiple weeks on top of the chart, and is still enjoying radio success in the cold months.  Look for this duo on the Luke Bryan's "Dirt Road Diaries" tour in 2013.

3.  Chase Rice - Dirt Road Communion - A cowriter on the aforementioned "Cruise", Rice did not get much, if any, radio play on his own.  Nonetheless, "Dirt Road Communion" remains one of the top albums of the year, and is still a regular in my playlist, despite being released in March.

2.  Jason Aldean - Night Train - After having giant years in 2010 and 2011, Aldean continued his success in 2012.  His fifth album, "Night Train" features a diverse variety of songs, from the lead single "Take A Little Ride", to the risky "1994" (penned by Thomas Rhett) to the risque "Black Tears" (written by Florida Georgia Line).  It is hard to find any song on Night Train that one can classify as a bad song.

1.  Kip Moore - Up All Night - Newcomer Kip Moore took radio by storm with the catchy "Somethin' Bout A Truck".  His soft, yet gruff, voice combined with a more traditional country sound makes his debut album the most played album on my playlist.  Much like Aldean's "Night Train" it is hard to find fault with any of the songs on the album.  "Beer Money", the second single from the album, is enjoying commercial success that is sure to make Moore a common sound on the radio in 2013.

Honorable Mentions:  Aaron Lewis, former lead singer of Staind, released his debut full-length country album, "The Road" late this year.  Also of note, after a long break and some time as solo artists, Big and Rich returned together to release "Hillbilly Jedi".

So there it is.  The top 12 albums in country music in 2012.  We are looking forward to sharing our thoughts on 2013 albums, including new ones from Tim McGraw, Gary Allan, Darius Rucker, Randy Houser, Brad Paisley, Band Perry and George Strait.

Until then, Happy New Year and we look forward to seeing you off the dirt road.

Album Review: Florida Georgia Line - Here's To The Good Times

The last review we did as "The Low Down For A Hoe Down" was of Florida-Georgia Line's EP "It'z Just What We Do".  How fitting is it, then, that our first review as "Off The Dirt Road" is FGL's debut full-length album, "Here's To The Good Times"?

It has been a whirlwind of a year for Tyler Hubbard and Brian Kelley.  Besides an EP in May, a #1 single, and spots on the Country Throwdown tour (with Justin Moore and Rodney Atkins) and the 2012 CMT on Tour tour (with Jake Owen), the duo managed to appear on Jake Owen's "Endless Summer EP" and land a cut on Jason Aldean's "Night Train" album with a song ("Black Tears") from their first EP.  FGL caps the year off with a full-length album, which picks up right where they left off with their summer EP, including all five of "What We Do"'s tracks, including their recent chart topper and debut single "Cruise".

None of the newest additions to the album stray very far from the groundwork the duo laid over the summer, and the lead single ("Cruise") defines the mood for the entire album.  Almost every song is perfect for driving down a dirt road with friends or cuddling up with a loved one on the tailgate of your truck at a bonfire.  The one song that strays from that mood is "Stay" which appears in the middle of the album.  The song, which takes on a more alternative rock feel, is about a topic almost everyone has had to deal with, heartbreak.

"I'd sell my soul just to see your face.  And I'd break my bones just to heal your pain".

It is hard to find fault with any of the tracks on the album.  The duo manages to create a mood the flows from start to finish without being repetitive, something that many artists struggle to do through an entire album.  "Here's To The Good Times" is sure to skyrocket the newcomers up the charts, winning many many new fans in the process.  Be sure to check them out in 2013, when they open up for Luke Bryan on the "Dirt Road Diaries" tour.  9/10

Album Review: Scotty McCreery - Clear As Day

American Idol has been good to country music.  Bucky Covington, Josh Gracin, Danny Gokey, Kellie Pickler and Carrie Underwood have all come to Nashville through the singing competition.  The most recent season brought us two more, Lauren Alaina (whose album review is forthcoming) and Scotty McCreery, the High School Senior who won the tenth season.

Listening to the album, it is hard to believe that the voice belongs to a guy who just turned 18 this week.  The voice is deep and mature, his lyrics heartfelt and relatable.  He has already charted at #15 on the country charts with his debut single "I Love You This Big" and this album is expected to debut at #1 on the Billboard 200.

McCreery kicks the album off with "Out Of Summertime", an upbeat song about the one that got away because they ran out of time.  Scotty channels the feel of a Jake Owen summer tune perfectly and the song serves as a great intro to those unfamiliar with the artist.  "I Love You This Big", the song he performed on the "Idol" finale, follows and will likely serve as the love anthem for 2011.  Here is where the deep voice that made fans fall in love with the singer is really showcased.  The attitude with which he performs is years beyond his youth.  Enjoy the video:

The "Idol" winner keeps rolling with "Clear As Day" a simple song about reminiscing about a girl he met in the parking after a football game.  The song is generally positive, recalling the night they met "clear as day", until the end, when it takes a somber turn.  "The Trouble With Girls", McCreery's second single, keeps the slow pace.  The title is a bit misleading, as it is about all the things he loves about girls, ending the chorus with "Yeah the trouble with girls/ Is nobody loves trouble as much as me".  The song, as slow as it is, is catchy and the lyrics stick in your head.

"Water Tower Town" is a song pretty much every country singer has done, a song about the town they grew up in.  That is not to say anything bad about it, as the Garner, North Carolina native says that the song perfectly describes where he grew up.  Look for this to be a future single.  "Walk In The Country" is a great cruising song, originally written by Keith Urban in an old band he was a member of.  This song deserves to be blasted in a truck with the windows down.  "Better Than That" is another catchy tune about all the amazing things in life and how they still do not compare to his girl's love.

"Write My Number On Your Hand" is a little odd, with a ukulele providing the main musical accompaniment. "Dirty Dishes" is one of the best songs on the album.  The family sits down to eat and Mama says an unusual prayer "I wanna thank you Lord/ For noisy children and slammin' doors" she prays.  She includes being grateful for clothes scattered on the floor, a husband busy with work, a messy kitchen and dirty dishes.  The family looks at her funny and her husband asks if she is alright before she explains.  The song is a must listen for anyone, especially mothers, who deal with the day to day life of raising kids and sometimes get so fed up and frustrated.

Legendary songwriter "Rhett Akins" penned "You Make That Look Good" for McCreary, and the upbeat song about how a girl can make anything look good (even a mud-covered Ford) is one of many catchy tunes on the album.

The North Carolina native ends with two slow songs.  "Back On The Ground" is a song about slowing down and staying grounded.  Reminiscing about how he could not wait to get out of the town and on to his life, the singer realizes that he needs to come back home once in a while just to relax and not let his fame go to his head.  "That Old King James" is about a Bible that was passed down from his grandpa to his mom and now to him.  All three generations looked to it for hope, whether it was in World War II, raising the singer, or when the singer is feeling down.

Scotty McCreary's album is a solid effort for the American Idol winner on his first time out.  The many catchy songs will likely lead to him having a number one single before he gets to his second album.  Country music fans of all ages will be shocked by, and fall in love with, the voice emanating from this 18 year-old singer.  7.5/10

Album Review: Jake Owen - Barefoot Blue Jean Night

Jake Owen is somewhat of an interesting figure in country music.  He is pretty well known but, until now, he has never had a #1 Song or Album.  His two most famous hits, "Yee Haw" and "Eight Second Ride" never even cracked the top ten, reaching #16 and #11, respectively.  Most of that probably has to do with the fact that people probably do not know where to place him in the scheme of country music.  The two previously mentioned songs were more on the rock side and are well-played on the radio and in the bars.  His latest effort, though, has found the music that fits him perfectly and as a result, produces an album that is enjoyable from start to finish.

The first couple of songs on the album are catchy, but nothing special.  "Anywhere With You", "Keepin It Country" and "Wide Awake" are uptempo songs that lead well into Jake's first #1, "Barefoot Blue Jean Night". The summer anthem is catchy and does a good job of staying away from the typical overpowering anthems that typically mark the season.

The middle section is where the album really shines.  After "Barefoot", Jake slows it down for a piano-driven love song about a place called "Heaven" near town that is quite the romantic view.  Next, "Apple Pie Moonshine" picks it up slightly talking about how the tension between his country boy side and the upper class girl he has on a date is broken when she pulls out a jar of apple pie moonshine.  Stepping away from the love theme, the high point of this album is "The Journey Of Your Life".   Owen reminisces about the advice his grandpa gave him right before he died.  While some of the advice is cliche, the feeling Jake puts behind the words makes this a track that will get a lot of playtime on my media player.  Rounding out the peak of the album is "Alone With You", a song about the temptation of a woman who he cannot understand why he wants her.  The rhythm and emotion in the song makes it one of my favorites on the album.

"Settin The World On Fire" begins the back third of the album and while it is not a bad song, it feels out of place between "Alone With You" and "Nobody Feelin' No Pain".  The latter of which is where Jake moves back towards some of the rock that he is more known for.  The song could do without the "talking to the crowd" that occurs about the two-minute mark, but the older rock tone makes me think Jake is setting up to have next summer's anthem as well.  Owen closes with "The One That Got Away", a song about heartbreak rounds out the album nicely.

Overall, "Barefoot Blue Jean Night" is an album that really allows Jake to shine.  It also brought out a style that highlights his talents and demonstrates where his music fits best: around a bonfire with friends in the middle of summer.  8.5/10

Enjoy the video for "Barefoot Blue Jean Night"