Top Albums of 2008 (So Far): [Updated August 12, 2008]

August 12, 2008 at 4:10 pm (Notes)
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I’m going to make a list of my favorite albums released this year. It will start now, and be updated every time I listen to a new release. Anything I didn’t listen to will not be added.
[A few may have move up due to them growing on me.]~Aug. 12

As Of August 12, 2008

01. Kathy Mattea Coal

02. Jayme Johnson That Lonesome Song

03. Carlene Carter Stronger

04. Kelleigh Bannen Radio Skies

05. Joanna Cotten Funkabilly

06. Emmylou Harris All I Intended To Be

07. Sugarland Love On The Inside

08. Rebecca Lynn Howard No Rules

09. James Otto Sunset Man

10. Ashton Shepherd Sounds So Good

11. George Strait Troubadour

12. Kathleen Edwards Asking For Flowers

13. Lance Miller Back In The New School

14. Ray Scott Crazy Like Me

15. Crystal Shawanda Dawn Of A New Day

16. Shelby Lynne Just A Little Lovin’

17. Lady Antebellum

18. Rhonda Vincent Good Thing Going

19. Jeff Bates

20. The Wrights

21. Mark Chesnutt Rollin’ With The Flow

22. Alan Jackson Good Time

23. Jeremy McComb My Side Of Town

24. One Flew South Last Of The Good Guys

25. Carrie Rodriguez She Ain’t Me

26. Justin Rutledge Man Decending

27. Danielle Blakey

28. Jypsi

29. Jennifer Hanson Thankful

30. Dolly Parton Backwoods Barbie

31. Deric Ruttan First Time In A Long Time

32. Jewel Perfectly Clear

33. Steve Azar Indianola

34. Chris Cagle My Life’s Been A Country Song

35. The Higgins Real Thing

36. Carter’s Chord

37. Tift Merritt Another Country

38. Doc Walker Beautiful Life

39. Phil Vassar Prayer Of A Common Man

40. Allison Moorer Mocking Bird

41. Chuck Wicks Starting Now

42. The Best Of SHeDAISY

43. Josh Gracin We Weren’t Crazy

44. The Road Hammers Blood, Sweat And Steel

45. The Wrights In The Summer Time

46. Julianne Hough

47. Katie Armiger Believe

48. Keith Anderson C’Mon

49. Montgomery Gentry Back When I Knew It All

50. Laura Bryna Trying To Be Me

Listening To Soon:

JayDee Bixby Cowboys & Cadillacs

Catherine Britt Little Wildflower

Lisa Brokop Beautiful Tragedy

Heidi Newfield What Am I Waiting For?

Randy Travis Around The Bend

4 Comments

Vs. #2: Songs Of Innocence

August 12, 2008 at 3:51 pm (Versus)
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Artist: Deana Carter
Song: Strawberry Wine
Album: Did I Shave My Legs For This?
Writers: Matraca Berg / Gary Harrison
Video:

This song was Deana Carter’s debut single. It was her first of three #1’s and scored her a handful of nominations, including a win at the 1997 CMA’s. It remains to be her signature song.

Vocals: 5 – Deana introduced us to her unique vocals with this song which remains one of her better performances.
Production: 4 – It’s distinctive right from the get-go and it doesn’t get in the way of the vocals but doesn’t hide behind them either.
Originality: 5 – When Matraca Berg is one of the writers you know your getting originality.

Artist: Sarah Buxton
Song: Innocence
Album: Almost My Record
Writers: Couldn’t Find
Video:

This was also Sarah’s debut single and while it didn’t enjoy the success that “Strawberry Wine”, it was often compared to Deana’s song. The song sadly peaked outside the Top 30.

Vocals: 3 – Out of everything Sarah’s done this is her most polished vocals, this is a good or bad thing depending on your tastes.
Production: 3 – The production on this is nothing special but it gets the job done.
Originality: 3 – Back when Deana recorded a song with this topic it was original, now not so much.

Well this one went to Deana Carter or I’d like to think it went more to Matraca and Gary for writing such a good song. “Strawberry Wine” launched Deana Carter and for that alone it should win. Sarah’s “Innocence” is a good song but it was the wrong choice to try to launch her, her personality doesn’t come through as much as in other songs she has recorded. (It’s still in my top 100 most played songs on my iPod though)

Next Time: Songs Of Another Day

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