Album Releases by Genre

The Outsider

The Outsider

by Rodney Crowell
August 16, 2005
The country singer-songwriter follows 'Fate's Right Hand' with an 11-song set that includes a collaboration with Emmylou Harris and John Prine on Bob Dylan's "Shelter from the Storm."
Metascore:
77
User Score:
8.0
Why Should The Fire Die?

Why Should The Fire Die?

by Nickel Creek
August 9, 2005
Tony Berg and Eric Valentine produced this follow-up to 2002's Grammy-winning "This Side."
Metascore:
82
User Score:
8.5
Fireflies

Fireflies

by Faith Hill
August 2, 2005
Byron Gallimore and Dann Huff produced the country singer's follow-up to 2002's "Cry."
Metascore:
57
User Score:
7.5
Somewhere Down In Texas

Somewhere Down In Texas

by George Strait
June 28, 2005
Lee Ann Womack guests on the Texan's 33rd album.
Metascore:
68
User Score:
8.8
Humming By The Flowered Vine

Humming By The Flowered Vine

by Laura Cantrell
June 21, 2005
Members of Calexico guest on the singer-songwriter's Matador debut.
Metascore:
80
User Score:
8.5
Blame The Vain

Blame The Vain

by Dwight Yoakam
June 14, 2005
The country singer self-produced these dozen songs, which amount to the 18th album of his career.
Metascore:
76
User Score:
8.3
Suit Yourself

Suit Yourself

by Shelby Lynne
May 24, 2005
The country singer was joined in a Nashville studio by Benmont Tench (The Heartbreakers), Michael Ward (The Wallflowers) and others on this latest release.
Metascore:
76
User Score:
8.4
Honkytonk University

Honkytonk University

by Toby Keith
May 17, 2005
Merle Haggard guests on the country star's follow-up to 'Shock'n Y'all.'
Metascore:
68
User Score:
3.7
The Story Of My Life

The Story Of My Life

by Deana Carter
March 8, 2005
The veteran Nashville artist wrote and produced all 11 tracks on her latest album, and handled most of the instrumentation as well.
Metascore:
70
User Score:
tbd
Be As You Are (Songs From An Old Blue Chair)

Be As You Are (Songs From An Old Blue Chair)

by Kenny Chesney
January 25, 2005
The country singer's latest is a bit of a departure, taking the form of a concept album about, well, relaxing on a Caribbean beach.
Metascore:
63
User Score:
8.4
Lonely Runs Both Ways

Lonely Runs Both Ways

by Alison Krauss & Union Station
November 23, 2004
This is the first studio recording in three years for the Grammy-winning bluegrass act.
Metascore:
74
User Score:
8.7
What I Do

What I Do

by Alan Jackson
September 7, 2004
One of the rare country music stars who is both a critical and commercial success (and without crossing over into pop), Jackson returns with a follow-up to his huge 2002 hit 'Drive.'
Metascore:
80
User Score:
8.1
Live Like You Were Dying

Live Like You Were Dying

by Tim McGraw
August 24, 2004
'Dying' once again finds the country star backed on record by his touring band, the Dancehall Doctors.
Metascore:
61
User Score:
7.4
Tambourine

Tambourine

by Tift Merritt
August 24, 2004
George Drakoulias produced this sophomore release for the singer-songwriter, who garnered praise for her 2002 debut 'Bramble Rose.' Here, she adds some Muscle Shoals-style soul to her roots and country repertoire.
Metascore:
77
User Score:
8.0
Hymns Of The 49th Parallel

Hymns Of The 49th Parallel

by k.d. lang
July 27, 2004
The Canadian singer-songwriter's Nonesuch debut features covers of songs by other Canadian singer-songwriters, including Neil Young, Leonard Cohen, Ron Sexsmith, Jane Siberry, and William Shatner. (OK, so maybe not the last one.) There's also one lang original for good measure.
Metascore:
70
User Score:
8.3
Van Lear Rose

Van Lear Rose

by Loretta Lynn
April 27, 2004
It's been over 40 years since she released her first album (and four since her last, 2000's 'Still Country'), but the coal miner's daughter returns to the spotlight with this 13-track effort (all Lynn-penned originals), produced by The White Stripes' Jack White.
Metascore:
97
User Score:
8.4
Between Here And Gone

Between Here And Gone

by Mary Chapin Carpenter
April 27, 2004
The songwriter returns with her first album of new material in three years, co-produced with pianist Matt Rollings and John Jennings.
Metascore:
71
User Score:
8.5
The Duel

The Duel

by Allison Moorer
April 13, 2004
The country singer's fourth studio album and Sugarhill debut was recorded in just two weeks with returning producer R.S. Field.
Metascore:
71
User Score:
8.6
When The Sun Goes Down

When The Sun Goes Down

by Kenny Chesney
February 3, 2004
The hugely successful Tennessee-based singer returns with a follow-up to the triple platinum 'No Shirt, No Shoes, No Problems.' He took almost a full year to record these 11 new tracks, including the title cut featuring a guest appearance by Uncle Kracker.
Metascore:
67
User Score:
8.8
OST

OST

by Cold Mountain
December 16, 2003
Producer T-Bone Burnett compiled this collection of traditional Americana, country and blues tunes to complement Anthony Minghella's Civil War epic. Among the performers here are Alison Krauss and the White Stripes' Jack White.
Metascore:
73
User Score:
tbd
Shock'n Y'All

Shock'n Y'All

by Toby Keith
November 4, 2003
The country singer seeems to enjoy pushing buttons (albeit with a sense of humor), and he continues his recent forays into politicized music with this latest LP, which features songs such as "American Soldier" and "The Taliban Song."
Metascore:
71
User Score:
4.5
Stumble Into Grace

Stumble Into Grace

by Emmylou Harris
September 23, 2003
Still going strong at 57, the Grammy-winning artist offers 12 new tracks, with some A-list backing from the likes of Linda Ronstadt, Jill Cunniff, Jane Siberry, and Kate and Anna McGarrigle.
Metascore:
87
User Score:
8.7
Red Dirt Road

Red Dirt Road

by Brooks & Dunn
July 15, 2003
The duo of Kix Brooks and Ronnie Dunn return with a follow-up to 2001's 'Steers and Stripes.'
Metascore:
83
User Score:
8.3
Soul Journey

Soul Journey

by Gillian Welch
June 3, 2003
The talented singer-songwriter reunites with producer David Rawlings for her fourth album.
Metascore:
78
User Score:
8.3
I'm Staying Out

I'm Staying Out

by Caitlin Cary
April 22, 2003
This sophomore effort for the former Whiskeytown member was, like her acclaimed 2002 debut, produced by Chris Stamey. Mary Chapin Carpenter and Mitch Easter are among numerous guests on the album.
Metascore:
78
User Score:
tbd
Rules Of Travel

Rules Of Travel

by Rosanne Cash
March 25, 2003
Rebounding from a vocal chord injury that almost ended her singing career, Rosanne Cash returns with her first album in seven years. Guests include Sheryl Crow, Steve Earle, Teddy Thompson, and daddy Johnny Cash.
Metascore:
73
User Score:
7.3
I'm Just A Girl

I'm Just A Girl

by Deana Carter
March 18, 2003
After a five-year break from recording (save for a Christmas album), Deana Carter returns with album of polished country-pop tunes.
Metascore:
72
User Score:
tbd
Next Big Thing

Next Big Thing

by Vince Gill
February 11, 2003
Country superstar Vince Gill returns with 17 self-produced tracks. Emmylou Harris, Amy Grant, and Michael MacDonald lend their voices.
Metascore:
80
User Score:
8.0
Tim McGraw & The Dancehall Doctors

Tim McGraw & The Dancehall Doctors

by Tim McGraw
November 26, 2002
Married to Faith Hill and the son of former relief pitcher Tug McGraw, Tim McGraw returns with an album recorded with his road band, the Dancehall Doctors. Included here is a cover of Elton John's "Tiny Dancer."
Metascore:
68
User Score:
8.8
Up!

Up!

by Shania Twain
November 19, 2002
Not wanting to offend any potential listeners, the country superstar finally follows up the hit 'Come On Over' with two versions of her new album (both included in this two-CD set): a red disc of pop versions of her 19 new songs, and a green disc of those same 19 songs performed in a country music style. (A third, blue, disc of those songs performed in a world music style is targeted at international consumers.)
Metascore:
72
User Score:
6.9
American IV: The Man Comes Around

American IV: The Man Comes Around

by Johnny Cash
November 5, 2002
Johnny Cash, still going strong at age 70, returns for a fourth album with producer Rick Rubin. Like the previous three pairings, this disc mixes Cash originals with unlikely covers, which this time out include Depeche Mode's "Personal Jesus," Nine Inch Nails' "Hurt," and Simon & Garfunkel's "Bridge Over Troubled Water." Fiona Apple, Nick Cave, and Don Henley are among the guests.
Metascore:
70
User Score:
8.6
Cry

Cry

by Faith Hill
October 15, 2002
This is the first new album in three years for the country superstar.
Metascore:
59
User Score:
8.6
Jerusalem

Jerusalem

by Steve Earle
September 24, 2002
The roots rocker tackles a variety of tough, contemporary issues on this latest release, perhaps his most political, issue-oriented album yet. Sheryl Crow and Emmylou Harris guest.
Metascore:
78
User Score:
8.5
Home

Home

by Dixie Chicks
August 27, 2002
The ever-popular contemporary country act returns with their sixth album.
Metascore:
75
User Score:
6.0
Miss Fortune

Miss Fortune

by Allison Moorer
August 6, 2002
This is the critically-acclaimed Alabama singer's third album, and first for her new label Universal South.
Metascore:
72
User Score:
tbd
Unleashed

Unleashed

by Toby Keith
July 23, 2002
Oklahoma's Toby Keith returns with 12 new tracks, including a duet with Willie Nelson.
Metascore:
63
User Score:
7.4
Halos & Horns

Halos & Horns

by Dolly Parton
July 9, 2002
The legendary singer's third roots-country album for Sugar Hill Records includes 12 Parton originals as well as covers of Bread's "If" and, of all things, Led Zeppelin's "Stairway to Heaven."
Metascore:
73
User Score:
8.4
Barricades & Brickwalls

Barricades & Brickwalls

by Kasey Chambers
February 12, 2002
Australian alt-country singer Kasey Chambers follows her acclaimed 2000 debut ('The Captain') with this sophomore effort. Lucinda Williams guests.
Metascore:
74
User Score:
5.4
Love, Shelby

Love, Shelby

by Shelby Lynne
November 13, 2001
The Grammy-winning artist follows her 2000 hit 'I Am Shelby Lynne' with ten new tracks produced by Glen Ballard (Dave Matthews Band, Alanis Morissette), including a cover of John Lennon's "Mother."
Metascore:
53
User Score:
6.0
Scarecrow

Scarecrow

by Garth Brooks
November 13, 2001
Working again with longtime producer Allen Reynolds, Brooks' first country-pop album in four years includes duets with George Jones and Trisha Yearwood. If Brooks' claims are to be believed, this will also be his farewell album.
Metascore:
77
User Score:
6.5
New Favorite

New Favorite

by Alison Krauss & Union Station
August 14, 2001
Alison Krauss and her band have gained popularity in recent months, thanks to the success of the O Brother, Where Art Thou? soundtrack (which featured the band's version of "I Am A Man Of Constant Sorrow" among other contributions). This is their first album since 1999's 'Forget About It.'
Metascore:
75
User Score:
8.7
Inside Out

Inside Out

by Trisha Yearwood
June 5, 2001
Yearwood's follow-up to 'Real Live Woman' includes guest performances from Don Henley and Rosanne Cash.
Metascore:
75
User Score:
tbd
Time* Sex* Love*

Time* Sex* Love*

by Mary Chapin Carpenter
May 29, 2001
This is Carpenter's first studio release since 1996, and features a seven-piece band.
Metascore:
81
User Score:
tbd
Little Sparrow

Little Sparrow

by Dolly Parton
January 23, 2001
Metascore:
86
User Score:
7.6
When It All Goes South

When It All Goes South

by Alabama
January 16, 2001
Metascore:
48
User Score:
tbd
Tomorrow's Sounds Today

Tomorrow's Sounds Today

by Dwight Yoakam
October 31, 2000
Metascore:
75
User Score:
8.2
American III: Solitary Man

American III: Solitary Man

by Johnny Cash
October 17, 2000
In his sixth decade of recording, Johnny Cash reunites with producer Rick Rubin for a third consecutive outing. Like its two predecessors, 'III' consists of a mix of Cash originals and covers, this time from the likes of Nick Cave ("The Mercy Seat"), Tom Petty ("I Won't Back Down"), and U2 ("One").
Metascore:
80
User Score:
8.1
Milk Cow Blues

Milk Cow Blues

by Willie Nelson
September 19, 2000
Metascore:
59
User Score:
7.4
Red Dirt Girl

Red Dirt Girl

by Emmylou Harris
September 12, 2000
Similar in sound to 1995's adventurous 'Wrecking Ball,' this album of original Harris tunes features guest appearances from Bruce Springsteen, Dave Matthews and Jill Cunniff (Luscious Jackson), among others.
Metascore:
73
User Score:
8.2
Public Domain: Songs From the Wild Land

Public Domain: Songs From the Wild Land

by Dave Alvin
August 15, 2000
Former Blaster Dave Alvin offers an album of traditional American music (each song having passed into the public domain).
Metascore:
82
User Score:
8.0
Invincible Summer

Invincible Summer

by k.d. lang
June 20, 2000
Metascore:
61
User Score:
tbd
Transcendental Blues

Transcendental Blues

by Steve Earle
June 6, 2000
Metascore:
86
User Score:
8.4
Nixon

Nixon

by Lambchop
February 8, 2000
The 13-piece outfit from Nashville (that isn't a country band) returns with a concept album about the former president (that really isn't about the former president). It's one of those things that you have to hear to understand.
Metascore:
84
User Score:
6.8
I Am Shelby Lynne

I Am Shelby Lynne

by Shelby Lynne
January 25, 2000
Metascore:
83
User Score:
7.8