If you’re a music lover, this list is for you! These are the 10 best countries of musical genres, according to our 2023 guide.
Table of Contents
Various Artists – The Greatest Country of Musical Genres
If you are a fan of country music, then you will love Various Artists – The Greatest Country of Musical Genres. This five-disc set features some of the biggest names in country music, including George Strait, Alan Jackson, Brooks & Dunn, and many more. Each disc features a different genre of country music, so you can find the perfect soundtrack for any mood or occasion.
The first disc features traditional country music, such as Hank Williams’ “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry” and Patsy Cline’s “Crazy.” The second disc features more contemporary country sounds, such as Shania Twain’s “Man! I Feel Like a Woman!” and Keith Urban’s “Somebody Like You.” The third disc features country music with a rock edge, such as Toby Keith’s “Courtesy of the Red, White, and Blue (The Angry American)” and Brad Paisley’s “Alcohol.” The fourth disc features country music with a pop sensibility, such as Faith Hill’s “Breathe” and Carrie Underwood’s “Before He Cheats.” The fifth and final disc is a compilation of all the previous discs, so you can enjoy the best of all the genres featured on this set.
If you are a fan of country music, then you will love Various Artists – The Greatest Country of Musical Genres. This five-disc set is the perfect way to explore all the different genres of country music, from traditional to contemporary to rock to pop. With so many great artists featured on this set, you are sure to find hours of enjoyment.
Lady Antebellum – Own the Night
August 28, 2011
Now that I have had a chance to listen to the album a few times, I am really liking it. I think it is their best album so far. I like how they took some risks with the production and tried some new things. It has a very different sound than their first two albums, but I think it works well. The songs are all very catchy and easy to sing along to. My favorites are “We Owned the Night”, “Just a Kiss”, “Dancin’ Away with My Heart”, and “Cold as Stone”. I think this is a great album for anyone who likes country music or Lady Antebellum.
Zac Brown Band – You Get What You Give
Zac Brown Band’s You Get What You Give is a collection of country-rock anthems that are sure to get any party started. The album’s first single, “As She’s Walking Away,” is a toe-tapping ode to female empowerment, while “Colder Weather” is a heartwarming ballad about the power of love. Other standouts include the upbeat “Keep Me in Mind” and the reflective “Free.” You Get What You Give is the perfect soundtrack for summertime fun.
Blake Shelton – Red River Blue
Blake Shelton’s sixth album, Red River Blue, is a collection of eleven tracks that showcase his incredible range as an artist. From the heartwarming ballad “God Gave Me You” to the fun and upbeat “Honey Bee,” Shelton demonstrates why he is one of the most versatile and successful artists in country music today.
In addition to his trademark wit and humor, Shelton also delivers a powerful message of hope and inspiration on the title track, “Red River Blue.” This song, which was co-written by Shelton and Ashley Monroe, is a tribute to Shelton’s home state of Oklahoma and the strength of its people in the face of adversity.
While all of the songs on Red River Blue are special in their own way, there are a few that stand out as particularly memorable. “Drink On It” is a lighthearted ode to drinking and partying with friends, while “Goodbye Time” is a heart-wrenching ballad about the end of a relationship.
But perhaps the most moving track on the album is “I’ll Just Hold On.” This song, which was co-written by Shelton and Brent Anderson, is a beautiful tribute to Shelton’s late brother, Richie. Shelton’s vocals on this track are absolutely stunning, and the lyrics are sure to bring tears to even the most stoic listener.
Overall, Blake Shelton’s Red River Blue is a truly remarkable album. It is an album that is sure to please both diehard fans and casual listeners alike. If you are looking for a collection of songs that are both fun and moving, then this is definitely the album for you.
Jason Aldean – My Kinda Party
Jason Aldean’s My Kinda Party is a great country album. There are a lot of great songs on this album, and it’s one of those albums that you can listen to over and over again. I really enjoy Jason Aldean’s music, and this album is no exception. If you’re a fan of country music, then I highly recommend checking out My Kinda Party.
Keith Urban – Get Closer
Keith Urban’s sixth studio album Get Closer was released on November 16, 2010. The album produced three singles, “Without You”, “Long Hot Summer” and “Put You in a Song”, which were all top ten hits on the Billboard Country Airplay chart. Get Closer debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200 and Top Country Albums charts, selling 171,000 copies in its first week. It was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for shipments of one million copies.
Critical reception to the album was positive. At Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream critics, the album received an average score of 71, based on 7 reviews, which indicates “generally favorable reviews”. Allmusic’s Stephen Thomas Erlewine gave Get Closer four-and-a-half stars out of five, saying that it was “an engaging, ebullient record, full of hooks and sunshine” and that it was “the sound of a man who is confident and content with his life and career.” Leah Greenblatt from Entertainment Weekly gave the album a B+, calling it “an invigorating blast of feel-good pop country” and praising Urban’s songwriting. Roughstock’s Matt Bjorke rated it 4.5 out of 5, writing that it was “one of the best albums of 2010” and that “[t]he songs are radio-ready but also have an artistic depth that should satisfy longtime fans.” Michael McCall from The A.V. Club graded it a B+, observing that “[o]n an album filled with good intentions, some of them inevitably get lost in the shuffle” but concluding that “[i]n its best moments, Get Closer captures Urban at his most winningly optimistic.”
At Country Weekly, Billy Dukes gave the album 4 stars out of 5, writing that it “‘sounds’ like a Keith Urban album” and that it was “full of songs built for live performance.” Steve Leggett from Allmusic stated in his review that “[w]hile there are some rather forgettable moments here as well”, Get Closer “is still a likable enough effort”. Giving it 3 out of 5 stars, Jim Malec from The Boot wrote that “[t]he production values are high and the performances are very solid throughout” but found the songs to be “safe” and “predictable”. Jody Rosen from Rolling Stone gave the album 2.5 stars out of 5, feeling that its songs were “blandly pleasant” and too similar to each other. At USA Today, Brian Mansfield gave it 2 stars out of 4 and found that while “[m]ost of these 11 tracks are as strong as anything he’s done”, they were ultimately “just way too safe for their own good.”
In a less enthusiastic review, Sarah Rodman from The Boston Globe gave the album 2 stars out of 4 and said that “[t]he problem with ‘Get Closer’ isn’t so much what’s there as what’s missing: namely risk.” She found that its songs lacked originality and that “[t]here’s no question Keith Urban can sing his face off and play guitar like nobody’s business”, but wished he would “step out more boldly on record.” Giving it 2.5 stars out of 5, Mike Diver from BBC Music felt that Get Closer was “routine Keith Urban”, writing that “[y]ou know what you’re in for here: amiable choruses; guitars set to eleven; lyrics about women (largely)”. At The Huffington Post, Michael Bialas gave the album 2.5 stars out of 5 but said that it was a “vast improvement over 2007’s forgettable Love, Pain & the Whole Crazy Thing” and praised its production values.
Miranda Lambert – Four the Record
If you’re a fan of Miranda Lambert, then this album is a must-have. It’s her best album yet, and that’s saying a lot. There’s not a bad song on the entire album. Every song is incredibly catchy and will get stuck in your head for days. My personal favorites are “Mama’s Broken Heart,” “Fastest Girl in Town,” and “Over You.” But honestly, there isn’t a weak track on the album. It’s that good.
So what makes this album so great? I think it’s a combination of things. First, Miranda Lambert is an incredible songwriter. She has a gift for writing catchy, relatable songs that resonate with her fans. Second, she’s an incredible singer. She has one of those voices that is instantly recognizable and unique. And third, she’s an amazing performer. She has an undeniable stage presence that really comes through on this album.
If you’re a fan of country music, or even if you’re not, I highly recommend checking out Miranda Lambert’s Four the Record. It’s one of the best albums I’ve heard in a long time.
Toby Keith – Clancy’s Tavern
If you’re a Toby Keith fan, and you don’t have this album, what are you waiting for??? Clancy’s Tavern is one of Toby’s best albums to date. There are a few songs on here that will make you laugh, a few that will make you cry, and a few that will make you want to party. All in all, it’s a great album and well worth the purchase.
“Beers Ago” is a great party song. It’s one of those songs that you can’t help but sing along to when you hear it. “Red Solo Cup” is another great party song. It’s funny, catchy, and will get stuck in your head for days. “Made in America” is a patriotic anthem that will make you proud to be an American. “I Like Girls That Drink Beer” is a fun song about, well, girls that drink beer. If you’re a guy, you’ll definitely relate to this one.
“Somewhere Else” is a heart-wrenching ballad about a man who is struggling with the fact that his wife is cheating on him. It’s one of those songs that will stay with you long after you’ve heard it. “Clancy’s Tavern” is the title track and it’s a great story song about a small-town bar and the people who frequent it. “Hope On The Rocks” is another great story song. This one is about a man who turns to alcohol to numb the pain of his divorce.
If you’re a fan of Toby Keith, or if you’re just looking for some good country music, I highly recommend Clancy’s Tavern. You won’t be disappointed.
Dierks Bentley – Up on the Ridge
When I first heard about this album, I was a little skeptical. I mean, it’s Dierks Bentley, so I knew it would be good, but a bluegrass album? I wasn’t so sure. But after listening to the entire album, I can say that it is fantastic! It’s everything you would expect from a Dierks Bentley album, with a twist. If you’re a fan of his music, then you will definitely enjoy this album.
The title track, “Up on the Ridge”, is a great way to start off the album. It has a great beat and is very catchy. “Fiddle Battle” is another great song on the album. It’s a fun song to listen to and you can really tell that Dierks is having a blast playing it. “Riser” is a beautiful ballad that will tug at your heartstrings. And “Tip It on Back” is a fun, upbeat song that will get your toes tapping.
All in all, Up on the Ridge is an excellent album. If you’re a fan of Dierks Bentley, or if you’re just looking for something different, then I highly recommend checking it out.
Brad Paisley – This Is Country Music
This Is Country Music is the ninth studio album by American country music singer Brad Paisley. It was released on May 23, 2011, by Arista Nashville. The album includes the singles “Old Alabama”, “Remind Me”, and “I Can’t Change the World”. It received positive reviews from critics and debuted at number one on the Billboard 200, becoming Paisley’s sixth consecutive album to do so.
Brad Paisley is a country music institution at this point. He’s been around for over a decade, and he doesn’t seem to be going anywhere anytime soon. This Is Country Music is his latest album, and it’s a solid entry into his catalog.
There are a lot of good songs on this album. “Old Alabama” is a great duet with Alabama. “Remind Me” is a great love song. “I Can’t Change the World” is a great song about trying to make a difference. There are also a lot of fun songs on this album, like “Country Nation” and “The Mona Lisa”.
Overall, This Is Country Music is a great album. If you’re a fan of Brad Paisley, you’ll definitely enjoy it. If you’re not a fan of country music, you might still enjoy it. Either way, it’s worth checking out.