AllMusic 2014 Year in Review
Favorite Country Albums
Multiple country artists stormed the charts this year, with Eric Church, Miranda Lambert, Blake Shelton, Jason Aldean and Florida Georgia Line all landing Number One albums. But only one of these made our editors' list of favorite country albums of the year, alongside records from Little Big Town, Mary Stuart, Kenny Chesney and Willie Nelson.
On her sixth solo offering, the Indigo Girl uses her own country hybrid to deliver 12 compelling songs.
The last of the Pistol Annies to deliver a solo album offers a richly detailed, deceptively relaxed portrait of middle class America in 2014.
Eighth album from the Canadian roots music supergroup is simple, straightforward, and entirely satisfying.
Another fine set that shows off Blue Highway's intelligent songwriting and precision playing.
Bobby Bare, Jr. / Bobby Bare, Jr.'s Young Criminals' Starvation League
Singer/songwriter embraces the joys of off-kilter pop and noisy rock, and well as the sorrows of failing relationships.
On their sophomore duet outing, this husband and wife deliver a soulful take on traditional (not retro) country music.
The former wild child of the Carter Family puts her own stamp on their songbook, with strong, emotionally compelling results.
Charlie Daniels / The Charlie Daniels Band
A rip-roaring tribute to the Bard recorded by the former Dylan sideman.
Her first album of original material in a decade is surprisingly new wave-influenced and thoroughly satisfying.
The country legend is in excellent voice on this surprising set of classic and new songs.
This traditional country singer/songwriter delivers a knockout debut after nearly two decades of homelessness and street singing.
Once more embracing traditional country, this Texas-based singer/songwriter delivers a poignant, tough, and tender song cycle.
With a killer band, all-star guests, and co-authors, the prolific singer/songwriter delivers an absolutely solid double album.
On this big, bright record, the veteran arena-country singer refurbishes his signature sound to suit the modern era.
Another satisfying collection of songs about guitars, guns, beer, and girls.
A warm, intimate, and resonant career reboot from the veteran country singer.
The quartet throws out the rule book on this restless, unpredictable country-pop record.
Marty Stuart & His Fabulous Superlatives / Marty Stuart
The Gospel Music of Marty Stuart
A stellar live-in-studio set of gospel songs seen through the lens of rockabilly, bluegrass, close harmony, and honky tonk.
Miranda tries to be everything to everyone on her fifth album and comes awfully close to succeeding.
Excellent collection of the kind of good, strong country that never goes out of style.
The Music of Nashville: Original Soundtrack Season 3, Vol. 1
If this first volume of the series' third season proves anything, it's that the music gets better and better.
On their fifth full-length, the Virginia string band finish another Dylan tune, and deliver a confident, ambitious set of original roots music.
More solid country roots rock exploring the Saturday night/Sunday morning split where redemption is at stake.
Divided into a disc of bluegrass and a disc of honky tonk, this two-CD set showcases the traditionalist country singer at her best.
The moods and legacies of life in the American South inform these 11 songs from the gifted singer and songwriter.
The country diva goes completely adult contemporary on this satisfyingly mature soft pop album.
Metamodern Sounds in Country Music
On his sophomore effort, the singer/songwriter expands his songwriting and sonic reach but stays country to the core.
Sunny Sweeney returns with an honest, provocative, often poignant pop-country date that's as honest as it is well-crafted.
Suzy Bogguss singing classic Merle Haggard songs is a match made in Honky Tonk Heaven.
After nearly six years, the innovative banjoist returns with a stellar cast and an ambitious collection of originals and covers.
On his first new album of predominantly original material in nearly two decades, the singer and songwriter is in top form.