Lying to the Moon
Artist: Matraca Berg
Community Score: 10.00

This young Nashville singer/songwriter takes a sultry photo and sometimes delivers with brio. ~ Mark A. Humphrey, All Music Guide Read More

Greatest Hits Plus
Artist: Ricky Van Shelton

Despite rocking hits like "Wild Man" and "I Am a Simple Man" (or even the new cover of Elvis Presley's "Wear My Ring Around Your Neck"), Ricky Van Shelton's greatest-hits collection shows that he's made his best records as a balladeer raised on stone-country gospel. For proof, just listen to "Just As I Am," "I'll Leave This World Loving You" or... Read More

Trisha Yearwood
Artist: Trisha Yearwood
Community Score: 6.80
I Am Ready
Artist: Steve Wariner
Community Score: 10.00

Wariner, a master of the subtle touch, builds this album's impact quietly and methodically, with songs like Bill Anderson's "The Tips of My Fingers" and Wariner's own "Like a River to the Sea." "Leave Him out of This" is a masterpiece of smoldering intensity, its raging anger and pain barely held in check. The only time Wariner lets it loose is... Read More

It's All About to Change
Artist: Travis Tritt
Community Score: 8.05

Better production means ballads like "Anymore" sound bigger and rockers like "Bible Belt" (with Little Feat) and a cover of bluesman Buddy Guy's "Homesick" rock harder. Tritt brought in Marty Stuart for a duet on "The Whiskey Ain't Workin'" and revived "Here's a Quarter (Call Someone Who Cares)" as a catchphrase. ~ Brian Mansfield, All Music Guide Read More

Billy Dean
Artist: Billy Dean

Billy Dean's second album follows the same pattern that made his first so popular: a strong emphasis on the ballads on which his supple baritone thrives. The rollicking "Hammer Down" flies in the face of everything else, but even there the message remains the same: obvious but effective. ~ Brian Mansfield, All Music Guide Read More

Young Man
Artist: Billy Dean

Nashville launched so many new acts from 1989-1992 that many who deserved a shot went overlooked. Thanks in part to his own songwriting skills, and to signing with SBK Records, which had just one country act to push, he got a good listen and was able to capitalize with a strong debut. His vocals aren't unique, but he sings with strength and... Read More

Some Gave All
Artist: Billy Ray Cyrus
Community Score: 6.00

Some Gave All became the first debut album by a country artist to enter the pop charts at #1 (it hit #1 on the country charts as well). The album's sales were fueled by the breakout single "Achy, Breaky Heart," which offered Southern-fried Rolling Stones rhythms and a goofy chorus with a hook so big it demanded a reaction. Not one to eschew the... Read More

Brand New Man
Artist: Brooks & Dunn
Community Score: 8.75

An impressive debut that proudly proclaims its country roots without being afraid to dip its toes into pop and rock, Brand New Man is an entertaining listen. Like most Nashville records from the early '90s, Brand New Man is short, barely clocking in over 30 minutes, but Brooks & Dunn have clearly brought their A material to the table. The voices... Read More

They've Been Talkin' about Me
Artist: Jeff Knight

Knight's debut spotlights his soulful readings of ballads. ~ Jason Ankeny, All Music Guide Read More

Greatest Hits, Vol. 2
Artist: Steve Wariner

This second volume of Steve Wariner's output for the RCA label includes the number one hits "I Got Dreams," "Where Did I Go Wrong," "Hold On (A Little Longer)," and "I Should Be With You." For a more thorough summary of Wariner's hits from this era on one disc, check out The Ultimate Collection on Hip-O. ~ Al Campbell, All Music Guide Read More

I'd Go Crazy If It Weren't for Country Music
Artist: Clinton Gregory

His commercial breakthrough came with "If It Weren't for Country Music (I'd Go Crazy)." His confidence and vocal range shows growth, and the album features "One Shot at a Time, " a memorable song about the devastation drinking can cause. ~ Michael McCall, All Music Guide Read More

Greatest Hits
Artist: Skip Ewing

This collection of Ewing's hits includes "Your Memory Wins Again," "If a Man Could Live on Love Alone" and "Burnin' a Hole in My Heart." ~ Jason Ankeny, All Music Guide Read More

Ropin' the Wind - BONUS TRACK
Artist: Garth Brooks

With Ropin' the Wind, Garth Brooks begins to make his '70s rock influences more explicit. Naturally, that is most notable in his reworking of Billy Joel's "Shameless," which he transforms from a rock power ballad into contemporary country. But that influence is also evident on ambitious epics like "The River" and even the honky tonk ravers of... Read More

Hearts in Armor
Artist: Trisha Yearwood
Community Score: 9.00