What This Country Needs
Artist: Aaron Tippin
Community Score: 5.00

For those who always thought Aaron Tippin was wasting that fantastic voice on his many trademark, but somewhat contrived "working-man" anthems, What This Country Needs is the first confirmation of his true potential for greatness. This record, his first after leaving RCA, surpasses his previous work in nearly every respect. His voice is even... Read More

More
Artist: Trace Adkins
Community Score: 10.00

More... is a very apt title for Trace Adkins' third album, since it essentially offers more of the same. For some artists, this would be a harsh criticism, but not in the case of Adkins, since he's proving himself to be one of the more reliable neo-traditionalists of the late '90s. Unlike some of his peers, Adkins doesn't pattern his singing... Read More

Under the Influence
Artist: Alan Jackson
Community Score: 9.65

Anyone who doubts Alan Jackson's roots as a honky tonk singer should turn to Under the Influences, his heartfelt salute to his favorite country singers. According to his self-penned liner notes, Jackson has "always wanted to do this album," and that's evident from the songs he chose to cover. There are several hits here, but they're the kind... Read More

Emotion
Artist: Martina McBride
Community Score: 9.00

Emotion is the fifth installment in a series of platinum albums from one of the most underrated voices in country music. After two years since the release of her double platinum Evolution, Martina McBride tears into these tracks showcasing the range and power of her incomparable voice. Evolution was a big-sounding record with lots of overdubbing... Read More

Hits and Highways Ahead
Artist: Lee Roy Parnell

Hits and Highways Ahead compiles the majority of Lee Roy Parnell's hits from his first five albums, adding two new songs ("She Won't Be Lonely Long," "Long Way to Fall") plus "John the Revelator," taken fro, the various-artists album Peace in the Valley: A Country Music Journey Through Gospel. It isn't quite definitive -- not only are there a... Read More

The Secret of Giving: A Christmas Collection
Artist: Reba McEntire
Community Score: 9.00

Reba McEntire's second Christmas album is a departure from 1988's Merry Christmas to You. Secret of Giving features more down-to-earth, pop-country tracks that reflect her decidedly contemporary country style of the '90s. Cheerful and sincere, McEntire shows her usual eloquence on songs like "This Christmas," "Up on the Housetop," "This Is My... Read More

Last Chance for a Thousand Years: Greatest Hits from the 90's
Artist: Dwight Yoakam
Community Score: 5.00

During the '90s, Dwight Yoakam settled into a weird role. No longer a representative of the cutting edge, the way he was in the '80s, he was nevertheless far too restless and young to become an elder statesman. Instead, he followed his own path, which resulted in a series of albums that were (arguably) every bit as rewarding as his '80s efforts.... Read More

Keepers: Greatest Hits
Artist: Tracy Byrd
Community Score: 6.00

Keepers: Greatest Hits is an excellent summary of Tracy Byrd's first five albums, collecting the very best of his hits. Included are the radio version of "The Keeper of the Stars" (rather than the earlier recording that appeared on No Ordinary Man) and a new song, "When Mama Ain't Happy," neither of which appear on other Byrd albums. The... Read More

I Don't Want to Miss a Thing
Artist: Mark Chesnutt

What do we make of Mark Chesnutt's foray into crossover territory? The bulk of I Don't Want to Miss a Thing is smooth new country, retaining the elements of neo-traditionalism that characterize the best of Chesnutt's earlier albums. There's a nice mix of material, ranging from the tender "Tonight I'll Let My Memories Take Me Home" to the honky... Read More

Permanently
Artist: Mark Wills
Community Score: 10.00

With a reputation for music and songs that speak to people's hearts, Mark Wills' Permanently doesn't disappoint. With songs like "In My Arms" about being a dad to a brand-new baby daughter (a tribute to his little girl) and "Rich Man" about being rich in love, Wills' has a penchant for appealing to fans' sensitive sides. But whether he's singing... Read More