The Editorials
Top 5 Albums of 2002
Written by Jeff Krasky
2002 was a disappointing year for country music fans. The overall quality of music is at an all time low. Releases from the major stars like Faith Hill and Shania Twain fell completely on their faces, regardless of the fact that they've sold a lot of copies. With that you find the major problem with country music these days. The music is instantly forgettable and if you don't stop listening right away you won't be reaching for the albums a year from now. We're putting out mostly bubble gum music and that's a shame. There are a lot of talented artists out there that deserve the chance to put out music better than that.
However, 2002 also saw some of the strongest, most absolutely breathtaking albums see the light of day. Most of them are from relatively unknown artists and maybe it' time for a change. These people deserve to have their music heard. The Dixie Chicks also returned in fine form with their acoustic bluegrass romp and avoided the current plague of poor releases from the big name stars.
So now it's on to 2003, which, with a little luck will bring us an overall higher quality of music. But before that happens the great 2002 releases deserve to be honored. If you don't have the albums on this list, you should. They are a must have for any music fan.
Patty Griffin 1000 Kisses
ATO Records
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Patty Griffin has been quietly making great records for a while now. Her first album Living With Ghosts was and still is the best acoustic record I've ever heard. Then she unleashed her inner rocker chick with her second release Flaming Red that also met critical acclaim. Then the trouble started. Her third album Silver Bell was delayed multiple times and eventually was canned completely with Griffin leaving the label. Things were not looking good for this talented singer/songwriter. She recorded 1000 Kisses while in-between labels and with very little budget. The result is a stunning collection of roots folk with a little bit of a country backbone. Thankfully, she was quickly signed to ATO Records so we could all hear it. Patty is one hell of a guitarist and songwriter. On top of that she has a truly haunting voice. There isn't a single track on here that isn't a winner in every sense of the word. If you buy only one record from 2002, this should be it.
Kelly Willis Easy
Rykodisc Records
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It's a shame Kelly Willis isn't a superstar. She's got one of the best voices in country music and she has never once missed her mark. She delivers album of the year material every time she steps into the studio. This record is the follow-up to What I Deserve, her most successful album to date. To her credit she didn't simply attempt to recreate the sound of that record. She stripped her music down even further and the result is another very acoustic sounding record and her voice shines over the barebones production. Kelly also did a lot more songwriting this time around. Her originals like “If I Left You,” “Easy (As Falling Apart),” and “Wait Until Dark” show us that she can also deliver as a songwriter. Kelly also knows how to pick some cover songs like the current single “Don't Come The Cowboy With Me Sonny Jim!,” and “You Can't Take It With You.” Bottom line, Easy is another one of those must have albums and it only misses being #1 by the fact that Patty Griffin has absolutely sent one out of the park with 1000 Kisses.
Dixie Chicks Home
Open Wide/Monument/Columbia Records
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The Dixie Chicks are the best thing going in mainstream country music right now. Their first two releases were outstanding and have sold millions and millions of copies and brought country music to auidences it could have only dreamed of reaching before their arrival. Then the legal battles with their record label started and everyone wondered if we'd heard the end of the Dixie Chicks. Little did we know that they would go back to Texas and record one of the very best albums of the year while continuing to fight their label. Gone is the slick mainstream sound replaced with clean acoustic bluegrass sounds. This is where the Dixie Chicks started and they really do sound at home with it. Not only that but they picked a hell of a batch of songs. "Long Time Gone," and “Landslide” have already been hits. “Travelin' Solider,” “Truth #2,” and “Top Of The World” can all be as well. There isn't a bad track anywhere to be found here and it's further proof that real country and bluegrass music can sell. It also proves just how poor the rest of the stuff out this year has been. The Dixie Chicks deserve a round of applause for sticking up for their music and doing it their way. We're just all lucky to get to listen to the results of their magic.
Allison Moorer Miss Fortune
Universal South Records
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Allison Moorer is one of the industry underdogs. Her traditional country tunes just don't have a place on mainstream radio and that's a shame. She's got an outstanding voice and writes great songs. Miss Fortune is a dark, brooding collection of songs that run the gauntlet of sounds. You can put this record in any one category. She rocks it up with “Going Down” and then croons over a single acoustic on songs like “Let Go.” The album closes with “Dying Breed" which will leave you shocked, stunned, and shaken up all at the same time. She even tackles sensitive issues in songs like “Ruby Jewel Was Here.” Miss Fortune is one of those albums that can be a little hard to swallow at first but it's so incredible well written and performed that you keep going back for more. A triumphant return for Allison Moorer and I, for one, can't wait to see what else she has in store for us in the future.
Kasey Chambers Barricades & Brickwalls
Warner Bros. Records
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The Captain was a great first record but Barricades & Brickwalls manages to stand head and shoulders over that already lofty benchmark. This is the most musically diverse country release of the year. It's all over the place. There is full out twang on songs like “A Little Bit Of Lonesome.” Then you've got ballads like the single “Not Pretty Enough” and “Still Feeling Blue.” Then you've got the full out attitude of the rockin' songs like “Barricades & Brickwalls,” “Runaway Train,” and “Crossfire.” The album is great enough to be turning heads and getting Kasey some well-deserved attention. This one will appeal to all types of music fans and is a worthy addition to your collection.
Honorable Mentions
Kim Richey Rise
Lost Highway Records
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It's hard to know what you're going to get with a Kim Richey record. Her first album was aimed right at the heart of mainstream country radio and that didn't pan out, despite being one of the best records of that year. Then she went in the opposite direction with her stripped down Bittersweet release. Then Glimmer came along with its slick production that was obviously aimed at the adult contemporary market and away from the country market that seemed to ignore her previous albums. It was her weakest album but still worth owning. Then we get Rise, which contains this strange blend of folk rock, and country sounds. It's one of those records that the first time you hear it you just don't get it. Then you play it a few more times and suddenly it dawns on you you're listening to one of those special albums you'll be playing 5 or 6 years from now when the current flavor of the week on radio has long since gone stale. Kim Richey has always given fans a little bit of whiplash with her constant shifting musical style but she's come into her own with Rise, solidifying her spot as one of the best of the current batch of singer/songwriters.
Tift Merritt Bramble Rose
Lost Highway Records
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Tift Merritt is going to go places. She writes solid songs and her sound is a unique blend of classic rock and country sounds that will leave you thinking that you're listening to Linda Ronstadt all over again. Don't look for this album on radio, you won't find it. But do pick up a copy and get familiar with this talented newcomer because you will be hearing more from her. She's going to be one of those artists that continually turns out great music that goes virtually ignored by the mainstream music industry. Don't let the lack of support and airplay fool you she's damn good and you should be buying this record. Bramble Rose is the best debut album I've heard from an artist in a long, long time.
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