3 “Different” Country Albums

I'm a pretty center of the road guy when it comes to country music, but every now and then it's good to listen to an album that's not just a bunch of songs put in a random order.  Some albums tell a story or have a unique sound and these are just some of my favorites.

3) Jerrod Niemann - Judge Jerrod and the Hung Jury

Jerrod my be a newcomer to country radio, but he isn't new to the business of country music.  He's been around every bend as a songwriter and and artist attempting to make it.  When you listen to JJ and the HJ you'll hear a little bit of that sarcasm that piles up when you're put through the wringer of Nashville.  One of the reasons the CD is so different is some of the quirky vignettes you'll find included between hits like "Lover Lover" and "What Do You Want."  From a movie-style intro and outro to the CD, to a "Phone Call at 3am" to set up a song about an impromptu trip to Mexico, to some drunken fans complaining about the song you just heard...this one is different, but in a good way!

2) Garth Brooks - In The Life of Chris Gaines

OK, I know some people didn't understand this CD, but it was really simple.  The album was a preview soundtrack for a movie called "The Lamb."  It was to star Garth Brooks as the troubled Australian singer, but the problem is the production company ran out of money and the movie was never released.  Consequently, the world looked at Garth like he had gone crazy with an alter-ego.  I urge you to get this album and listen to it.  Garth really shows his versatility and there's some great music on here.  Don't expect a Grath Brooks album, but instead hear touches of Eric Clapton, The Wallflowers, even the Beatles.  Trust me, it's pretty good, and the album liner notes tell some of the story the movie never got the chance to.

1) Big and Rich - Horse of a Different Color

Chances are if you have the album, you bought it to enjoy a little "Save a Horse (Ride a Cowboy)."  There is so much more to this album, one I consider the best produced country album of all-time.  I know it's a lofty statement, but I swear there was some serious thought into how this thing wold be laid out.  It plays like a country/rock-opera from the opening scene of "Rollin' (The Ballad of Big and Rich).  Halfway through the song when you hear Cowboy Troy, the 6 foot 4, black cowboy, bust out with some Spanish rapping, you know this album is different (that is if you didn't read the album title already).  From there, we take twists and turns with a couple silly vignettes that speak of the personalities of John Rich and Big Kenny, and songs that range from an Old West, drama to a funny bar scene where everyone wants to kick your...uh hind-end, to church...yes even church.  We close with the haunting "Live This Life" as the curtain closes on a great play for the ears.  It's a wonderful way to share the love of music-cah!  Get it folks...you want something different and good?  This one has em all beat!