The Best Country and Americana Albums

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1. 1
   Mama TriedMerle Haggard

   Mama Tried

   Merle Haggard · 1968 · Country & Americana

   A landmark of Bakersfield country, plain-spoken and powerful. Direct and beloved. His signature record.

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2. 2
   Coal Miner's DaughterLoretta Lynn

   Coal Miner's Daughter

   Loretta Lynn · 1971 · Country & Americana

   A plain-spoken, autobiographical country classic of working-class pride. Honest and beloved. Her signature album.

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3. 3
   Van Lear RoseLoretta Lynn

   Van Lear Rose

   Loretta Lynn · 2004 · Country & Americana

   A raw, Jack White-produced late-career triumph that introduced her to a new audience. Vital and acclaimed. A remarkable comeback.

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4. 4
   Coat of Many ColorsDolly Parton

   Coat of Many Colors

   Dolly Parton · 1971 · Country & Americana

   A tender, autobiographical country peak of plain-spoken warmth. Beautiful and beloved. A signature record.

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5. 5
   JoleneDolly Parton

   Jolene

   Dolly Parton · 1974 · Country & Americana

   Built around one of country's most enduring songs, plus the autobiographical 'I Will Always Love You'. Plain-spoken and beautifully sung. Essential Dolly.

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6. 6
   Honky Tonk HeroesWaylon Jennings

   Honky Tonk Heroes

   Waylon Jennings · 1973 · Country & Americana

   A landmark of outlaw country, rough and rebellious, mostly written by Billy Joe Shaver. Loose and influential. A genre cornerstone.

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7. 7
   Wichita LinemanGlen Campbell

   Wichita Lineman

   Glen Campbell · 1968 · Country & Americana

   A lush, melancholic countrypolitan landmark built on a perfect Jimmy Webb song. Beautiful and beloved. A genre classic.

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8. 8
   The GamblerKenny Rogers

   The Gambler

   Kenny Rogers · 1978 · Country & Americana

   A blockbuster of narrative country-pop, home to its iconic title song. Tuneful and huge. A crossover landmark.

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9. 9
   Guitars, Cadillacs, Etc., Etc.Dwight Yoakam

   Guitars, Cadillacs, Etc., Etc.

   Dwight Yoakam · 1986 · Country & Americana

   A sharp Bakersfield-revival debut of honky-tonk fire. Tuneful and acclaimed. A genre highlight.

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10. 10
    Storms of LifeRandy Travis

    Storms of Life

    Randy Travis · 1986 · Country & Americana

    A neo-traditionalist debut that revived classic country. Warm and acclaimed. A landmark.

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11. 11
    Guitar TownSteve Earle

    Guitar Town

    Steve Earle · 1986 · Country & Americana

    A sharp, rootsy debut of new-traditionalist country. Tough and acclaimed. A genre highlight.

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12. 12
    Copperhead RoadSteve Earle

    Copperhead Road

    Steve Earle · 1988 · Country & Americana

    A rootsy, rock-edged peak, home to its title song. Tough and beloved. A high point.

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13. 13
    No FencesGarth Brooks

    No Fences

    Garth Brooks · 1990 · Country & Americana

    A massive blockbuster that took country to the mainstream, home to 'Friends in Low Places'. Tuneful and enormous. A landmark.

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14. 14
    Ropin' the WindGarth Brooks

    Ropin' the Wind

    Garth Brooks · 1991 · Country & Americana

    A blockbuster that cemented Brooks as country's biggest star. Tuneful and enormous. A commercial peak.

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15. 15
    Come On OverShania Twain

    Come On Over

    Shania Twain · 1997 · Country & Americana

    The best-selling country album ever, a glossy pop-country blockbuster. Polished and huge. A crossover landmark.

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16. 16
    Wide Open SpacesThe Chicks

    Wide Open Spaces

    The Chicks · 1998 · Country & Americana

    A bright, harmony-rich blockbuster that revived mainstream country. Tuneful and huge. A breakthrough.

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17. 17
    FlyThe Chicks

    Fly

    The Chicks · 1999 · Country & Americana

    A hit-stuffed peak, home to 'Goodbye Earl'. Tuneful and huge. A commercial high.

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18. 18
    HomeThe Chicks

    Home

    The Chicks · 2002 · Country & Americana

    A bluegrass-leaning, acoustic peak of harmony and craft. Beautiful and acclaimed. A creative high.

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19. 19
    Car Wheels on a Gravel RoadLucinda Williams

    Car Wheels on a Gravel Road

    Lucinda Williams · 1998 · Country & Americana

    A weathered Americana masterpiece of vivid Southern detail and hard-won emotion. Beautifully written. Her defining record.

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20. 20
    No DepressionUncle Tupelo

    No Depression

    Uncle Tupelo · 1990 · Country & Americana

    The debut that helped name alt-country, fusing punk energy with country roots. Raw and influential. A scene-defining record.

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21. 21
    TraceSon Volt

    Trace

    Son Volt · 1995 · Country & Americana

    A weathered alt-country debut of road-worn beauty. Raw and acclaimed. A genre cornerstone.

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22. 22
    Hollywood Town HallThe Jayhawks

    Hollywood Town Hall

    The Jayhawks · 1992 · Country & Americana

    A harmony-rich alt-country peak. Warm and acclaimed. A genre highlight.

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23. 23
    Strangers AlmanacWhiskeytown

    Strangers Almanac

    Whiskeytown · 1997 · Country & Americana

    A polished alt-country peak of Ryan Adams's early songwriting. Tuneful and acclaimed. A genre highlight.

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24. 24
    HeartbreakerRyan Adams

    Heartbreaker

    Ryan Adams · 2000 · Country & Americana

    A raw, affecting alt-country solo debut of break-up songs and easy melody. Honest and beloved. His finest record.

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25. 25
    GoldRyan Adams

    Gold

    Ryan Adams · 2001 · Country & Americana

    A sprawling, classic-rock-leaning solo peak. Tuneful and acclaimed. A high point.

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26. 26
    Southern Rock OperaDrive-By Truckers

    Southern Rock Opera

    Drive-By Truckers · 2001 · Country & Americana

    An ambitious double-album meditation on the American South. Bold and acclaimed. Their masterpiece.

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27. 27
    Decoration DayDrive-By Truckers

    Decoration Day

    Drive-By Truckers · 2003 · Country & Americana

    A sharp, storytelling Southern-rock peak. Raw and acclaimed. A high point.

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28. 28
    Metamodern Sounds in Country MusicSturgill Simpson

    Metamodern Sounds in Country Music

    Sturgill Simpson · 2014 · Country & Americana

    A trippy, traditional-yet-psychedelic record that reframed what modern country could be. Bold and soulful. A genre highlight.

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29. 29
    TravellerChris Stapleton

    Traveller

    Chris Stapleton · 2015 · Country & Americana

    A soulful, gravel-voiced album that revived outlaw spirit for the mainstream. Warm and assured. A modern country breakthrough.

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30. 30
    Midwest Farmer's DaughterMargo Price

    Midwest Farmer's Daughter

    Margo Price · 2016 · Country & Americana

    A sharp, traditional-leaning debut of hard-won storytelling. Honest and acclaimed. A breakthrough.

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31. 31
    PurgatoryTyler Childers

    Purgatory

    Tyler Childers · 2017 · Country & Americana

    A vivid, traditional-leaning Appalachian country breakthrough. Raw and acclaimed. A modern highlight.

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32. 32
    Same Trailer Different ParkKacey Musgraves

    Same Trailer Different Park

    Kacey Musgraves · 2013 · Country & Americana

    A witty, sharp country debut. Tuneful and acclaimed. A breakthrough.

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33. 33
    American HeartbreakZach Bryan

    American Heartbreak

    Zach Bryan · 2022 · Country & Americana

    A sprawling, raw heartland-country breakthrough. Honest and huge. A high point.

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34. 34
    Zach BryanZach Bryan

    Zach Bryan

    Zach Bryan · 2023 · Country & Americana

    A raw, prolific singer-songwriter's mainstream peak of heartland country. Honest and huge. A breakthrough.

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35. 35
    Gunfighter Ballads and Trail SongsMarty Robbins

    Gunfighter Ballads and Trail Songs

    Marty Robbins · 1959 · Country & Americana

    A cinematic Western-country landmark, home to 'El Paso'. Vivid and beloved. A genre classic.

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36. 36
    I've Got a Tiger by the TailBuck Owens

    I've Got a Tiger by the Tail

    Buck Owens · 1965 · Country & Americana

    A peak of bright Bakersfield honky-tonk. Tuneful and beloved. A genre cornerstone.

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37. 37
    Branded ManMerle Haggard

    Branded Man

    Merle Haggard · 1967 · Country & Americana

    An early peak of plain-spoken Bakersfield country. Warm and beloved. A high point.

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38. 38
    Okie from MuskogeeMerle Haggard

    Okie from Muskogee

    Merle Haggard · 1969 · Country & Americana

    A live peak built around its famous, much-debated title song. Tuneful and iconic. A genre landmark.

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39. 39
    Stand by Your ManTammy Wynette

    Stand by Your Man

    Tammy Wynette · 1969 · Country & Americana

    A peak of classic country balladry, home to its iconic title song. Powerful and beloved. A landmark.

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40. 40
    I Am What I AmGeorge Jones

    I Am What I Am

    George Jones · 1980 · Country & Americana

    A peak of classic country balladry, home to 'He Stopped Loving Her Today'. Devastating and beloved. A genre cornerstone.

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41. 41
    Shotgun WillieWillie Nelson

    Shotgun Willie

    Willie Nelson · 1973 · Country & Americana

    The loose, liberated record where Willie found his outlaw voice. Warm and acclaimed. A turning point.

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42. 42
    Phases and StagesWillie Nelson

    Phases and Stages

    Willie Nelson · 1974 · Country & Americana

    A concept album of divorce told from both sides. Beautiful and acclaimed. A creative high.

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43. 43
    Dreaming My DreamsWaylon Jennings

    Dreaming My Dreams

    Waylon Jennings · 1975 · Country & Americana

    A relaxed, outlaw-country peak of warm craft. Tuneful and beloved. A high point.

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44. 44
    My Tennessee Mountain HomeDolly Parton

    My Tennessee Mountain Home

    Dolly Parton · 1973 · Country & Americana

    A warm, autobiographical concept peak. Tender and beloved. A high point.

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45. 45
    Pieces of the SkyEmmylou Harris

    Pieces of the Sky

    Emmylou Harris · 1975 · Country & Americana

    A graceful country peak of pristine voice. Warm and acclaimed. A genre highlight.

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46. 46
    Too Far to CareOld 97's

    Too Far to Care

    Old 97's · 1997 · Country & Americana

    A rowdy alt-country peak of twangy energy. Fun and beloved. A genre highlight.

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47. 47
    Raising SandRobert Plant and Alison Krauss

    Raising Sand

    Robert Plant and Alison Krauss · 2007 · Country & Americana

    A hushed, atmospheric Americana collaboration that swept the Grammys. Beautiful and acclaimed. A late-career landmark.

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48. 48
    A Sailor's Guide to EarthSturgill Simpson

    A Sailor's Guide to Earth

    Sturgill Simpson · 2016 · Country & Americana

    A genre-bending, soul-and-strings country peak. Bold and acclaimed. A creative high.

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49. 49
    Colter WallColter Wall

    Colter Wall

    Colter Wall · 2017 · Country & Americana

    A weathered, deep-voiced traditional-country debut. Raw and acclaimed. A breakthrough.

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50. 50
    Country SquireTyler Childers

    Country Squire

    Tyler Childers · 2019 · Country & Americana

    A vivid, traditional-leaning peak of Appalachian storytelling. Warm and acclaimed. A standout.

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51. 51
    Golden HourKacey Musgraves

    Golden Hour

    Kacey Musgraves · 2018 · Country & Americana

    A dreamy, crossover country-pop record of warmth and craft, blending disco shimmer and steel guitar. Beloved and acclaimed. Her masterpiece.

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52. 52
    Star-CrossedKacey Musgraves

    Star-Crossed

    Kacey Musgraves · 2021 · Country & Americana

    A reflective, divorce-themed pop-country record. Polished and acclaimed. A mature follow-up to Golden Hour.

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53. 53
    This One's for YouLuke Combs

    This One's for You

    Luke Combs · 2017 · Country & Americana

    A blockbuster mainstream-country debut of huge hits. Tuneful and enormous. A breakthrough.

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54. 54
    Dangerous: The Double AlbumMorgan Wallen

    Dangerous: The Double Album

    Morgan Wallen · 2021 · Country & Americana

    A sprawling, chart-dominating country-pop blockbuster. Tuneful and enormous. A commercial landmark.

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55. 55
    Gentle on My MindGlen Campbell

    Gentle on My Mind

    Glen Campbell · 1967 · Country & Americana

    The Jimmy Webb-driven breakthrough that showed Campbell at his most lyrical — country warmth wrapped in immaculate Nashville production.

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56. 56
    By the Time I Get to PhoenixGlen Campbell

    By the Time I Get to Phoenix

    Glen Campbell · 1967 · Country & Americana

    Three Webb songs in one album cycle; this one cemented the standard and confirmed Campbell as country's most gifted interpreter.

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57. 57
    GalvestonGlen Campbell

    Galveston

    Glen Campbell · 1969 · Country & Americana

    The Vietnam-era ballad as hit single gave the album its emotional heart — Campbell's voice at its most tender and restrained.

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58. 58
    PonyOrville Peck

    Pony

    Orville Peck · 2019 · Country & Americana

    Masked, theatrical country noir with a baritone croon and real emotional weight — the most singular debut country record in years.

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59. 59
    10 for Slim: Charley Crockett Sings James HandCharley Crockett

    10 for Slim: Charley Crockett Sings James Hand

    Charley Crockett · 2021 · Country & Americana

    A loving, unshowy tribute to a Texas honky-tonk legend — traditional country craft from one of the genre's most dedicated custodians.

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60. 60
    Long Violent HistoryTyler Childers

    Long Violent History

    Tyler Childers · 2020 · Country & Americana

    Eight traditional instrumentals and one devastating original — spare, pointed and quietly radical for mainstream country.

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61. 61
    Your Cheatin' HeartHank Williams

    Your Cheatin' Heart

    Hank Williams · 1953 · Country & Americana

    The posthumous compilation that established Williams as the poet laureate of Nashville heartbreak.

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62. 62
    KristoffersonKris Kristofferson

    Kristofferson

    Kris Kristofferson · 1970 · Country & Americana

    The debut that announced a songwriter's songwriter — Me and Bobby McGee, Help Me Make It Through the Night.

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