We've got everything from Jason Aldean to Turnpike Troubadours and Kacey Musgraves to Chris Stapleton in this video. (And somehow, I edited out my section on the Zac Brown Band's 'You Get What You Give'...which is annoying!) But I'd love to know what album YOU think made the most impact in the 2010s. Leave 'em here.
Grady Smith I haven’t heard every single album of the 2010s but I’m pretty sure that Florida Georgia Line’s album “Here’s to Good Times” did leave great impact sparking the actual defínement of bro country with cruise. (Might not be my favorite part of country 🙄, but it did leave an impact).
I tweeted Carrie “I heard they don’t have enough rain in OK” back in the day and she tweeted me back “now where’d you hear that?” And I’m still not over it
I love that you added Speak Now to your list. Granted that’s a fairly pop album, but it was definitely influential and it’s by far my favorite Taylor album. Taylor’s speciality is her writing, and I think she does that best when it’s just her and a guitar
Thank you so much for talking about “Speak Now”. I admit my love for Taylor has dwindled over the years, but “Speak Now” was and still is solid. It continually gets overlooked in favor of her more pop stuff, but I still think it’s her best. On another note, Billboard’s list isn’t really for the best selling albums; it’s the best charting albums. “Traveller” has definitely had the best run on the charts of any album, but it’s pure sales are about 2.5 million (4x platinum with streaming). In contrast, “Speak Now” had a fairly short chart run but has sold 4.6 million (6x platinum with streaming), meaning it’s the best seller in pure sales. “Need You Now” also had a monster chart run so I’m surprised it wasn’t higher. Oh well. Billboard is strange.
Four the Record also had some incredible songs. Mama's Broken Heart and Baggage Claim are still in my roadtrip playlist. To me she is sort of the bridge between Carrie and Kacey in country music. Not necessarily in style, but in attitude and humor.
No wonder his deer got shot 😳 In case you do not understand the bad joke, he has a farm near us here in the Nashville area. He has animals where children with needs can go to see them. Somebody shot one of his exotic animals, which was some sort of deer. That is an admirable thing he does but his music is still pretty hideous.
There are different charts like Cashbox and Mediabase that put album and singles differently. Need You Now was only number 2 on the Billboards pop charts. The other charts had them at number 1. Garth Brooks got 1 top 40 pop hit in the 1990s while Billboard did not. The Oklahoma and Texas pop stations played the heck out of his songs. This Kiss by Faith Hill hit the pop charts as her first hit, but not Billboard. Shania hit with the song from Twister. Mary Chapin-Carpenter hit with Passionate Kisses, Wynonna's No One Else on Earth, Smoking Armadillo's Red Rock which failed to hit the country chart, and Blackhawk's Every Once In A While.
@@JebusMatoi that's because she's somewhat of a singer-songwriter artist. I consider her voice somewhat angelic and mellow, not in-your-face, soulful, powerhouse like that of Chris Stapleton's or Shania's or Carrie Underwood's but still her voice fits well with her artistry, it's just enough for her to convey what she writes in which at the end of the day is what being an artist is all about. I mean look at all the powerhouse vocalists, not just in the country music scene, how many of them are really that involved in songwriting? I mean even the late Whitney Houston's most iconic single "I Will Always Love You" was just a cover. In short Taylor can actually sing, it's just not that powerful or soulful or can make this amazing riffs like what Chris Stapleton did on Tennessee Whiskey (just a cover I might add).
Purgatory by Tyler Childers should have been included, it got recognition and praise from Joe Rogan, and "Feathered Indians" has reached a very diverse audience.
If we're talking personal albums of the decade Dave Cobb's compilation Southern Family is probably one of the most important albums of my life. It was to me what Southeastern was to you: my introduction to the world of country music and how it can strive to such immense heights. I still consider it the best country album I've ever heard, it just hits all the right notes. But of course, that wasn't commercially influential but it's probably important in the indie scene lol.
I also think "On the Rocks" by Midland is a GREAT album, and there are a lot of other good songs on it such as "lonely for you only" and "nothing new under the neon"
Anything Goes album by FGL is what got me into country. Since I’ve strayed away from FGL and Luke Bryan and moved onto Luke Combs and Midland and evening the older guys like Merle and Waylon but FGL will always have a special place for me
Thank you for giving Pageant Material some love!! That's my favorite album from Kacey- I was coincidentally doing a summer internship in Texas when it came out and the whole thing immediately became my running playlist. Now I can't hear about Family is Family or Dimestore Cowgirl without seeing a Fort Worth sunset. It's always been a favorite of mine and it's awesome to hear a plug for it.
I love your channel but watching this I love it 100x more since you said pageant material because that is hands down my favorite album of hers but also in general.
@@GradySmith Definitely. There are already signs Midland are already on their way out with regards to radio. And while they'll still have enough of a strong following critically, it's going to lack the bandwidth of the likes of Church and Stapleton. Mostly because, thus far, Midland have purported themselves as a blast-from-the-past sort of band.
I fell in love with them bc of the retro sound. Wouldn't surprise me to see them booted off radio bc of it. Local country station in my area was just bought out by the Froggy brand in recent years. I told my grandmother that it going corporate was gonna be what trashed it, and boy was I right! More bro country than traditionalist. I almost never hear Midland. I was shocked when I heard Wade Bowen on there many years ago.
Old Dominion Meat & Candy influenced what I still hear at open mic nights Grady. Shane McAnally is a force together with our friends from Virginia. Go Luke C. & Ashley M. Can't wait Y'all 😍
Interesting observation! I definitely think that Shane McAnally sound has been one of the most huge influences in popular country music in the past decade.
Grady, I completely agree that Pageant Material is Kacey Musgraves' best album. To me, "Late To The Party" is one of the best country songs of the entire decade and easily my favorite Kacey Musgraves song. The melody is phenomenal. Nice list. Keep up the great work!
You gave me plenty of homework! I knew about half of these albums, but ill have to go check the other half out now. Though Kacey has been my country fair god mother for a while now lol, Golden Hour definitely hit me in an almost spiritual way, that's probably my country album of the decade. I remember screaming at the TV watching the cma's when Justin and Chris sang Tennessee Whisky and immediately went to buy his album lol. And I'm also syked Lindi Ortega got a shout out, she deserves more credit
“This Ones For You” from Luke Combs made the biggest impact in my life because it gave me a new found hope for modern Country Music. But some honorable mention albums for me that made an impact in my life this past decade are: My Kinda Party- Jason Aldean Just As I Am- Brantley Gilbert Hemingway’s Whiskey- Kenny Chesney How Country Feels- Randy Houser Crash My Party- Luke Bryan Uncaged- Zac Brown Band You Get What you Give- Zac Brown Band Based on a True Story- Blake Shelton True Believers- Darius Rucker The Big Revival- Kenny Chesney All these albums bring back some fond memories of this past decade. I learned a lot about who I am. DAMN I LOVE COUNTRY MUSIC!!!
I remember when "Same Trailer, Different Park" came out, us in the TX scene had heard her on the Josh Abbott Band single "Oh, Tonight", but when everyone heard "Merry Go Round" my world was buzzing with how this was something new and different and not vapid like a lot of other things getting pushed out in the country wold are. Also, Diamonds and Gasoline is one of my favorite albums, EVER.
Rachel Smith I remember hearing merry go round for the first time and just not really knowing what to think, so witty, real, and country and different than anything else. Great tune
Thank you Grady for mentioning Pageant Material. So underrated, and yet so beautifully written and produced. It truly hasn’t gotten the recognition it deserves.
I love Kacey Musgraves! She'd be the most influential in my listening, because she is what got me into country music back in 2013. Same Trailer Different Park was the first country album that I personally bought. Also FGL's Here's To The Good Times drew me in as well. Then my country music listening expanded from there and is expanding to this day!
I would say that Pawn Shop by the Brothers Osborne was a pretty significant release. With all the pop production in this era, John's guitar playing really stood out. It clearly filled a void in the country music world - it blew me away when his extended solos made TV broadcasts (particularly in the CMA fest tapings). He and TJ really balance out the poppier duos that have emerged in the 2010s (Dan and Shay, FGL, etc.). I wish Port St Joe got more attention, because I loved that album just as much if not more.
I'm late to the party but I'm happy to hear you mention Blown Away. I grew up on country being from the rural midwest but Blown Away spoke to me in a way that no other song had when I was living in an abusive home. I remember hearing it on the radio and just thinking "I'm not alone in this".
For me Underdog by Aaron Watson really reaffirmed my love for country music, at a time when mainstream radio wasn't playing the things that I liked to hear, and listening to his album led me to start seeking out things beyond radio and I discovered the Texas Dirt Road scene and artists like Zane Williams, Cody Jinks, Kyle Parks, Chauncey Williams, Flatland Calvary, Turnpike Troubadours, and more. One of the most underrated and best albums of the last decade for me had to be 12 Stories by Brandy Clark, I think it made me appreciate powerful songwriting more, because every song on that album is so well crafted, some are fun and crazy like Stripes, while others are vulnerable like Hold My Hand. Brandy Clark in my mind has go to be one of the most underrated talents in Country Music.
Great video Grady. Regardless of the titles or labels - "Americana" or "Roots" - I sure agree with your impressions of Turnpike Troubadours, Sturgill Simpson, Jason Isbell and Lindi Ortega. I could listen to these artists on repeat for quite a while.
Chief is my favourite country album of all time and truly did shape my love for country music. Easily my most influential album of the 2010’s. Great balance of songs and overall unbelievably kickass
Chief really was great, as is Mr. Misunderstood, but I've never been able to move past Carolina as my favorite from Eric Church. From Love Your Love the Most to Smoke a Little Smoke, to Lotta Boot Left to Fill it had a hint of just about everything we've gotten since, except maybe the individual, standout genius of Kill A Word, which is probably my song of the decade
The two most influential albums for me would have to be "Outsiders" By Eric Church and "Up All Night" by Kip Moore. These two albums really defined my personal style of music and even Today Kip and Eric are my favorite artist. Loved your interview with Kip and hope to see more interviews on the channel
This record didn’t sell a ton, but Metamodern Sounds in Country Music by Sturgill changed my entire perception of where the current country scene could go. It opened up the possibility of gaining real relevancy while still making true country music. Obviously, Sturgill has gone way off the reservation since but that record was absolutely phenomenal and paved the way for a lot of these other old-style country guys. Edit: I posted this before getting to the part in the video where he mentioned this record lol
That sounds like a good idea for the deadzone of January. A beginner's guide to Texas country! But also: check out this video, called The Avengers of Independent Country -- that's a good place to start! ruclips.net/video/m_9A2GkeQuc/видео.html
Cassplease is you’re going to listen to Texas country, you have to start with Aaron Watson. Then after that go with some Cody Johnson and see where it leads you!
Grady Smith thank you!! I’ve been getting kinda bored with the curated playlists on Spotify that keep popping up so I’m wanting to venture out and find some new sounds
Couldn’t agree more on Kacey, Same Trailer... and especially Golden Hour are her most influential albums, but I LOVE the sound of Pageant Material the most
I think you should do a video on classic artist releases during the last decade: people like George Strait, Reba, Willie, Dolly, etc!! Thatd be cool! Love your videos dude!! ☮💚🎵
I would have to say “Traveler” and “Chief” were the most influential for me. “Same Trailer Different Park” is a close third. I also find myself going back to the “Wild Ones” album by Kip Moore.
I was introduced to Kacey Musgraves by Golden Hour, and as soon as I listened to her prev. works, man can I tell you that Pageant Material was THAT album! Somebody To Love destroyed me! but atm Golden Hour has been on repeat for me, only time will tell if I can get over this album, it definitely has this healing effect on me.
CHRIS STAPLETON BROUGHT THIS 64 YEAR OLD BACK TO COUNTRY MUSIC SINGLE HANDEDLY WITHOUT A DOUBT. PERIOD!!!!!!!!!!!! TRAVELLER IS BY FAR THE #1 COUNTRY ALBUM FROM OUR PREVIOUS DECADE (2010-2019) & TENNESSEE WHISKEY (CHRIS'S VERSION) IS MY #1 SONG TOO!!!!!!!!! AS WE CONTINUE INTO THE NEXT DECADE (2020-2029) TRAVELLER & TENNESSEE WHISKEY SHOW NO SIGNS OF SLOWING DOWN AT ALL!!!!!!!!! THANKS AGAIN CHRIS YOU CONTINUE TO PROVE THAT GREAT MUSIC IS IN FACT GREAT MUSIC. PERIOD!!!!!!!!
Nice list, glad you appreciated Aaron Watson’s accomplishment so much, he has so many great albums that I never understood what mainstream country ever saw the greatness that is Texas country.
Rocka-billy the kid I can’t disagree. That dude is in his own lane and absolutely slaughtering it. I also keep watching his SNL performance of Call To Arms; imo one of the greatest SNL performances ever
John Marc Degaard Ha ha same man! I cant stop listening to anything through all of his stages, from Sunday Valley up to Sound and Fury its all freaking awesome!
Hey Grady!! Love the vid! I just ran across Orville Peck’s album Pony that came out this year and Yola’s Walking Through Fire! I really like both but I’d love to know your thoughts! Maybe sometime if you’re short on video ideas or something or have the time you could talk about one or both of them? The albums are fairly short but again, I thought they were really enjoyable and sound much more true to what I tend to think of as the “form” of country music than much of the radio sound nowadays. Thanks for your time and for all the great content!! Have a good one, and happy holidays/merry merry and all that Jazz! 💖
As a Sturgill Simpson fan, I chuckle at his token “I get it but it’s not for me” caveat he puts in every video. Different strokes for different folks, folks.
Pretty sad that in the list of the top 10 best selling albums from Billboard that only one features a female as an artist (Lady A) - and that isn't even a solo female artist. And to that point about Dallas Davidson - he's put out some awful content, but also some fairly great songs as well. I always think of "Back to God" from Randy Houser, which was more popularly covered by Reba solo and then as a feature with Lauren Daigle. Also, as a side note, Grady, your video production is looking awesome! Great work!
Good list. I find it tough to take an honest look at the broad spectrum of country music the last decade and not just want to shoehorn in my own favorites. I definitely think Traveler, Southeastern, This One’s For You, Chief, Metamodern Sounds in Country Music, Golden Hour and Diamonds and Gasoline belong in there. One album I think gets overlooked sometimes is You Get What You Give by Zac Brown Band. That album had hit after hit after hit, and in a time where country was starting to turn more and more bro they managed to put together something so cohesive and perfect, with brilliant lyrics and playing. In spite of how far off the deep end they have fallen, to be personally, this album impacted me the very most over the last 10 years.
@@katiev9494 Part of me loves that I can see them in small shows and feel like they're just there for me, but I would also love to see how far they can go!
To me it has to be heres to the good times. 8th grade 2015 I get into the bro country with songs like cruise 9th grade I continue 10th grade I discover the full scope of good country music. I feel like bro country was a great stepping stone from the pop I use to like to country I love now. Another album that hit me hard was Blake Sheltons bringing back the sunshine it had an awesome sound that hit me hard and I listened to that so much when i got it
As a Texan who didn't appreciate Texas country until she moved out of the suburbs and to a little bitty Texas town (Cody Johnson's hometown), gotta love the shoutout for Aaron! Saw him in concert back in March and he's got a lot of heart a long career of fantastic albums!
I think Traveler saved country music as we have known it. For me personally, as a singer I had lost my taste for singing in general because I was either just repeating songs I had done for years and years or cringing at some of the newer stuff that people wanted me to sing, I was done, and then this masterpiece came out and suddenly people wanted to hear that style again. Just renewed my love of singing and my faith in music fans in general.
I discovered Jason Isbell’s “Southeastern” in 2018 and it helped me get through one of the toughest periods of my life. I’m really grateful for his music and to have discovered him.
My Kinda Party by Jason Aldean has some really great songs, some of my favorite of all of his songs. Country Boys world, Fly Over States, Texas was you, Church Pew or Bar Stool, Just Passing Through, etc. Those songs have amazing stories that I just love...so underrated.
I'm fairly new to your channel and I'm hooked! If you have already and I've missed it then sorry but I'd love to hear your thoughts on Dillon Carmichael.
Top 5 country albums this decade (no order) 1. Same Trailer Different Park 2. Pageant Material 3. A Very Kacey Christmas 4. Golden Hour 5. The Kacey Musgraves Christmas Show
for me personally, Cassadee Pope's album "frame by frame" and Maren Morris' album "Hero" are what got me more into listening to women's country music. I always like Carrie Underwood, but other than her, I didn't really listen to many women in country. But those albums got me more into the women, like Carly Pearce, Kacey Musgraves, Danielle Bradbery, Raelynn (kinda), Kelsea Ballerini (Kinda), Jana Kramer, etc. Also want to touch on Brantley Gilbert (Country's TRUE rockstar)and specifically halfway to heaven with songs like "halfway to heaven" and "you don't know her like I do" and "saving amy" this album is a big breakout for brantley gilbert. and his song "bottoms up" (which was ridiculously over played on radio) was probably his biggest song to date.
It's funny because I feel like this is the decade that I kind of fell off of country a bit, like I just kept listening to my personal favorites singers and disregarded the trends that baffled me (we have limited country radio options in Boston, and they sound the same). There's definitely been a lot of good stuff, but I think I spent most of this decade exploring other genres and my sense of country is just rooted in what I listened to in high school and college. I mean, I have a soft spot for Luke Bryan because I saw him (with Dierks Bentley) at Gillette Stadium with a killer show, but he was one of the few big ones on that bestselling list I paid any attention to. All that said, I fully agree with all your points about the Taylor, Carrie, and Kacey albums!
"Southeastern" was the first country album I really liked (it came out when I was 17), and it opened up the doors to this vast, wonderful world of country sound. So, from my personal perspective, it is the most influential country album of the decade. Also, every writer in Nashville should attend a class of songwriting with Jason Isbell. Just saying. P.S. Really liked your other picks, too :)
Chief was definitely the most influential for me, that is until I found Maren Morris’ EP searching iTunes for the “good” country. I will never forget the first time I heard My Church!
Know this is super late, but for me, Miranda Lambert's "Weight of These Wings" album was just - stellar. I think it got me through the year, haha. I think it displays incredible songwriting, some weighty, complicated, emotional depth, and really chronicles what feels like an end into self discovery > loneliness, and then companionship, friendship, new love. It has some powerful ballads as well as some sexy, Miranda songs like "Vice" and "Smoking Jacket" that just really indulge the impulses I think everyone has! Loved that album. Also Bruce Springsteen's "Western Stars" really got me. The Boss has been pretty vocal in recent years about his appreciation for classic country and I think it shows on this album! Heavy hitters for me are "Moonlight Motel," "Chasing Wild Horses," and "Tucson Train," though honestly I love the whole album and the only one that misses for me is "Somewhere North of Nashville." Thanks for the great roundup! Always find someone new to listen to on your channel.
This is left field, but an album that was important to me in country music was Hunter Hayes’ debut. That record and Traveller opened the doors to country music for me. What’s even crazier is that every song on that album has Hunter playing every single instrument on it. If I didn’t know any better, I would’ve thought these were A-list Nashville session players on the album haha. And all the songs are great imo
Every album by Tyler Childers, Sturgill Simpson, Colter Wall, and Cody Jinks I feel may not be seen as influential now, but when that sound inevitably becomes mainstream again (let's hope it's soon) these albums will definitely be looked at as EXTREMELY iconic and influential. Top Picks Childers: Purgatory Simpson: High Top Mountain/Metamodern Sounds Wall: Imaginary Appalachia/Songs of the Plains Jinks: Lifers
We've got everything from Jason Aldean to Turnpike Troubadours and Kacey Musgraves to Chris Stapleton in this video. (And somehow, I edited out my section on the Zac Brown Band's 'You Get What You Give'...which is annoying!) But I'd love to know what album YOU think made the most impact in the 2010s. Leave 'em here.
Grady Smith I haven’t heard every single album of the 2010s but I’m pretty sure that Florida Georgia Line’s album “Here’s to Good Times” did leave great impact sparking the actual defínement of bro country with cruise. (Might not be my favorite part of country 🙄, but it did leave an impact).
Honestly I think it was Underdog, while Aaron still is glanced over for awards, he helped to bring the Texas scene to the country as whole
I loved Cheif, that's the album that really got me started listening to Eric Church and paying attention to the kind of music I listened to.
Not the most influential but have you heard Sam Hunt’s acoustic mixtape Between the Pines? You might find it interesting
Grady Smith please post the Zac Brown Band Part. You Get What You Give is their best work to date and best album of the decade
I tweeted Carrie “I heard they don’t have enough rain in OK” back in the day and she tweeted me back “now where’d you hear that?” And I’m still not over it
Lol
Jealous.
Pageant material is one of the greatest albums ever made. Family is Family is always on repeat in my house, especially around the holidays 😂
I love that you added Speak Now to your list. Granted that’s a fairly pop album, but it was definitely influential and it’s by far my favorite Taylor album. Taylor’s speciality is her writing, and I think she does that best when it’s just her and a guitar
Karly yeah
“Chief” is sonically the best sounding album of the decade, country or not! It’s Jay Joyce’s masterpiece.
It is SUCH a nice sounding record.
It's a great record, but I think Traveller has it beat
agreed
I mean, Eric Church is just naturally really good
Im a big fan!
(Of Grady and Eric)
I consider it country and I still love that album
Thank you so much for talking about “Speak Now”. I admit my love for Taylor has dwindled over the years, but “Speak Now” was and still is solid. It continually gets overlooked in favor of her more pop stuff, but I still think it’s her best.
On another note, Billboard’s list isn’t really for the best selling albums; it’s the best charting albums. “Traveller” has definitely had the best run on the charts of any album, but it’s pure sales are about 2.5 million (4x platinum with streaming). In contrast, “Speak Now” had a fairly short chart run but has sold 4.6 million (6x platinum with streaming), meaning it’s the best seller in pure sales. “Need You Now” also had a monster chart run so I’m surprised it wasn’t higher. Oh well. Billboard is strange.
Thanks for the clarity on that one. Very confusing
David Birdsall yeah
For females or anyone for that matter... Miranda Lambert’s “ Platinum” one of the best albums of the decade in my opinion
She is really amazing. I've been listening to her whole discography again since wildcard came out and I love everything she does.
Erin Nieves with somethin bad ft. Carrie Underwood
Four the Record also had some incredible songs. Mama's Broken Heart and Baggage Claim are still in my roadtrip playlist. To me she is sort of the bridge between Carrie and Kacey in country music. Not necessarily in style, but in attitude and humor.
Pageant material is one of the most underrated albums ever to me, it’s one of my favorites of all time!!
So, Chris Stapleton has the best selling album of the decade, but Luke Bryan wins album of the decade? 🤦♂️
No wonder his deer got shot 😳 In case you do not understand the bad joke, he has a farm near us here in the Nashville area. He has animals where children with needs can go to see them. Somebody shot one of his exotic animals, which was some sort of deer. That is an admirable thing he does but his music is still pretty hideous.
Josh Evans Chris’s album was so much better!
There are different charts like Cashbox and Mediabase that put album and singles differently. Need You Now was only number 2 on the Billboards pop charts. The other charts had them at number 1. Garth Brooks got 1 top 40 pop hit in the 1990s while Billboard did not. The Oklahoma and Texas pop stations played the heck out of his songs. This Kiss by Faith Hill hit the pop charts as her first hit, but not Billboard. Shania hit with the song from Twister. Mary Chapin-Carpenter hit with Passionate Kisses, Wynonna's No One Else on Earth, Smoking Armadillo's Red Rock which failed to hit the country chart, and Blackhawk's Every Once In A While.
J Mit trashing?? He’s the reason it’s as popular as it is today with younger people.
@@jmit3491 hahahaha 😂 I feel bad for you man. When George asked "who's gonna fill their shoes?" Chris Stapleton has by far come the closest.
They said taylor couldn’t write, so she wrote an entire Album by herself.
Taylor can write, but Taylor is not a good singer..lots of auto-tuning.
No, she can write. She just can't sing. Watch her performance with Stevie Nicks if you don't believe me.
Jebus Matoi yeah
Brooks Kryshak yeah
@@JebusMatoi that's because she's somewhat of a singer-songwriter artist. I consider her voice somewhat angelic and mellow, not in-your-face, soulful, powerhouse like that of Chris Stapleton's or Shania's or Carrie Underwood's but still her voice fits well with her artistry, it's just enough for her to convey what she writes in which at the end of the day is what being an artist is all about. I mean look at all the powerhouse vocalists, not just in the country music scene, how many of them are really that involved in songwriting? I mean even the late Whitney Houston's most iconic single "I Will Always Love You" was just a cover.
In short Taylor can actually sing, it's just not that powerful or soulful or can make this amazing riffs like what Chris Stapleton did on Tennessee Whiskey (just a cover I might add).
I love that you mentioned all of Kacey Musgraves's albums. She's quickly become my favorite artist, and her Christmas album is so good!
Purgatory by Tyler Childers should have been included, it got recognition and praise from Joe Rogan, and "Feathered Indians" has reached a very diverse audience.
That and This One's for You
I agree!!! Should have been mentioned
Absolutely! Tyler got me back into country music. I had drifted away over the years because of the pop & bro country flood.
If we're talking personal albums of the decade Dave Cobb's compilation Southern Family is probably one of the most important albums of my life. It was to me what Southeastern was to you: my introduction to the world of country music and how it can strive to such immense heights. I still consider it the best country album I've ever heard, it just hits all the right notes.
But of course, that wasn't commercially influential but it's probably important in the indie scene lol.
SUCH a good reminder of a really awesome album.
I also think "On the Rocks" by Midland is a GREAT album, and there are a lot of other good songs on it such as "lonely for you only" and "nothing new under the neon"
Yeah they are really good
I agree, but it also hasn't been nearly as influential this decade as these releases.
Anything Goes album by FGL is what got me into country. Since I’ve strayed away from FGL and Luke Bryan and moved onto Luke Combs and Midland and evening the older guys like Merle and Waylon but FGL will always have a special place for me
AntMel103 I go back to old fgl and Luke Bryan songs all the time. But their new stuff is crap
Top 4 Albums of the Decade (in no particular order):
1) Same Trailer Different Park
2) Pageant Material
3) A Very Kacey Christmas
4) Golden Hour
Oh shit we got a memer here
Dayum Grady a lot of good uploads lately
Appreciate it! Tryin to hustle!
Thank you for giving Pageant Material some love!! That's my favorite album from Kacey- I was coincidentally doing a summer internship in Texas when it came out and the whole thing immediately became my running playlist. Now I can't hear about Family is Family or Dimestore Cowgirl without seeing a Fort Worth sunset. It's always been a favorite of mine and it's awesome to hear a plug for it.
Love Love Love Turnpike Troubadours I about cried when they took a "Break" but honorable mention to Cody Jinks and Margo Price.
I love your channel but watching this I love it 100x more since you said pageant material because that is hands down my favorite album of hers but also in general.
What about Midland’s first album “On the Rocks”? I don’t know the sales numbers but I’m sure it had to be up there.
I think it's a great album, but I don't think it has really been some industry shaking release, you know?
@@GradySmith Definitely.
There are already signs Midland are already on their way out with regards to radio. And while they'll still have enough of a strong following critically, it's going to lack the bandwidth of the likes of Church and Stapleton. Mostly because, thus far, Midland have purported themselves as a blast-from-the-past sort of band.
I fell in love with them bc of the retro sound. Wouldn't surprise me to see them booted off radio bc of it. Local country station in my area was just bought out by the Froggy brand in recent years. I told my grandmother that it going corporate was gonna be what trashed it, and boy was I right! More bro country than traditionalist. I almost never hear Midland. I was shocked when I heard Wade Bowen on there many years ago.
Old Dominion Meat & Candy influenced what I still hear at open mic nights Grady.
Shane McAnally is a force together with our friends from Virginia. Go Luke C. & Ashley M. Can't wait Y'all 😍
Interesting observation! I definitely think that Shane McAnally sound has been one of the most huge influences in popular country music in the past decade.
Grady, I completely agree that Pageant Material is Kacey Musgraves' best album. To me, "Late To The Party" is one of the best country songs of the entire decade and easily my favorite Kacey Musgraves song. The melody is phenomenal.
Nice list. Keep up the great work!
You talked about Pageant Material so much, I finally listened to it! I’m sad I didn’t sooner, because it is my new favorite for hers!
You gave me plenty of homework! I knew about half of these albums, but ill have to go check the other half out now. Though Kacey has been my country fair god mother for a while now lol, Golden Hour definitely hit me in an almost spiritual way, that's probably my country album of the decade. I remember screaming at the TV watching the cma's when Justin and Chris sang Tennessee Whisky and immediately went to buy his album lol. And I'm also syked Lindi Ortega got a shout out, she deserves more credit
“This Ones For You” from Luke Combs made the biggest impact in my life because it gave me a new found hope for modern Country Music. But some honorable mention albums for me that made an impact in my life this past decade are:
My Kinda Party- Jason Aldean
Just As I Am- Brantley Gilbert
Hemingway’s Whiskey- Kenny Chesney
How Country Feels- Randy Houser
Crash My Party- Luke Bryan
Uncaged- Zac Brown Band
You Get What you Give- Zac Brown Band
Based on a True Story- Blake Shelton
True Believers- Darius Rucker
The Big Revival- Kenny Chesney
All these albums bring back some fond memories of this past decade. I learned a lot about who I am. DAMN I LOVE COUNTRY MUSIC!!!
Keegan Dahle great list, guys like Brantley and randy houser and zac brown somehow get lost amidst a lot of far inferior country music
Colin McKendrick yup
I remember when "Same Trailer, Different Park" came out, us in the TX scene had heard her on the Josh Abbott Band single "Oh, Tonight", but when everyone heard "Merry Go Round" my world was buzzing with how this was something new and different and not vapid like a lot of other things getting pushed out in the country wold are. Also, Diamonds and Gasoline is one of my favorite albums, EVER.
Rachel Smith I remember hearing merry go round for the first time and just not really knowing what to think, so witty, real, and country and different than anything else. Great tune
Very happy to hear Kacey on your list! The (late) 2010s have been a pretty nice renaissance for country music!
Totally agree -- things are lookin' up!
Rarely has an album hit me like Chris Stapleton's 'Traveler' did....enough said
Lately I haven’t been able to make it through many full RUclips videos, but yours... yours I don’t want to end!! Love hearing your insight!
Thank you Grady for mentioning Pageant Material. So underrated, and yet so beautifully written and produced. It truly hasn’t gotten the recognition it deserves.
Thank you for spreading the word about Pageant Material! I love it too!
So happy you've picked Pageant Material! It's my fav of hers as well
I have a lot of respect for you to include the best wishes to Evan Felker and The Turnpike Troubadours!
Yes I love all three Kacey Musgraves albums
I discovered Kacey's xmas album last year. What a winner! Can't wait to put it on repeat as Christmas gets closer!
Southeastern is a clinic on songwriting
Todd Williams and life.
It’s a masterpiece, through and through.
It’s one of the best albums of all time - fight me
@@poohbearwhitty My personal favorite album of all time
I love Kacey Musgraves! She'd be the most influential in my listening, because she is what got me into country music back in 2013. Same Trailer Different Park was the first country album that I personally bought. Also FGL's Here's To The Good Times drew me in as well. Then my country music listening expanded from there and is expanding to this day!
I would say that Pawn Shop by the Brothers Osborne was a pretty significant release. With all the pop production in this era, John's guitar playing really stood out. It clearly filled a void in the country music world - it blew me away when his extended solos made TV broadcasts (particularly in the CMA fest tapings). He and TJ really balance out the poppier duos that have emerged in the 2010s (Dan and Shay, FGL, etc.). I wish Port St Joe got more attention, because I loved that album just as much if not more.
AKMusic they are great it’s a shame they don’t get the break that the ultra pop dan and shay got
I'm late to the party but I'm happy to hear you mention Blown Away. I grew up on country being from the rural midwest but Blown Away spoke to me in a way that no other song had when I was living in an abusive home. I remember hearing it on the radio and just thinking "I'm not alone in this".
For me Underdog by Aaron Watson really reaffirmed my love for country music, at a time when mainstream radio wasn't playing the things that I liked to hear, and listening to his album led me to start seeking out things beyond radio and I discovered the Texas Dirt Road scene and artists like Zane Williams, Cody Jinks, Kyle Parks, Chauncey Williams, Flatland Calvary, Turnpike Troubadours, and more.
One of the most underrated and best albums of the last decade for me had to be 12 Stories by Brandy Clark, I think it made me appreciate powerful songwriting more, because every song on that album is so well crafted, some are fun and crazy like Stripes, while others are vulnerable like Hold My Hand. Brandy Clark in my mind has go to be one of the most underrated talents in Country Music.
Great video Grady. Regardless of the titles or labels - "Americana" or "Roots" - I sure agree with your impressions of Turnpike Troubadours, Sturgill Simpson, Jason Isbell and Lindi Ortega. I could listen to these artists on repeat for quite a while.
Chief is my favourite country album of all time and truly did shape my love for country music. Easily my most influential album of the 2010’s. Great balance of songs and overall unbelievably kickass
Chief really was great, as is Mr. Misunderstood, but I've never been able to move past Carolina as my favorite from Eric Church. From Love Your Love the Most to Smoke a Little Smoke, to Lotta Boot Left to Fill it had a hint of just about everything we've gotten since, except maybe the individual, standout genius of Kill A Word, which is probably my song of the decade
The two most influential albums for me would have to be "Outsiders" By Eric Church and "Up All Night" by Kip Moore. These two albums really defined my personal style of music and even Today Kip and Eric are my favorite artist. Loved your interview with Kip and hope to see more interviews on the channel
This record didn’t sell a ton, but Metamodern Sounds in Country Music by Sturgill changed my entire perception of where the current country scene could go. It opened up the possibility of gaining real relevancy while still making true country music. Obviously, Sturgill has gone way off the reservation since but that record was absolutely phenomenal and paved the way for a lot of these other old-style country guys.
Edit: I posted this before getting to the part in the video where he mentioned this record lol
Love that man! You had the experience with Metamodern that I had with Southeastern
I need an intro to indie-country video bands/artists to try out who to watch just a whole video dedicated to Texas country
That sounds like a good idea for the deadzone of January. A beginner's guide to Texas country! But also: check out this video, called The Avengers of Independent Country -- that's a good place to start! ruclips.net/video/m_9A2GkeQuc/видео.html
I dont think he's mentioned her before Lucie Silvas: Letters To Ghosts is a great place to start for indie too.
Cassplease is you’re going to listen to Texas country, you have to start with Aaron Watson. Then after that go with some Cody Johnson and see where it leads you!
Grady Smith thank you!! I’ve been getting kinda bored with the curated playlists on Spotify that keep popping up so I’m wanting to venture out and find some new sounds
Ryan Bingham, one of my absolute favorites!
Couldn’t agree more on Kacey, Same Trailer... and especially Golden Hour are her most influential albums, but I LOVE the sound of Pageant Material the most
I think you should do a video on classic artist releases during the last decade: people like George Strait, Reba, Willie, Dolly, etc!! Thatd be cool! Love your videos dude!! ☮💚🎵
“Hero” Maren Morris! They’re definitely hidden gems in the track list that weren’t mainstream!!
I would have to say “Traveler” and “Chief” were the most influential for me. “Same Trailer Different Park” is a close third. I also find myself going back to the “Wild Ones” album by Kip Moore.
I like this list! Anytime you include Isbell and sturgill I’m all in!
I was introduced to Kacey Musgraves by Golden Hour, and as soon as I listened to her prev. works, man can I tell you that Pageant Material was THAT album! Somebody To Love destroyed me! but atm Golden Hour has been on repeat for me, only time will tell if I can get over this album, it definitely has this healing effect on me.
Two grady videos in two days?!?! Yes please!
I just found ur channel! Great stuff! Thank u so much for talking about the amazing female country artists as well.
So happy Diamonds and Gasoline made the list! One of the most influential albums in my life from one of the most consistent bands in the country.
Great video, as always! Love the Christmas lights on your guitar!
Weight of these wings-Miranda Lambert 💕💕
CHRIS STAPLETON BROUGHT THIS 64 YEAR OLD BACK TO COUNTRY MUSIC SINGLE HANDEDLY WITHOUT A DOUBT. PERIOD!!!!!!!!!!!! TRAVELLER IS BY FAR THE #1 COUNTRY ALBUM FROM OUR PREVIOUS DECADE (2010-2019) & TENNESSEE WHISKEY (CHRIS'S VERSION) IS MY #1 SONG TOO!!!!!!!!! AS WE CONTINUE INTO THE NEXT DECADE (2020-2029) TRAVELLER & TENNESSEE WHISKEY SHOW NO SIGNS OF SLOWING DOWN AT ALL!!!!!!!!! THANKS AGAIN CHRIS YOU CONTINUE TO PROVE THAT GREAT MUSIC IS IN FACT GREAT MUSIC. PERIOD!!!!!!!!
Aaron Watson is an underrated artist. Modern outlaw. Love his song Fence Post.
I love Golden Hour, that album made me into discovering more country music! I love chill country music that Kacey made with that album!
So glad you mentioned pageant material! No one ever talks about it!
Loving your take on these and especially the lights on the guitar.
Nice list, glad you appreciated Aaron Watson’s accomplishment so much, he has so many great albums that I never understood what mainstream country ever saw the greatness that is Texas country.
Luv the Xmas lights on guitar. Two thumbs up!!
Call me crazy, but everything by Sturgill Simpson was the most influential TO ME.
Rocka-billy the kid I can’t disagree. That dude is in his own lane and absolutely slaughtering it.
I also keep watching his SNL performance of Call To Arms; imo one of the greatest SNL performances ever
John Marc Degaard Ha ha same man! I cant stop listening to anything through all of his stages, from Sunday Valley up to Sound and Fury its all freaking awesome!
Hey Grady!! Love the vid! I just ran across Orville Peck’s album Pony that came out this year and Yola’s Walking Through Fire! I really like both but I’d love to know your thoughts! Maybe sometime if you’re short on video ideas or something or have the time you could talk about one or both of them? The albums are fairly short but again, I thought they were really enjoyable and sound much more true to what I tend to think of as the “form” of country music than much of the radio sound nowadays. Thanks for your time and for all the great content!! Have a good one, and happy holidays/merry merry and all that Jazz! 💖
Good list...I think maren Morris w/Hero should’ve been on here. I agree w the album choice for Carrie. That album is a masterpiece
Went to a Flatland Cavalry concert Grady, they are even better live! Highly recommend their shows!
I saw em in Richmond this year, and it was great!
Chris Stapleton was the greatest artist I discovered this year, and I love his voice, his guitar playing, his music and his look (hahaha)
As a Sturgill Simpson fan, I chuckle at his token “I get it but it’s not for me” caveat he puts in every video. Different strokes for different folks, folks.
But I literally said high top mountain was my number two album of 2013 in this video! Haha
Pretty sad that in the list of the top 10 best selling albums from Billboard that only one features a female as an artist (Lady A) - and that isn't even a solo female artist. And to that point about Dallas Davidson - he's put out some awful content, but also some fairly great songs as well. I always think of "Back to God" from Randy Houser, which was more popularly covered by Reba solo and then as a feature with Lauren Daigle.
Also, as a side note, Grady, your video production is looking awesome! Great work!
YEA GRADY BEEN WAITING FOR THIS!!!!!
No Dierks Bentley ??? No Miranda ??? Haha they had to be up there somewhere! Great video Grady👍
I was hoping Speak Now would be on here and I was surprised and very glad it was!
Good list. I find it tough to take an honest look at the broad spectrum of country music the last decade and not just want to shoehorn in my own favorites. I definitely think Traveler, Southeastern, This One’s For You, Chief, Metamodern Sounds in Country Music, Golden Hour and Diamonds and Gasoline belong in there.
One album I think gets overlooked sometimes is You Get What You Give by Zac Brown Band. That album had hit after hit after hit, and in a time where country was starting to turn more and more bro they managed to put together something so cohesive and perfect, with brilliant lyrics and playing. In spite of how far off the deep end they have fallen, to be personally, this album impacted me the very most over the last 10 years.
Let me tell ya, Flatland covered Turnpike in OKC this weekend-and opened for Luke Combs! They are absolutely amazing.
Shelby Cummins I freaking love flatland. And turnpike lol. But flatland is SO underrated,.
@@katiev9494 Part of me loves that I can see them in small shows and feel like they're just there for me, but I would also love to see how far they can go!
I somehow missed Aaron Watson, this video introduced me to him. Many thanks for that.
To me it has to be heres to the good times. 8th grade 2015 I get into the bro country with songs like cruise 9th grade I continue 10th grade I discover the full scope of good country music. I feel like bro country was a great stepping stone from the pop I use to like to country I love now.
Another album that hit me hard was Blake Sheltons bringing back the sunshine it had an awesome sound that hit me hard and I listened to that so much when i got it
I think a lot of people can relate to that journey, dude!!
Same here, here’s to the good times was one of the first country albums I listened to, get your shine one is still my fav of that one
As a Texan who didn't appreciate Texas country until she moved out of the suburbs and to a little bitty Texas town (Cody Johnson's hometown), gotta love the shoutout for Aaron! Saw him in concert back in March and he's got a lot of heart a long career of fantastic albums!
I think Traveler saved country music as we have known it. For me personally, as a singer I had lost my taste for singing in general because I was either just repeating songs I had done for years and years or cringing at some of the newer stuff that people wanted me to sing, I was done, and then this masterpiece came out and suddenly people wanted to hear that style again. Just renewed my love of singing and my faith in music fans in general.
You should do a favorite voices video. I would pick Randy Travis or Josh Turner.
Traveler. Mr Misunderstood. This ones got you. Girl goin nowhere. These 4 defined the decade for me.
I discovered Jason Isbell’s “Southeastern” in 2018 and it helped me get through one of the toughest periods of my life. I’m really grateful for his music and to have discovered him.
Very cool decorating the guitar 👍
My Kinda Party by Jason Aldean has some really great songs, some of my favorite of all of his songs. Country Boys world, Fly Over States, Texas was you, Church Pew or Bar Stool, Just Passing Through, etc. Those songs have amazing stories that I just love...so underrated.
It was an album with some great stuff! Especially the songs that never got airtime, its just a shame that the title track felt so generic
Thank you for mentioning speak now!!!!
Thank you for choosing Pageant Material!! It’s her best album!!!
I'm fairly new to your channel and I'm hooked! If you have already and I've missed it then sorry but I'd love to hear your thoughts on Dillon Carmichael.
I can’t put into words how glad I am that bro country is over
Top 5 country albums this decade (no order)
1. Same Trailer Different Park
2. Pageant Material
3. A Very Kacey Christmas
4. Golden Hour
5. The Kacey Musgraves Christmas Show
YES!!!!!! SPEAK NOW DOESNT GET ENOUGH CREDIT, AND SHE WROTE THE WHOLE THING BY HERSELF!!!! THANK YOU GRADY!!!!!
for me personally, Cassadee Pope's album "frame by frame" and Maren Morris' album "Hero" are what got me more into listening to women's country music. I always like Carrie Underwood, but other than her, I didn't really listen to many women in country. But those albums got me more into the women, like Carly Pearce, Kacey Musgraves, Danielle Bradbery, Raelynn (kinda), Kelsea Ballerini (Kinda), Jana Kramer, etc. Also want to touch on Brantley Gilbert (Country's TRUE rockstar)and specifically halfway to heaven with songs like "halfway to heaven" and "you don't know her like I do" and "saving amy" this album is a big breakout for brantley gilbert. and his song "bottoms up" (which was ridiculously over played on radio) was probably his biggest song to date.
It's funny because I feel like this is the decade that I kind of fell off of country a bit, like I just kept listening to my personal favorites singers and disregarded the trends that baffled me (we have limited country radio options in Boston, and they sound the same). There's definitely been a lot of good stuff, but I think I spent most of this decade exploring other genres and my sense of country is just rooted in what I listened to in high school and college. I mean, I have a soft spot for Luke Bryan because I saw him (with Dierks Bentley) at Gillette Stadium with a killer show, but he was one of the few big ones on that bestselling list I paid any attention to.
All that said, I fully agree with all your points about the Taylor, Carrie, and Kacey albums!
"Southeastern" was the first country album I really liked (it came out when I was 17), and it opened up the doors to this vast, wonderful world of country sound. So, from my personal perspective, it is the most influential country album of the decade.
Also, every writer in Nashville should attend a class of songwriting with Jason Isbell. Just saying.
P.S. Really liked your other picks, too :)
you are really good at this young man
Chief was definitely the most influential for me, that is until I found Maren Morris’ EP searching iTunes for the “good” country. I will never forget the first time I heard My Church!
Dan Edwards I liked that one too, now her music is pure pop crap
Know this is super late, but for me, Miranda Lambert's "Weight of These Wings" album was just - stellar. I think it got me through the year, haha. I think it displays incredible songwriting, some weighty, complicated, emotional depth, and really chronicles what feels like an end into self discovery > loneliness, and then companionship, friendship, new love. It has some powerful ballads as well as some sexy, Miranda songs like "Vice" and "Smoking Jacket" that just really indulge the impulses I think everyone has! Loved that album.
Also Bruce Springsteen's "Western Stars" really got me. The Boss has been pretty vocal in recent years about his appreciation for classic country and I think it shows on this album! Heavy hitters for me are "Moonlight Motel," "Chasing Wild Horses," and "Tucson Train," though honestly I love the whole album and the only one that misses for me is "Somewhere North of Nashville."
Thanks for the great roundup! Always find someone new to listen to on your channel.
This is left field, but an album that was important to me in country music was Hunter Hayes’ debut. That record and Traveller opened the doors to country music for me. What’s even crazier is that every song on that album has Hunter playing every single instrument on it. If I didn’t know any better, I would’ve thought these were A-list Nashville session players on the album haha. And all the songs are great imo
Every album by Tyler Childers, Sturgill Simpson, Colter Wall, and Cody Jinks I feel may not be seen as influential now, but when that sound inevitably becomes mainstream again (let's hope it's soon) these albums will definitely be looked at as EXTREMELY iconic and influential.
Top Picks
Childers: Purgatory
Simpson: High Top Mountain/Metamodern Sounds
Wall: Imaginary Appalachia/Songs of the Plains
Jinks: Lifers
Chris Stapleton is my absolute love