Lady Antebellum's self-titled first release has delicious harmonies, smart songwriting and solid instrumentation.

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We haven't had someone shake country music to its foundation like this since the Dixie Chicks. With its delicious harmonies, intelligent songwriting and polished performances, this Nashville trio unabashedly dips into country's past and present to glimpse its future.

This former Georgia country garage band scored its first No. 1 hit with "Chicken Fried," the first single off an honest-to-goodness country album with unrefined and superb acoustic and steel guitars and the lush whine of fiddle. The whole record is finger-lickin' real country.

Frankly, no, we didn't know that this pistol-hot pop princess had some viable country chops. "Come On Over" and the title cut, with Dolly Parton chiming in on harmony, are worth the price.

The Hootie & the Blowfish frontman's entry into country wasn't much of a stretch from the roots rock he peddled throughout the 1990s. His sturdy baritone is a natural fit for twang, although the songwriting would have benefited from fewer clichés.

Eddie Montgomery and Troy Gentry populated their ninth studio album with songwriter friends Ira Dean, Terri Clark and David Lee Murphy and returned to their own songwriting roots for a collection of hard-driving honky-tonk that will remind fans of their introductory blast, "Tattoos & Scars."

The former "American Idol" contestant gains confidence and maturity in her sophomore record. She scores points on the opening single, "Don't You Know You're Beautiful," for sending a long overdue positive message to young women to accept themselves for who they are.

Womack's first record in three years returned her to her twangy roots — singing about drinking, loving and losing with stark honesty. This is Womack at her finest.

This multiplatinum teen artist continues to impress with her recently dropped sophomore album. Even Disney approves, including Swift's well-crafted Romeo and Juliet ode "Love Story" in the regular Radio Disney rotation that includes the Jonas Brothers, Miley Cyrus and Demi Lovato.

The ex-Trick Pony frontwoman's maiden solo venture includes the hit "Johnny & June." The disc has flashes of her honky-tonk Pony past, including the rollicking "Knocked Up," but it also allows Newfield to bare her soul, something we didn't get enough of with her former trio.

From the opening cut, "This is My Life," to the final strains of the album closer, "Crazy Life," this is one of Vassar's strongest records. Highlights among the dozen songs are hard to narrow down, but the moving title ballad and the contemplative "I Would" are gems.