Brain’s Favorite Album of 2013

I listen to a lot of music.  Country, rock, pop.  You name it, and I'll give it a spin.  And like many of you, I listen to music in a variety of ways.  Radio being one, and of course the internet.  I've heard a lot of great country music this year.  Florida Georgia Line bursting on to the scene.  Blake Shelton putting out hit after hit.  Hey, my favorite country artist, Keith Urban, put out a great album late in 2013.  But none could take the top spot for my favorite album of the year.  Kacey Musgraves, Same Trailer Different Park.  Many of you may of first heard Kacey's name from a Miranda Lambert song.  She co-wrote Mama's Broken Heart, and Miranda took it to the top of the charts.  Kacey's debut single was the melancholy, Merry Go 'Round.  It didn't hit the top 5, but it was so different, and the song writing so strong, I knew I had to hear more.

I remember listening to her album for the first time at home one afternoon.  Song after song, brilliant song writing.  No fancy, slick production.  Real, honest music.  It was so different than anything that country audiences had heard, and that is why it struck a chord with me.  In my opinion, it was the album of the year in country music.  It's one of the few albums from this year that I find myself going back and listening to again, and again.  My favorite tracks include, Silver Lining, Merry Go 'Round, Dandelion, Blowin Smoke, Keep it to Yourself, and Follow Your Arrow.  Her voice is distict, and confident.  There is humor and heartbreak.  It's everything a great album should be.  Give it a listen today.