Favourite Country, Blues and Folk Album

1. The Sadies
New Seasons (Outside)
"Twangy goodness with a great live show to match.” Denise MacDonald

"Ridiculously tight and they seem to have found the right producer. The album still gets better with every listen.” Iain Mcoustra, Toronto ON

"Demonstrates once again why the Sadies are Canada's hardest working band!” Al Cole

"Comfort music for a Canadian winter.” Chris McCarthy, Ottawa ON

"Another great album from these Canadian giants. Their musicianship always blows my mind, especially live. The addition of Gary Louris as producer and the recording environment of Spain clearly agrees with the Sadies.” Ryan Montemurro, Calgary AB

"With each new album, the Sadies are more confident and rely more on their secret weapon: their songwriting. Any idiot can acknowledge that they have been the country’s best live band for years, but now the novelty instrumentals and well-chosen country covers have given way to fantastic psychedelic/country folk/rock’n’roll masterpieces. Every new album is better than the last, so let's hope they stick around for at least another decade.” Raymond Auffrey, Riverview NB

2. Wilco
Sky Blue Sky (Nonesuch)

"Although Wilco have been very successful in their electronic experiments with soulful folk rock, I still do enjoy this collection of simpler, well-written songs.” Ryan Hough, Ottawa ON

"Every time I buy a Wilco CD I know that I'm buying quality. Sky Blue Sky doesn't disappoint.” Josee Lacroix, Gatineau QC

"Tweedy is good, but he’s better with Nels Cline.” Raffi Mahseredjian, Burnaby BC

"This album feels the least studio-constructed since Being There, and that's a good thing. Plus, it's great to hear a band usually tagged as experimental so in love with guitar solos.” Riley Haas, Hamilton ON

"For whatever reason this album hasn't garnered the same critical attention as the last couple of releases, which is a shame because this is some of the most beautiful music I have ever heard and easily Wilco's best effort to date.” Peter Kelly, Guelph ON

"I'm sure most people will see Wilco's newest LP as a step back from the fuzz-filled guitar work of past records, but this is definitely the Wilco Jeff Tweedy wants them to be and still has as much soul if not more than the Yankee Hotel Foxtrot days. The line-up is finally solid, and Nels Cline’s guitar work definitely shines through, blending chaos with the melodic lines he’s honed for years in the L.A. jazz circuit.” Matthew Ritchie, Halifax NS

3. Corb Lund
Horse Soldier! Horse Soldier! (Stony Plain)
"The dude knows how to make a country album that sounds new and modern, while staying true to the roots of country and not sounding overproduced like a lot of the pop/country crossover acts.” Kirk Kitzul, Saskatoon SK

"You could call Corb Lund reactionary, but not many people can accuse him of ruining the good thing modern country had going for it. Hinting at the country and western of yore, Horse Soldier! Horse Soldier! brings the genre back to the people to whom it rightfully belongs.” Tim Gilbertson, Edmonton AB

"He used to be in kick-ass metal group and he doesn't sing songs about beating up his boyfriend’s truck. Take this one (and all of his albums) and drive from Peace River to High River.” Geoff Wright, Devon AB

"Another strong record. Lord, how that man can make me weep.” Benji Loomer, Montreal QC

4. Iron and Wine
The Shepherd’s Dog (Sub Pop)
"Since country music is a lost cause — thanks to years of dilution and dumbing-down — the folk revival is the only organic alternative. Iron and Wine do it with an honesty that is currently quite rare, but seems to be returning.” Greg deJong, Edmonton AB

"On his latest work, The Shepherd's Dog, you have a such allusive lyrics and memorable instrumentals. Although in several interviews, Beam comments on the album as being politically influenced by the re-election of George Bush, the political themes do not overshadow the album's artistry one bit. The diverse musical influences on this album should satisfy just about anyone. For me personally, it's one of the best albums I've heard this year.” Kristen Allicock, Brampton ON

"An excellent, feel-good, good vibe album, through and through solid and magnificent.” Mario Gautreau, Moncton NB

"Admittedly, this album had me worried. Sam Beam had proven he had the chops to go electric on the Woman King EP, but a full album of genre experimentation seemed a risky proposition. The experiment paid off though, and the resulting album is bliss.” James Kearns, Toronto ON

"This album is closer to pop music than folk, and that's its force! A very good blend of genres with a voice out of the ordinary. You’ve got to own it!” Simon St-Pierre, Montreal QC

5. Ryan Adams
Easy Tiger (Lost Highway)
"Ryan Adams’ newest album (and only album of the year!) is actually consistent and the album as a whole is super rad, and very catchy.” Rachel Kuzmich, Montreal QC

"I don't care what anyone says, Ryan Adams makes good on another enjoyable album. Not an instant classic, necessarily, but another solid, straightforward release.” Peter Mahoney, Toronto ON

"Yet again Ryan puts out an amazing album.” Joshua Jones, Stuart FL

"He defies genres. Great lyrics and he has really found his groove since sobering up. The lovely guitar texture adds to the mourning tones of the lyrics. I kept reading that this was his Harvest. Of course it wasn’t, but he's getting closer every time.” Jeff Stiles, Windsor ON