This year country music lovers have seen the release of quite a number of music albums. What’s your pick of the best country music albums release so far this year?

Sure, I have my own list, which I’ll share someday. But for now let’s hear what’s on a real professional’s list.

Craig Shelburne of Country Music Television (CMT) recently wrote an article listing his list for the year thus far. Here is a short quote from the article:

We’re about halfway through the year, so before I dive into another pile of new CDs, I’m moving a big ol’ stack to the file cabinet — except for these 10 albums released earlier this year, which I’d recommend to music fans with an adventurous ear. I have noted one of my favorite tracks from each selection, in case you want to download some tunes.

And finally, here is Craig Shelburne’s list of the 10 new country music albums worth checking out (album title in bold, and label in bracket):

1. Matthew Barber, Ghost Notes (Outside Music)
2. Hayes Carll, Trouble in Mind (Lost Highway)
3. Kathleen Edwards, Asking For Flowers (Rounder)
4. Griffin House, Flying Upside Down (Nettwerk)
5. Lady Antebellum, Lady Antebellum (Capitol Nashville)
6. Shelby Lynne, Just a Little Lovin’ (Lost Highway)
7. Kathy Mattea, Coal (Captain Potato)
8. Tift Merritt, Another Country (Fantasy)
9. Justin Rutledge, Man Descending (Six Shooter)
10. The Weepies, Hideaway (Nettwerk)

What do you think of these country music albums? Do you have your own pick of 10 new country music albums worth checking out? Why don’t you share them with us?