But there's also been a lot of good. Some truly remarkable albums have been released, a couple even by mainstream artists, believe it or not (though most of it has still been by alternative choices).
As I compiled this list, I thought about the albums I listened to the most throughout the year. I thought about the ones that I felt had the best music, but also the ones I had a great connection to. As a result, a couple of critical favorites may have gotten left off of the list. But I'm prepared to defend each choice I've made on this list.
Therefore, I present my own Top Ten Country Albums of 2014.
I’m a Fire by David Nail
The Outsiders by Eric Church
The B Side Sessions (EP) by Sean McConnell
I Got Dressed Up For This by Mitch Rossell
Man Against Machine by Garth Brooks
Sundown Heaven Town by Tim McGraw
In addition, I'm also going to list a few favorites I had from outside the country music world this year. This is solely for perspective, to give an idea of some of my musical tastes that are not part of country music.
Beauty in Disrepair by Emerson Hart
Lonely Ones by Graham Colton
20 Stages by Sister Hazel
Somewhere Under Wonderland by Counting Crows
Interstellar: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack by Hans Zimmer
And so wraps up my list of Top 10 Country albums of 2014. I'm sure my list may differ from others'. Perhaps we had different connections to different pieces of music. Please feel free to discuss your own favorites in the comments section below as well as your thoughts on my picks.