#584 - Tanglewood Tree, Dave Carter & Tracy Grammer

"Where Carter's voice falls somewhere between Vic Chesnutt and Garth Brooks, Grammer, like a less visceral Lucinda Williams, is the perfect complement; neither are forceful vocalists but both are altogether appropriate for the material. Overall, this is truly a modern folk classic, as Carter's unique approach to songwriting and the musical and vocal contributions of Grammer combine to make what should be remembered as a landmark album in contemporary folk music." (allmusic guide)

#583 - When The Pawn Hits The Conflicts He Thinks Like a King..., Fiona Apple

"Apple doesn't break from the jazzy pop of Tidal on Pawn, choosing instead to refine her sound and then expand its horizons. Although there are echoes of everything from Nina Simone to Aimee Mann on the record, it's not easy to spot specific influences, because this is truly an individual work. As a songwriter, she balances her words and melodies skillfully, no longer sounding self-conscious as she crafts highly personal, slightly cryptic songs that never sound precocious or insular." (allmusic guide)

#582 - Otis Blue: Otis Redding Sings Soul, Otis Redding

"Otis Blue finds the venerable soul man coming into his own, delivering his trademark raspy, passionate vocals over stellar Stax/Volt musicianship. Cover songs are the order of the day here, as Redding gives his personal touch to classics by Sam Cooke, the Rolling Stones and the Temptations. Exceptional tunes from a true master." (real music guide)

#581 - 13 Songs, Fugazi

"13 Songs (a combination of the Fugazi and Margin Walker EPs) is usually among the first records that spring to mind when defining alternative rock. Furious, intelligent, artful, and entirely musical, it's a baker's dozen of cannon shots to the gut -- not just a batch of emotionally visceral and defiant songs recorded by angry young men, but something greater. Nearly every song here reaches an anthemic level without falling prey to pomposity." (allmusic guide)

#580 - Stranger's Almanac, Whiskeytown

"When buzz hovered over Ryan Adams' former band, it delivered the goods and landed a legion of fans thirsty for distorted twang and high lonesome harmonies. Stranger's Almanac pulls more Gram Parsons influences than any other contemporary album, all while retaining the signature tone that resulted from Whiskeytown's uncanny chemistry. A reunion must happen." (real music guide)

#579 - I Never Loved A Man The Way I Love You, Aretha Franklin

"This is the album that kicked off Franklin's avalanche of hits. It's a glittering accomplishment, soulful and mature and steeped in gospel. The prominent piano and spare backing accent her voice perfectly without drowning it out. "Respect" and the title track came off this album, but the whole release shines." (real music guide)

#578 - Will The Circle Be Unbroken, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band

"With all due respect to the Byrds and the Flying Burrito Brothers, it took the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band with this album to come up with a merger of rock and country music that worked for both sides and everyone involved. The opening number, "The Grand Ole Opry Song," set the tone for the album, showing that this band -- for all of their origins in rock and popular music -- was willing to meet country music on its terms, rather than as a vehicle for embellishment as rock music." (allmusic guide)

#577 - Yes I Am, Melissa Etheridge

"Melissa Etheridge wasn't out of the closet when she released Yes I Am in 1993, yet it's hard not to notice the defiant acclamation in the album's title. This barely concealed sense of sexual identity seeps out from the lyrics, and it informs the music as well, which is perhaps the most confident she has ever been. It's also the most professional she's ever been (perhaps not a coincidence), as she belts out these unapologetically anthemic numbers." (allmusic guide)