Top 10 Country Album Covers of 2007, So Far

Well we're only half way through the year, but it's already been huge for country music. Toby Keith, Alison Krauss, Big & Rich and Porter Wagoner have all put out albums already while new records from Brad Paisley and Bon Jovi are both hitting shelves next week.

To celebrate, here's a little collection of some of my favorite covers from this year's crop of releases.

10. Brad Paisley - 5th Gear

The font is pretty gross but I love Paisley for always doing something at least slightly left of center and always featuring his paisley colored guitars. Also, the neck of the guitar doubling as a yellow line in the road kind of rules.

9. Blake Shelton - Pure BS

Dude got a haircut and cleaned up a bit for the cover. That's not very awesome, but I like the pensive, look away from the camera thing going on here.

8. Alison Krauss - A Hundred Miles or More: A Collection

Honestly this one is pretty boring but my love for Alison Krauss' extends back to my junior high days of "falling in love" and listening to that really sweet song she wrote. So how does that make this album cover good? It doesn't. Suck it.

7. Big & Rich - Between Raising Hell and Amazing Grace

These dudes are just shameless. And I love them for it.

6. Bon Jovi - Lost Highway

I'm not saying they're country, but they certainly are. Anyway, this is the second entry on this list to feature the whole looking-down-the-open-road-thing and I can't think of a band I'd rather travel down that road with than Bon Jovi. They seem like classy guys with huge egos who would never ever travel without having their own personal busses. So I'll take one covered in airbrushed Slippery When Wet references.

5. Martina McBride - Waking Up Laughing

There's not a cuter mom on the planet. End.

4. Alan Jackson, George Strait, Jimmy Buffet - Live At Texas Stadium

These block letters lead me to believe that somebody in this crew has been getting into all of that House of Holland stuff. Couldn't be Jimmy Buffett, he's obsessed with those tropical tree Hawaii shirts. Couldn't be George Strait cause he put the starch in ‘80s country style. Couldn't be Alan Jackson because he doesn't wear shirts, or shoes. Oh well, it shall remain a mystery.

3. Willie Nelson, Ray Price, Merle Haggard - Last of the Breed

This one is just classy as hell. It's got the retro look but because these dudes helped define country, it ain't retro. It's just good and like I said, classy. Is anybody taking notes?

2. Toby Keith - Big Dog Daddy

Big ... Dog ... Daddy. I'm speechless, someone else take the reigns. Wait, is that a purple denim jacket? Ok, speechless again.

1. Porter Wagoner - Wagonmaster

In addition to having the sweetest album title ever, Porter perfectly proves that old people just look cooler, especially when they have great style. They've got more character in their faces and they typically don't look like they're pretentiously trying to be emotive. Also, Port gets a million e-high-fives for sporting a nudie suit. p.s. - Wtf is up with that guitar and where do I get one?