BMG's 2007 compilation
Totally Country, Vol. 6 is a good cross-section of mainstream country circa 2006 -- usually big hits but also smaller singles from big names, all adding up to a fairly representative snapshot of the sound of the mainstream in 2006. Among the highlights: American Idol winner
Carrie Underwood establishing herself as a genuine country star ("Jesus Take the Wheel" isn't here, but the very good "Don't Forget to Remember Me" is);
Brad Paisley nimbly updating the Bakersfield shuffle with the sunny, exuberant "The World"; pop star
Michelle Branch successfully going country as part of
the Wreckers on their excellent single "Leave the Pieces";
Sugarland's surging, anthemic "Something More";
Montgomery Gentry's "Something to Be Proud Of";
Gretchen Wilson's loose, funny "California Girls"; and
George Strait's typically satisfying "She Let Herself Go."
Faith Hill,
Lonestar,
Kenny Chesney,
Martina McBride,
Phil Vassar, and
Big & Rich are all here, along with a handful of others, and even if not every song clicks, overall there's a high hit-to-miss ratio -- enough to make this a worthwhile roundup of notable country hits from 2006. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine