The Best Country Albums 2012  

The best country albums of 2012 include traditional albums by well-established country music legends, hot new releases by some of the genre's biggest contemporary artists and new offerings from some rising country stars. Which one of these 2012 country albums is truly the best? That's up to you to decide, with your votes. Be sure to vote up the country CDs that you loved the most, and vote down any that you don't think deserve a place on this list. Also: This list isn't complete by any means, so feel free to add any awesome country albums from 2012 to it!

Which country music albums were the greatest in 2012? Lionel Richie's 'Tuskegee,' which features duets with some of country's biggest names, including Blake Shelton, Kenny Rogers, Willie Nelson and Jason Aldean, among others, is a huge hit. Others of note include Carrie Underwood's fourth studio album, 'Blown Away,' 'Uncaged' by the Zac Brown Band and 'Punching Bag' by Josh Turner. And certainly, Taylor Swift's fourth studio album, 'Red,' will sell like gangbusters. Does it deserve a place on this Best Country Albums 2012 list? Again, that's for you, the voters, to decide.

Country music debut albums that could easily be considered among 2012's best include the first efforts by country singers Hunter Hayes and Dustin Lynch. Some artists' albums listed here are country, but they're also more of an alt-country sound, including the "red dirt" sound of Oklahoma's Turnpike Troubadours. And speaking of red dirt, Willie Nelson's latest, 'Heroes,' also makes this list.

If your favorite country album of 2012 isn't listed, again, please add it: Country fans always enjoy discovering new music!