Flop Eared Mule A Country Music Death Beast and Worker in the Dylan Industrial Complex | Sydney, Australia | Est. 2004

Mike Stinson, The Jukebox in Your Heart
Mike Stinson is sort of a John Prine meets Dwight Yoakam, with some Tom T. Hall and he is ace. This is one of my very, very favourites of the year. "Square with the World" is an instant choice for the songs you want at your funeral, "Walk Away" is a heartbreaking ode to big decisions and there area bunch of wry drinking songs besides. It rocks.

My only complaint really is making me listen repeatedly (as that is how I listen to The Jukebox in Your Heart) to a song called "Ashes II" with the line "still the same old nightmares come around." ;-(

Cedric Watson et Bijou Créole, Creole Moon: Live from the Blue Moon Saloon

Cedric Watson has been a rising star in cajun/zydeco for a few years now with some very fine records but I really like the energy a live set (deep in the heart of Arcadia in Lafayette) brings to it so I've it over the studio album he put out his year L'esprit Créole (but you should get that too if you like this sort of stuff.)

Ray Wylie Hubbard, A: Enlightenment B: Endarkenment (Hint: There Is No C)
I don't think I rate any of RWH's albums as anything less than excellent (though sadly I don't have any of his 70s albums, they're hard to get) and a new collection of his cosmic Texas grooves is a joyful addition to the world. Hard to pick a standout, all the songs are.

Elizabeth Cook, Welder
Nothing so breakout as "Balls" her previous album, but worthy album of country rockers, ballads, a leftfield cover of Faron Young's "Blackland Farmer" and a double helping of sass.