Contemporary Country

A gassed-up Chevy 4X4, a shot of Beam, and a pinch of Skoal: the pleasures come strong and smooth in the heartland. And country music is the soundtrack to these joys of down-home living, whether provided by traditionalists like Alan Jackson or innovators like Shania Twain. Get some dirt under your nails with these contemporary country neo-classics.

The guitars may be louder and the beat may be stronger these days, but the essence of country music remains the same: its songs tell the stories of everyday life in vivid colors. The struggle between sin and forgiveness, love and heartbreak, gives country its special pang and resonance. Turn up these tunes and cry in the beverage of your choice.

Young honky-tonk heroes, swaggering rebel Romeos, bluegrass balladeer cowgirls: contemporary country has seen a wave of newcomers compete with the veterans in recent years. There's so much talent pouring out of the genre of late that it's easy to miss even deserving hits. Here's a sampling of worthy tunes you shouldn't let slip by.

Today's country music is literally all over the map, embracing everything from the rebel-twang rock of Toby Keith and Julian Austin to the straight-shooting style of Shania Twain and Terri Clark. What brings these varying styles together is a celebration of the basics: small-town romance, Saturday night hell-raising, and Sunday morning faith. Here is the sound of contemporary country that will take you from the city skyscrapers to prairie back roads in style.