I am not so sure about Brad’s “American Saturday Night”. I didn’t really rate “5th Gear” that much.

I’m pretty excited to hear what Miranda will bring us with her next album…(hopefully not as much “Dead Flowers”), and I totally agree with Dudley “(with my fingers crossed that said album will be a better realization of her potential)” about the new Carrie album for the fall!

Ashley Monroe’s album is terrific. It is downright criminal that Sony Nashville didn’t/couldn’t do anything to launch this woman’s solo career. At her best, she has this incredibly touching William Maxwell vibe to her songwriting and delivery.

Anticipated 2009 releases: Brad Paisley’s, despite not being a fan of “Then,” Josh Turner’s (no idea when it will be released but I have to think it will be this year; the first single was apparently selected a while back) and Carrie Underwood’s (with my fingers crossed that said album will be a better realization of her potential). And I’ll join the chorus of those really looking forward to new music from Patty Griffin and Miranda Lambert.

Speaking of Miranda, this is an opportune time for me to register a correction. In responding to Canadian Boy in Lynn‘s Stagecoach review, I cited an OC Register review as saying the other new song Miranda has been performing in concert is called “Money Train.” From reading Miranda’s fan board, that is not the case. The song in question is actually called “Maintain the Pain.” You can check out an attempted transcription of the lyrics and a couple of video clips in this thread at Miranda’s website.

I hope that means we can expect the return of the best reissues/compilations countdown from you!

One reissue I’m super excited about now is Ray’s Modern Sounds in Country & Western Music. I hope the remastering doesn’t ruin the music.

I’m more interested in reissues and compilations this year, at least looking at what’s been confirmed for release so far. It’s not a great album, but it will be nice to have Pam Tillis’ pop set in remastered sound.

I really can’t wait for those Beatles reissues this fall. I keep waiting for Amazon to finally put up a pre-order on the box set of all of their studio albums. I’m curious to see how WB will get a handle on Madonna’s entire career with the planned greatest hits, though I’m most interested in the new tracks.

Nothing much in country to look forward to that I can think of. I’m curious to hear the Miranda Lambert album, though “Dead Flowers” has hardly whetted my appetite. I’m sure the Patty Loveless covers album will be decent, but I’d rather hear some new material from her instead.

I also agree that I am happy that Ashley Monroe’s album is coming out tomorrow — I was able to snag a copy when it was initially released and have to agree with William that it is hard to believe that it was crafted by a 19 year old….