22 More Hits

This album is the sonic equivalent of a well-worn pair of leather boots: reliable, sturdy, and perfectly shaped by time. While it is technically a compilation of tracks that did not reach the number one spot, it serves as a masterclass in the neotraditional country sound that George Strait championed. The music feels unhurried, anchored by a baritone voice that never needs to shout to be heard. It is a world of clean Telecaster twang, weeping pedal steel, and fiddles that dance between Western swing and mournful ballads. There is a profound sense of space in the arrangements, reflecting the vast Texas landscapes that birthed this style.

3 sources