This quartet of country albums was as impactful as albums can be. Their total sales were mind-boggling, but more than that, they influenced the genre. What Shania Twain, Garth Brooks, Faith Hill, and George Strait did was seismically important. Period, full stop. This quartet of artists went boldly in new directions of their own making. What they created was masterful, emblematic of that time, and of their versatile gifts. These albums arguably represent the very best of country music.
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'No Fences' by Garth Brooks (1990)
Brooks burst forth at the start of the decade with this heady collection of songs that clearly found massive favor with his audience. According to The Boot, "The album sat in the Top 40 of the Billboard overall albums chart for well over two years straight, and was certified 17 times platinum on the strength of four monster No. 1 country hits...." The lovable song "Friends in Low Places" was among them. Even though Brooks achieved dazzling superstardom with this album, there was still something homey and relatable about him. His fans saw that, adored it, and rewarded it. That's why No Fences flew off store shelves at a breakneck pace.
'Pure Country' by George Strait (1992)
George Strait is the acknowledged "King of Country Music" for good reason. This album is a prime example. It's the soundtrack to the film of the same name which Strait starred in. Per his web site, "It is among the biggest-selling country soundtracks in history with sales over six million." Wide Open Country lauded it as "one of the most successful albums of the '90s." Traditional country, the album is heartfelt and potent as only the King could do it.
'Come On Over' by Shania Twain (1997)
Twain's third studio album was a historic, virtually peerless success. Per The Boot, "There will likely never be another country blockbuster like Shania Twain's Come on Over. Twice certified diamond by the RIAA — that means a jaw-dropping 20 million albums shipped — the 1997 album spawned eight Top 10 country hits...and four crossover Top 40 hits." Twain had definitely arrived, big-time. Who can forget marvelous songs like "Man! I Feel Like A Woman!," "From This Moment On," and "You're Still The One"? What Twain did fit her like a skin-tight glove. The woman she sings about is tough, no-nonsense, and independent, yet also feminine and romantic. In the process, Twain whipped pop, rock, and country into something totally new and magnetic.
'Breathe' by Faith Hill (1999)
Hill always sings with such fluidity and sensuous, fiery passion. Breathe, her fourth studio album, showcases exactly what she excels at. Per warpedvinylaficionado.com, "The album won a Grammy Award for Best Country Album. It has sold more than eight million copies in the US. As such, Breathe remains one of the most successful country/pop albums to date." It went eight times platinum, according to the RIAA. It can be opined that outstanding female singers like Carrie Underwood - who, like Hill, also typically fuses country and pop - stand on her artistic shoulders.
