10 Perfect Country Music Albums With No Bad Songs

Ever since the mid '70s, the lines between the world of folk rock and country have always managed to blur a little bit. I mean, is there anyone really disputing that the Eagles practically made a country album with Desperado instead of the usual sunshine rock they were known for? Well, it turns out that there was a lot more seasoned country artists to tackle the country rock feel before Don Henley thought of it.

Fresh off his time in the Flyin Burrito Brothers and a stint with the Byrds, Gram Parsons' solo outing with Grievous Angel was enough to build a legacy on. With the help of friends like Emmylou Harris, this is the kind of country record that's as tuneful as it is jaded, with songs that are dripping with heartache on the sort-of title track Return of the Grievous Angel.

And it turns out that Parsons was the real deal in the industry as well, having friends in people like Keith Richards and even jamming with a few members of the Stones while they were about to record their smash album Exile on Main St. It makes a lot more sense when you think about it though. Rock and country aren't the same, but that common thread is still there when you look a little harder. Real can recognize real.