Cowboys in Cyberspace

A welcome return to the studio following the completion of his duties as Australian Of The Year, Planet Country is LEE KERNAGHAN at his best. He approaches the country from the inside and writes with the authority of someone who knows and lives the life. Lee is joined by the best of Australian musicians and a few Nashville cameos, including a vocal contribution by Dierks Bentley on Scars. Timely and relevant sounds and lyrics. (ABC/Universal 8000288)

You can take the girl out of Australia, but you can’t take Australia out of the girl! Now residing in Nashville and constantly flying the flag on tour across the States, AUDREY AULD has released Billabong Song, an E.P. of unashamed Australiana. With fellow ex-pat Mark Moffatt and visitors Stuie French and Camille Te Nahu to lend a hand, Audrey sings Waltzing Matilda, And The Band Played Waltzing Matilda, Pub With No Beer, Camooweal, and her own delightful tribute to ‘home’, Australia (Paint You A Picture). To complete the journey, she recites My Country. Heart-warming and heart-felt. (Reckless Records RECK0010) www.audreyauld.com

Fifteen years have passed since TODD SNIDER first hit our airwaves with Alright Guy. He’s seen a lot of life since then and his latest album The Excitement Plan is full of, as he puts it himself, “the best… most open hearted … well-thought-out lyrics I could come up with. I wanted every song to be sad and funny at the same time, vulnerable and entertaining at the same time, personal and universal at the same time”. He succeeds and with the help of producer Don Was, this is one of the most engaging albums of the year. (through Shock Records in Australia CTX495CD)

Equal parts sugar and spice, MIRANDA LAMBERT moves with ease from tender self-penned introspective songs, to letting it all hang out on a raucous take on Julie Miller’s Somewhere Trouble Don’t Go. The 15 tracks on Revolution are just like life. Some days are sweet and other times, well you just have to rock out. Just nominated for Best Female Country Vocal Performance in the 52nd Annual GRAMMY Awards and riding high on the U.S. album and singles charts. (Sony Music Entertainment 88697-46854-2)