Southern Rain
Ever since 1992's "Achy Breaky Heart" made him a commercial smash and critical whipping boy, Billy Ray Cyrus has struggled to overcome the "one-hit" stigma, and it wasn't clear he'd ever succeed. He has. No longer does he hide behind posturing. His vocals are stronger, more confident, and expressive. While his musical edge is modern, the occasional addition of steel and fiddles hasn't hurt. He believably conveys a wide range of emotions and moods: renewal on "You Won't Be Lonely Now," wistful nostalgia on "Southern Rain," the passion of "Everywhere I Wanna Be," romantic desperation with "Love You Back," and excruciating loneliness on "Without You." He ably delivers the acerbic, satirical "Burn Down the Trailer Park" and the roadhouse rockabilly tune "Crazy 'Bout You Baby." With all this, he can be forgiven the smarmy "Hey Elvis" and "We the People," a potential advertising jingle masquerading as a patriotic number. Rough as the late '90s were for Cyrus, they brought the BRC of 2000 real strength and maturity.--Rich Kienzle