Mountain Music

Before Alabama came along, country was all about solo artists. Albums like this proved how fresh and exciting a self-contained country band could sound. And with crossover pop hits as undeniably catchy as the LP’s title track, it was like country finally had its own Beatles. It didn’t hurt that Alabama were so versatile—they could rip out a rugged, country-rocking cover of Creedence’s swampy “Green River” one moment and deliver a thoughtful social statement like “Changes Comin’ On” the next—without breaking a sweat.