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Although Kellie Pickler and Tim McGraw both fall under the genre of contemporary country, there are more differences than similarities between their albums, which were both released today.

The variances begin with the titles of the albums. Pickler’s third album, 100 Proof, references alcoholic beverages. McGraw’s album, so-named Emotional Traffic, appropriately foreshadows the emotional depth and truth of his recording.

It is hard to contain McGraw’s music in a box simply labeled “country.” As a successful artist who has been a part of the music industry for several decades, his music has become mainstream in a way that does not necessarily deserve a negative connotation.

Each track on Emotional Traffic offers its own unique quality. With lyrics such as “she ordered us a drink/it was a purple kind of pink,” in “Felt Good on My Lips,” McGraw extends to you both an endearing story and a charming sense of humor.

Similarly, in the album’s opener, “Halo,” the tune offers both a backbeat that lends itself to foot tapping and lyrics that involve its audience emotionally. This can be a difficult balance to achieve.

Overall, the word to describe McGraw’s Emotional Traffic is wholesome. “I Will Not Fall Down” is both inspirational and encouraging. As all good country songs do, it tells a story that engrosses you from start to finish.

It would be wrong to pick apart Pickler’s album, 100 Proof, based on all of the ways that it does not live up to McGraw’s Emotional Traffic. As a young artist who is still relatively early in her career, the 25-year-old American Idol contestant from four years ago has room to grow.

Although it lacks the complexity and layers of McGraw’s new album, 100 Proof is perfectly respectable in its own right. Pickler does not shy away from displaying her powerhouse voice that helped her succeed on American Idol. Her song “Tough” is laced with empowerment and confidence. With lyrics such as “There ain’t nothing wrong with a woman that got a little backbone,” the track is reminiscent of Carrie Underwood’s “Before He Cheats.”

However, some songs on 100 Proof sound strangely similar to one another. You are left with the unsatisfying feeling that the album sounds like something you have already heard before.

Conversely, Emotional Traffic combines elements of pop and rock music with its country-based roots, and is likely to be appealing to more than just country fans. With its clever lyrics, and catchy but not repetitive hooks, Emotional Traffic is definitely the country CD you’ll want to take home.