#1. MATTHEW RYAN, Matthew Ryan Vs. the Silver State (00:02:59)
Whether he’s performing a ballad or a rock song, Ryan’s intelligence and intensity course through this release. (Twangville review, mp3s and video here.)
#2. THE HOLD STEADY, Stay Positive (Vagrant)
They rock, they roll and then they rock some more. The Hold Steady may very well be the best band in America. (Twangville review here.)
#3. JUSTIN TOWNES EARLE, The Good Life (Bloodshot)
The debut album of the year, hands down. Earle will win you over with ballads that ache with raw emotion and honky-tonk that hearkens back to country’s early hey-day. (Twangville review, mp3s and video here.)
#4. ELI “PAPERBOY” REED & THE TRUE LOVES, Roll With You (Q Division)
If you miss the by-gone days of Stax and Atlantic R&B, this will fill the void. The only thing better is to see them live in concert. (Twangville review and video here.)
#5. ALEJANDRO ESCOVEDO, Real Animal (Back Porch)
Hooking up with Jon Landau Management was only Escovedo’s second best move this year. The first was releasing an album that showcases his lyrical depth and his mastery of diverse musical styles. (Twangville review and video here. Exclusive video profile podcasts here and here.)
#6. KAY HANLEY, Weaponize (De Guerre)Delicious power-pop that bristles with confidence and attitude. (Twangville concert review with video footage and studio mp3 here.)
#7. DRIVE-BY TRUCKERS, Brighter Than Creation’s Dark (New West)
A good double album would have been a great single album. But I’m not complaining, the Truckers are Southern story-tellers extraordinaire. (Twangville reviews here, here and here.)
#8. ERIC LINDELL, Low on Cash Rich in Love (Alligator)
The best way to listen to this album is to close your eyes and get lost in Lindell’s soulful New Orleans R&B. (Twangville review here.)
#9. THE LOW ANTHEM, Oh My God, Charlie Darwin (self-released)I’m not sure how I missed this band that has regularly performed in my neighborhood clubs. Better late than never, I suppose, as I’m mesmerized by their quietly intense folk songs and their percussive up-tempo blues.
#10. BUTCH WALKER, Sycamore Meadows (Original Signal/Power Ballad)
Power-pop heaven from a master in the craft. (Twangville review here and album stream with mp3 download here.)
#11. TEENAGE PRAYERS, Everyone Thinks You’re the Best (True Love Through Better Music)
I’ll stick with the question that I posed when I first reviewed this album: Are the Teenage Prayers a rock band that brims with soul or a soul band with garage rock tendencies? With music this good, does it really matter? (Twangville review, mp3 and video here.)
#12. JIM BOGGIA, Misadventures in Stereo (Bluhammock)
Richly nuanced but always sharply engaging pop from one of Philly’s finest. (Twangville review here.)
About the author: Mild-mannered corporate executive by day, excitable Twangville denizen by night.