Putting together my annual list of favorite albums seems to get harder every year.  Much of what I hear comes across my desk in the form of discs or downloads from publicists, labels, and musicians themselves. I also got a few “you’ve got to hear so-and-so” missives from friends and colleagues whose musical tastes I really respect.  Add it all up and it’s been a good year for new tunes here in Twangville.  Here are the albums I most liked.
- The Waifs – Ironbark: OK, yes, there’s a little irony in the fact that my favorite Americana album of the year is from an Australian band. Â But these guys have been together 25 years and Ironbark is a celebration of that achievement. Â It’s got folk and country, roots joy and protest songs, and even a spoken word “rap” about growing up in the outback. Â The three core members emphasize their vocals more than their instruments so unless you’re searching for a banjo jam this has something for everyone.
Phoebe Hunt & the Gatherers – Shanti’s Shadow: I’ve long been a fan of Phoebe and her vocal range and ability, and she plays a pretty mean fiddle to boot. Â With her new New York version of the Gatherers, she’s expanding her musical playbook and that serves to showcase her songwriting talents as well. Â From the soaring notes of Take Me Home to the head-bobbing rhythms of Linthead Gal, this record also presents a wide variety of styles.
Son Volt – Notes Of Blue:Â Jay Farrar’s previous album explored the country and honky tonk influences in his music. Â With Notes Of Blue, he dove even deeper into his roots and you hear some of the Mississippi Delta that’s part of his “normal” sound. Â It’s a good album on his own, and also interesting from the perspective of how his music developed.
Band Of Heathens – Duende:Â A few years ago it seemed the Heathens were everyone’s favorite new band. Â Life happens, though, the line up changed, they moved away from Austin, and, IMO, they kind of lost their way. Â With Duende, they’re back. Â This is roots rock at its finest.
The Mavericks – Brand New Day: At this point it’s kind of hard to say anything new about The Mavericks. Â Release after release, they knock it out of the park with their unique salsa/country/soul music and leader Raul Malo’s vocals. Â They did it again with Brand New Day.- Blackie & the Rodeo Kings – Kings And Kings: A series of duets with musical heroes of the Kings, this is a record that sounds good played loud. Â There’s straight ahead rock and roll with the likes of Jason Isbell and Buddy Miller, and over to a bluesier sound with Keb Mo, Raul Malo, and others.
- Gerry Spehar – I Hold Gravity: Recorded while his wife was dying from cancer, Spehar created a celebration of their life, and particularly some of their road trips, together. Â Together, they could be the basis for a novel or a movie, but in this case they constitute an album I found hard to take out of my playlist rotation.
- Jason Isbell & the 400 Unit – The Nashville Sound: Isbell goes further outside his own demons than on his last couple of releases, but the passion and raw power of the songs is still there. Â For songs filled with emotional and intellectual energy, it’s hard to beat Isbell these days.
- David Rawlings – Poor David’s Almanac: I don’t really know where Rawlings ends and partner Gillian Welch begins anymore, they’re so seamless as songwriters and performers. Â The result practically defines the word “craft” as it relates to music.
- The Sadies – Northern Passage: As probably Canada’s widest ranging band, the brothers Good and their bandmates made a rock and roll record in their parents basement.  Literally.  The resulting album hits all the bases in their repertoire and features the twin-lead-guitar sound that these days is unmistakably The Sadies.
- Emily Zuzik – Tender EP
- Front Country – Other Love Songs
- Nikki Lane – Highway Queen
- Marty Stuart – Way Out West
- The Coffis Brothers & the Mountain Men – Roll With It
- Yonder Mountain String Band – Love. Ain’t Love
- Ray Wylie Hubbard – Tell the Devil I’m Getting There As Fast As I Can
- John Moreland – Big Bad Love
- Chris Stapleton – From A Room, Vol 1
- Pokey LaFarge – Manic Revelations
About the author: I've actually driven from Tehatchapee to Tonopah. And I've seen Dallas from a DC-9 at night.