It’s been a solid year of music so far in 2009. We’ve had the requisite releases from the marquee names like Springsteen and U2, but we’ve also seen stellar releases from the cherished and emerging artists that are the life-blood of Twangville.
Below, then, are the 2009 favorites from the Twangville posse. What were yours?
WRITTEN IN CHALK, BUDDY AND JULIE MILLER (Mayer’s Pick)
After a five year recording hiatus, Buddy and Julie return to remind us how music is supposed to be. From the emotional charge of “Chalk” to the grit of “Gasoline and Matches,” the Millers bring an unparalleled authenticity and honesty to their music.
ONE LAST CENTURY, THE DAMNWELLS (Tom’s Pick)
I can’t get enough of the new album “One Last Century” from The Damnwells. I’m a sucker for the carefully crafted hooks and acoustic rhythms found in this record. In my opinion this is the best album yet from The Damnwells and a solid contender for album of the year.
TO WILLIE, PHOSPHORESCENT (Kelly’s Pick)
Every time an artist releases a tribute album, they claim to have put their own stamp on it, even though that never seems to be the case. Matthew Houck managed to pay tribute while breathing new life into the songs, not merely using them as backing karaoke tracks, thus introducing a new, hipster crowd to the genius that is Willie Nelson.
DAVE ALVIN & THE GUILTY WOMEN, DAVE ALVIN & THE GUILTY WOMEN (Shawn’s Pick)
Unlike other collections of superstar musicians who come together for a project, this one manages to create a sum larger than adding the parts. The songs themselves are a fine collection of stories put to music with everyone pitching in to create something that sounds like it’s from a group that’s been together 20 years, even though the first time this “group” played together was a live show six months ago.
MIDNIGHT AT THE MOVIES, JUSTIN TOWNES EARLE (Eli’s Pick)
Thirty minutes of perfection. Whether Justin Townes Earle is serving up classic honky tonk, his gorgeous originals, or covering The Replacements “Can’t Hardly Wait,” he knocks it out of the park.
THE EXCITEMENT PLAN, TODD SNIDER (Todd’s Pick)
Todd Snider/The Excitement Plan – Although I’m not sure this effort tops his last full length, I still think Todd pens some of the smartest lyrics these days. “If I ever do get my money together I’m gonna take care of all of my friends/Buy an island, run a phone line, call em’, tell em’ all to get fucked, oh, that ought to take care of them.”
About the author: Mild-mannered corporate executive by day, excitable Twangville denizen by night.
Great Picks!
I have two albums I am stuck on this summer, the first is Grizzly Bears ‘Veckatimest’. Once I listened to the song ‘two weeks’ the piano chord plays in my head non-stop. There is something very soothing about the whole album.
The other album is Elvis Costello’s ‘SECRET, PROFANE and SUGARCANE’. At first listen I thought it was so-so, but I keep coming back to it and it seems to just grow on me. There is something inherently cool about Elvis in country mode. The song ‘she handed me a mirror’ is filled with a lonesome kinda sorrow.
Anyhow, I’m off to get your list and give them a listen. Twangville always steers me in the best directions.
-E
Where is Willie! Willie Nile’s record is by far the most consistent and best record of the year. In all due respect to my friend Mayer, Buddy & Julie Miller’s record has a handful of good songs on it . . that’s it. I believe that in order for a record to be on a “best of list” it most have over 75% very good songs. So far I’ve tried the Damnwells’ record a couple of times and it just hasn’t hit me. I loved their previous stuff, but this seems a little flat. I’ll try it again based on your enthusiastic review. I actually might be seeing them in DC this weekend. If they get me I just might have them at my house in September. Do love the Justin Townes Earle record.
Bobby K
My top 10:
Patterson Hood – Murdering Oscar
Ryan Bingham – Roadhouse Sun
Son Volt – American Central Dust
Sons of Bill – One Town Away
Neko Case – Middle Cyclone
Justin Townes Earle – Midnight at the Movies
The Felice Brothers – Yonder is the Clock
Todd Snider – The Excitement Plan
Scott H Biram – Something’s Wrong/Lost Forever
Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit
Bobby K, I’d pegged your pick to be Ryan Bingham. What gives?
Mayer – I thought the Bingham CD fell wait short of his first. The first was so different … a lot of tempo changes … really interesting. This one is just a straight ahead rockin country record. I just don’t think the writing is that strong. I’m really digging the Ben Kweller’s record, Roman Candle’s new one and like I said above, Willie’s reocrd. Speak to you soon.