With the end of another calendar year, comes the “Best Of Lists†galore from everyone from Oprah to Obama encompassing books, food, music, and who knows what else. So, since I have a space here on Twangville, I figured I’d throw my 2 cents worth in on the music side. I’m going second because I wanted Chip to think he was the best looking of the Posse. Of course there are a lot of albums from 2009 that I have yet to hear, and there are a lot of albums that I really enjoyed over the past year that do not qualify because they did not come out in 2009, but out of the ones that were released that I did hear, these are my favorites:
1. Todd Snider – The Excitement Plan – Storytelling, comedy, and sing along melodies at its best.
2. The Avett Brothers – I And Love And You – Rubin did the Brothers justice in my opinion capturing and polishing the hooks they have been writing for years.
3. Slaid Cleaves – Everything You Love Will Be Taken Away –
4. Justin Townes Earle – Midnight at the Movies – A laid back, soulful, country affair.
5. Lucero – 1372 Overton Park – I still prefer That Much Further West, but this one is right up there with great songs and playing from Memphis’ finest.
6. Jason Isbell And The 400 Unit – s/t – He’s still mostly referred to as a former DBT member, but with this solid second effort, that should be changing.
7. Sara Watkins – s/t – Pretty…that’s the best way I can describe this one. (Sara is easy on the eyes as well.)
8. Ryan Bingham and the Dead Horses – Roadhouse Sun – Mr. Dylan’s Hard Rain is gonna fall on your ass.
9. Pete Yorn & Scarlet Johansson – Break Up – A whole lot more fun than Pete’s solo outing this year.
10. Ben Nichols – The Last Pale Light In The West – I think this one was officially released early 2009, though advance copies wandered around much of late 2008. A nice storytelling effort from Lucero’s frontman featuring stellar pedal steel.
11. Zach & The Red Wagon – s/t – Columbia, South Carolina is where Zach Seibert calls home, hitching up his Red Wagon and taking to local stages. This record is just as strong as any national release and if you’re a fan of Whiskeytown and the like, you should definitely pick this one up.
12. Leeroy Stagger – Everything Is Real – Oh, Canada, we thank you for Leeroy…that’s not how the anthem goes is it?
13. John Moreland – Rob’s House Demos – An honest take on life. Fans of Chris Knight’s Trailer Tapes sessions would really dig this.
14. Dave Rawlings Machine – A Friend of a Friend – Folk at its best, it could be a Gillian Welch album if the vocals were reversed as the guitars, banjos, and harmonies are all there.
15. Neil Young – Dreamin’ Man Live 92’ – Anything Neil Young puts out is going to make my list. (Well, maybe not Fork in the Road.) While I just got this a few days ago and have only listened a couple of times, I can tell it will get lots of plays.
About the author: Producer, Engineer, Musician and all around music enthusiast.