As you’ve no doubt figured out, in addition to the collective top 20 albums of ’09, each of us is sharing our own spin. Â So here’s my perspective on the best of the year.
1. Dave Alvin & the Guilty Women – eponymous: Perhaps my opinion is colored by having seen a couple of stellar performances by the group this year. Â But I think these folks put together a record that showcases a bunch of stellar musicians while melding into a band that’s more than the sum of its parts.
2. Sarah Jarosz – Song Up In Her Head: The debut album from a woman who can shred the mandolin with the best in the music business.  Yet this record  fits as well into an indie playlist as it does into bluegrass or Americana.  Buy it if you like Neko Case.
3. The Band of Heathens – One Foot In the Ether: Rising stars in the Americana scene, these guys’ sophomore (studio) effort easily matches the excellence of their first studio album, which was one of the top rated albums of 2008.
4. The Gourds – Haymaker: Like TBOH, The Gourds are a product of the live music scene in Austin. Â There’s a lot of good material on this album to feed the live beast that’s a Gourds show. Â “Shreveport” may be my favorite song of the year.
5. Rosanne Cash – The List: Plenty has been written about this album and how the song selection came from a list Johnny Cash gave his daughter of the 100 best country songs. Â This record deserves all the kudos it’s received.
6. Danny Barnes – Pizza Box: Lots of fun songs on this album and the musical chops to make them serious tunes while keeping the grin on your face. Â Buy it if you’re a John Hartford fan.
7. Monsters of Folk – eponymous: A wide range of styles from 4 of the biggest names in indie/folk and enough complexity that you hear something new every time you listen to the album.
8. Heartless Bastards – The Mountain: A unique blend of heavy metal and Americana, it sounds even better played really loud.
9. The Bottle Rockets – Lean Forward: Good old fashioned roots rock and roll.
10. Neko Case – Middle Cyclone: A worthy successor to “Fox Confessor Brings the Flood”, this album explores more of Neko’s love of nature and her background growing up in the Canadian Plains.
11. Blind Pilot – 3 Rounds and a Sound
12. Robert Earl Keen – The Rose Hotel
13. Justin Townes Earl – Midnight at the Movies
14. Blind Boys of Alabama – Duets
15. Todd Snider – The Excitement Plan
16. Sara Watkins – eponymous
17. Red Stick Ramblers – My Suitcase Is Always Packed
18. Dave Rawlings Machine – A Friend of a Friend
19. Avett Brothers – I and You and Love
20. Slaid Cleaves – Everything You Love Will Be Taken Away
About the author: I've actually driven from Tehatchapee to Tonopah. And I've seen Dallas from a DC-9 at night.