In most years, the best part of undertaking the task of creating a best of list, is highlighting the emerging artists that were unearthed. That was not the case in 2010. It was a year of the tried and true. It was like the pair of worn out jeans you can’t replace, because they are perfectly broken in and comfortable.
There were some good finds, like The Constellations and Phosphorescent. While Austin Collins is not a new name, he firmly established himself with the infectious “Wrong Control”. However, my list for 2010 is primarily populated with the familiar, like Old 97’s, Patty Griffin and Alejandro Escovedo. The album of the year is Robert Plant’s “Band of Joy”. Robert Plant is as familiar as it gets. So look at the list below and give me your feedback, whether bad or good, I can take it.
1 Robert Plant-Band of Joy
2 Old 97’s-The Grand Theater Vol. One
3 Patty Griffin-Downtown Church
4 Austin Collins-Wrong Control
5 Paul Thorn-Pimps & Preachers
6 Ryan Bingham & The Dead Horses-Junky Star
7 Alejandro Escovedo-Street Songs of Love
8 Drive-By Truckers-The Big To-Do
9 Justin Townes Earle-Harlem River Blues
10 Crooked Still-Some Strange Country
EMERGING:
Two Cow Garage-Sweet Saint Me
Phosphorescent-Here’s to Taking it Easy
About the author: Chip and his family live in Birmingham, AL. Roll Tide!