1. Justin Townes Earle- Harlem River Blues
Best Record of the Year. From the quick stepped opener to the gospel reprise closer, this record was perfect. Jason Isbell’s soulful guitar licks on “Slippin’ and Slidin’†still haunt me.
2. The Hold Steady- Heaven Is Whenever
One of America’s best rock and roll bands refuses to let up. Stronger track for track than Stay Positive and more musically expressive than Separation Sunday, this still may not be this band’s best, but few could touch this level of excellence in 2010.
3. Two Cow Garage- Sweet Saint Me
Two Cow Garage came roaring back this year with the no holds barred rock and roll of Sweet Saint Me. This record had my favorite song of the year on it “Jackson, Don’t You Worryâ€. Also, Shane Sweeney’s contributions were as strong as any he’s submitted thus far. It all added up to a record that rivaled any yet produced by these Columbus, Ohio rockers.
4. Joe Pug- Messenger
Best songwriter in America. Pens the best 10 songs written this year. Game Over.
5. Caleb Stine- I Wasn’t Built For A Life Like This
Easily the best self-released record this year, IWBFALLT is a great display of songwriting and, perhaps just as importantly, album making. The warm sound of the acoustic guitars combined with Caleb’s mellifluous voice to create a sound that feels timeless.
6. Mavis Staples- You Are Not Alone
This Jeff Tweedy produced record showcases an American voice of the highest caliber. Using Mavis’s road band, Tweedy is smart enough to stay mostly out of the way as Mavis and company obviously KNOW soul music.
7. John Hiatt- The Open Road
This record kicks Robert Plant’s record’s ass. The opening track rocks and the rest steal from Chuck Berry and other blues luminaries liberally as Hiatt shows us what Americana music is REALLY about. Here’s an old cat that’s still got a little real rock and roll left in him.
8. Ben Sollee & Daniel Martin Moore- Dear Companion
Trying to save Appalachia from the horrors of mountain top coal mining is a tall order for any trio of folk singers to tackle. These three (Ben, Daniel, and producer Yim Yames) give it their best shot and sound beautiful doing it.
9. Patty Griffin- Downtown Church
This album has a beautiful haunting quality. It became my ‘church’ music for 2010.
10. Butch Walker- I Liked It Better When You Had No Heart
You’ve got to love Butch Walker. Well maybe you don’t, but if you do this record is as fun as a plate of spaghetti and any two Marx Brothers stuck on a cruise liner as stowaways.
11. Alejandro Escovedo- Street Songs of Love
Escovedo rocks as least as hard as he has since the 1980’s. He slows down for one of the best ballads of the year with “Down In the Boweryâ€.
12. Kasey Anderson- Nowhere Nights
Biggest surprise of the year. Kasey Anderson navigates the folky dirges and upbeat rockers as well as obvious influence Steve Earle. He’s got another one lined up for 2012, keep your eyes on this guy.
13. Leeroy Stagger- Little Victories
Not sure if this one is technically released this year or next, but regardless it is excellent. The lyrical content is far more depressing than any prior Stagger record, but he fails to make a single musical misstep. Essentially a far superior version of Ryan Adams….and Canadian, Stagger is the under the radar artist you’ve been missing out on during the 2000’s.
14. Old 97’s- The Grand Theatre Vol. One
God smiled on the day he created the Old 97’s. These 4 Texans have been kicking ass and taking names for nearly two decades now. For the last couple they’ve seen a rejuvenation of their roots with 2008’s Blame It On Gravity and now The Grande Theatre. The latter in particular bristles with the same cow punk energy of their beloved early records. Here’s to Rhett Miller and Co., may you have many decades as fruitful in the future.
15. Chip Robinson- Mylow
Leader of the infamous Backsliders from Raleigh, NC (Whiskeytown contemporaries) returns from the dead with his first solo record. Equal parts Tom Waits and Steve Earle, the man still has it.
16. Bobby Bare Jr.- A Storm, A Tree, My Mother’s Head
17. Red Molly- James
18. Drive-By Truckers- The Big To Do
19. Phosphorescent- Here’s To The Meantime
20. Jason & the Scorchers- Hacylon Times
21. Superchunk- Majesty Shredding
22. The Gaslight Anthem- American Slang
23. Glossary- Feral Fire
24. Grace Potter & the Nocturnals- S/T
25. Todd Mathis & Zach Seibert- Epiphany
Best Live Record: John Prine- In Person & On Stage
Runner Up: Adam Carroll- Live at Flipnotics
Best EP: Andrew Combs- Tennessee Time
Runner Up: Cary Ann Hearst- The Thread
About the author: Specializes in Dead, Drunk, and Nakedness..... Former College Radio DJ and Current Craft Beer Nerd