Album of the Year:
Jason Isbell – Southeastern
Jason Isbell is quickly establishing himself as one of the greatest singer/songwriters alive today. He’s cleaned up, remarried, and recording without the 400 Unit (his backing band from the last few years). Southeastern is one of those albums I imagine we’ll look back on some day as a pivotal album in this young artist’s career. I hope Isbell goes on to create a catalog to match Neil Young’s. I’d say he’s well on his way.
Heavy Rotations & Honorable Mentions
While Isbell’s Southeastern was a clear favorite album of the year for me, I honestly don’t feel that I can give the rest fair rankings. At the risk of copping out, here’s two dozen more you should check out:
- Amos Lee – Mountains Of Sorrow, Rivers Of Song
- Andrew Belle – Black Bear
- Aoife O’Donovan – Fossils
- The Avett Brothers – Magpie And The Dandelion
- Brett Dennen – Smoke and Mirrors
- Caitlin Rose – The Stand-In
- The Civil Wars – The Civil Wars
- Eisley – Currents
- Haim – Days Are Gone
- Houndmouth – From the Hills Below the City
- JJ Grey & Mofro – This River
- Jake Bugg – Shangri La
- James Maddock – Another Life
- Jesse Dee – On My Mind / In My Heart
- Josh Ritter – The Beast in Its Tracks
- Josh Rouse – The Happiness Waltz
- Lindi Ortega – Tin Star
- Mando Saenz – Studebaker
- Mandolin Orange – This Side Of Jordan
- Mount Moriah – Miracle Temple
- Sarah Jarosz – Build Me Up From Bones
- Tedeschi Trucks Band – Made Up Mind
- Will Hoge – Never Give In
- The Wood Brothers – The Muse
Tom’s Picks (2013), a Playlist
About the author: Gainesville, FL area creative by day. Music is my muse. I host Twangville’s weekly Readers‘ Pick.