Reunions by Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit
The Twangville pick for Best New Album of 2020 is Reunions by Alabama rock outfit, Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit. This list combines best of year picks from our Twangville critics plus the Readers’ Tops which you helped us create. Congrats to all the finalists. Bring on 2021!
Official Twangville Top 50 of 2020:
1. Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit – Reunions (113)
2. Kathleen Edwards – Total Freedom (84)
3. Chris Stapleton – Starting Over (78)
4. American Aquarium – Lamentations (74)
5. Gillian Welch – Boots No. 1, 2, 3 (56)
5. Lucinda Williams – Good Souls Better Angels (56)
7. Phoebe Bridgers – Punisher (49)
8. The Wood Brothers – Kingdom in My Mind (48)
9. Charley Crockett – Welcome to Hard Times (45)
9. Drive-By Truckers – The Unraveling (45)
11. Sturgill Simpson – Cuttin’ Grass Vol.1 & 2 (44)
11. The Jayhawks – XOXO (44)
13. Marcus King – El Dorado (43)
14. Waylon Payne – Blue Eyes, The Harlot, The Queer, The Pusher & Me (42)
15. Ray Wylie Hubbard – Co-Starring (41)
16. Robert Francis – Amaretto (40)
17. Josh Ritter – See here I’ve built you a mansion (38)
17. Lori McKenna – The Balladeer (38)
17. Robert Vincent – In This Town You’re Owned (38)
20. Ryan Adams – Wednesdays (36)
20. Travis – 10 Songs (36)
22. Margo Price – That’s How Rumors Get Started (35)
22. Sarah Jarosz – World On The Ground (35)
24. Larkin Poe – Self Made Man (34)
24. The Secret Sisters – Saturn Return (34)
26. Nathaniel Rateliff – And It’s Still Alright (32)
27. Dan Reeder – Every Which Way (31)
28. Drive-By Truckers – The New OK (30)
29. Ben de la Cour – Shadow Land (29)
30. Lydia Loveless – Daughter (27)
31. “I Remember Everything” – John Prine’s last song* (25)
31. Garrett Owen – Quiet Lives (25)
31. On the Road: A Tribute To John Hartford (25)
31. Steve Earle – Ghosts of West Virginia (25)
31. The Strokes – The New Abnormal (25)
31. Whitney Rose – We Still Go to Rodeos (25)
37. Sonny Landreth – Blacktop Run (24)
37. The War and Treaty – Hearts Town (24)
39. Jesse Daniel – Rollin’ On (23)
39. New Moon Jelly Roll Freedom Rockers – Vol. 1 (23)
41. Bruce Springsteen – Letter to You (22)
41. Elvin Bishop & Charlie Musselwhite – 100 Years of Blues (22)
41. Emily Zuzik – Torch and Trouble (22)
41. Jackson Emmer – Alpine Coda (22)
41. Lucas Nelson and Promise of the Reel – Naked Garden (22)
41. Marshall Chapman – Songs I Can’t Live Without (22)
47. Jamie Wyatt- Neon Cross (21)
47. Katie Pruitt – Expectations (21)
47. Old 97’s – Twelfth (21)
47. Ronnie Earl – Rise Up (21)
47. The Band Of Heathens – Stranger (21)
*Remembering John Prine
Twangville Bill suggested (and we all agreed) that we couldn’t let this year pass without paying special tribute to John Prine, truly one of the greatest singer-songwriters of our time. His hospitalization early on in the Covid-19 pandemic had us all concerned. We mourned his passing then and continue to celebrate his soul and the many treasures he left behind. Here he is playing “I Remember Everything”, his final serenade. Shine on, John Prine. Shine on.
Additional Twangville Best of 2020 lists:
- Mayer’s Picks – Best of 2020, the Albums
- Mayer’s Picks – More Favorites from 2020
- Mayer’s Picks – Best Albums of 2020, Boston/Dallas Edition
- Chip’s Best Americana Albums of 2020
- Tom’s Downright Favorites of 2020
- Mayer’s Picks – The Best of 2020 (So Far), the Songs
- Mayer’s Picks – Best Songs of 2020, Part 2
- Shawn’s 2020 Album Favorites
- Todd’s Tops of 2020
- Bill’s Blues-Based Best of 2020
- Readers’ Pick: Best Album of 2020
Twangville Hall of Fame
Finally to celebrate our 15th year, the Twangville Hall of Fame. Here’s our #1 picks starting from 2005.
- 2020: JASON ISBELL & THE 400 UNIT, Reunions
- 2019: JOSH RITTER, Fever Breaks
- 2018: BRANDI CARLILE, By The Way, I Forgive You
- 2017: JASON ISBELL & THE 400 UNIT, The Nashville Sound
- 2016: LYDIA LOVELESS, Real
- 2015: JASON ISBELL, Something More Than Free
- 2014: JOE FLETCHER, You’ve Got The Wrong Man
- 2013: JASON ISBELL, Southeastern
- 2012: I SEE HAWKS IN L.A., New Kind of Lonely
- 2011: JASON ISBELL & THE 400 UNIT, Here We Rest
- 2010: JUSTIN TOWNES EARLE, Harlem River Blues
- 2009: LUCERO, 1372 Overton Park
- 2008: DRIVE-BY TRUCKERS, Brighter Than Creation’s Dark & THE HOLD STEADY, Stay Positive (tie)
- 2007: JASON ISBELL, Sirens of The Ditch
- 2006: JACKIE GREENE, American Myth
- 2005: KATHLEEN EDWARDS, Back to Me
We hope you’ll follow us for more music reviews, interviews, and playlists throughout the year. Be sure and vote for your favorites in our Readers’ poll every week.
About the author: Washington, D.C. area creative by day. Music is my muse. I host Twangville’s weekly Readers‘ Pick.