Best Album of 2023: Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit – Weathervanes
I really didn’t want to do it. It’s just too easy. Jason Isbell has come out on top time after time in Twangville’s Best of Year lists. Yet, here I am again. At first, it was a tough call. Chris Stapleton is always in play and I have to give it up for Eilen Jewell, Lori McKenna, and Hiss Golden Messenger who all had mighty albums this year. In the end, Isbell’s penetrable songwriting was the difference maker. Isbell writes songs that stick in your head with clever culture commentary and righteous hooks—Weathervanes is full of them. And hats off to the 400 Unit who always make me want to turn it up to eleven. Well done, y’all.
Standout tracks: Death Wish, King of Oklahoma, Strawberry Woman, Save the World, If You Insist, Cast Iron Skillet, When We Were Close, Miles
Tom’s Top 25 of 2022
- Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit – Weathervanes
- Eilen Jewell – Get Behind the Wheel
- Lori McKenna – 1988
- Chris Stapleton – Higher
- Hiss Golden Messenger – Jump for Joy
- Shinyribs – If Love Is Earned
- The War and Treaty – Lover’s Game
- Brent Cobb – Southern Star
- The Paper Kites – Good Nights Gone
- Wilco – Cousin
- Fruit Bats – A River Running to Your Heart
- Cordovas – The Rose of Aces
- The Wood Brothers – Heart is the Hero
- Marty Stuart & His Fabulous Superlatives – Altitude
- Lucero – Should’ve Learned By Now
- Black Pumas – Chronicles of a Diamond
- Zach Bryan – Zach Bryan
- Duane Betts – Wild & Precious Life
- Dylan LeBlanc – No Promises Broken
- Caitlin Canty – Quiet Flame
- Gregory Alan Isakov – Appaloosa Bones
- Lydia Loveless – Nothing’s Gonna Stand in My Way Again
- Grace Potter – Mother Road
- The Revivalists – Pour It Out Into The Night
- Lindsay Lou – Queen of Time
Honorable Mentions:
- Bahamas – BOOTCUT
- Buddy & Julie Miler – In The Throes
- Cat Clyde – Down Rounder
- Carter Sampson – Gold
- Colin Cutler – Tarwater
- Drayton Farley – Twenty on High
- Flatland Cavalry – Wandering Star
- H.C. McEntire – Every Acre
- JD Clayton – Long Way From Home
- Josh Ritter – Black Crown
- Kevin Morby – More Photographs (A Continuum)
- Lukas Nelson and Promise of the Real –Sticks and Stones
- Margo Price – Strays I & II
- Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway — City of Gold
- Natalie Merchant – Keep Your Courage
- Parker Millsap – Running on Time
- Ron Sexsmith – The Vivian Line
- Shakey Graves – Movie Of The Week
- Son Volt – Day of the Doug
- Sunny War – Anarchist Gospel
- Terra Lightfoot – Healing Power
- The Pink Stones – You Know Who
- Tyler Childers – Rustin’ In The Rain
- Tré Burt – Traffic Fiction
- Turnpike Troubadours – A Cat in the Rain
Just for fun, here’s some picks (not predictions) for the 2024 Grammys:
- Best Album of the Year: Boygenius – The Record
- Best Americana Album: Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit – Weathervanes
- Best Bluegrass Album: Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway – City of Gold
- Best Traditional Blues Album: Bobby Rush – All My Love for You
- Best Contemporary Blues Album: Larkin Poe – Blood Harmony
- Best Folk Album: Nickel Creek – Celebrants
About the author: Washington, D.C. area creative by day. Music is my muse. I host Twangville’s weekly Readers‘ Pick.