Tom’s Top 25 of 2024
- Waxahatchee – Tigers Blood
This was my favorite album of the year for its raw emotional depth and strikingly beautiful production. Seeing her perform live at Wolf Trap only solidified this record. The energy she brought to tracks like “Right Back to It” was electric, while “Bored” captured that bittersweet, introspective tone I love so much in her music. “Crimes of the Heart” is another standout, with its poignant lyrics and haunting melody resonating deeply. The album blends vulnerability with strength, making it a go-to listen. - Kacey Musgraves – Deeper Well
A deeply introspective and lush production, with Kacey’s signature lyrical depth.
- Gillian Welch and David Rawlings – Woodland
An intricate and beautiful collaboration that weaves storytelling with soulful acoustic instrumentation.
- The Black Crowes – Happiness Bastards
An energetic, riff-driven record full of classic rock spirit and grit.
- JD McPherson – Seven Nights on a North Star
McPherson delivers a rockabilly-infused, high-energy album that’s both fresh and nostalgic.
- Sarah Shook and the Disarmers – Revelations
Packed with raw emotion and rebellious spirit, Sarah Shook delivers a cathartic experience.
- Andrew Bird & Madison Cunningham – Sonic Flora
This collaboration is a lush blend of folk and indie rock, filled with intricate violin work and captivating vocals.
- Blackberry Smoke – Be Right Here
A southern rock powerhouse, full of energy and tight musicianship.
- Sierra Ferrell – Trail of Flowers
Ferrell’s voice shines on this ethereal, genre-blending record.
- Sarah Jarosz – Polaroid Lovers
Rich with atmospheric folk tones and poignant lyricism.
- Hurray for the Riff Raff – The Past Is Still Alive
- The Decemberists – As It Ever Was, So It Will Be Again
- Yasmin Williams – Strings of the Earth
- Nathaniel Rateliff and the Night Sweats – South of Here
- The Secret Sisters – Mind, Man, Medicine
- Marcus King – Electric Soul
- American Aquarium – The Fear of Standing Still
- Ray LaMontagne – Long Way Home
- Caleb Caudle – Sweet Critters
- Dawes – Oh Brother
- AJ Lee and Blue Summit – City of Glass
- Pokey LaFarge – Rhumba Country
- The Cactus Blossoms – Every Time I Think About You
- Will Kimbrough – For the Life of Me
- The Wild Feathers – Sirens
Honorable Mentions:
- Joe Pug – Sketch of a Promised Departure
- Amos Lee – Transmissions
- Johnny Blue Skies (Sturgill Simpson) – Passage du Desir
- MJ Lenderman – Manning Fireworks
- Will Hoge – Tenderhearted Boys
- Shovels & Rope – Something Is Working Up Above My Head
- The Avett Brothers – The Avett Brothers
- Pernice Brothers – Who Will You Believe
- The Deslondes – Roll It Out
- Frontier Ruckus – On the Northline
- Mindy Smith – Quiet Town
- Billy Strings – Highway Prayers
- Fantastic Negrito – Son of A Broken Man
- Pete Yorn – The Hard Way
- Maggie Rose – Change the Way We Love
About the author: Washington, D.C. area creative by day. Music is my muse. I host Twangville’s weekly Readers‘ Pick.