I thought I would kill two birds with one stone. My year end best of is a daunting task, so I am going to cut the challenge in half and try to get the Twangville readers to think about what their favorites are so far in 2025. No better to do that than give you a list that you can poke holes in and rip apart. As such, my favorite releases through the month of July are below:
1) Tyler Childers – Snipe Hunter
I admit this is hardly a risky pick to choose Tyler Childers. However, it is an easy pick. With Rick Rubin on production, Snipe Hunt has expanded Childers pallet, while still staying true to the artist. If you disagree I am going to put you on my “Bitin’ List”.
2) The Shootouts – Switchback
This album is dripping in Country nostalgia. Every song could have been a hit in the classic days of Music City. Plus, the guest list alone lets you know something important is going on here.
3) Caamp – Copper Changes Color
This album doesn’t deliver anything different than previous work, but it delivers everything they did. Clever songs written to hook laden earworms, what is not to like.
4) Fust – Big Ugly
Durham, North Carolina’s Fust has delivered an album that is a gem. This is a band to keep an eye on. Great storytelling ensconced in atmospheric indie folk arrangements.
5) I’m With Her – Wild and Clear and Blue
Our favorite All-Star trio is back to round out the top Five. The combined talent as writers, musicians and singers is almost unfair. It is mesmerizing from beginning to end.
And now the rest of the list:
6) James McMurtry – The Black Dog and the Wandering Boy
7) My Morning Jacket – Is
8) Kelsey Waldon – Every Ghost
9) Paul Thorn – Just Like a Vapor
10) Neal Francis – Return to Zero
11) Sierra Hull – A Tip Toe High Wire
12) Turnpike Troubadours – The Price of Admission
13) Brent Cobb & The Fixin’s – Ain’t Rocked in a While
14) Ron Pope – American Man, American Music
15) Larkin Poe – Bloom
16) Charley Crockett – Lonesome Drifter
17) Jesse Daniel – Son of the San Lorenzo
18) Goose – Everything Must Go
19) Jasoon Boland & The Stragglers – The Last Kings of Babylon
20) Them Coulee Boys – No Fun in the Chrysalis
21) The Head and the Heart – Aperture
22) Palmyra – Restless
23) Cody Jinks – In My Blood
24) Lord Huron – The Cosmic Selector Vol. 1
25) The Honeydogs – Algebra for Broken Hearts
What do you think? Let the stone throwing begin.
About the author: Chip and his family live in Birmingham, AL. Roll Tide!