Mayer’s Picks – Best of 2018

Another year is winding down, which means that it is time for the ubiquitous best of year lists. Without further ado, here are my picks for the best albums of 2018.

#10. KIRBY BROWN, Uncommon Prayer

There’s a restlessness that permeates Uncommon Prayer, a point that Brown makes quite clearly in the opening track – “Gimme a week and a ride to the downtown station with a dollar to my name, I don’t much care where it’s going, just anywhere that’s gone.” What follows is an engaging collection of songs that combine clever lyrics with a refreshing roots pop sound.

Key Tracks: Gimme a Week, Joni, Sweet Shame, Mystery, Livin’ to Fly, Little Red Hen (With Apologies to Chicken Little), Broken Bell

Featured Twangville coverage of Kirby Brown: Mayer’s Playlist for Fall 2018, Part 3.

#9. GRANT-LEE PHILLIPS, Widdershins

Widdershins is Phillips taking stock of the world around him… and not being happy about what he sees. His response ranges from biting to thoughtfully considered, always infused with the lyrical and musical intellect that is a Phillips hallmark.

Key Tracks: Walk In Circles, King of Catastrophes, Scared Stiff, The Wilderness, Another Another Then Boom, Totally You Gunslinger, History Has Their Number

Featured Twangville coverage of Grant-Lee Phillips: Mayer’s Playlist for Winter 2018, Part 1, Mayer’s Picks – Best Albums of 2016 and Monday Morning Video – Grant-Lee Phillips “Cry Cry”.

#8. RUBY BOOTS, Don’t Talk About It

Ruby Boots’ Bloodshot Records debut crackles with attitude and the artist’s spirited personality, not to mention a fierce energy that flows from the fiery opener “It’s So Cruel” to the closing ramble of “Don’t Give a Damn”.

Key Tracks: It’s So Cruel, Don’t Talk About It, Easy Way Out, Break My Heart Twice, I’ll Make It Through, Infatuation, Don’t Give a Damn

Featured Twangville coverage of Ruby Boots: Mayer’s Playlist for Winter 2018, Part 2, SXSW 2018 – The Sounds, Part 2, Folk Alliance 2018 – Mayer’s Picks, Part 2 and Readers’ Pick: Don’t Talk About It by Ruby Boots.

#7. KEVIN GORDON, TILT AND SHINE

Gordon plays down some of the rich Southern storytelling that have anchored his recent releases, opting instead for wonderfully decadent character studies. He does so without losing any of the literary style and slithering guitars that give his albums their gruff and greasy charm.

Key Tracks: Fire at the End of the World, Saint on a Chain, Right on Time, Drunkest Man in Town, Rest Your Head, Get It Together

Featured Twangville coverage of Kevin Gordon: Mayer’s Playlist for Summer 2018, Part 1, Kevin Gordon – Tilt and Shine, Monday Morning Video – Kevin Gordon Rocks in a Car and Kevin Gordon – Long Gone Time.

#6. SAM MORROW, Concrete and Mud

Outlaw country is alive and well in the guise of Sam Morrow. His latest album is chock full of rumbling guitars and honky-tonk grooves, all driven by Morrow’s raucous voice and attitude.

Key Tracks: Coming Home, Good Ole Days, Heartbreak Man, Paid By the Mile, Quick Fix, Skinny Elvis, The Weight of a Stone

Featured Twangville coverage of Sam Morrow: Mayer’s Playlist for Spring 2018, Part 2, Monday Morning Video – Sam Morrow “Paid By the Mile”, SXSW 2018 – The Sounds, Part 3 and Monday Morning Video – A Premiere from Sam Morrow.

#5. GLORIETTA, Glorietta

Throw a bunch of talented singer-songwriters in a house – give them plenty of tequila – and sometimes you get magical results. The members of Glorietta compliment one another brilliantly, producing an album that feels immediately comfortable with its harmony-laced and weathered charm.

Key Tracks: Loser’s Lament, Golden Lonesome, Friends, Hard Way, Sinking Ship, Lincoln Creek

Featured Twangville coverage of Glorietta: Mayer’s Playlist for Fall 2018, Part 2.

#4. AMERICAN AQUARIUM, Things Change

“We must go boldly into the darkness and be the light” sings BJ Barham in opener “The World Is On Fire.” The line sets the theme for an album that speaks to the social and political disorder that Barham sees around him. Against a backdrop of electric guitars, he reminds that grit and perseverance are vital to not only surviving, but creating the world we want.

Key Tracks: The World Is On Fire, Crooked + Straight, Tough Folks, One Day At a Time, Things Change, Shadows of You

Featured Twangville coverage of American Aquarium: Mayer’s Playlist for Spring 2018, Part 2, Readers’ Pick: American Aquarium – Things Change and Monday Morning Video: American Aquarium and Chip Robinson.

#3. ANDREW DUHON, False River

False River is an exquisite work, sometimes warm and soothing while at other times dark and brooding. The constant is Duhon’s soulful voice and mesmerizing songs, brought to life via the album’s sublime and pristine production.

Key Tracks: Comin’ Around, Heart of a Man, They Don’t Make ’em, No Man’s Land, Let You Down, Gotta Know, Still Holding On, Easy Ways

Featured Twangville coverage of Andrew Duhon: Mayer’s Playlist for Spring 2018, Part 3 and Readers’ Pick: Andrew Duhon – False River.

#2. JAIMEE HARRIS, Red Rescue

Austin’s Jamiee Harris writes from a very personal place, openly sharing tales of addiction and heartache. She does so in captivating fashion, with enchanting melodies and a voice that is arresting in its warmth and raw emotion.

Key Tracks: Damn Right, Depressive State, Creatures, Catch It Now, Red Rescue, Hurts As Good As It Feels, Forever, Snow White Knuckles

Featured Twangville coverage of Jaimee Harris: Mayer’s Playlist for Fall 2018, Part 1, SXSW 2018 – The Sounds, Part 3 and Folk Alliance 2018 – Mayer’s Picks, Part 2.

#1. BRENT COWLES, How To Be OK Alone

Brent Cowles has one of the most expressive voices of this or any year. The quality carries over into his songwriting, writing about life hardships yet without being sorrowful. Rather, his songs become moving anthems of acceptance and hope.

Key Tracks: The Fold, Tequila Train, Keep Moving, Gina Joon, Places, How to Be OK Alone

Featured Twangville coverage of Brent Cowles: Mayer’s Playlist for Spring 2018, Part 1, SXSW 2018 – The Sounds, Part 1, Monday Morning Video – Brent Cowles “The Fold”, and Monday Morning Video – Brent Cowles.

About the author: Mild-mannered corporate executive by day, excitable Twangville denizen by night.