It was a good year for music, both live and recorded. I heard some things pushing the envelope of an already large package called Americana. I heard some new takes on old songs and some old takes on new songs. I heard a few things that even though I knew what was coming, and looking forward to it, still exceeded my expectation. Here are my 22 favorite records of 2022.
1 Sarah Shook & the Disarmers – Nightroamer: This record raised a new bar for twangy, punky, rock and roll, and showed they have the chops to do other styles as well. It sounds even better loud, on crappy speakers.
2 John Fullbright – The Liar: It’s been 8 years since his last album, and dare I say it was worth the wait. He’s a great songwriter and a potent pianist, and the backup band is of equal caliber.
3 Jamestown Revival – Young Man: One of the first records I reviewed this year and it stayed on my playlist all year long. It’s easy-going style serves to emphasize the duo’s vocal harmonies. Just takes the edge off your day.
4 Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway – Crooked Tree: Molly burst onto the scene as a guitar picker, but this album shows her singing and songwriting talent as well. She and Billy Strings are setting the standard for the next generation of bluegrass.
5 Moontricks – Current: I find it hard not to fall into hyperbole when I describe this Canadian band. Bluegrass meets EDM. I never knew I needed that until I heard this record.
6 The Whitmore Sisters – Ghost Stories: Why has it taken Bonnie and Eleanor so long to make a record together? Here’s hoping it becomes a frequent collaboration.
7 Dropkick Murphys – This Machine Still Kills Facists: Woody Guthrie in a dive bar. If you’ve followed the Murphys you know they’re a lot more rounded than any other band calling themselves punk, and this proves it.
8 Charley Crockett – The Man From Waco: Melodious, passionate, gentle, almost any positive adjective you can think of applies to Crockett’s voice.
9 Tyler Childers – Can I Take My Hounds To Heaven: As authentic as country music gets, there’s no fluff to Childers music. He’s as grounded as they come.
10 The Brothers Comatose – Turning Up the Ground: You can’t beat a live Comatose show, but this album is a good intro to their style. It’s both light and dark music, sometimes simultaneously.
11 Old Californio – Old Californio Country
12 The California Honeydrops – Soft Spot
13 Anthony D’Amato – At First There Was Nothing
14 Sunny Sweeney – Married Alone
15 Melissa Carper – Ramblin’ Soul
16 Brennan Leigh – Obsessed With the West
17 Sarah Borges – Together Alone
18 Old Crow Medicine Show – Paint This Town
19 Sam Bush – Radio John: Songs Of John Hartford
20 Cory Branan – When I Go Ghost
21 Shanna In A Dress – Robot
22 American Aquarium – Chicomacomico
About the author: I've actually driven from Tehatchapee to Tonopah. And I've seen Dallas from a DC-9 at night.