Top Records of the Year
Jan. 1st, 2020 06:51 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
between_time_and_42It’s time for my annual Year In Review! Now, normally I write about the top three concerts, albums, books, and movies that I experienced this year, but I’m going to be honest- there hasn’t been much competition in the last two categories, and in the first two, there is no way I can decide between all of them. So I’m going to log all 27 of the newly-released albums that I listened to this year, ranked in order of favorite to least favorite, with some standout tracks highlighted.
1. Go Outside by Liana Gabel
Technically released in 2017 on Bandcamp, but released this year to Spotify, which is good enough for me to include it, especially since it’s the best album I’ve heard this year overall. A silky smooth voice, with a few arrangements that could have come from a Sufjan Stevens record, lyrics that are both witty & extremely touching, and the ingenious use of tap-dancing as percussion. One of the best artists I saw perform live this year as well. Standout tracks: “Oh Ma,” “Magic Powers,” “Fool,” “Journey.”
2. Who Are You Now by Madison Cunningham
The lovechild of Jeff Buckley & Joni Mitchell. Catchy guitar licks that will enter your head and never leave it. Nominated for Best Americana Album at the Grammies, despite not having a single note of Americana music on it. My love for Madison Cunningham is well-documented on this blog, so I don’t feel I need to go on. Standout tracks: “Song In My Head,” “Common Language,” “Plain Letters,” “LA (Looking Alive)”
3. Songs of Our Native Daughters by Our Native Daughters
Out of all the Americana supergroups, Our Native Daughters are perhaps the most socially-conscious and the first I’d recommend to music lovers (well, okay… maybe right behind I’m With Her, I’m very much loyal to that band). While initially attracted to the group because of Rhiannon Giddens’ involvement, the other members greatly impressed me with their contributions, especially the powerful, strong, unapologetic voice of Amythyst Kiah which opens the album. A work of art that reclaims Black history and brings to life the stories of the group’s ancestors. Not always an easy listen- songs like “Mama’s Cryin’ Long” leave me in tears- but an important one. Standout tracks: “Black Myself,” “Polly Ann’s Hammer,” “Mama’s Cryin’ Long”
4. What Will We Do by Lula Wiles
A tapestry of three gorgeous voices that blend into folksy acoustic bliss. Ellie Buckland is my favorite vocalist I’ve heard all year- her voice claws at some deeply-held desire inside my soul. Not to diminish the efforts of Isa Burke, who wrote some of my favorite lyrics on the album, and Mali Obomsawin, whose talents on upright bass do not go unnoticed. A group to watch out for- I’m leaping on the first chance I get to see them live in the future. Standout tracks: “Love Gone Wrong,” “Bad Guy” (much better than Billie Eilish’s, did I say that out loud?), “Shaking As It Turns”
5. The Only Ones by The Milk Carton Kids
Two voices, two guitars, seven songs, one sense of absolute beauty. A return to form after last year’s heavily-arranged/orchestrated All the Things That I Did and All the Things That I Didn’t Do (although the latter is my favorite of their albums so I can’t relish this change as much as others do). Perfect album to listen to in the wee hours of the AM. Standout tracks: “The Only Ones,” “I’ll Be Gone,” “I Was Alive” (which is, in my book, the best thing they’ve ever created)
6. Rachael & Vilray by Rachael Price & Vilray
Jazz standards sung by a smooth, sultry voice, accompanied by a clean, tasty guitar and gorgeous piano. Perfect for a dreamy, rainy day indoors. Standout tracks: “Let’s Make Love On This Plane,” “I Love the Way You’re Breaking My Heart”
7. To the Light by Anne Heaton
A voice that curls its fingers around my heart. Lyrics that provide a ship to sail on across the troubled waters of modern American society. Standout tracks: “Joy,” “Celebration Song,” “Let Yourself Be”
8. Ceiling Mirror by Sammi Lanzetta
If there is a single album to listen to on this list that’s not in my top five, it’s this one. Guitar-heavy indie rock that screams one’s deepest dreams and anxieties. Standout tracks: “Nude Hugs, Love Keith,” “Sudafed Is a Hell of a Drug,” “Ceiling Mirror”
9. What’s Yer Sign? by What’s Yer Sign?
You know what, I’m not even going to try to summarize the music on this album because my sister did it so much better than I ever could. Check out her series of Instagram posts about the album, starting here. Standout tracks: “The Moon is Gay,” “Missed Exits,” “The Sellout”
10. Nothing But Love by Dr Danny and the Patients
My most highly-awaited album of 2019 after Who Are You Now. Brilliantly captures the psychedelic sound of the 60′s (think Smile by the Beach Boys) without actually being made in the 60′s. I’d say “if you like Dr Danny, check out the band he once played in called The Lemon Twigs,” except that Dr Danny is much better than the Lemon Twigs could ever hope to be and it’s a shame that he hasn’t reached their level of acclaim. Standout tracks: “Nothing But Love,” “Fly Me Back In Time,” “Walk On Water”
11. Broken Record by Eliza Frances
Standout tracks: “Burn,” “More Than Just a Body,” “Purple Sky”
12. Amidst the Chaos by Sara Bareilles
Standout tracks: “Fire,” “Armor,” “Someone Who Loves Me”
13. Mercury Girls by Lauren Hoffman
Standout tracks: “Heartbreak and Tacos,” “Mercury Girls”
14. Bad Wiring by Jeffrey Lewis and the Voltage
Standout tracks: “Depression! Despair!,” “LPs,” “Not Supposed to Be Wise”
15. there is no Other by Rhiannon Giddens and Francesco Turrisi
Standout tracks: “Wayfaring Stranger,” “I’m On My Way”
16. There Will Be No Intermission by Amanda Palmer
Standout tracks: “Judy Blume,” “Drowning in the Sound”
17. The Highwomen by The Highwomen
Standout tracks: “Highwomen,” “If She Ever Leaves Me,” “Loose Change”
18. Front Porch by Joy Williams
Standout tracks: “Front Porch,” “No Place Like You”
19. Wasteland, Baby! by Hozier
Standout tracks: “Nina Cried Power,” “Shrike”
20. Quitting by Marble Berry Seeds
Standout tracks: “Gloryland,” “Culling Sons, Moriah”
21. River, River by Ashley Wilda
Standout tracks: “River, River,” “Struggle Bus”
22. Me and the Ghost of Charlemagne by Amy Speace
23. Everyday Life by Coldplay
24. Maggie Willow by Hawthorn
25. For the Girls by Kristin Chenoweth
26. Tides of a Teardrop by Mandolin Orange
27. World’s Okayest… by Chuck Parker
1. Go Outside by Liana Gabel
Technically released in 2017 on Bandcamp, but released this year to Spotify, which is good enough for me to include it, especially since it’s the best album I’ve heard this year overall. A silky smooth voice, with a few arrangements that could have come from a Sufjan Stevens record, lyrics that are both witty & extremely touching, and the ingenious use of tap-dancing as percussion. One of the best artists I saw perform live this year as well. Standout tracks: “Oh Ma,” “Magic Powers,” “Fool,” “Journey.”
2. Who Are You Now by Madison Cunningham
The lovechild of Jeff Buckley & Joni Mitchell. Catchy guitar licks that will enter your head and never leave it. Nominated for Best Americana Album at the Grammies, despite not having a single note of Americana music on it. My love for Madison Cunningham is well-documented on this blog, so I don’t feel I need to go on. Standout tracks: “Song In My Head,” “Common Language,” “Plain Letters,” “LA (Looking Alive)”
3. Songs of Our Native Daughters by Our Native Daughters
Out of all the Americana supergroups, Our Native Daughters are perhaps the most socially-conscious and the first I’d recommend to music lovers (well, okay… maybe right behind I’m With Her, I’m very much loyal to that band). While initially attracted to the group because of Rhiannon Giddens’ involvement, the other members greatly impressed me with their contributions, especially the powerful, strong, unapologetic voice of Amythyst Kiah which opens the album. A work of art that reclaims Black history and brings to life the stories of the group’s ancestors. Not always an easy listen- songs like “Mama’s Cryin’ Long” leave me in tears- but an important one. Standout tracks: “Black Myself,” “Polly Ann’s Hammer,” “Mama’s Cryin’ Long”
4. What Will We Do by Lula Wiles
A tapestry of three gorgeous voices that blend into folksy acoustic bliss. Ellie Buckland is my favorite vocalist I’ve heard all year- her voice claws at some deeply-held desire inside my soul. Not to diminish the efforts of Isa Burke, who wrote some of my favorite lyrics on the album, and Mali Obomsawin, whose talents on upright bass do not go unnoticed. A group to watch out for- I’m leaping on the first chance I get to see them live in the future. Standout tracks: “Love Gone Wrong,” “Bad Guy” (much better than Billie Eilish’s, did I say that out loud?), “Shaking As It Turns”
5. The Only Ones by The Milk Carton Kids
Two voices, two guitars, seven songs, one sense of absolute beauty. A return to form after last year’s heavily-arranged/orchestrated All the Things That I Did and All the Things That I Didn’t Do (although the latter is my favorite of their albums so I can’t relish this change as much as others do). Perfect album to listen to in the wee hours of the AM. Standout tracks: “The Only Ones,” “I’ll Be Gone,” “I Was Alive” (which is, in my book, the best thing they’ve ever created)
6. Rachael & Vilray by Rachael Price & Vilray
Jazz standards sung by a smooth, sultry voice, accompanied by a clean, tasty guitar and gorgeous piano. Perfect for a dreamy, rainy day indoors. Standout tracks: “Let’s Make Love On This Plane,” “I Love the Way You’re Breaking My Heart”
7. To the Light by Anne Heaton
A voice that curls its fingers around my heart. Lyrics that provide a ship to sail on across the troubled waters of modern American society. Standout tracks: “Joy,” “Celebration Song,” “Let Yourself Be”
8. Ceiling Mirror by Sammi Lanzetta
If there is a single album to listen to on this list that’s not in my top five, it’s this one. Guitar-heavy indie rock that screams one’s deepest dreams and anxieties. Standout tracks: “Nude Hugs, Love Keith,” “Sudafed Is a Hell of a Drug,” “Ceiling Mirror”
9. What’s Yer Sign? by What’s Yer Sign?
You know what, I’m not even going to try to summarize the music on this album because my sister did it so much better than I ever could. Check out her series of Instagram posts about the album, starting here. Standout tracks: “The Moon is Gay,” “Missed Exits,” “The Sellout”
10. Nothing But Love by Dr Danny and the Patients
My most highly-awaited album of 2019 after Who Are You Now. Brilliantly captures the psychedelic sound of the 60′s (think Smile by the Beach Boys) without actually being made in the 60′s. I’d say “if you like Dr Danny, check out the band he once played in called The Lemon Twigs,” except that Dr Danny is much better than the Lemon Twigs could ever hope to be and it’s a shame that he hasn’t reached their level of acclaim. Standout tracks: “Nothing But Love,” “Fly Me Back In Time,” “Walk On Water”
11. Broken Record by Eliza Frances
Standout tracks: “Burn,” “More Than Just a Body,” “Purple Sky”
12. Amidst the Chaos by Sara Bareilles
Standout tracks: “Fire,” “Armor,” “Someone Who Loves Me”
13. Mercury Girls by Lauren Hoffman
Standout tracks: “Heartbreak and Tacos,” “Mercury Girls”
14. Bad Wiring by Jeffrey Lewis and the Voltage
Standout tracks: “Depression! Despair!,” “LPs,” “Not Supposed to Be Wise”
15. there is no Other by Rhiannon Giddens and Francesco Turrisi
Standout tracks: “Wayfaring Stranger,” “I’m On My Way”
16. There Will Be No Intermission by Amanda Palmer
Standout tracks: “Judy Blume,” “Drowning in the Sound”
17. The Highwomen by The Highwomen
Standout tracks: “Highwomen,” “If She Ever Leaves Me,” “Loose Change”
18. Front Porch by Joy Williams
Standout tracks: “Front Porch,” “No Place Like You”
19. Wasteland, Baby! by Hozier
Standout tracks: “Nina Cried Power,” “Shrike”
20. Quitting by Marble Berry Seeds
Standout tracks: “Gloryland,” “Culling Sons, Moriah”
21. River, River by Ashley Wilda
Standout tracks: “River, River,” “Struggle Bus”
22. Me and the Ghost of Charlemagne by Amy Speace
23. Everyday Life by Coldplay
24. Maggie Willow by Hawthorn
25. For the Girls by Kristin Chenoweth
26. Tides of a Teardrop by Mandolin Orange
27. World’s Okayest… by Chuck Parker
