It's that time of the year again. And 2020 has been a shitshow of a year.
Like I did in 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019, I'm providing my top choices of albums that came out this year.
I didn't acquire as much new music as I have in past because I only purchased twenty new albums.
I'm providing my top twenty albums with a few albums that came out in 2020 that I'm thinking about getting. If there are other albums you would recommend that came out in 2020, please let me know in the comments section.
Regardless, in dishonor of what a crappy year it has been, you should also check out these articles in The Washington Post:
1. Drive-By Truckers - The New OK
This was the second album by DBT this year since The Unraveling came out, if I remember right, in January. I am sure there are some old DBT fans who are pushing back on the band's overtly political lyrics. There's all kinds of commentary about this on the InterWebs. I doubt Hood and Cooley give a damn. If there's an album that sums up this year, this one is it.
Favorite songs: "Watching the Orange Clouds," "The New OK," "The Perilous Night," and "The Distance"
2. Nathaniel Rateliff - And It's Still Alright
I reckon it was a tough conversation that was had with The Night Sweats when the lead singer told them he wanted to record a solo album. But it makes sense. This album doesn't have the vibe of a Nathaniel Ratliff and the Night Sweats album. It's very much an introspective, intimate album about loss and learning.
Favorite songs: "Rush On," "Expecting to Lose," "You Need Me," and "Mavis"
3. Phoebe Bridgers - Punisher
Getting this album made me want to get her previous album. I got introduced to this artist via a couple of late night shows and a fraternity brother via FB. I find her lyrics interesting--talk about fighting with undesirable people and how people's mindsets are nonsense. She does interesting work.
Favorite songs: "Garden Song," "Chinese Satellite," "Savior Complex," and "Kyoto"
4. American Aquarium - Lamentations
This is another album of its time. The lead singer targets some obvious problems from a Southern point of view, especially his take on the 45th president in "Me + Mine (Lamentations)." This is another fine album from the band.
Favorite songs: "Me + Mine (Lamentations)," "A Better South," "The Luckier You Get," and "Starts With You"
5. Drive-By Truckers - The Unraveling
This album started the year. Interestingly enough, it's one fo the few albums by DBT that doesn't use the signature artwork their albums are known for. "Thoughts and Prayers" is one of my favorite songs of the year.
Favorite songs: "Thoughts and Prayers," "Armageddon's Back in Town Again," "Grievance Merchants," and "Slow Ride Argument"
6. Pearl Jam - Gigaton
This is an album that I like initially on the first listen besides one song ("Buckle Up," which is one of my least favorite Pearl Jam songs), but it's an album I need to listen to more often. I just keep forgetting about it. When Lightning Bolt came out, I wore out that album. I find this one comparable.
Favorite songs: "Quick Escape," "Never Destination," "Retrograde," and "Who Ever Said"
7. Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit - Reunions
I'll freely admit that Reunions is probably my least favorite Isbell album. I wanted to like it a lot, but it just doesn't grab me like the other albums. Regardless of my misgivings in regard to how this one fits into his catalog, It's a good album. Here's one of my favorite snippets of lyrics of 2020: "We're all struggling with the world on fire."
Favorite songs: "Dreamsicle," "River," "St. Peter's Autograph," and "What've I've Done to Help"
8. Bruce Springsteen - Letter to You
The old rocker goes all introspective. It works.
Favorite songs: "Last Man Standing," "Ghosts," "House of a Thousand Guitars," and "Burnin' Train"
9. Run the Jewels - RTJ4
As you would surmise if you're following my Music Friday posts, I'm not a huge fan of hip-hop. But I like Run the Jewels. And the group provided this album for free this year. I also like free. "Look at these slave masters posing on your dollar."
Favorite songs: "Ju$t," "Never Look Back," "A Few Words for the Firing Squad (Radiation)," and "Walking In The Snow"
10. Ray LaMontagne - MONOVISION
LaMontagne is one of those artists I like, but I seem to be hit and miss with his releases. I have a few, but I don't have anywhere close to all of them. Heck, I only have three of his albums. So 2020 was a hit year. It's a solid album that features his folky, soulful music.
Favorite songs: "Misty Morning Rain," "Highway to the Sun," "We'll Make It Through," and "Strong Enough"
11. High on Stress - Hold Me In
As much as I like a good concept album, what I appreciate more is a straightforward rock and roll band. High on Stress is a band I discovered via Twitter (@Quintilan376) in 2020. They remind me of late era Replacements in some regard.
Favorite songs: "Work Release," "Progress Is A Busted Line," "Wish This Moment Gone," and "Relax"
12. Jack Garrett - Love, Death, & Dancing
I absolutely enjoyed this bloke's previous album, and this one is solid too. He's such a talented dude.
Favorite songs: "Time," "Circles," "Better," and "Old Enough"
13. Green Day - Father of All...
This is a decent collection of short post-punk rock and roll songs from a band that is already in the Hall of Fame, which I find a little strange.
Favorite songs: "Fire, Ready, Aim," "I Was a Teenage Teenager," "Sugar Youth," and "Father of All..."
14. Sarah Jarosz - World on the Ground
The über-talented Jarosz produced another fine albums this year. I got to it late in the year, so I haven't given it as many spins as I should have because there is some fine work on this album, which has gotten some acclaim and awards.
Favorite songs: "What Do I Do," "I'll Be Gone," "Pay It No Mind," and "Johnny"
15. Sturgill Simpson - Cuttin' Grass Vol. 1
While what the album provides is not new material from Simpson, it provides his "hits" of sorts in the form of bluegrass. He assembled a host of talented musicians to translate parts of his fine catalog to bluegrass. I haven't gotten volume 2 yet.
Favorite songs: "Turtles All the Wall Down," "Living the Dream," "Just Let It Go," and "Breakers Roar"
16. Margo Price - That's How Rumors Get Started
Price is not afraid to call out people on their bullshit. This album has more of a rock vibe to it, which has garnered her some criticism. I don't think she gives a damn.
Favorite songs: "I'd Die For You," "Gone To Stay," "Letting Me Down," and "Prisoner of the Highway"
17. The Third Mind - self-titled
I can't recall how I happened upon this album, but I found out about it somehow. I especially like the instrumental "East West."
Favorite songs: "East West" and "Morning Dew"
18. Jayhawks - Xoxo
Here's another album I got to late from a band I first got introduced to in the 90s. It's what you would expect from the Jayhawks - straightforward alt-country.
Favorite songs: "Society Pages," "Dogtown Days," "Bitter Pill," and "Homecoming"
19. G Love & Special Sauce - The Juice
I was at a friend's house a while back, and they were playing some G Love & Special Sauce. I took the plunge and got a couple of his albums. He's been around a while. I remember visiting Baton Rouge back in 1997, and he was playing there. He's still doing his schtick.
Favorite songs: "Birmingham (featuring Robert Randolph and Keb Mo)," "Go Crazy," "Diggin' Roots," and "Fix Your Face"
20. Bruce Hornsby - Non-Secure Connection
This ain't your radio-friendly Bruce Hornsby from the 90s. He's pushing boundaries, and I don't think some of his traditional fans are liking it.
Favorite songs: "Non-Secure Connection," "Bright Star Cast," "Porn Hour," "Time, the Thief"
Some albums that came out this year that I'm thinking about purchasing
Dawes - Good Luck with Whatever
Fiona Apple - Fetch the Bolt Cutters
Fleet Foxes - Shore
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