What a year, right? With live music shutting down in mid-March, the last nine months or so have been all about studio albums for me. Here are my top ten favorites of 2020, in alphabetical order. Not too many curveballs. We're talkin' comfort food here. Many of these artists have made my top ten favorites lists in recent years, and here they are again. This time though I was happy to see and hear some stylistic experimentation, lineup changes, and pushing of envelopes. Check out my runners up and honorable mentions list too.
Have a listen. Hope you enjoy, and Happy New Year!
Brent Cobb: Keep 'Em On They Toes (Ol' Buddy - 10/2/20)
South Georgia native Brent Cobb, cousin to country super-producer Dave Cobb,
released his fourth studio album this year. This time Brent switched
gears, enlisting indie-folk producer Brad Cook (Bon Iver,
War on Drugs etc.) to help craft a decidedly stripped-down and mellow
aesthetic. It's not all sunshine and good timin' though as Brent bends
his charismatic southern drawl toward the political, philosophical, and
introspective. Balm for a noisy, chaotic year.
Charley Crockett: Welcome To Hard Times (Son of Davy - 7/31/20)
This is South Texas troubadour Charley Crockett's eighth studio album in
just five years. With producer Mark Neill (Dan Auerbach, Black Keys
etc.) at the helm, Crockett dives deeper into his
trademark mixture of spaghetti western drama and lovelorn soul.
A traveling busker at heart, still hustling hard in a year without
live gigs, Crockett spread the word this time with quirky viral marketing
and a series of cinematic music videos that'd make Sergio Leone proud, gorgeously shot in the Sierra Nevadas.
Jesse Daniel: Rollin' On (Die True - 3/27/20)
A relative newcomer still in his 20's, Northern California native and
former punk rocker Jesse Daniel released his sophomore country album
this year. Immaculately sculpted by producer and
multi-instrumentalist Tommy Detamore, with Rollin' On Daniel
becomes heir apparent to the "Bakersfield sound" - the upbeat style
famously pioneered and popularized by the likes of Buck Owens and Dwight
Yoakam. A former addict with jail time under his belt, Daniels can
only go onward and upward.
Deftones: Ohms (Reprise- 9/25/20)
Deftones, the veteran metal five-piece from Northern California, released their ninth LP this year. With nary a misstep in
their whole catalogue spanning three decades, this one's another banger
- some might argue their best yet. With producer Terry Date back
in the fold after nearly two decades apart from the band, Deftones amp
up their trademark blend of soaring dream-pop and punishing nine-string
riffs while adding elements of John Carpenter's horror movie soundtrack
atmospherics. Appropriately killer.
Hill Country (a.k.a. The Wilder Blue): Hill Country (Hill Country - 5/22/20)
At first unremarkably named "Hill Country", now The Wilder Blue,
this Texas five-piece's debut album is a surprise guilty pleasure. Comprised of principal
singer-songwriter and Texas music veteran Zane Williams, with a few
good friends in tow, this self-produced/released debut plays like a
favorite road trip mixtape. Wearing its James Taylor and Tom
Petty influences on its sleeve, Hill Country blends
folk, country, bluegrass, and rock with infectious vocal harmonies
and whirlwind finger pickin' to spare.
Marcus King: El Dorado (Fantasy/Easy Eye Sound - 1/17/20)
Barely past his teens, South Carolina native Marcus King is
arguably the best blue-eyed bluesman since Stevie Ray Vaughn.
Recognizing talent when he sees it, Black Keys
frontman-turned-producer Dan Auerbach temporarily lured King
away from his longtime band (with whom King's already recorded
three exceptional albums) for a "solo" debut backed by Aurbach's
own crew of Nashville session men. This one reins in King's
six-string pyrotechnics in favor of soulful vocals and a twinkly
retro aesthetic.
Kvelertak: Splid (Rise - 2/14/20)
The future of Norwegian black n' roll titans Kvelertak hung
in the balance not long ago as founding frontman Erlend
Hjelvik unexpectedly quit the band. Just as well - the
band's most recent album,
Natessferd, sounded deflated. Enter new frontman Ivar Nickolaisen and welcome back metal production wiz Kurt
Ballou for their fourth LP. With renewed vigor, and a
new frontman steeped in piss n' vinegar, this is Kvelertak's best album since their self-titled debut released a decade ago.
Mike & The Moonpies: Touch of You - The Lost Songs of Gary Stewart (Prairie Rose Music - 5/28/20)
Texas honky tonk five-piece Mike & The Moonpies are among
country's most creative and idiosyncratic bands. Following
last year's surprise hit,
Cheap Silver & Solid Country Gold, recorded at
Abbey Road studios, this year it's another surprise LP - a
curated selection of previously unreleased material from Gary
Stewart. The Moonpies honor the late country artist, best
known for his distinct warble and wry wit, with a collection of
songs that bridge the not-too-distant gap between comedy and
heartbreak.
Sturgill Simpson: Cuttin' Grass Vol. 1 & Vol. 2 (High Top Mountain - 10/16/20 and 12/10/20)
Kentucky native Sturgill Simpson is a trickster god among men.
Cantankerous and fickle, he giveth and taketh away.
One minute he's saving country, next he's quitting it
(so rumor had it, based on last year's dystopian rock
album). This year he giveth again with two volumes of
pure bluegrass music - crackin' versions of previously released Simpson
material recorded with a team of Appalachian pickers
dubbed "The Hillbilly Avengers". Their secret weapon?
Sierra Hull, mandolin virtuoso. Crucial
listening.
Chris Stapleton: Starting Over (Sound/Mercury Nashville - 11/13/20)
The yin to Sturgill Simpson's yang is fellow Kentuckian
Chris Stapleton who released his fourth studio album this
year, lushly produced by Dave Cobb.
Stapleton's debut LP Traveler, released
just five years ago, is this decade's best-selling country
album. Despite his scruffy appearance and humble
demeanor, that fact shouldn't surprise. With soulful
tenor, efficient songcraft, and mastery across genres, Stapleton is nothing if not dependable and widely
appealing. He delivers again with
Starting Over.
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