Sound Obsession

These are my runners up and honorable mention albums of 2023, in alphabetical order by artist name . . . . Vincent Neil Emerson:   The Golden Crystal Kingdom   (La Honda - 11/10/23)    Foo Fighters:   But Here We Are     (Roswell - 6/2/23)    Adam Hood:   Adam Hood's Different Groove     (Southern Songs - 9/22/23)    Gabe Lee:   Drink The River     (Torrez Music Group - 7/14/23)    Royal Blood:  B ack To The Water Below     (Warner - 9/1/23)      Sci-Clone:   Radio Therapy     (Metalheadz - 5/19/23)    Chris Stapleto...

This year unfolded casually for me, musically speaking, with most of my favorite albums arriving during its latter months.  At its start 2022 showed no particular promise, no major albums on the horizon, and no favorite artists announcing elaborate album cycles and tours.  Years like this often prove to be the most musically rewarding as I get a chance to explore freely, spend time with artists and genres I'd previously neglected, and stumble serendipitously on new favorites.  The first half of the year I spent a great deal of time with an era of country music I'd only experienced begrudgingly and in meager doses the first time around - 80's and 90's country.  George Strait and Clint Black became new favorites.  Even Garth Brooks earned my respect - based on a front-row stadium concert experience this summer that I consider among the best of my life so far.  Brooks' charm and energy fall somewhere between that of a preacher and a pro-wrestler, and the songs...