Sound Obsession

Another tough year year done and gone.  At least we had some good albums to get us through.  These are my top ten favorite albums of 2021, in alphabetical order by artist name . . . . Blackberry Smoke:   You Hear Georgia     (3 Legged - 5/28/21) Atlanta country-rockers Blackberry Smoke returned in 2021 with their seventh studio album and a few guests in tow - underground country legend Jamey Johnson and Allman Brothers Band guitarist/vocalist Warren Haynes.  A backyard barbecue and roadtrip classic in the making, You Hear Georgia was a constant for me this summer.   Vincent Neil Emerson:   Vincent Neil Emerson     (La Honda - 6/25/21) Following an excellent debut in 2019, East Texas native Vincent Neil Emerson leveled up this year.  Produced by Rodney Crowell, Emerson’s eponymously titled sophomore outing headed in a more introspective direction, covering the artist’s personal struggle with depression, hi...

Mastodon, The Anthem, Washington DC, 11/21/21 Mastodon, The Anthem, Washington DC, 11/21/21 Mastodon, The Anthem, Washington DC, 11/21/21 Mastodon, The Anthem, Washington DC, 11/21/21 Mastodon, The Anthem, Washington DC, 11/21/21 Mastodon, The Anthem, Washington DC, 11/21/21 Mastodon, The Anthem, Washington DC, 11/21/21 Mastodon, The Anthem, Washington DC, 11/21/21 Mastodon, The Anthem, Washington DC, 11/21/21 Mastodon, The Anthem, Washington DC, 11/21/21 Billy Strings, The Anthem, Washington DC, 11/13/21 Charles Wesley Godwin, Hamilton Live, Washington DC, 10/29/21 Flatland Cavalry, Hamilton Live, Washington DC, 10/29/21 Quicksand, Black Cat, Washington DC, 10/27/21 Marcus King Band, Baltimore Soundstage, Baltimore MD, 10/10/21 Marcus King Band, Baltimore Soundstage, Baltimore MD, 10/10/21 Leon Bridges, Lincoln Theater, Washington DC, 9/23/21 Charley Crockett, The Fillmore, Silver Spring MD, 9/16/21

Hey, folks.  Regrettably, it's been a while.  Due to time limitations, this year I've changed the format a bit.  Primarily photos, lists, and links for the foreseeable future instead of reviews and analysis.   These are my top ten albums of 2017.  Subjective favorites, of course.  Albums that made the most impact and were in heaviest rotation during the year.  Suffice it to say, Chris Stapleton's pair of earnest and emotive  From A Room  albums (an eclectic two-volume set of originals and choice covers recorded at the legendary " Studio A " in Nashville, TN - released seven months apart) dominated my earbuds and hi-fi in 2017. Click the hyperlinks below each album image for audio/video and check out my 2017 Runners Up and Honorable Mention  list.  Thanks for reading and listening, and have a Happy New Year!  See you in 2018. 1.  Chris Stapleton:   From A Room Vol. 1 & 2   (Mercury Nashville - 5...

Darkest Hour, Rock & Roll Hotel, Washington DC - 7/14/17 Havok, Rock & Roll Hotel, Washington DC - 7/14/17 Skepta, The Fillmore, Silver Spring, MD - 6/5/17 Iron Maiden, Jiffy Lube Live, Bristow, VA - 6/3/17 Iron Maiden, Jiffy Lube Live, Bristow, VA - 6/3/17 Pallbearer, Rock & Roll Hotel, Washington DC - 6/1/17 Mastodon, The Fillmore, Silver Spring, MD - 5/2/17 Mastodon, The Fillmore, Silver Spring, MD - 5/2/17 Baroness, 9:30 Club, Washington DC - 4/12/17 Baroness, 9:30 Club, Washington DC - 4/12/17 Baroness, 9:30 Club, Washington DC - 4/12/17 Toxic Holocaust, Rock & Roll Hotel, Washington DC - 3/19/17 Toxic Holocaust, Rock & Roll Hotel, Washington DC - 3/19/17 Toxic Holocaust, Rock & Roll Hotel, Washington DC - 3/19/17 Sunn O))), 9:30 Club, Washington DC - 3/12/17