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...

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...

Usually this time of year I've got a couple dozen albums on heavy rotation.  So far in 2021, barely half that.  Despite a relatively slow first half of the year, with release dates and tour schedules only just now ramping back up after fifteen months of virtual lockdown, there are certainly a handful of bright spots on the album front. These are my favorites so far, with a few sure to make my end-of-year favorites list.   Enjoy. . . . - Will G  Bicep:   Isles   (Ninja Tune - 1/22/21) Blackberry Smoke:   You Hear Georgia   (3 Legged - 5/2/21) The Black Keys:   Delta Kream   (Nonesuch - 5/14/21) CLEOPATRICK:   BUMMER   (Nowhere Special - 6/4/21) Charley Crockett:   10 for Slim: Charley Crockett Sings James Hand   (Son of Davy - 2/26/21) Michigan Rattlers:   That Kind of Life   (Massasauga - 5/19/21) Royal Blo...

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...