Showing posts with label Brandi Carlile. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Brandi Carlile. Show all posts
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Jan 8, 2019
Scott's Top 20 Albums of 2018
Last one! I promise. ~Trailer
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by Scott Colvin
1. Larkin Poe – Venom & Faith
Rebecca and Megan Lovell (formerly of the bluegrass band The Lovell Sisters with older sister Jessica) are mostly “known” as touring musicians for the likes of Kristian Bush and Elvis Costello…among others. On their fourth full-length album, the sisters absolutely hit the sublime with their powerful brand of roots rock and blues. Rebecca’s sultry and soulful vocals blend perfectly with Megan’s hot bluesy slide guitar licks for one of the finest albums in recent memory.
2. Brandi Carlile – By The Way, I Forgive You
Brandi’s finest album since The Story (which will always be in my Top 10 of all-time). “The Joke” is simply gorgeous and a song of the year contender. This Dave Cobb produced platter got some serious Grammy nom love and for good reason.
3. Jamie Lin Wilson – Jumping Over Rocks
4. Whitey Morgan and the 78s – Hard Times and White Lines
5. Lindi Ortega - Liberty
6. Joshua Hedley – Mr. Jukebox
7. Ashley McBryde – Girl Going Nowhere
8. Superchunk – What a Time to Be Alive
9. Shooter Jennings – Shooter
10. Blackberry Smoke – Find a Light
11. Sarah Shook & the Disarmers – Years
It’s not often I can look to my hometown for music pride. Let’s be honest, until Sarah Shook came around Foreigner’s Lou Gramm might be Rochester, NY’s most notable artist (C’Mon, admit it, “Jukebox Hero” and “Urgent” were freaking awesome). Shook is a total badass and this album proves it.
12. Kacey Musgraves – Golden Hour
13. Dillon Carmichael – Hell on an Angel
14. Eric Church – Desperate Man
15. I’m With Her – See You Around
16. Muncie Girls – Fixed Ideals
17. Thunderpussy – S/T
This female foursome delivers with some serious 70s rock goodness. To be honest their debut EP Greatest Tits was a tighter effort, but since those songs are all on this LP it makes my list.
18. Rhett Miller – The Messenger
19. Cody Jinks - Lifers
20. Holly Golightly – Do the Get Along
Jan 2, 2019
Matthew's Top 10 Albums of 2018
by Matthew Martin
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1- Brandi Carlile - By The Way, I Forgive You
Brandi Carlile's album this year was by far and away the album I listened to the most and the one that had the most emotional punch. Brandi's voice is perfectly suited to the songs of heartbreak, being a new mother, and being a touring musician. The production is immaculate and if Hold Out Your Hand doesn't get you moving, you're clearly a lost hope. This is a perfect, timeless album.
2- American Aquarium - Things Change
When BJ lost his band a couple of years ago due to whatever reasons, I thought the American Aquarium name would be retired. Instead, BJ found a new backing band and came back stronger than ever. These are some BJ's strongest songs he's written since Burn. Flicker. Die. And, the band! I'll be damned if this band doesn't seem even tighter. When BJ has been at his lowest point, band-wise, he's given us masterpieces and this album is no exception.
3- Lucero - Among The Ghosts
To follow Lucero's career has been an amazing transition from country/punk 4 piece to a straight-up Memphis rock and roll band complete with a horns section. For their 9th (or 10th if you count The Attic Tapes) studio album, the guys took it back to their roots and left the horns out for the most part. What they gave us was their best album since 1372 Overton Park. It's a musically concise album cutting away any fat and letting the songs and band speak for themselves. Ben Nichols has written some of his most interesting songs to date about Civil War battles, touring, and shoot-outs. In a catalog full of incredible albums, this one is certainly at the top.
4- Cody Jinks - Lifers
I remember when I first heard Cody Jinks a few years ago, I wasn't immediately a fan. I don't remember what made me think that- maybe just wasn't in the right headspace or something. But, that has completely changed. Jinks released the album that will likely (and seems to already have) boost him to the ranks of Simpson or, potentially even Stapleton. Jinks's voice is velvety smooth and his band is right on the mark. The songs are a perfect mix of hard-life livers, hard-night havers, and hard-love lovers. It's incredibly relatable to those listening and it's the kind of tunes we've come to expect out of Jinks over the last few years. Yet another very good album in Jinks's short, but incredibly respectable output.
5- Ryan Culwell - The Last American
This album hit me harder than any other album on this list. Just by sheer surprise and being completely blown away by Culwell's voice and music composition. This is the album it takes folks quite a few albums into their career to get to. But, this is Culwell's 3rd. And it's a masterpiece. The songs are barnburners and gut-wrenchers. It's a perfect mix. This is perfect Southern American music. It sounds like Tom Petty channeling Mark Knopfler. There's going to be a lot to hear from Culwell in the future, so I definitely suggest you go ahead and hop on the bandwagon now.
6- Great Peacock - Gran Pavo Real
I've been a fan of Great Peacock for a few years now and after their last album, I was excited to see where they would go. As I would go to shows over the next few years, it became clear they were going to go in a more electric direction. And, they absolutely did. This album is a rocker full of the harmonies and introspective lyrics you've come to expect. This is the one you reach for on Saturday night around midnight.
7- Caleb Caudle - Crushed Coins
Caudle has been pumping out perfect country songs for a while now. On Crushed Coins, Caudle hit his full stride. The songs are his best set of songs he's put out. The music and production are absolutely perfectly suited for his voice and his songs. NYC In The Rain is a perfect song and a perfect Caleb Caudle song. I don't think there's anyone else I can imagine singing this song other than Caudle. If you haven't checked out Caudle, this album is the one to start with. It's Caudle at his best.
8- Black Joe Lewis & The Honeybears - The Difference Between Me and You
Black Joe Lewis & The Honeybears have been making music for over 10 years now and let me tell you, they haven't lost a step. If anything the music has grown more electric, more biting, and louder. 2018 Black Joe Lewis is still writing those 2008 funky party songs, but now he's writing songs about issues he sees going on in this country. If you like The Stooges, James Brown, and pissed off Steve Earle, this is the album for you.
9- The Pollies - Transmissions
I'm a sucker for any album The Pollies put out. In my mind, they're one of the best bands out there and it's a complete shame that more people don't know them. On Transmissions, The Pollies have written a perfect set of Southern pop rock songs. It's hard not to bob your head along to these songs. If you've been looking for our generations answer to Big Star, you have no need to look any further. Keep an eye on The Pollies and do yourself a favor and buy this album.
10- Whitey Morgan and the .78s - Hard Times and White Lines
When it comes to straight-up, hard-edged country, there's not a single person doing it better than Whitey Morgan. He and his band have again written a damn incredible country album. You can always bet the bank on Morgan to only release the best of the best. You will not get filler or cheap songs. You're going to get songs about living out on the road, the things that does to relationships, and ways to pass the time when out on the road. It ain't a pretty life, but when Morgan sings about it, it sure makes you wanna try it out for a while.
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