Jul 7, 2023
Favorite Albums of 2023: Mid-Year Report
With rock and rap included. (country only list below)
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11. Sundy Best - Feel Good Country
12. The War & Treaty - Lover’s Game
13. Jake Worthington - s/t
14. Brit Taylor - Kentucky Blue
15. The Band of Heathens - Simple Things
16. Joy Oladukun - Proof of Life
17. Ritch Henderson - Fallacies & Four-Letter Words
18. Jess Williamson - Time Ain’t Accidental
19. Lance Roark - Better Man
20. Killer Mike - Michael
21. Meg McRee - Is It Just Me?
22. Colby Acuff - Western White Pines
23. Slaid Cleaves - Together Through the Dark
24. Brandy Clark - s/t
25. Jamie Harris - Boomerang Town
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Americana/Country only
1. Lucero - Should’ve Learned by Now
2. JD Clayton - Long Way From Home
3. William Prince - Stand in the Joy
4. Jason Isbell & the 400 Unit - Weathervanes
5. Country Westerns - Forgive the City
6. Ruston Kelly - The Weakness
7. Pony Bradshaw - North Georgia Rounder
8. Drayton Farley - Twenty on High
9. Sundy Best - Feel Good Country
10. The War & Treaty - Lover’s Game
11. Jake Worthington - s/t
12. Brit Taylor - Kentucky Blue
13. The Band of Heathens - Simple Things
14. Joy Oladukun - Proof of Life
15. Ritch Henderson - Fallacies & Four-Letter Words
16. Jess Williamson - Time Ain’t Accidental
17. Lance Roark - Better Man
18. Meg McRee - Is It Just Me?
19. Colby Acuff - Western White Pines
20. Slaid Cleaves - Together Through the Dark
21. Brandy Clark - s/t
22. Jamie Harris - Boomerang Town
23. Muscadine Bloodline - Teenage Dixie
24. Brennen Leigh - Ain’t Through Honky Tonkin’ Yet
25. The Panhandlers - Tough Country
Mar 28, 2023
Top Albums of 2023 So Far: First Quarter Report
No reviews, no comments, no links, just a list...
6. Muscadine Bloodline - Teenage Dixie
7. The War & Treaty - Lover’s Game
8. JD Clayton - Long Way From Home
9. Myron Elkins - Factories, Farms & Amphetamines
10. Jamie Harris - Boomerang Town
11. The Band of Heathens - Simple Things
12. The Panhandlers - Tough Country
13. Meg McRee - Is It Just Me?
14. Channing Wilson - Dead Man
15. White Reaper - Asking for a Ride
16. Ritch Henderson - Fallacies & Four-Letter Words
17. Mason and the Gin Line - Sangre
18. Amanda Fields - What, When and Without
19. Slaid Cleaves - Together Through the Dark
20. Wolfpen Branch - Long Hill to Climb
21. Margo Price - Strays
22. Ben Chapman - Amber Sound, Vol. 1
Mar 7, 2023
Jan 17, 2023
Feb 23, 2022
Jan 6, 2022
Matthew's Top 10 Albums of 2021
By Matthew Martin
1- Morgan Wade- Reckless
There's not much to say about this album that hasn't been screamed from the rooftops already. Morgan Wade is an exceptional talent writing catchy songs. The production on this album is top notch and the band matches the energy on each song. The future is bright for Morgan Wade and if you aren't on the bandwagon, hurry up and hop on. Top Song: Wilder Days
2- Sturgill Simpson- The Dood and Juanita
When Sturgill goes country, Sturgill is at his very best. When Sturgill creates an album using Willie Nelson's Red Headed Stranger as a template, you know you're in for something seriously good. And, Sturgill doesn't disappoint. The album explores all different aspects of mountain music while telling a compelling story throughout the album. If this is, in fact, Sturgill's final album, it's a hell of note to go out on. Top Song: Shamrock or Ol Dood (Part I)
3- James McMurtry - The Horses & The Hounds
There isn't an artist out there who has gotten better with age more than James McMurtry. I truly believe that. No other artist has let their music and lyrical content match the lessons they have learned over their long lives the way McMurtry has. On what might be his best album, McMurtry gave up a good bit of the guitar playing to focus on the singing and it works. I miss the jangle of McMurtry's guitar at times, but his band more than makes up for it. Top Song: Canola Fields
4- Sierra Ferrell- Long Time Coming
No album surprised me more than this one. Sierra Ferrell knocked me off my feet with this grand slam of an album focused on old time country music. This is Appalachian music at it's best. The music and band are impeccable but Ferrell's voice matches and surpasses each. She is going to be a long time in this music business and look forward to seeing how to progresses moving forward. Top Song: West Virginia Waltz
5- Charles Wesley Godwin- How The Mighty Fall
By far my most anticipated album of the year was CWG's follow up to his debut album, Seneca. And he fully delivered. The band CWG compiled for this album made the perfect backdrop for these beautiful and tragic tales on this album. From the scratchy fiddle to the roaring guitar solos, this album is not to be missed. CWG also has some of his best work to date on this album and I believe there is no place to go but up for this talent. Top Song: Jesse
6- John R Miller- Depreciated
I had never heard of JRM, but this album changed that and for good reason. The lyrics are reminiscent of John Prine. The voice is reminiscent of Jay Farrar. What more could you ask for? Top Song: Shenenandoah Shakedown
7- Joshua Ray Walker- See You Next Time
For the final installment of Joshua Ray Walker's trilogy, JRW uses all the influences he has to create a distinct album that only he could pull off effectively. And you can't convince me that anyone right now has a better voice than JRW. Top Song: Flash Paper
8- Drayton Farley- A Hard Up Life
Seems like the last couple of years have been big for country music that is simple, direct, and cutting. From Tyler Childers to Zach Bryan, it's been a recipe for success and Drayton Farley is following that recipe to the same effect. This album is effective and devastating. I can't wait to see what this guy can do with a full band behind him. Top Song: Pitchin' Fits
9- Ottoman Turks- II
The boys for Dallas have done it again. They have created an album that is as much The Stooges as it is Dwight Yoakam. More people should know Ottoman Turks. If you don't know them, get to know them. Top Song: 35 to Life
10- Bo Burnham- Inside
Not a usual album for these lists here, but I can't help it. This album was incredible. You can watch the special on Netflix and it's great, but the music is what makes this. The album works just as effectively. I know there are a lot of albums that feel very appropriate to the times we are in- the mental anguish, the nerviness, the isolation- but there is none that is more effective at parsing out those feeling than this one. Truly an album for our times. Top Song: All Eyes On Me
Jun 24, 2021
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