This year we welcome Megan Bledsoe and Travis Erwin in as voters. As previously, our other voters are Kevin Broughton, Jeremy Harris, Matthew Martin, Trailer, Scott Colvin, and Robert Dean. Here are our staff-voted favorite albums of 2019.
Top 20 Albums of 2019
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A blast of punk meets roots rock energy with big hooks, sing-along choruses, and plenty of heart and song-craft as well. Forever is proof you can make a party record without having to dumb it down. It went bell to bell as my favorite album of 2019 - a tough task with such a strong field of contenders.
~Trailer
Josh Fleming and his rowdy band of Texas rockers had their wish come true when they inked a deal with Bloodshot records, then rewarded the label’s faith in them with this tour de force. It’s an album that combines Fleming’s focused, fiery storytelling with the raw, rough-edged roots you might hear from Lucero or the Old 97s. And oh, the fiddles and horns!
~Kevin Broughton
I remember a few years ago, it seemed like there was something in the water in Alabama. There was a great new album coming out of Alabama every couple of months. But, now it seems to be that has switched to Kentucky. Ian Noe is the next in line. He has a unique voice that sounds right out of the 60s. The album rises to the crescendo of what I think of his best song, the bluesy “Meth Head.” The song is gross, memorable, and incredible. The album will only grow as the years go by.
~Matthew Martin
Just Google everyone else’s review. There’s nothing left to say.
~Jeremy Harris
I was at the show in Circleville at Tootle’s Pumpkin Inn the day after Tyler smelled the factory smells in Chillicothe prior to his Steiner’s Speakeasy performance. I spend so much time in Chillicothe I forget it smells but it does.
~JH (was Jeremy drunk when he ranked his albums?)
The song that I couldn't turn off was "House Fire." By the time the song completely breaks down halfway through, you can practically smell the smoke. There's a reason Tyler Childers is selling out arenas right now. He's untouchable. His ability to write songs about everyday things and make them seem like they are the most important subjects is incredible.
~MM
A
popular pick on most lists, Childers turns back time by transposing
me to my childhood when I would listen to country radio as I fell
asleep. The title track kicks off his classic sound quite well.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k1XMgUg8p-k ~Travis Erwin
From the lyrics to the vocals to the production, where it sounds as if Godwin recorded the whole album in forgotten mines and on lonely mountainsides, this is a beautiful tribute to his home state of West Virginia.
~Megan Bledsoe
The voice, the stories, the music. Everything I love about country music is on this record. This is all I ever want out of an album. Songs about forgotten places and love. Songs about dead ends and never giving up. These are songs everyone needs to hear. After first hearing this album, I could not put it down. I tried to tell everyone I know about it. I tried to see him every time he came to D.C. I became obsessed with these songs
The voice, the stories, the music. Everything I love about country music is on this record. This is all I ever want out of an album. Songs about forgotten places and love. Songs about dead ends and never giving up. These are songs everyone needs to hear. After first hearing this album, I could not put it down. I tried to tell everyone I know about it. I tried to see him every time he came to D.C. I became obsessed with these songs
~MM
“You
Look Good In Neon” is the kind of country song the world is missing
more of. These guys are so damn traditional that if you say their
name three times Hee
Haw
will appear on your television screen. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BkHhaIR6Gcc ~Travis Erwin
A tough, touring gal posts up with an
album and band that shows John Prine was right to sign her to O Boy
Records. It’s
dreamy and trippy and wonderful, and she’s so full of
confidence. Kelsey Waldon will amaze. ~KB
Waldon's songs are as bluesy as they are country. This is soulful country and her voice is perfectly paired with the music. This album feels like it could have been recorded in 1979 or 2019. And, that's what makes this album great- it's timeless. It will be around a long, long time. ~MM
I’m pretty sure “Lottery” is the
song that every alternative band in the 90s wished they wrote. And I
say that as a compliment. The whole album is just wonderful ear candy
that is ridiculously infectious. ~Scott Colvin
Everything
comes together on Jade Bird’s debut record, from her incredible
vocals to the angst in the writing to the variety in production and
mood. An excellent, very re-playable record. ~MB
Bloodshot continues its hot streak of
great debut records. Harris endured an
unimaginable series of tragedies in the few years leading up to
this album, yet managed to emerge with clarity and hopefulness. He’s
a brilliant songwriter who also deserves legitimate Isbell
comparisons. ~KB
One
of the most fascinating records of the year, focusing on the morbid
and macabre and managing to do so in a thoroughly accessible and
compelling way. ~MB
A change of pace, style and life
converge in this brilliant follow up to 2017’s Corners. On
this album it’s all about the lyrics, and the artist is brutally
honest in his self-reflection. The lyrical imagery is reminiscent of
Isbell’s Southeastern, and one hopes that sobriety will have
a similarly positive impact on Domino’s career going forward. Even
if Songs From The Exile is his upper limit, it’s a worthy
career-defining effort. ~KB
Another powerful album from an artist who has ascended in skill, openness and songwriting strength with every release. ~Trailer
I hate when people put S/T instead of typing the self titled album name. Stop being lazy. Obviously any artist or band that names their album after themselves is proud of it. We don’t call Hank Jr self titled.
~JH (dammit Jeremy)
It’s counterintuitive that this band
self-produced a masterpiece after having two great records
helmed by all-everything Dave Cobb, but that’s exactly what
happened here. There’s depth and balance to this album, but
ultimately it’s a
Southern rock record in the very best tradition of a nearly forgotten
genre. “Houston County Sky” channels The Marshall Tucker Band,
and “Little More Money” and “Bad Weather” are right out
of Dirty
South-era
Drive By Truckers. “Hammer” is a sultry, swampy reminiscence of
early Black Crowes. This album is a triumph, and long-awaited.
~KB
An album as songful and charming as it is technically dazzling. Tuttle's voice is spellbinding, but she doesn't rely on ambiance... these are expertly written tunes.
~Trailer
There’s something very familiar about
Molly Tuttle that I can’t put my finger on, but I know I like this.
A lot. ~SC
Introspective Cody Jinks is my favorite Cody Jinks. Those songs where he slows things down a bit and tries to do a little brain surgery on himself. Those are the ones I gravitate towards. So, The Wanting is my cup of tea. Every song is a dissection of Jinks's psyche. These songs are like pages out of his diary. When an artist can be honest with themselves and in turn with their audience, we will always be receptive to that because we feel that way too...we have those same doubts and worries. Hearing them from someone like Jinks makes us feel validated. ~MM
Sturgill Simpson is like a druggier
Eric Church who I also seem to dig even more as he deviates from “his
norm.” ~SC
You'll swear you've heard them before, so timeless sounding are the Black Pumas. Soulful seventies inspired R&B with a modern flair. Well worth a listen for fans of Otis Redding or St. Paul and the Broken Bones.
~Trailer
Another
album on almost everyone’s radar, this collection of talent did a
great job of rekindling the magic of Country’s all-time best
supergroup. “Wheels of Laredo” spoke the loudest to me and close
the album with a hauntingly classic sound. ~TE
Caroline Spence has a beautiful voice and writes crushing, beautiful songs. In a perfect world, Spence would be a household name. She's special and we're lucky to have her songs. "Sit Here and Love Me" is one my favorite songs of the year. ~MM
Not
much to say here, just simply a gorgeous collection of songs. Some
candidates for the best songwriting of 2019. ~MB
The
title track is an ode to writer Jack Kerouac but beyond the literary
influence it carries a deeper meaning and sets off the album on a
wonderful journey of its own. “Small Engine Repair” is another
wonderful song that uses the simple to create a broad metaphor. My
personal favorite is “T-bone Steak and Spanish Wine,” but there
simply is not a bad track among the bunch. “Highway 46” is on the
surface, a where were you when Merle Haggard died song, but really it
is a tip of that hat to both discovery and loss. One could argue the
ghost of Johnny Cash sat in while the 72-year-old Russell laid down
his tracks as the influence is undeniable so it is fitting the final
and eleventh track is a cover paying homage to The Man in Black. ~TE
18. (tie) Left Lane Cruiser - Shake and Bake
So much sound from just two guys. Left Lane Cruiser really hit it out of the park with this one. Just a gritty and in yer face rock album. At first glance of the cover art you expect the entire album to be an ode to left hand cigarettes but after a short listen you find yourself immersed in Left Lane Cruiser’s best album. ~JH
I
reviewed
this entire album right here on Farce the Music, and if anything
my appreciation has grown as the year went on. One of my best friends
in the world argues that Carll’s wife, Alison Moorer put out an
better album, but while her release is a very good album and
emotional album, it did not take me on quite the same ride. For me,
few to none can match the easy way Carll disarms a listener. Writing
that feels natural and familiar yet impactful. Like a stoner prophet,
Hayes Carll makes me think why hasn’t anyone else said that on
almost every song. For me his work is always sneaky good and
emotionally satisfying. This album has such a great track progression
to it. I love the opening line to “Be There.” ~TE
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Just beyond the top 20: Erin Enderlin - Faulkner County, The Raconteurs - Help Us Stranger, Joshua Ray Walker - Wish You Were Here, Michaela Anne - Desert Dove, Shane Smith & The Saints - Hail Mary, Gary Clark Jr. - This Land, Chris Shiflett - Hard Lessons, Houston Marchman - Highway Enchilada, Baroness - Gold & Grey, Randy Rogers Band - Hellbent.
