Writing a top 10 is like telling everyone you actually know something about being a music critic. Truth is when I put down 10 albums I’m doing it based on 10 albums I couldn’t keep off my stereo whether it be in my truck, on the computer or on the ipod. So this is my taste and explanations will follow.
Bob Schneider – Lovely Creatures
Love Bob, Loved the album though some say he was too clean. 40 Dogs if it made it out of Austin would be an Adult Contemporary hit. Plus Bob live, come on.
Steve Earle – Townes
Yeah, it’s an album of covers but if you’re going to cover someone why not Townes Van Zandt. Saw Steve last year but was sick, not cool.
Buddy & Julie Miller – Written in Chalk
They never fail to write the most down to earth songs and lyrics. I loved Ellis county because I spent a bunch of time in Ellis County and can see them farmers eking out a living. Love to have seen them in concert but it’s not going to happen with Julie’s health. Hope to see The Girls and their buddy this year.
The Avett Brothers – I and Love and You
This was one of my favorites, like Bon Iver was in 06 and Blitzen Trappen was last year. Just good hearted music with cool lyrics.
Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zero’s – Self Titled
Wow, saw a video after their SXSW show that just caught my spirit. Their music reminds me of what I was listening too in the late 70’s but less drugs more fun. Watching two people dance around on stage singing together is just plain cool.
Estonian Philharmonic – Part: In Principio
You all can have your Glee, I’ll take my Arvo Part and day of the week. This will be sung by Chamber Choir’s within months of it hitting the stands. Though it could be the reason I had terrible weeks in the valley, dark and foreboding.
Grace Pettis – Self Titled
What a frosh release from the girl I call the human songwriting machine. Though late in the year the songs have been in my head for a couple of years. Not to mention she played at my 50th birthday party.
Neko Case – Middle Cyclone
I love Neko, and I love this album a lot. For some reason it never left the playlist and spent many of time walking the irrigation canals of the Rio Grande Valley.
Regina Specktor – Far
Needless to say if she releases and album I’m going to listen to it, not in the vein of Joni Mitchell but pretty dang sure it’s close.
U2 – No Line On the Horizon
Laura, loved this album I loved it too, just not as much. But then again she is a critic so she probably has one on me here. Not to say I don’t think it belongs, it’s a great album and it was on my IPod a bunch, I just try not to get caught up in the hype (deserved or not)
Honorable Mentions
Over the Rhine – Live from Nowhere, Volume 4 (Worst of the 4 but still OTR)
The Low Anthem – Oh My God Charlie Darwin (Great album just not one of my favorites)
Pierce Pettis – That Kind of Love (Should be in the top 10, don’t know why it’s here, probably some subconscious thing about Father Daughter’s being together on a list)
Best blast from the past:
Cheap Trick – The Latest Wow good power pop has revisited the planet through Cheap Trick.
Albums need to spend more time listening too.
Switchfoot – Hurricane (Not growing on me)
WPA – WPA (Super group, not so Super, but always like me some Glen Phillips)
Peter Bradley Adams (only listened to once, so give me time)
The Swell Season (once through also but like it)
Best two opening songs:
Lisbee Stainton – Girl on an Unmade Bed (Love the first two songs, great songs, then pretty much goes into hibernation)
Most listened to album of the year:
Molly Venter – Love Me Like you Mean it. (OK this album never left the rotation, actually next to Lovely Creatures it was pretty much abused in my IPOD. We saw here twice last year, once, on Abbot Kinney in Venice and at Momo’s above Katz’s Deli in Austin. Molly is just Molly and good folk singer from back East who resides in Austin. And, I mean AND, Molly might be playing at church sometime.
Favorite Concert: Well you would think having Bob Dylan, Willie Nelson and John Mellencamp play in your backyard you would go and pretty much think it’s the best concert of the year. But I’m going to have to say I wasn’t interested in going. Now that you have forgiven me let me get back to my favorite concert. We didn’t do many concerts this year so it is a little thin. But Over the Rhine for two nights at Texas Union Theatre where they didn’t repeat any songs was quite amazing. Followed closely of hearing my Joni Friends on the couch in Idylwild, CA.
Disappointing Concert: Shawn Colvin – One World Theatre. She was exhausted and not feeling well and was in between dates on the Three Girls and their Buddy tour so they flew here in from NYC and then flew her back out. Buddy had his heart attack not to much latter.
What’s Coming UP: New Patty Griffin on January 1st (produced by Buddy Miller) And of course Laura’s Christmas present was tickets for us to go (see how I get to go too) Patty in Concert. John Mayer Concert in March. Sam Phillips will keep releasing EP’s and a new LP (best $50 I’ve spent recently)