100 Favorite Albums of the Year 2021 – Part Four

Part Seven
Part Six
Part Five
Part Three
Part Two
Part One

Drew Beskin – Problematic for the People (Super Canoe)

A bit more pop start for the fourth chapter and kicking it off in Atlanta, Georgia with Drew Beskin’s excellent new album. You may know him from The District Attorneys, Purses, Party Dolls etc, but lately he has released great pop/rock albums under his own name. This one might be best of the bunch.

Tuns – Duly Noted (Murderecords)

Next the Canadian pop supergroup Tuns. Matt Murphy, Mike O’Neill, Chris Murphy have again created a slice of melodic pop heaven. In Another Life is especially a gem and one of my big favorite songs of the year.

Teenage Fanclub – Endless Arcade (PeMa)

Then the usual Scottish suspects and one of my all-time favorite bands Teenage Fanclub. How could anyone not love Back in the Day for example. That singing just sounds heavenly good.

Layten Kramer – Dear Apathy (Oscar St Records)

Next stop Alberta, Canada where we enter into Layten Kramer’s weird psych pop western or whatever you may want to call it. It sounds damn good. That’s for sure.

Icarus Phoenix – No Tree Can Grow To Heaven Unless Its Roots Reach Down to Hell

I’m kinda ashamed I slept a bit on the first Icarus Phoenix album that was a cassette only release last year. I listened it a lot this year when it became more widely available. So this entry can kind of covers both the debut and this 2021 follow up. Both are wonderful and best stuff that long time blog favorite Drew Danburry has ever created.

Mark Fredson – Nothing But Night (Soundly)

This new one from Nashville-based songwriter Mark Fredson could be a good soundtrack for that 80s dance party Drew was singing above. Such a great record again from mr Fredson. Especially Sorry Johnny and Long Shot are absolutely magnificent.

Dillon Warnek – Now That It’s All Over

Staying in Nashville for the debut full-length from singer-songwriter Dillon Warnek. Last year I included him on the EP list and now we finally have an awesome album too.

James McMurtry – The Horses and the Hounds (New West Records)

From Good Man to Decent Man. Another awkward song transition. Anyway, James McMurtry is one of the finest American songwriters and if he releases an album, you probably will find it from most rootsy eoty lists. Mine is not an exception. Wonderful songwriting and storytelling.

Charlie Marie – Ramble On (Soundly)

More Nashville artists and more artists that was on the EP list few years back and now hits the album list with a debut album. What a great classic country album from Charlie Marie. El Paso is my big favorite but I do love the whole album.

Sierra Ferrell – Long Time Coming (Rounder Records)

This sure has been Long Time Coming and plenty of folks who’ve had those GemsOnVHS videos on repeat have been dying to hear this one. Well good things to come those who wait and now Sierra Ferrell’s Rounder album is finally here. And it’s mighty good one as expected.

Charles Wesley Godwin – How the Mighty Fall

Charles Wesley Godwin stormed into the americana / country world with a wonderful debut album Seneca a few years back and now follows it up with an equally impressive How The Mighty Fall.

John R. Miller – Depreciated (Rounder Records)

A new album from country-folk songwriter John R. Miller is always a big deal and Depreciated is not an exception to the rule. Awesome roots album all-around.

Allison Russell – Outside Child (Fantasy Records)

This next is one of the most powerful and deeply moving albums of the year. Outside Child by Canadian songwriter Allison Russell makes a lasting impression.

Emily Scott Robinson – American Siren (Oh Boy Records)

A new Emily Scott Robinson is again filled with some amazing songwriting. Hometown Hero for example. Now that’s a song. Just wow.

Libby DeCamp – Westward and Faster

Wrapping this fourth chapter with a big favorite of mine. This Libby DeCamp album would be very high even on a ranked list. Kind of a same story here as with Sierra Ferrell. Had seen some GemsOnVHS and other videos some years ago and had been eager to hear more ever since. Now there’s a full album and it’s so wonderful.

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100 Favorite Albums of the Year 2021 – Part Three

Part Seven
Part Six
Part Five
Part Four
Part Two
Part One

Aaron Frazer – Introducing (Dead Oceans / Easy Eye Sound)

A soulful start to this one and kicking it off with Aaron Frazer’s awesome solo debut. I perhaps even prefer this over the new Durand Jones & The Indications album, but both are must listen.

Curtis Harding – If Words Were Flowers (ANTI)

A late soul gem this year is the new Curtis Harding album that just came out a month ago. Absolutely superb stuff all around.

St. Lenox – Ten Songs of Worship and Praise for our Tumultuous Times (Don Giovanni Records)

Next St.Lenox and his unique indie pop brilliance. Again ten fabulous songs. This time of worship and praise for our tumultuous times. Arthur is at a Shiva is a big favorite and I highly recommend checking out the music video for it too. Baking tips, life lessons and a great song. What’s not to love.

Doc Feldman & The Alt + Cntry + Delete – A Healthy Dose of Anxiety

Next a healthy dose of anxiety from Lexington, Kentucky by long time favorite Doc Feldman. Another one of those awkward transitions, because my favorite song here is the almost hymn-like Help Never Comes from Above and therefore it fits nicely after that St. Lenox album. Anyway, it’s a great album full of exceptional darker kind of americana.

Buffalo Nichols – Buffalo Nichols (Fat Possum Records)

Moving over to Wisconsin for the deeply moving Buffalo Nichols album. You might previously know him as one half of the roots duo Nickel&Rose and there’s at least one song here that can be found from their catalogue too. The new solo record is most likely his finest work yet. A really powerful album full of captivating blues songs.

David James Allen – The Architect (Garment District Records)

Back in Canada and Prince Edward, Ontario to be more precise. I’ve been somewhat familiar with country folk songwriter David James Allen for a while, but perhaps didn’t fully understand how great he was until the advance singles for this album started to drop. I loved each and everyone and later on found that the full-length lived up to my sky high expectations.

Joshua Ray Walker – See You Next Time (State Fair Records)

Back to Texas for the third Joshua Ray Walker album. I’ve loved his stuff ever since I heard the Canyon few years back. Perhaps that one album where everything clicks perfectly is still missing, but it’s hardly an issue because there’s so much to love on each album. Another great one for sure.

Kevin Carducci – Home Sweet Nowhere

Then some obscure California country from Kevin Carducci. Back when I bought this, this was under the moniker Lowstar Rodeo, but it seems like Kevin has changed that and uses his own given name nowadays. Toward the Light is probably my favorite song that anyone has written about this pandemic shit. I love it so much.

Turner Cody & The Soldiers of Love – Friends In High Places (Capitane Records)

Songwriter Turner Cody is one of my long time favorites and has pretty much guaranteed spot on these lists. This time he teamed with The Soldiers of Love and together they created a timeless album full of gorgeous songs.

Esther Rose – How Many Times (Full Time Hobby / Father/Daughter Records)

I fell for the music of Esther Rose when I heard the song Don’t Blame It on the Moon a few years back. How Many Times keeps my feelings toward her songs intact. Songs Remain is the big favorite here and one of my absolute favorite songs of the year.

Jeremy Ferrara – Everything I Hold (American Standard Time Records)

This year we also got more folk magic from Portland’s Jeremy Ferrara. Just guitar and a beautiful voice, but that’s often all I really need.

Johanna Samuels – Excelsior! (Mama Bird Recording Co / Basin Rock)

Next a couple of treasures from the Mama Bird vaults. First LA-based songwriter Johanna Samuels who has previously been featured on the EP list and now does the same on the album list with this awesome Sam Evian-produced debut album.

Tristen – Aquatic Flowers (Mama Bird Recording Co)

We also have a new Tristen album in this world and what a delightful pleasure it is to be able tp spend a day or a month in the arms of such a great album.

Josienne Clarke – A Small Unknowable Thing (Corduroy Punk)

A rare visit to Scotland on this list, but more than a worthy one because the new Josienne Clarke album is really strong and impressive.

Lucy Dacus – Home Video (Matador Records)

Wrapping this third chapter with one of the bigger names here, but I won’t hold that success against Lucy Dacus. After all, that’s the kind of recognition I hope all the artists on this list gets. Home Video is a mighty good album and Going Going Gone is one of my favorite songs of the year.

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100 Favorite Albums of the Year 2021 – Part Two

Part Seven
Part Six
Part Five
Part Four
Part Three
Part One

Strand of Oaks – In Heaven (Galacticana Records)

We’ll kick chapter two of the year end saga with the great new Strand of Oaks album. Jimi & Stan is a big personal favorite here, because it’s a song dedicated to his cat Stan who is now partying with Jimi Hendrix in heaven. We lost our own dear Luna early in the year and that made the song even more meaningful. I hope Luna gets to hang out with Jimi & Stan too.

Pony Bradshaw – Calico Jim (Black Mountain Music)

More captivating storytelling from Georgia-based songwriter Pony Bradshaw. I’ve been fan since I heard Josephine years back and I don’t expect that situation to change.

Austin James Craig – Violet and Still

Ohio-songwriter Austin James Craig is a bit more obscure favorite, but I’ve loved his dark storytelling since the early releases that aren’t even available anymore. Such a great release once again.

Damien Jurado – The Monster Who Hated Pennsylvania (Maraqoba Records / Field Painting Music)

Well this man doesn’t need an introduction. Damien Jurado is one of the finest songwriters of the past twenty years and hardly ever fails to impress. Another great addition to his catalogue.

Quinn Pilgrim – Jericho Dream (Partially Sealed Records)

Next we travel to Louisiana for another bit more obscure pick. I’ve loved this one from Quinn Pilgrim from the beginning. Nothing fancy, but if you just want to listen to great folk songs, your heart will find a home here.

Jeremy James Meyer – Alive & OK (American Standard Time Records)

Back in the state of Washington for the new American roots album from Jeremy James Meyer. I’m especially fond of the ballad Thought That You Could Tell, but the whole thing is great. Also kudos to American Standard Time Records for releasing a lot of excellent albums this year. A couple made the cut on this list, but they would all be worthy of a spot.

Garrett T. Capps – I Love San Antone (Vinyl Ranch)

Carrying our bags to San Antone, TX for a real country monster from Garrett T. Capps. If you think my favorite list is dreadfully boring (and it’s a totally fair criticism, because I love a lot of those sad and beautiful ones), give a spin to this one. A tearjerker or two here too, but for the most part this is a great country album with a whole lot of rock’n’roll and listening to it is a whole lot of fun.

Charley Crockett – Music City USA (Son of Davy)

More old school country gems from Charley Crockett. He actually released a couple of albums this year. I’ll go with the original one on this list, but highly recommend also checking out the tribute album 10 for Slim – Charley Crockett sings James Hand.

Amythyst Kiah – Wary + Strange (Rounder Records)

Amythyst Kiah’s powerful song Black Myself already appeared on the wonderful Our Native Daughters album and now it was time for a new solo full-length. Wary + Strange is an impressive American roots album with a lot of variety.

Hiss Golden Messenger – Quietly Blowing It (Merge Records)

Hiss Golden Messenger has a pretty much guaranteed spot on these year-end lists. M.C. Taylor again crafted a beautiful sanctuary for my soul. There’s also a brand new seasonal album O Come All Ye Faithful, if you need some new Christmas music.

Scott Hirsch – Windless Day (Echo Magic)

As you may have noticed, instead of ranks, there’s some awkward transitions from an album to another. Some probably are very forced. This one not so much, because moving from Hiss Golden Messenger to a new Scott Hirsch album is almost too obvious. Anyway, Windless Day is again a gorgeous sonic adventure in folk, soul, psych and what not.

Michael James Tapscott – The Only Dance There Is

More blissfully strange California folk sounds. This time from Oakland from a long time favorite Michael James Tapscott who quietly self-released this lovely album. It may be only 20 minutes long, but there’s plenty that I love so there’s not a chance I’m going to leave this one out.

Sam Tudor – Two Half Words

This chapter needs some Canadian music too, so let’s travel to Vancouver, British Columbia. Sam Tudor’s Two Half Words has been somewhat surprise favorite, because this well-crafted pop beauty definitely challenges my simple taste here and there. Somehow I still find this totally irresistible and get lost in his comfortable sonic world whenever I put the headphones on and hit the play button. Such a beautiful album.

Karen Peris – A Song is Way Above the Lawn (Bella Union)

Next we have a tremendous solo album from Karen Peris (The Innocence Mission). I think this is technically a children’s album, but one that seem to work equally well for middle-aged men like yours truly. So don’t get caught up in that minor detail. You are going to love this.

Bea Troxel – Gettin’ Where (Ruination Record Co)

Wrapping this second chapter in Nashville, Tennessee with a deeply moving album from folk songwriter Bea Troxel. This has been a big grower for me and I’ve played this a lot during he last weeks. What a beautiful treasure.

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