I'm no indie snob, nor do I find myself in any one music genre. My selections are simply, what albums I found myself playing the most in my home (via Sonos and Rhapsody), iPod, and in my car (Phatnoise Music Keg). It was a mediocre year in music in my opinion. My top 6 are solid, then it became harder to choose and I found myself listing 20 notables. Here they are:
1. Kings of Leon - Because of the Times. This is the Kings 3rd album and they hit a home run.
2. The Shins - Wincing the Night Away
This is one of those albums that just sounds better and better each time you hear it. I played it all year and will continue to play it at the top of my rotation for a long time.
3. Elizabeth Cook - Balls
Elizabeth Cook is true clean country in the spirit of Patsy Cline and Loretta Lynn. I discovered her just this year and it wasn't easy - no Grammy or CMA recognition for someone I think is one of the greatest country singers out there today.
4. Alison Krauss - A Hundred Miles or More: A Collection
Alison Krauss sings like an angel. Couple her voice with one of the greatest bluegrass bands out there and you get some of the most amazing albums I've ever heard. This collection album is awesome. Listen to Jacob's Dream and tell me you don't get a few tears...
5. Rilo Kiley - Under the Backlight
6. Foo Fighters - Echoes Silence Patience and Grace
7. John Fogerty - Revival
Fogerty gets back to his CCR roots and this album wins the "Makes you play air guitar the most in your home" award. :)
8. Velvet Revolver - Libertad
9. Eagles - Long Road Out of Eden
10. Ozzy Osbourne - Black Rain
11. Bruce Springsteen - Magic
12. Lincoln Park - Minutes to Midnight
13. Chevelle - Vera Sera
14. Spoon - Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga
15. Lucinda Williams - West
16. Korn - Untitled
17. Mark Knopler - Kill To Get Crimson
18. Patty Griffin - Children Running Through
19. Modest Mouse - We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank
20. White Stripes - Icky Thump
Honorable Mention: Radiohead - In Rainbows
I loved Radiohead when they were a guitar band (THe Bends, Pablo Honey, OK Computer), but they started losing me with all the funky electronic sounds of Kid A, Amnesiac, and Hail to the Thief. But I salute them and this album for being a leader and dumping the Labels and putting this album out there and letting the consumer name their own price - It will be an historic event in music sales and distribution of the future. Thank you Radiohead.
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