AltaRockers: A strong year for the Old Guard
Rolling Stones: Hackney Diamonds – Their first memorable album since Some Girls. I can even remember song titles this time.
Ian Hunter: Defiance, Part 1 – Ian defies the aging process once again
Paul Rodgers: Midnight Rose EP– Fun reverberations of Bad Company’s first
Tracy Nelson: Life Don’t Miss Nobody – Toe-tappin’ Barrelhouse Blues/R&B album with star-studded supporting cast on Nelson’s first since 2012.
Pete Gabriel: i/o – Majestic return after 21 years
Lucinda Williams: Stories From a Rock ‘n Roll Heart – The title lives up to its promise
Iggy Pop: Every Loser: Once a Punk always a Punk
Reissues:
Neil Young: Chrome Dreams: Finally
Who: Who’s Next/Lifehouse demos: Assemble yourself if you haven’t done so years ago.
Bob Dylan: Shadow Kingdom – smoky, live reimaginations of his early songs
NouveauRockers
Olivia Rodrigo: Guts – Long live the new Queen of rock
Margaret Glaspy: Echo the Diamond – Vocally reminiscent of early angry Alanis without the whining
Inhaler: Cuts & Bruises – Strong sophomore effort. Spooky how much Elijah Hewson sounds like his dad
OldFolkies
Bruce Cockburn: O Sun O Moon – Bruce is in my pantheon. This is one of his best projects in recent memory.
Alice Gerrard: Sun to Sun – Delightful to hear Alice in strong voice and still penning her clever topical lyrics.
Malcomb Holcombe: Bits and Pieces – Waits has nothing on Malcomb’s 36- grit sandpaper vocals. Too long under the radar after 15 albums in 30 years.
Tom Rush: Gardens Old, Flowers New (March 1 release) Rush still has all the wit insights of the human condition he’s always had, with the infused seasoning of age
Rodney Crowell: The Chicago Sessions – Chicago was the perfect setting to bring out the best in Rodney
Danny O’Keefe: Circular Turns – Danny’s first new album of new material in 25 years. Includes a song he co-wrote with Dylan plus his 70’s classic tunes revisited
Sylvia Tyson: At The End Of The Day – Declaring this her final album at 83, Sylvia reflects on a life well-lived
Sufjan Stevens: Javelin – Lovely, lush collection reminiscent of his early works.
Davendra Banhart: Flying Wig – Atmospheric with a darkness that pulls me in to want to listen multiple times.
Jangle/Psych Pop
The Rain Parade: Last Rays of a Dying Sun – The Paisley Underground lives. Their first album in 38 years doesn’t disappoint
Teenage Fanclub: Nothing Lasts Forever – Maturity suits them; a power pop sonic blast
Americana
Wilco: Cousin – Another classic to add to Tweedy’s catalogue
Jimmy Buffett: Equal Strain On All Parts – Too young to go, but he gifts us with a fond memory of his forever tuneful, wry talent.
M. Ward: Supernatural Thing – Tuneful project backed by First Aid Kit, Neko Case and Jim James
The National: Laugh Track – Two strong releases this year but this one edges out Frankenstein for me
Anohni and The Johnsons: My Back Was a Bridge For You to Cross – Magnificent
Elle King: Come Get Your Wife: My favorite female country rock album of the year
Rhiannon Giddens: You’re The One – More pop-oriented than her past recordings but perfectly balanced mix of styles
Allison Russell: The Returner – Sounded surprisingly poppy at first blush but Mark encouraged additional spins.
Amos Lee: Honeysuckle Switches: The Songs of Lucinda Williams – The brilliance of this cover album lies in the thematic song choices that evoke strong emotions