Here is my annual rundown of things I managed to give more than a cursory listen to in this year of inspiration, disillusionment, and improvisation. As always, this is NOT meant as my “Best of” list or anything other than an experiment in exhibitionism and voyeurism. I do it because I enjoy reading about what others are listening to and so I’d like to reciprocate. One thing I’ve noticed about my list this year is that is more detached from current pop music than in previous years. Part of that is a result of not feeling like attending any new festivals this year, some of it is seeking comfort in old friends, and some of it is a natural tendency to age out. I usually try very hard to avoid this, but I just didn’t have the heart this year for some reason. Maybe next year. As always, YMMV.
Here’s to realized campaign promises and renewed global cooperation.
In alphabetical order.
Aimee Mann, Queens of the Summer Hotel
Anna Thorvaldsdottir, Enigma
Asleep at the Wheel, Half a Hundred Years
Billy F Gibbons, Hardware
Ceramic Dog, Hope
ChVrches, Screen Violence: Director’s Cut
Dave Gahan & Soulsavers, Imposter
Deap Vally, Marriage
Deep Purple, Turning to Crime
Dennis DeYoung, 26 East, Vol. 2
Dropkick Murphys, Turn Up That Dial
Edie Brickell & New Bohemians, Hunter and the Dog Star
Explosions in the Sky, Big Bend
Gordon Goodwin’s Big Phat Band, The Reset
Hammock, Elsewhere
Mogwai, As The Love Continues
Jean-Michel Jarre, Amazônia
José González, Local Valley
Olga Neuwirth, Solo
Pat Metheny, Side-Eye NYC (V1.IV)
Robert Plant & Alison Krauss, Raise the Roof
St. Vincent, The Nowhere Inn
Steve Cropper, Fire It Up
Styx, Crash of the Crown
Tangerine Dream, Probe 6-8 (2021)
Terence Blanchard, Absence
Terri Hendrix, Pilgrim’s Progress Project 5.5
The Joy Formidable, Into The Blue
Tune-Yards, sketchy.
Tyshawn Sorey, For George Lewis
Vikingur Ólafsson, Mozart & Contemporaries
Willie Nelson, That’s Life
Wynton Marsalis & JLCO, The Democracy! Suite
Yes, The Quest