The end of 2013 is approaching. Since I am a music fanatic, I thought I would put together a list of my favorite ten albums from the year. While this list may have some artists you never heard of, these artists are not unapproachable. I will add some of the artists that are similar so you can get an idea whether you should check them out. I will also link them to their Amazon page (click on the picture) so you can listen to some clips if you are interested.
The Wild Feathers - This is my "Album of the Year" for 2013. It is a mix of classic rock, pop, country, arena rock, and alternative country/indie music. While it is nearly impossible to pick a favorite song from this album, if I was pushed, I would choose "The Ceiling". It is the truest mix of their "Big Star" meets Gram Parsons meets Tom Petty style. Please check out this album. It is terrific from start to finish!
Bakersfield - Vince Gill & Paul Franklin (steel guitarist) cover Buck Owens and Merle Haggard songs. Vince sounds as good as ever and the guitar playing is fantastic. For those that want to step outside the pop oriented sound of Nashville and go back to a more traditional country sounding approach, look no further. Obviously, people know Vince Gill, so there is no need to mention similar artists.
Southeastern - Jason Isbell - Many of you may remember Isbell from his time with the "Drive-By Truckers". With this album, his music is more personal and intimate. I remember reading that he was now sober and this album represents the way he was dealing with a relationship that was changing because of it. The writing, vocals and stripped down production brings you right into his story. "Live Oak" would be the song that encapsulates the overall theme of this album. Similar artist would be Ryan Adams or Jackson Browne ("Late for the Sky").
Unvarnished - Joan Jett & The Blackhearts are back with a vengeance. This is "old school" rock n roll with hard hitting drums, guitars and a gritty "punk" vocal. The album doesn't let up until the last song which slows things down, almost like settling down a child before bedtime after a playful evening. "Any Weather" kicks off the album and features Dave Grohl. For those unfamiliar with Joan Jett, the Ramones would have a similar feel.
7 Cities - Moreland & Arbuckle seem to be electric blues artists at heart because nearly every song, whether it is hard rock, Americana, or music with a gospel feel, has an undertone of blues. It is difficult to narrow down a similar artist, but old school ZZ Top, Blues Breakers with Eric Clapton, Robert Cray, and Little Walter would come closest to this group. "Modern Boy" is the last song on the album and brings everything together with electric blues guitar, driving drum beats, bluesy harmonica, and a gospel themed chorus.
Willie Sugarcapps (self titled) - This is a bluegrass, folksy, Southern"Americana" album with banjos, fiddle, mandolins, electric guitars, etc.. The music and the vocals are a throw back without sounding ancient. There is also a delicate mix of "funk" that creates a nice flow from song to song. A similar artist would be "The Band" or Levon Helm's solo work.
Liquid Spirit - Gregory Porter - I happened to catch Mr. Porter on the Tonight Show and loved his energetic performance of "Liquid Spirit" enough to track down this album. I am glad I did! Liquid Spirit is a sophisticated soulful, jazzy, R&B album. His powerful, expressive vocals combined with the excellent musicians (piano, sax, trumpets, drums, etc.) make for a deeply moving album. It is difficult to find someone similar, but I would put him in the same category as Nat King Cole and Johnny Hartman, with a touch of Bobby Blue Bland. Soulful and jazzy.
World Boogie is Coming - North Mississippi Allstars - The name says it all, this is album filled with "BOOGIE". It has everything for your listening pleasure...folksy, bluesy, funky, soulful, rockin', swampy sounding music. It is the musical embodiment that rose from the mud in the Mississippi River. This is to say that it is fantastic and something Handsome Jimmy (old school, Memphis Wrestling phenomenon.."Boogie Woogie Man") would have been proud of. "Snake Drive" is a good example of the non-stop party atmosphere on this album. They are similar to R.L. Burnside or maybe Led Zepplin during their most bluesy, sweaty moments.
Melophobia - Cage the Elephant - alternative rock with catchy choruses. I wasn't sure what to expect from this one, but it got in my head, just like the spiders they describe in the first song. Every song on the album has a memorable quality to it. While their ragged, fuzzy guitars are reminiscent of The Strokes, I preferred this album overall when compared to "Countdown Machine". The funky, surf-funk inspired "It's Forever", is an example of how unique they are when compared to their contemporaries. Similar artists would include "The Pixies", "The Strokes", and "Black Rebel Motorcycle Club".
Mountains of Sorrow, Rivers of Song - Amos Lee is one of my favorite modern artists. I first heard him opening for Norah Jones. The lights in the building were still on while people were taking their seats. Somehow, he managed to get everyone to quiet down and listen. Before he left the stage, people were back up on their feet delivering a standing ovation. It was amazing.
If I were to have a top ten album list over the past several years, Amos would be on it every year that he put out an album. While I would mainly consider Amos a soulful, folk, singer/songwriter, he has added more classic country elements to this album without losing his overall soulful feel. His collaboration with Patty Griffin on "Mountains of Sorrow" was one of my favorite songs from 2013. Gordon Lightfoot and Ray LaMontagne would be similar artists.
If I were to have a top ten album list over the past several years, Amos would be on it every year that he put out an album. While I would mainly consider Amos a soulful, folk, singer/songwriter, he has added more classic country elements to this album without losing his overall soulful feel. His collaboration with Patty Griffin on "Mountains of Sorrow" was one of my favorite songs from 2013. Gordon Lightfoot and Ray LaMontagne would be similar artists.
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