2020 has pretty much been dog poo, as we all know. However, there have been some high points for some here and there that have made the year palatable.¹ The year has also produced some great music. Some of that music has been covered on this website on Saturday Spins.

I have gone on and on about the subjective nature of musical tastes. I like to think I have a somewhat eclectic taste, and I usually have an open mind about trying to listen to newer artists or older artists from the 60s, 70s, and 80s that I might have heard, but didn’t know who it was. I was unable to do this kind of piece last year because I was in the midst of relocation and all of the insanity that goes with it.

That being said, this article will cover what I, me, the royal we, think were great albums released this year. I wont, for example, be handing out accolades to whatever it is Taylor Swift is currently releasing. Pop music is still pop music even if you put a little folksy spin on it. So, as a general rule, popular music e.g. whatever Spotify, radio, and record companies drive people to listen to, will not be discussed here.

I’m gonna go with three, maybe four, categories and kind of tier the releases based on what my ears think is good or mediocre. I’m sure some smarmy anon will tell me I am wrong.

The Cream of the Crop

Cuttin’ Grass Vols. 1 & 2- Sturgill Simpson

My dude Sturgill released an absolute banger of an LP in 2019. Known for his avant-garde country rock blend, he dispatched with that on Sound & Fury to make a straight rock record. Many people loathed it, but many many more people loved it. In 2020 he challenged his fans to raise $1 million for charity through his merch website “Dick Daddy Survival School,” and in June he announced that since his challenge was more than met, he would be recording not one, but TWO bluegrass albums.

On both volumes of Cuttin’ Grass, Sturgill assembled an all-star bluegrass backing band to do new bluegrass arrangements of his back catalog, including Sunday Valley songs. The result? A face-melting array of bluegrass foot stompers that make you want to chug on some moonshine and dance around the fire down in the holler.

Rough and Rowdy Ways- Bob Dylan

This is now the third or fourth “return to form” for Dylan. I discussed it on Saturday Spins back in August. Bob hadn’t released new music since 2012, then in March, he dropped a 17- minute epic song with countless cultural references all centered around the Kennedy Assassination. A new record was announced soon thereafter. The rest of the LP has many good songs featuring Dylan’s witty and wise songwriting. This one definitely made 2020 a teeny bit better.

Destiny Hotel-Cordovas

Here’s one that probably won’t make a lot of lists, because they are a relatively unknown Americana band. However, on their third album, they really bring it in my opinion. The whole LP is wall to wall roots/Americana reminiscent of Crosby, Stills, Nash, & Young, Grateful Dead, and Little Feat. The bulk of the songs are tight, well produced, and well written. They are a band to keep on your radar, and perhaps we will all see them on Saturday Spins very soon.

Wednesdays-Ryan Adams

In a bit of a late-breaking news, Ryan Adams is back. Before his alleged misdeeds came to light in 2019, he was planning a triple release. After a long hiatus of (mostly silence), he dropped a reconfigured version of what was to be the second release in that trilogy, Wednesdays. I discussed my feelings on fandom and separating the art from the artist earlier this year on this here website. In that piece , I expressed hope he would be cleared of the more serious allegations and that he would keep releasing music–and here we are.

The album itself is very low-key, not a lot of rockers on this one. It is similar to some of his other works that were a bit more scaled back and intimate. While the themes of loved-ones lost, friendships destroyed, and apologia are on there, I doubt it would do much to change the opinions of some of the more rabid assumed-facts-not-in-evidence crowd that are ready to cancel anyone based on just allegations.

Show Pony- Orville Peck

The world can’t get enough of the masked cowboy, so he released an EP with some new songs in late summer. On 2019’s Pony, Peck’s songwriting chops really shined, and I am happy to report that the trend continued on 2020’s Show Pony. The album includes a duet with the great Shania Twain on “Legends Never Die” and a cover of “Fancy” by Bobby Gentry. It really puts the honk in honky-tonk too. I cannot wait to see what he does next.²

Texas Sun- Khruangbin and Leon Bridges

Another EP and with an interesting collaboration. I discussed Leon Bridges here a couple of weeks ago, and I think I may have touched on his collab with psychedelia-indie outfit, Khruangbin. When soul and indie meet, it creates an interesting combo and some smooth songs. The title track is very good and will get stuck in your head for days.

Floor It!!!- The Texas Gentlemen

Another relatively unknown band, The Texas Gentleman. I covered Floor It!!! with the included board game a few months back because it was one of my favorite new musical discoveries. With a sound that blurs several genres, the Texas Gentlemen are truly a unique experience to listen to. They used to be a backing band for Willie Nelson and Kris Kristofferson before striking out on their own. I am hoping to hear more from these guys very soon.

Down in the Weeds, Where the World Once Was- Bright Eyes

Like Dylan, it has been some time since we have heard a new Bright Eyes album. Nine years to be exact! I sprung for the deluxe edition on vinyl and it did not disappoint. I spun it again recently and I was still very satisfied with it. Oberst has always been a top-notch songwriter and when he is teamed up with musical swiss army knife, Mike Mogis, good things always happen. Again, like Dylan, Conor gave us all a nibble with a couple of new songs strategically released just before the album announcement.

Ghosts of West Virginia- Steve Earle

I very recently covered this LP on Saturday Spins. Steve Earle wrote and recorded it as a tribute to the 29 miners lost in the Upper Big Branch Mine disaster. Not every track is about that disaster, but perhaps fittingly, “Fastest Man Alive” is about aviation legend, Chuck Yeager, who recently passed on.³ There’s even a track about the legend of John Henry. Anyway, the whole album is filled with great country, bluegrass, and country-rock grooves.

Letter to You-Bruce Springsteen

The Boss is back with another LP filled with excellent songwriting and nearly perfect sound production. On this album the themes of aging, death, and just life in general are laid bare by Springsteen. I suppose I cant use the phrase “return to form” enough in one article. The Boss suffered from writer’s block for several years before going on a songwriting tear for this album. It was recorded over 4 days at his ranch in New Jersey.

The Pretty Good

A Hero’s Death- Fontaines D.C.

Here is a band that I discovered somewhat by accident. I would describe them as a cross between the Ramones and The Strokes.⁴ When I say “by accident,” I mean I was doing some research for a Grammy-related post for this website and I noticed that they were nominated in a rock category. I don’t remember which one or how many and I am too lazy to look. Anyway, they are pretty good and have only been around for 3 years or so. Here is the video for their single and title track from this album. It feature Aiden Gillen (of Game of Thrones fame).⁵

The Slow Rush- Tame Impala

I love Tame Impala, Kevin Parker makes some wild sounds with various instruments, samplers, etc. The best part is, he does it all himself!  mean, he has a touring band and what not, but when he creates music it’s all him. The Slow Rush follows 2015’s critically acclaimed album, Currents. If you have ever listened to the latter, then you know that he had a lot of ground to cover to do better. In some ways he did and in others he didn’t in my opinion, but The Slow Rush still bops.

 

Good Luck With Whatever- Dawes

Dawes has spent the last 9 years releasing decent but flawed albums, Nothing is Wrong(2011), Stories Don’t End (2013), All Your Favorite Bands (2015), and very bad whatthehellweretheythinking albums, We’re All Gonna Die (2016) and Passwords (2018). They haven’t repeated the success of their perfect first album. In any event, they came back this year with a new album that is back in the “decent but flawed” category.

3.15.20-Childish Gambino

In the midst of the lockdown, Donald Glover AKA, Childish Gambino dropped a surprise 4th album. I am pretty picky when it comes to rap and hip hop, and I usually keep my ear out for when Glover does things. This one is filled with jams, most of which do not have names, but times based on where they are on the almost hour-long LP. Interestingly enough the first “single” from this album came out in 2018 and was included on the full release of the album.

Mordechai- Khruangbin

The second time Khruangbin is featured in this article. Their unique blend of indie rock, funk, and psychedelia is quite refreshing. They make a big sound for a three-piece outfit too. The name is pronounced “Krung-bin” and it is the Thai word for “Aeroplane.” Kinda quirky, but they make good music.  Check out this video, and get the tissues ready.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lo4KMGiy–Y

El Dorado- Marcus King

Marcus King is only 24 years old, but he writes and sings like he has been on this planet longer. The guy is a gifted guitarist as well. He fronts the Marcus King Band and his debut album, El Dorado, came out this year to critical acclaim. If you are a fan of soulful southern rock, then Marcus King is for you. He definitely has a bright future ahead.

 

The Unraveling & the New O.K.- Drive-By Truckers

The readers of this website know that I am huge Drive-By Truckers fan. Their last three albums have crossed into the “overtly political” zone rather than just the “somewhat political.” To put this another way, DBT used to write songs that had political themes or would be related to current or past events, the last three albums have been more whack-you-over-the-head messaging. This is not to say it’s a bad thing, because they have always been a political band. The Unraveling was released earlier this year and they surprised released The New O.K. September.

Love is King- Jeff Tweedy

Jeff Tweedy is one of those prolific songwriters that probably has terabytes of songs stowed away somewhere. The great thing about Wilco is most of them all have their own thing outside of Wilco and thus are able to use their considerable talents to do other things. Nels Cline released a new album this year too, I haven’t listened to it as of this writing so I can’t include it here. It is probably good though. Anyway, Jeff Tweedy released this album this year, his fourth solo effort.

 

Reunions- Jason Isbell

*–Ducks–* I am probably gonna catch a lot of flack for this one, but Jason Isbell’s latest is just a utilitarian effort that recycles the same tropes from the last two releases. I mean, Isbell can really write some songs, he is just as prolific as Tweedy in that respect. However, the subject matter is often the same and the sound is always the same. I covered it on Saturday Spins. Someone needs to get Dave Cobb away from Jason Isbell, because he is just going to keep releasing the same album over and over.⁶ This one, like his others, received critical acclaim, but in my esteemed opinion he can do a lot better. I am looking forward to his album of cover songs he promised after Georgia turned blue this past election cycle.

Starting Over- Chris Stapleton

I just got done talking about Dave Cobb and here I am again with another album produced by, you guessed it, Dave Cobb. Chris Stapleton is a country artist who actually make country music. You won’t hear any of that glitzy, sampled, and autotuned pop country garbage that rules the country radio airwaves. On his fourth album, Stapleton put together a clean and excellent effort that I daresay will make a lot of other “best of” lists this year.

The O.K., But Still Better Than Pop Music

RTJ4- Run the Jewels

You can rest assured that Killer Mike and El-P will always bring it. They have consistently released great rap records over the last 7 years. I don’t think they have been able to top their first release, but they consistently come back with new sounds and new collaborations that make for a refreshing take on a genre that is in danger of being taken over by mumble rappers and kitschy commercialized pop rappers.

Punisher- Phoebe Bridgers

*–Ducks–* again. I really enjoyed Phoebe’s debut album as well as the single she put out through Ryan Adams and Pax Am Records. Punisher is sadly a victim of sounding like a collection B-Sides from her first album. There are some highlights, “Kyoto” is just as rocking as any other indie track, for example. I gotta say, her songwriting is top-notch, but her personality is akin to a steaming pile of dog shit. To put it another way, her songwriting is honest and mature, but in reality she is vapid, boring, and focused on keeping her name in the music news one way or another. Her strategy of dumping on Eric Clapton smells a lot like what Oasis did to stay relevant, slag on much more accomplished acts in order to keep your profile up. It is tiring, and so is she.

Western Swing & Waltzes and Other Punchy Songs- Colter Wall

Don’t look now, but there is another Canadian cowboy on this list. While Orville Peck is a bit louder and definitely has a higher profile, Colter Wall has quietly been releasing great country albums over the past few years. On this years Western Swing & Waltzes and Other Punchy Songs, he continues to make real country music that is really good.

Waterfall II- My Morning Jacket

A follow up to 2015’s, The Waterfall, MMJ decided to release II. It is filled with good ‘ol rock with some classic indie flare that MMJ is accustomed to creating. While not the best album of the year by any means, it was a welcome addition to my vinyl collection. With a cool tri-color design too. Perhaps we will see it on Saturday Spins soon!

American Love Story-Butch Walker

Butch Walker is an extremely underrated artist who has written, produced, and performed across many genres. On this album, accompanied by a short film, he examines American society, love, and other related themes. Butch is a rock n roll guy, but a lot of his arrangements and melodies could be classified as pop rock, but as I said, he is a cross-genre kinda guy.

Compilations, Reissues, Live Albums

Wildflowers & All the Rest-Tom Petty

Finally after all these years, Tom Petty’s Wildflowers gets a proper deluxe treatment. A lot of the press around the box set focused on the estate litigation that resulted after Petty’s tragic death. The good news is that his daughters prevailed and planned this release. I sprung for the 3-LP box set–although maybe I will hunt down a 9-LP one with my second round of stimulus. Get your tissues out.

Black Pumas Deluxe- Black Pumas

I covered 2019’s self-titled release on Saturday Spins and I still spin it quite often these days. The band announced a deluxe release in mid-late 2020 featuring some cool colored vinyl, bonus tracks, and a 7 in with more bonus tracks. The deluxe edition has been nominated for three Grammy Awards.

Summerteeth Deluxe-Wilco

One of Wilco’s earlier albums got the deluxe treatment this year as well. I was able to acquire the colored vinyl version. It features a remaster of the original album, some demos and outtakes, and a great live recording from Boulder, CO. in 1999. I have an astonishing admission to make though: I haven’t put it on the platter to spin it yet, I have only listened to the digital version!

Live Drugs-The War on Drugs

There was some talk of a new album of new material being released by The War on Drugs this year, but what we got instead was an excellent live album. I am looking forward to when they do release new material though.

And there you have it! I am sure I missed some, or I derided an album or artist that some think is beyond criticism; my suggestion is to go curate your own best of list…with blackjack…and hookers. In all seriousness though, put your selections in the comments because I am always on the lookout for new music to listen to.

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1. Birth of my second daughter 3-4 weeks before lockdown, for example.
2. He also released a RSD 45 with Paul Cauthen under the name “The Unrighteous Brothers” with covers of “Unchained Melody” and “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feeling.”
3. He was a native West Virginian.
4. Who didn’t make the cut for my list this year.
5. He was also in Sing Street which I command you to watch.
6. I mean, if it makes money then sure, why not?