1) Turnpike Troubadours - A Cat In The Rain. These guys have been my favorite band of the past decade. Evan Felker is my favorite living songwriter. He has captured life in rural middle America as experienced by the elder Millennials better than anyone else. After walking away from music suddenly in 2019 and basically drowning in booze for the next year, he got his **** together, reunited with his wife, reunited with his band, and they put together one of the best albums of their career. While not heavy on new Felker material, the songs he put down are among the best he's ever written.
2) Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit - Weathervanes. I'll admit, as a long time fan of Isbell, going back to his time in Drive-By Truckers, I thought he was completely washed after 2020's "Reunions". He seemed more interesting in fighting with people on Twitter and virtue signaling than making great art. When I heard the first couple of lead singles from this album, I detected more of the same. On release day, I tossed the album on expecting next to nothing. Holy ****, could I have not been more wrong. While there are a couple tracks I don't care, he came back with some of the absolute best work of his career, including what might be the best song ("King of Oklahoma") that he's ever written. He even cranks the amps a time or two. Well done, Mr. Isbell. Well done.
3) Olivia Rodrigo - GUTS. If you had told me 3 months ago I'd be putting an Olivia Rodrigo album on my year end list, I would have laughed in your face. Joke's on me. This album is ******* great. Imagine if Weezer's "Blue Album" had been made by a sexy, confident, 20 something chick instead of an emotionally crippled Gen X incel. You'd have GUTS.
4) Joe Stamm Band - Wild Man/Fort Smith. Stamm is a Midwest guy (Peoria native) who's been on my radar ever since I heard his stunning tribute to John Prine during the Pandemic. He tours heavily, mostly in the Midwest, and is finally starting to garner a more national audience. His "Midwest Town" album was my favorite of 2021, and his proper album (Wild Man) and EP (Fort Smith) that came out this year features some of his best songs. The band is coming into their own as well, turning into a really tight, muscular country/rock outfit. If these guys are in your area (and they probably will be), check them out. I saw him open for Chris Knight in Iowa City last February and loved it.
5) Dave Hause - Drive It Like It's Stolen. Hause has become one of my favorite musicians in recent years. He blends pop punk with folk/Americana into an insanely catchy mix. This is release is more of the same from him, and that's a good thing. His lyrics are always extremely personal, but yet hit a lot of universal points.
2) Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit - Weathervanes. I'll admit, as a long time fan of Isbell, going back to his time in Drive-By Truckers, I thought he was completely washed after 2020's "Reunions". He seemed more interesting in fighting with people on Twitter and virtue signaling than making great art. When I heard the first couple of lead singles from this album, I detected more of the same. On release day, I tossed the album on expecting next to nothing. Holy ****, could I have not been more wrong. While there are a couple tracks I don't care, he came back with some of the absolute best work of his career, including what might be the best song ("King of Oklahoma") that he's ever written. He even cranks the amps a time or two. Well done, Mr. Isbell. Well done.
3) Olivia Rodrigo - GUTS. If you had told me 3 months ago I'd be putting an Olivia Rodrigo album on my year end list, I would have laughed in your face. Joke's on me. This album is ******* great. Imagine if Weezer's "Blue Album" had been made by a sexy, confident, 20 something chick instead of an emotionally crippled Gen X incel. You'd have GUTS.
4) Joe Stamm Band - Wild Man/Fort Smith. Stamm is a Midwest guy (Peoria native) who's been on my radar ever since I heard his stunning tribute to John Prine during the Pandemic. He tours heavily, mostly in the Midwest, and is finally starting to garner a more national audience. His "Midwest Town" album was my favorite of 2021, and his proper album (Wild Man) and EP (Fort Smith) that came out this year features some of his best songs. The band is coming into their own as well, turning into a really tight, muscular country/rock outfit. If these guys are in your area (and they probably will be), check them out. I saw him open for Chris Knight in Iowa City last February and loved it.
5) Dave Hause - Drive It Like It's Stolen. Hause has become one of my favorite musicians in recent years. He blends pop punk with folk/Americana into an insanely catchy mix. This is release is more of the same from him, and that's a good thing. His lyrics are always extremely personal, but yet hit a lot of universal points.
