Most of the albums in my top twenty, but not all, have been reviewed in this blog. If you place the cursor over each title, it will be clear if there is a link as it will be highlighted. If so, click on this and you will be redirected to the review:
This
will be a clear choice for many - because it’s the Boss - and because it is a
great album. I think it is an important album for 2012, reflecting as it does
on the global economy and, naturally, on the impact in America. Ry Cooder, and
others, made politically-charged musical commentaries on the financial and
political culprits, but Springsteen always has the instinct for conceptualising
such realities as human stories, and traditionally blue-collar, everyman
narratives. Memorable anthems.
Some
choices, like this one, are to do with affinity for a particular artist, and
this album reflects the brilliance of Smither’s songwriting and guitar playing
which I have enjoyed so much for some time, though arriving relatively late to
his music [and I have reviewed his earliest work on this blog which has become a
genuine all-time favourite]. I also had the great pleasure of seeing Chris this
year and playing some of the tracks from this album.
I
know some of the tracks on this album are re-workings of older songs, and that
there has been a judicious use of autotuning on the vocals. I don’t care. This
is a sublime collection in the way it so brilliantly represents the classic
Beach Boys sound. Also, the final three tracks form the most powerful melancholic,
and musically gorgeous lament for growing old. The lyrics present an honest
truth wonderfully at odds with the ludicrous deceit of earlier songs’ old-men claims
for youthful preoccupations: a lyrical awkwardness akin to the worst
dad-dancing. Fun and reflection.
Retro
rock fully occupying the moment. An album of some complexity that can also simply
ram it home.
Another
excellent album from one of the finest guitarists and songwriters out there.
A
brilliant selection of great artists showcasing the even greater brilliance of
Clark’s songwriting.
Perhaps
the finest, consistent and prolific gifted guitarist today. Maturing vocal and
superb songwriting.
Like Smither, Miller will always
be a favourite. This partnership with Lauderdale is infectious traditional
country, with two classic plaintive harmony tracks as well.
A
reminder of greatness.
A
beautiful album in its own right, with one outstanding Dylan cover. This is special
also because it has introduced me to an artist whose work is genuinely
excellent and distinctive, and has been for the many years I have been shamefully
ignorant of its existence.
Reminds
us that sweet soul lives on, and can be developed.
Nothing
complex here. Down and dirty and delightful.
Making
jazz vocal as cool as it always has been [and I could just as easily have put
Kurt Elling’s latest here...].
Iris DeMent - Sing the Delta
Such
poignant and honest storytelling inside simple but beautiful melodies.
A
cheat, but the two albums are so much the mirror of each other, and that in
itself the perfect reflection of a 60s/70s sound.
Father John Misty – Fear Fun
Fleet
Foxes drummer demonstrating where the gorgeous melodies continue.
Ambitious
guitar-driven rock to challenge the past.
Mad guitar rock. Far out.
Great
songwriter, and here devoting sustained skill to its singular theme.
For
its freshness, the raw power of performance, and its suggestion of such
strength to follow. My ‘surprise’ find of the year, though I am clearly not
alone. And my review of their album was appreciated and that gives me great
pleasure too.
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