Jason Isbell & the 400 Unit - Self-titled: I got this album part of the way through the year and it absolutely blew me away. I would go on binges listening to this album and Jason's first release for weeks on end. Jason's amicable parting from the Drive-by Truckers has not been a negative as his songwriting talents have been showcased and DBT are still putting out good music. Favorite tracks are Sunstroke, The Blue and The Last Song I Will Write. Very cool artwork on the cover as well.
Sons of Bill - One Town Away: These guys are out of Charlottesville, VA and this was their sophomore album. I picked this one up honestly not expecting much from it, but I was very wrong. It definitely has some twang to it, especially the vocals, but I wouldn't call it a country album. The album also has one of the best lyrics of the year in Broken Bottles: "Hank Williams might've been a lovesick drinker, but being a lovesick drunk don't make you Hank." Favorite tracks are Broken Bottles, Going Home and Charleston.
Ryan Bingham - Roadhouse Sun: Ryan is one of my favorite artists, so anything he puts out is going to make a list. But this album is a fantastic follow-up to Mescalito. Ryan's distinctive, gravelly voice and blend of rock & country with upbeat catchy beats works perfectly. He can play a mean guitar too. Favorite tracks are Dylan's Hard Rain, Hey Hey Hurray and Tell My Mother I Miss Her So.
Lucero - 1372 Overton Park: I just started listening to Ben Nichols and the rest of the band in the last year or so. Really dug their sound and then they threw me a curve ball adding horns to this release - and it works! I had the pleasure of seeing them and they thankfully toured with the horns. Great show and album. There won't be too many people that understand this reference, but this album reminds me a bit of Rocket from the Crypt from the 90's. Favorite tracks are Smoke, Sound of the City and The Devil and Maggie Chascarillo.
Cross Canadian Ragweed - Happiness & All the Other Things: Again, one of my favorite artists, so anything they do, I'm probably going to like. They recorded this album with Stephanie Briggs adding piano to the mix and it's a great album. One of my favorite parts of the album is when Dierks, Cody's 4-year-old son, introduces the song, Blue Bonnets. This album would probably be higher if they hadn't put a live version of Soul Agent on it. I just don't like that song. Favorite tracks are 51 Pieces, Blue Bonnets and Burn Like the Sun.
Band of Heathens - One Foot in the Ether: These guys bring a mix of blues, country and rock to the table. Throw in three guys that can REALLY sing and play their instruments well and you've got a great album. My favorite tracks are Shine a Light, and Look at Miss Ohio and Talking Out Loud.
Drive-by Truckers - The Fine Print: It could be argued this isn't really a release in 2009 because it's a collection of songs recorded long ago that never made it to an album, but I'll include it anyway because it's good. Favorite tracks are Play It All Night Long, Like a Rolling Stone and When the Well Runs Dry. The album even includes two Jason Isbell songs, TVA and When the Well Runs Dry.
Will Hoge - The Wreckage: Will has been one of those artists that I've always meant to buy his music. However, that never happened. I kept reading how great this album was in the blogosphere and I FINALLY bought it this week and it made my top 10. It's that good. Will has a soulful style to his music that you can tell comes from the soul. Favorite tracks are Hard to Love, Goodnight/Goodbye and Even If It Breaks Your Heart.
Walt Wilkins - Vigil: Walt is just a fantastic singer/songwriter. His songs are beautiful and well-crafted. I have an admission to make on this one. I didn't listen to this album as much as I should have. Favorite tracks are Trains I Missed, This Is All I Know and Grace is Sleeping.
Steve Earle - Townes: How can Steve Earle doing Townes Van Zandt songs not be great? Steve's take on one of the greatest singer/songwriters ever is an album worth having. Favorite tracks are Colorado Girl, Lungs and Marie.My song of the year is Cry Pretty by Jason Eady from the album When the Money's All Gone. I first heard this song live during Music Fest '09 at Steamboat and immediately knew it was one of the best songs I had ever heard. Oddly enough, I really like Eady's past work (my blog name is taken from one of his songs) and love this song, but the album overall just didn't do it for me.
Other albums that get an honorable mention are: Todd Snider The Excitement Plan, Justin Townes Earle Midnight at the Movies, Betty Soo Heat Sin Water Skin, Truckstop Coffee For Dear Life, Bobby Duncan Faith, Hope and Everything Else and Seth James That Kind of Man.
I have probably forgotten an album that I will be embarrassed I forgot. Hopefully not. 2009 was a great year for music. Hopefully 2010 is just as good.
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