So I’m a day late with my list. It’s been that kind of year. We’ve been a bit absent from the blogosphere but make no mistake, I’ve been listening and these are some of the albums that made up my 2019 soundtrack.
10. Revivalists. “Oh No” actually a 2018 album but this song was released in 2019. Just a great tune which only gets better live.
9. Strumbellas “ Running Scared” this band had a minor hit with “ Spirits” which was one heavy rotation in the OConnor house a couple years ago. This album by this Canadian group has a nice strummy good vibe feel.
8. Lukas Nelson and the Promise of the Real “Turn off the News and Build a Garden”
Every year I manage to find an album that becomes my sittin’ on the beach album. This one by Willie Nelson’s son was it for this year. It checks all the boxes for me and the theme definitely resonates with me these days
7. Frank Turner “No Man’s Land” Frank went in a different direction with this one. An album dedicated solely to under appreciated musical or historical women that he wrote and performed with a female producer and an all female band. He paired the album with a series of podcasts highlighting the subject of each song. Worth a listen. This song got played at 11 in my car.
6 Vampire Weekend “Harmony Hall’
Ive not really been able to totally appreciate this band but this album just clicked for me.
5. Black Keys “Lets Rock” After being away for a while on side projects, these guys came back with a simple mission. The album title says it all.
4. little Steven and the Disciples of Soul “Summer of Sorcery “ Steve has come back the last couple of years to bring us a master class in music. This latest album does it again with rock , R and B with a touch of soul.
3. The Menzingers. Quickly becoming one of my favorite bands. Love the hooks, love the music .
2. Bruce Springsteen “Western Stars” I wasn’t sure what to expect when this album was coming out. I was actually afraid this might be the first Bruce album that I might not like that much. Boy was I wrong. This album from a 70 year old man spoke to me. It’s not trying to be music for kids. It’s mature, thoughtful and really spoke to me. It was my driving with the dog on a Sunday morning or sitting on the deck on Friday night album all summer long.
1. Dave Hause “Kick” A couple of years ago, the song “We Could be Kings” got my attention, and then Dave Hause (rhymes with paws) opened for Frank Turner and ever since, I’ve been hooked. This album has one great song after another. Definitely influenced by 1980s rock with a touch of punk. Absolutely got the most play of any album I listened to this year.
