Best Albums of 2014: 35-26

AS 2014 draws to a close, it’s time to look back on the last 12 months in music and as tradition goes, this involves the unveiling of our 35 Best Albums Of The Year – as always, it has been a struggle, we have fought and bled and finally agreed on the 35 best records of 2014.  There will be three posts, the excitement will be unbearable and the top 10 will be revealed in a few of days..

What did we get wrong? What did we miss? Well, nothing of course, this is THE list.  No, just kidding, this is our view of the year in music, and as we have said many times before, we only write about the stuff we like and we can not reach everything.

Enjoy! …and use the comments to voice your opinions!

35. Miranda Lambert – Platinum
34. Doug Paisley – Strong Feelings
33. Nicky Lane – All or Nothing
32. Billy Joe Shaver – Long in the tooth
31. Ryan Adams – Ryan Adams
30. Jackson Browne – Standing in the breach
29. Hungry For The Riff Raff – Small Town Heroes
28. Tweedy – Sukierae
27. Lucinda Williams – Down where the spirit meets the bone
26. Trampled by Turtles – Wild Animals

 

25. Old Crow Medicine Show – Remedy

Tight trad Americana (“folk-bluegrass-alt-country blend”), lovely harmony singing & lots of string instruments (guitars, banjos, fiddles, and mandolins).

I’m sure their a helluva fiery live act, but on this album I like them best when they slow things down.

Selected songs: Dearly Departed Friend, The Warden & Sweet Amarillo.

Sweet Amarillo:

 

24. Keb’ Mo’ – BluesAmericana

Very soulful & relaxed blues album. Best enjoyed in solid doses when you’re in the mood.

Selected songs: The Worst Is Yet to Come, For Better or Worse & That’s Alright.

The Worst is Yet to Come @ New Orleans Jazz Fest 2014:

 

23. St. Paul and the broken bones – Half The City

Wonderful deep Southern soul recorded @ the legendary FAME studio in Muscle Shoals, Alabama. It sounds very Otis Redding’ish to me (and I happen to regard Redding as the Greatest male soul singer ever).

Selected songs: Call Me, Half The City, I’m Torn Up

Half the City:

22. Adam Faucett – Blind water finds blind water

Adam Faucett has made a sweet and sad album, and deserves a bigger audience. To me it almost sounds as if Sam Cooke is lead vocalist for Uncle Tupelo. He has a fantastic voice and this time his songwriting matches his vocal. Great album, his best by far!

Selected songs: Edgar Cayce, Sparkman, Day Drinker

Adam Faucett – Edgar Cayce:

 

21. Dave Alvin & Phil Alvin – Common Ground

I was lucky to catch the brothers in concert this year, and it was so much fun! They’ve made a great tribute album to their hero Big Bill Broonzy, and they’ve made it with love and feeling. It’s easy to hear how much they enjoy playing these songs.

Selected songs: Key To The Highway, Just A Dream, You’ve changed

Dave & Phil Alvin – Key To The Highway:

 

20. Rodney Crowell – Tarpaper Sky

This is Crowell at his best, good songwriting and delivery. He sings really good and he manages to get the lyrics across in ways that few performers can do. This years Rodney Crowell release is a must have.

Selected song: God I’m Missing You, Famous Last Words of A Fool In Love, The Long Journey Home

Rodney Crowell – God I’m Missing You:

– Egil & Hallgeir