Taylor Swift snuck out an album at the end of last year that's just fucking amazing. Channeling her inner Ryan Adams, Swift digs deep into her bag of emo for Evermore. This record is a stunning achievement and is easily my favorite of her entire catalog.
It's pretty much got everything, folks. Check it out!
I've been playing the third offering from London's own Dire Straits quite a bit lately. Seven tracks of sheer musical beauty. Their first two albums were stellar, don't get me wrong, but Making Movies showed an outfit ready to go beyond the stars.
This video played a lot on MTV. I loved it every time I saw it.
Macca was doing quarantine long before pandemics. His first solo album (McCartney) was recorded in seclusion at his Scottish farm and saw him playing and performing all instruments and vocals. Flash forward to McCartney II in 1980 which saw the same formula used albeit with a more techno sound than the first offering.
Now we have McCartney III, recorded this year during the quarantine. That amazing feeling of the other two records is present on this album along with some new sounds and horizons.
I love the down-home feel!
Here are the best 25 albums of 2020. You must have these amazing creations in your collection immediately. Don't delay!
25. Between You and Me by San Cisco
The musical growth of this band continues to astound me. They will be a treasure in my heart forever.
24. Letter To You by Bruce Springsteen
The Boss is back and he is not fucking around with this one. Always the optimist in darkness.
23. 10 Songs by Travis
All of us experienced mental health issues this year. Travis is the perfect salve for this. So so glad they released a record this year!
22. On Sunset by Paul Weller
The Modfather continues to dazzle all of us with his wide and varied musical directions. Soak up that California sun!
21. It's Only Us by Monophonics
I tried to find one track on this record that I could put in my Top Tracks of 2020 but I couldn't. Why? Because the whole record is that good!
20. The Makarrata Project by Midnight Oil
A very much welcome return to the music scene from this Sydney band. A great project that highlights the struggles of native peoples everywhere.
19. Sanctuary by Gengahr
Soaring melodies and dreamy mindscapes are what this record is all about. One of the best new bands to come from Britain in this decade.
18. The True Story of Bananagun by Banangun
A stunning debut from this Aussie outfit. Happy and fun music with several dashes of psychedelia mixed in for extra trippiness.
17. American Head by The Flaming Lips
Another instant classic that sends the mind on many inner journeys. I love watching the light bugs glow...
16. The Glow by DMAs
A full-on embrace and torch carry of Brit Rock has suited this Sydney band quite well. This one is very Stone Roses-y. How many awesome bands are coming out of Australia these days? Many!
15. Death of the Party by Magic Gang
So amped about this Brighton band bursting on to the scene in the last couple of years. Their sophomore effort is simply stunning.
14. Shore by Fleet Foxes
What is it about this band that creates such a unique place in my soul? They both caress and murder my heart at the same time.
13. Foolish Loving Spaces by Blossoms
The third record from these Mancunians sees them pursuing a more pop-based sound and it's bloody mags.
12. XOXO by The Jayhawks
Ah, my local band that continues to make stellar music. All things Minnesotan...
11. Lianne Le Havas by Lianne Le Havas
It has been too long since Lianne's last record but this release made it well worth the wait. Just gorgeous...
10. Pwr/Up by ACDC
Uh...wow. What else can I say? It's a fucking ACDC record.
9. Wachito Rico by Boy Pablo
Swedish hipster turns out amazing debut loaded with fun pop and cool lo-fi vibes.
8. Wake Up by Hazel English
Ah, Hazel...Hazel...Hazel...your music is so beautiful and it breaks my heart in the most wonderful of ways. Your spirit time is 1962 and your style is DREAM.
7. Italian Ice by Nicole Atkins
Nostalgia on overdrive with this one. Is that an AM radio I'm listening to? Regardless, it's gold.
6. CTV3: Cool Tape Volume 3 by Jaden
Someone has been listening to The Beatles. And that someone is fucking awesome. Haters, go peddle your nonsense somewhere else. This is a tremendous record.
5. I Slept On The Floor by Another Sky
This is the British band I'm most excited about this year. London (and the world) will never be the same. Like the others before them, they have taken the sword from the Lady in the Lake...
4. Junk Food by Easy Life
This record made me feel light-hearted at several points this year and I really needed it. I totally heart how the youth of today look at love.
3. Rtj4 by Run The Jewels
This dynamic duo is incapable of making a bad record. In fact, all they can do is make ridiculously awesome albums. The most relevant statement of the year and it couldn't have come at a better time.
2. Hate For Sale by The Pretenders
This hall of fame band of my youth kicked some serious ass this year. But, hey, that's what Chrissie does. She's been kicking my ass for forty years.
1. The Universal Want by Doves
With each release, Doves set the landscape for our lives. It's usually dark but hopeful. It's always gorgeous and satisfying but it's not an easy ride. They've only made five records and two solo offerings but it's always enough.
The Universal Want builds upon that legacy. It's an honor to call it The Best Album of 2020.
Run The Jewels have the best track of 2020. It perfectly sums up where we are at as a culture in 2020.
And every day on the evening news, they feed you fear for free
And you so numb, you watch the cops choke out a man like me
Until my voice goes from a shriek to whisper, "I can't breathe"
And you sit there in the house on couch and watch it on TV
The most you give's a Twitter rant and call it a tragedy
But truly the travesty, you've been robbed of your empathy
Replaced it with apathy, I wish I could magically
Fast forward the future so then you can face it And see how fucked up it'll be,
I promise I'm honest They coming for you the day after they comin' for me
Doves returned to the scene this year in full force. Thank God. The Universal Want is an amazing record and ranks right up there with all of the rest of their albums. This is my favorite track.
Blossoms have made 2020 much more bearable. Their second album came out in February so it's been with us all year. This track is not only awesome but it sums up my mind perfectly.
Nicole Atkins really nailed retro nostalgia with this track. Slinky and cool..
Newcomers Easy Life kicked off 2020 with this fabulous track that tells the tale of being separated from the one you love. I think these Leicester Lads have a very bright future ahead of them!
Hazel English has made 2020 much brighter with this track from her third release, Wake Up! The early 60s Spectoresque sound is really marvelous.
How about some romance on Christmas Eve? Lianne La Havas has the perfect track for you and a loved one by the fireplace.
The title track from The Courteeners' latest offering is like a chase scene on a darkened street that seems to never end. What are we chasing? Who cares? We just know it's cool.
The Keystone State is responsible for many contributions to our country and now they can add one more awesome one. The Districts released their fourth full length this year and it's a stunner. The stand out track clocks in at nine this year on my countdown.
Shimmery indie-pop lovers rejoice!
We are into the best ten tracks of 2020 and I can't think of a better way to kick that off than Stoke's own Gengahr. Taken from their release Sanctuary, this track just pops!
Sarah Harmer's beautiful story of St. Peter's Bay cast a massive spell on me this year. I want to visit that world on a long, relaxing vacation...
Chrissie came back in full force in 2020 with an amazing record called Hate For Sale. All of the tracks are stellar but this one really stood out as classic Pretenders.
Jaden Smith turned out a corker of a record this year. This young man is a stellar musician and artist. Here is my favorite track...
The Year 2020 can be described in many ways. One of my favorites is the Year of Snuggling at Home. And no one is better at providing that soundtrack than Tiana Major9. So, find a loved one and curl up to this track. Who knows what might happen?
Holy 1980s! Yes, Huey Lewis and the News are back with a great new song that is guaranteed to bust your nostalgia into the stratosphere.
Brighton outfit The Magic Gang leaves zero doubt that the future of British music is in good hands. I'm super amped about where the direction this band is heading!