Top 20 of 2009: #20-11

Here is some of the music that struck me in 2009. In case you missed it, read the manifesto for this site. It might help you understand where I am coming from. If you didn’t see the Bird List, now might be a good time to check it out.

#20: Dave Alvin and the Guilty Women

S/T

Dave continues a great late-career run. Come to think of it, his “run” has never stopped, or really even slowed. Read a single review.

#19: Steve Earle

Townes

Reverent enough to know when to leave the song alone, but restless enough to know when to shake things up.

#18: Gary Floater

A Hero Never Learns

There is country music that is funny outside of “She Left Me For Jesus”. Most of it is here.

#17: Band of Heathens

One Foot In The Ether

Mining that Canadiana sound, BoH comes up with something fresh. Good songs and great voices. Read a single review.

#16: Guy Clark

Somedays the Song Writes You

This should probably be filed under “educational” rather than “country”. Read a single review.

#15: Corb Lund

Losin’ Lately Gambler

Wry humor and stripped down execution from the Great White North. Read a single review.

#14: Charlie Robison

Beautiful Day

A beautiful sounding record, with great songs to back it up. Possibly his most consistent. Read the original review.

#13: Buddy and Julie Miller

Written In Chalk

This sounds old, worn in, and gorgeous. I don’t think people are used to quality of this level anymore.

#12: Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit

S/T

His departure didn’t kill the Drive-By Truckers, but gave us double the output. DBT also put out a rarities record, and Isbell had the best song (“TVA”) on it. Read the original review.

#11: Robert Earl Keen

The Rose Hotel

One thing you can say about Robert Keen is that he always sounds like he is having fun. Read the original review.

Posted: December 30th, 2009 | 2 Comments »

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