The bulk of 2020’s forced isolation left many with nothing to do but bake bread, do push-ups and listen to music. Or perhaps that is what your 2019 and every year before was like.
What else was like 2019 and every year before was the output of commercial and independently released music, the latter of what this reviewer mostly prefers (sorry, Mr. Springsteen). As always, there are lots of stinkeroos, but also many worthy of an annual, year-end top 10. Here comes numbers 10 through six, with numbers 11 and up going to Jeff Tweedy, The Country Westerns, Nocona, Moon Hooch, FUZZ, Bananagun, Rookie, The Turnstyles and more, more, more.
10. Funky Chemist, “Groove Generator.” This Milwaukee-based three-piece bangs out a lot of sound for a trio, with their debut record being a heady blast of old-school funk that could easily score a 1970s era cop drama while appeasing concertgoers with a high-energy festival set. Hammond organ and guitar share the front instrument duties, the latter lending to the band’s nod to psychedelic rock. RIYL (recommended if you like) Jimmy Smith, The Motet. 9. Charley Crockett, “Welcome to Hard Times.” The nonstop touring (and one-time Durango local) Crockett blurs the lines and connects the dots between classic county and classic R&B. Crockett remains an old soul, re-creating the classic era of country and honky-tonk while also having a bit of a Motown vibe, as this is a record with as much twang as it has a laid-back, old school, soul and ballad groove. The timeless Crockett, as he’s done time and time before, is once again proving country that is “new” in a calendar sense doesn’t have to be awful “new country.” RIYL George Jones, Sam Cooke.8. Sheverb, “Once Upon a Time in Bombay Beach.” This Austin, Texas, outfit moved to the defunct town of Bombay Beach on the Salton Sea to put together this ripping dose of far-out surf and reverb-drenched psychedelia. Bombay Beach was the perfect location for what could score a Quentin Tarantino film, a ghost of a town in the California desert where outlaws and dropouts go to hide and wait out the world, and this mostly female outfit have made the perfect soundtrack to do just that. RIYL Dick Dale, The Mermen. 7. Caitlin Cannon, “The TrashCannon Album.” Local Caitlin Cannon put out one of the more interesting records of the year, a dash of roots-prog that pushes the limits of rocking Americana with some irreverent humor via titles and lyrics, while also throwing out some sugary sweet indie-pop. She’s a straight-shooter, a keen judge of character who can also poke at herself, and she’ll do so with layered melodies and big hooks. It’s a fun record where roots country collides with new wave, where hairdressers, barbers and bartenders come to life while Cannon pokes at all that’s absurd with a satirical touch. Humor aside, this is a record that is musically sophisticated, an effort that showcases Cannon’s ability as a songwriter, arranger and bandleader. RIYL Kelly Hogan, Tammy Wynette.6. American Aquarium, “Lamentations.” This vehicle for the songwriting of B.J. Barham continues its mission of recording and releasing smart rock from the South that isn’t Southern rock. Lyrically, Barham calls it as he sees it, a watchdog for the South that human-touch tunes in an effort to lift the whole lot. “Lamentations” takes on politics, self-worth, relationships and personal progress while drifting through Americana ballad territory, while a stacked band that kicks around subtle twang keeps them on the outskirts of alternative country and cow-punk. Yet with Barham’s ability with the pen, this is a songwriter’s record. RIYL Bruce Springsteen, Lucero.Numbers five through one will appear in next week’s column.
Bryant Liggett is a freelance writer and KDUR station manager. Reach him at liggett_b@fortlewis.edu.
