Getting it in, once again, just under the wire before the end of 2015 -- it was a very consistent year in music with just about all of the expected artists delivering the goods and some newcomer surprises that I discovered along the way. I can't say that there was one absolute standout -- but we gotta rank 'em -- that's what we do. So here, as always, submitted for your approval (and perusal) are my Top 20 Albums for 2015.
20. Father John Misty - I Love You, Honeybear - (Sub Pop)
19. Tobias Jesso, Jr - Goon - (True Panther Sounds)
18. Tame Impala - Currents - (Interscope)
17. Prince - HITNRUN Phase One - (NPG Records)
16. Holly Miranda - Holly Miranda - (Dangerbird)
15. Justin Townes Earle - Absent Fathers - (Vagrant)
14. Hop Along - Painted Shut - (Saddle Creek Records)
13. Beach House - Depression Cherry - (Sub Pop)
12. Beach Slang - The Things We Do to Find People Who Feel Like Us - (Polyvinyl)
11. The Decemberists - What a Terrible World, What a Beautiful World - (Capitol)
10. Kendrick Lamar - To Pimp A Butterfly - (Aftermath)
9. Death Cab for Cutie - Kintsugi - (Atlantic)
8. Courtney Barnett - Sometimes I Sit and Think, And Sometimes I Just Sit - (Mom + Pop Music)
7. My Morning Jacket - The Waterfall - (ATO/Capitol)
6. Julien Baker - Sprained Ankle - (6131 Records)
5. Jamie xx - In Colour - (XL)
4. Alabama Shakes - Sound & Color - (ATO)
3. Wilco - Star Wars - (Anti- /dBpm Records)
2. Ryley Walker - Primrose Green - (Dead Oceans Records)
1. Sufjan Stevens - Carrie & Lowell - (Asthmatic Kitty)
From the Elton John/Harry Nilsson tendencies of Tobias Jesso, Jr, to a very "under-the-radar" follow-up to Prince's 'Art Official Age' -- from devastatingly personal albums by Holly Miranda, Justin Townes Earle, Courtney Barnett, Julien Baker and Sufjan Stevens to wonderful surprises by Hop Along, Jamie xx, Alabama Shakes, Wilco and Ryley Walker -- 2015 was a truly wonderful year in music. I have some honorable mentions which go to live albums and some new releases that were based primarily in standards or older material -- but include performances that must be mentioned -- Van Morrison - 'Duets' featuring guest stars on some lesser known Van tracks, Ryan Adams - 'Live at Carnegie Hall' - two complete live solo performances, Bob Dylan - 'The Bootleg Series,Vol 12' including lost gems from his most prolific period of 1965-66, Rhiannon Giddens and her magnificently soulful voice on her album 'Tomorrow is My Turn' and the great Boz Scaggs and his album 'A Fool to Care'.
2016 -- we hand it off to you -- you have your work cut out for you!
Happy New Year!
